The GHS football program faced a rocky 2024 season, but ended with an important three-game win streak to finish the season 3-6. Now, in the wake of nine seniors graduating, the incoming upperclassmen have big shoes to fill. With a week of full practice and an inter-squad scrimmage on Aug. 15, the young team is rapidly approaching game time against Eagle Valley on Aug. 30.
This season, GHS will rely on 10 upperclassmen. The Cowboys are led by five tight-knit seniors: Landon Miller, Ethan Pierce, Cody Casebolt, Nolan Frymoyer and Del Magdaleno.
“We've been playing [together] since middle school, and it's turned into a bigger bond than we thought it would be,” Miller said. “Now that we are seniors, it's crazy how fast it went.”
After a season-ending injury on the first game in 2024, quarterback Ethan Pierce is back and ready to lead the offense.
“[Last season] we tried to never give up in games,” Pierce said. “By the end of the season, we kept getting better. [This season] we need to grind and try to get there quicker.”
Former GHS offensive coordinator and Western wide receiver Chase Starman has taken the over the head coaching position ahead of the 2025 season.
“Landon Miller is definitely our vocal leader,” Starman said. “He gets guys going in the right direction and holds guys accountable. Ethan Pierce as well, being a senior quarterback is a ‘lead by example’ kind of guy.”
The offensive line is a key area that will determine the Cowboy’s success. The team lost a handful of senior linemen in 2025, including captain and center Holden Vickers. This season, junior Jack Stone will step in as the snapper.
“This year we're leaning on our offensive line,” Starman said. “[Stone] is our veteran in that position — he’s stepping up and knows his stuff.”
First year head coach Starman has already outlined goals and principles for GHS football this year. Starman has several goals for his athletes and their impacts off the field and in the community.
“Our team goals stay the same every year, we need to have a team GPA of 3.0,” Starman said. “We want to have a positive impact on the Gunnison community whether that's giving back or just giving something the community can rally behind.”
On the field Starman's focus is in building an identity for Gunnison football, setting the fundamentals for the upcoming games and future success.
“Last year we didn't really establish an identity,” Starman said. “Obviously we want to win the last one, being the state championship at the end of the year — that's always the goal.”
The Cowboys start their home campaign on Aug. 30 against Eagle Valley before taking on Delta at home on Sept. 9. The boys will then go on the road to Meeker Sept.12, before returning home to face North Fork on Sept. 26.
(Evan Bjornstad can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)
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