By ERIC KNOPSNYDER
Coach Gary Gouse’s Portage Mustangs wracked up more than 5,000 yards last season and averaged more than
40 points per game, so offense wouldn’t seem to be a problem.
But Gouse, who is an assistant coach for the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game, has been getting some advice on how to best run his wing-T offense.
“That’s really helped me, to see what other coaches do,” Gouse said in a telephone interview from Altoona, where he is helping the West squad prepare for tonight’s game at Altoona’s Mansion Park. “I’ve been doing this for 29 years. You question yourself, wondering how is your program compared to others. It’s amazing. Most of us (West coaches) run the wing-T. That blew me away.”
The fact that the Mustangs blew away so many teams last year – they were 12-0 before falling to Bishop McCort in the District 6 Class A championship – probably helped Gouse earn a spot in the game.
Coaches are nominated by their peers, and he felt that Portage’s recent run of success played a role in his selection.
“We’ve had some really good seasons the past couple of years, getting to the district final,” Gouse said. “You coach for so long and get some really good accolades.”
Gouse said his assistant coaches deserve much of the credit, and he’s tried to make them feel like they’re part of the all-star game.
“I’m really fortunate to have a great coaching staff that work their tails off,” he said. “I try to share it with them, talking with them and telling them what it’s like here. They’re holding the fort down at home with the workouts now. They’re a big part of me being here.”
Mars’ Scott Heinauer is the head coach for the West squad while Gouse is joined by Slippery Rock’s Clyde Conti, West York’s Ron Miller, Greencastle-Antrim’s Chuck Tinninis and Yough’s Jim Wehner.
“The coaching staff members that we have assembled are a great group of coaches to work with,” Gouse said. “Coach Heinauer has a been a joy, and we’ve been sharing ideas.”
No local players are taking part in the game, but Gouse has enjoyed meeting other student-athletes from across the state.
“It’s neat to see them come together and become a team,” he said. “At the beginning, you don’t know any of them, but now it’s almost like your own team.”
Except, of course, the talent level is more than any one high school team has.
“It’s scary,” Gouse said of the talent assembled for the game.
“I’ve never been around speed like this.”
It isn’t just the football that has impressed Gouse, but everything surrounding the game.
“This is one of the greatest all star games I’ve ever coached in. It’s first class. The people here have treated us unbelievably,” Gouse said. “Cheryl Ebersole, the coordinator, has done an unbelievable job with everything. She and (game director) Kellie Goodman have done a great job with how they run this all-star game.”
If you go
What: PSFCA East-West All-Star Game.
Where: Mansion Park, Altoona.
When: 6 tonight.
Tickets: $7 reserved; $5 at the gate. 943-4183 or (800) 842-5866
TV: PCN.
