Gunn Football to Host Championship Game on Saturday

“Our guys played really hard throughout the season, with the goal of achieving success and improving  every game,” said Zach Mihaly, Head Coach for Varsity Football and Director of Campus Safety. Although the Highlanders fell to Holderness School, 32-22 in their season opener, that only deepened the team’s resolve to win — which they did, for the six remaining games in the season.

“That has led us to the position we’re in, and the championship,” Mihaly said.

Varsity Football has played consistently well over the past several years, achieving records of 4-2, 4-2, 4-3 and 6-1. That success has helped to drive consistent interest in eight-person football at Gunn. The school continues to attract student-athletes who have previous football experience as well as multi-sport athletes with an interest in playing the sport, and together they have contributed to the team’s overall success while fostering a sense of camaraderie and community. 

As Mihaly said: “A big part of the message is about community and family, and not only dominating on the field, but in the classroom, being a great member of our community, and conducting ourselves appropriately, no matter where we are.”

The team has seen some changes on the coaching side this year, with Richard Martin P’20 ’23 ’25, returning as an Assistant Coach. In addition to serving as English Department Chair, Martin served in prior years as Head Coach for Varsity Football, and coached alongside former Head Coach Hugh Caldara. Eric Sheidt, who joined the team as an Assistant Coach, brings football experience to Gunn as well, having played at Duke University, and having served previously as Head Coach for football at Rumsey Hall School.

Mihaly credited Assistant Coach Sean Milano of the Mathematics Department faculty with being the catalyst of the team’s success as defensive coordinator. “His playing and coaching experience has allowed him to be someone the players really look up to as a role model,” Mihaly said. Mark Fink, whose wife, Colleen Fink, is the school’s new Athletic Director and Dean of Co-Curricular Activities, has been a great addition to the coaching staff as well, he said.

The decision to add a championship game for the first time in a decade was made in the off season by the coaches in the Eight-Person Football League and subsequently approved by the athletic directors of each member-school. In addition to Gunn, they include Albany Academy, Forman School, Harvey, Hebron Academy, Holderness, Millbrook, Pomfret, and Wilbraham & Monson.

Gunn defeated Wilbraham & Monsoon 54-38 during a regular season game in September. Asked how he was feeling heading into the championship game, Mihaly said: “I’m probably more confident than I would have been in years past with this squad, just because of how close they are, and how they gel together, how important the game is to them, how they execute plays on the field, and their work ethic. I feel pretty good about our chances.”

As far as hosting the championship game at home, he said: “I think it’s huge. It means a lot, and it’s a testament to them to have put themselves in the position to host a championship game. The school spirit on this campus right now is huge, and you’re seeing the support collectively for all of our sports teams. It’s really cool to see it and that is part of the culture of not just our program, but the entire school. I look forward to seeing how it grows from here.”