Ram Sports

Cross country team has good work ethic


G-A Girls and Boys Cross Country Profile

Head coach: Chris Thomas, 8th year varsity head coach

Returners:  Knighten Rockwell (senior), Nicklas Stevens (junior), Ashton Dingee (sophomore)

Rest of the Team: Vincent Finedell (freshman), Aaiden Schroeder (freshman)   and Sophia Dohm (freshman).


By Bruce Rolfe

The Galesburg-Augusta girls and boys cross country teams are low on numbers, but Ram coach Chris Thomas said a strong work ethic exists.

Senior Knighten Rockwell, junior Nicklas Stevens and sophomore Ashton Dingee are all returners on the boys squad.

Thomas said the returning boys bring motivation and are willing to work hard to make their season successful.

“Several have expressed their goal of going to the state finals this year,” said the Ram coach.

Freshmen Vincent Finedell and Aaiden Schroeder will also be running on the boys team.

Freshman Sophia Dohm will be running for the girls.

“The freshmen come to us after successful middle school careers. I look forward to seeing them develop as strong high school athletes,” said the Ram coach. 

The spotlight shined on the cross country team last year during homecoming week when the team ran the game ball from Delton (G-A’s football homecoming opponent) to G-A. However Saugatuck is this year’s homecoming opponent, too far away for that special event to take place this season.

Last year, seniors Carter Stevens and Landen Bouchard qualified for the postseason with top 10 finishes at the regionals. Bouchard also broke four school records. Thomas hopes the success both runners had, along with the ball carry from Delton to G-A, will inspire and challenge the younger runners on the team.

“The team had a great season last year and the ball carry challenged us as a team. This group of athletes have the drive and determination to qualify for the state finals and I know they will give it their all to reach that goal,” offered Thomas.

Coach hopes depth, togetherness will
help Rams get into postseason this year


G-A Football Profile

Last Year: 3-6 overall/1-4 in the conference

Head Coach: Chuck Hadley, 5th year

Returners from last season: Sr Bradlee Hubbard OL/DL, Sr Aiden Moses OL/DL, Sr. Kameron Prince OL/DL, Sr. Nathan Franz OL/DL, Jr. Dominic Corsi OL/LB, Sr. Justin Martin RB/DB. Sr. Jonah Ranes RB/LB, Jr. Giovanni Evans RB/DB    

The rest of the team: Jr. Milo Schwendinger OL/DL, Sr. Jacksen Houseman TE/DE, Sr. Calvin Bernard WR/DB, Jr. Patrick Armock QB/DB,  Newcomers:  Sr. Marcello Berry WR/DB, Sr. Jaden Roe WR/DB, Sr. Dontrell Bowden WR/DB, Jr. Gergory Buckner RB/LB, Jr. Brady Towery Ol/DL, Jr. Tristan Jackson TE/LB, Jr. Nate Ellis OL/DL, Jr Colton Robertson RB/LB, Jr.. Tyler Evans RB/DB, Soph. Cayden Allie TE/DE, Sr. Aaron Catlin RB/DB


By Bruce Rolfe

While the Galesburg-Augusta varsity football team finished 3-6 last year, the team was very close to qualifying for the playoffs.

G-A opened the new season August 28 at Cassopolis against a Ranger program that went 1-7 last year and was 4-22 the last three years. 

Because two of G-A’s wins were against bigger schools last season, Ram coach Chuck Hadley points out his team was really just one win away from the postseason.

Getting that close and beginning the season with a deep and healthy roster leaves the Rams motivated to get into the post season for the first time since 1997 under regular playoff qualifying standards (note - all schools were given entry into the playoffs in 2020 due to a shortened season caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. G-A lost a pre-district game to Schoolcraft 54-6).

“It definitely has been a motivating factor in the off-season. I think they all see the post-season as a realistic goal as opposed to a pie in the sky dream,” observed Hadley.

In last year’s loss to Coloma G-A had an early lead, fell behind in the final quarter, but fought back with a chance to win late only to fall short.

In the South Haven loss a turnover late in the game prevented the team from an opportunity to overtake the Rams.

Hadley feels execution and preparation can go a long ways towards helping the team get over the hump in its quest to be a playoff team.

“So far this group has shown the willingness to put in the work during practice necessary to achieve success on Friday nights. Then it’s just a matter of outworking your opponent on Friday night,” points out the G-A coach.

Hadley, entering his fifth year as head coach at G-A, feels a much deeper team then what he had the last couple of years, will be a big key this season.

He feels G-A will be especially strong along the offensive line where five players, all with varsity experience, return. The offensive line will be anchored by three-year starter and All-Conference senior center Bradlee Hubbard.

G-A will have multiple weapons in the backfield. Leading rusher from a year ago, senior Jonah Ranes (392 yards on 74 carries and five touchdowns) returns. Senior Justin Martin (109 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown), who is fully recovered from an ACL injury that sidelined him early last season, is eager to have a big senior season.

Hadley adds juniors Giovanni Evans (195 yards on 44 carries) and Gregory Buckner have been impressive early this season as well in the backfield. 

The Ram coach especially likes the bond this years team has formed.

“They are really starting to develop that brotherhood which is so important in football. Football is the ultimate team sport and when you get a group of young men all pulling in the same direction good things will happen,” explained the G-A coach.

The Rams face a tough schedule. After the season opener at Cassopolis, G-A faces two very good non-conference teams at home against Plainwell and Allegan before  jumping into the always tough SAC conference schedule, when Hadley said “there are no weeks off.”  

The G-A coach feels defending SAC conference champions Schoolcraft will be the team to beat once again this season. He adds Lawton does not have the size up front the team had the last few years, but the Blue Devils do have a lot of speed and should be in the hunt for the conference title as well.

“It’s a very tough schedule but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Tough competition brings out the best in your team,” points out the Ram coach. 

A big highlight on the schedule is the September 5 home game against Plainwell when the school district will unveil the legendary and Hall of Fame former G-A coach Bill Maskill statue with a special 6 p.m. ceremony.

“The kids all know what’s hiding under that cloak in the south end zone, but we haven’t talked about it much…yet. We’ve been focused on getting ready for Cassopolis in week number 1. We will certainly be talking about Coach Maskill and what he has meant to the G-A football program and the community as a whole when week 2 rolls around,” said Hadley.

Assisting Hadley this season will be Offensive Coordinator Travis Sleight, Defensive Coordinator Tony Smith, John Klimp, Les Brewer, Chuck Johnson, Joel Schwendinger, Adam Hubbard, and Blake Hoffman.

GALESBURG-AUGUSTA
VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 2025
8-28: Cassopolis Away 7 p.m.
9-5: Plainwell Home Maskill Statue Dedication 6 p.m. game at 7 p.m.
9-12: Allegan Home 7 p.m.
9-19: Schoolcraft Away 7 p.m.
9-26: Lawton Home 7 p.m.
10-3: Saugatuck Home 7 p.m. Homecoming
10-10: Delton Away 7 p.m.
10-17: Coloma Home 7 p.m. Senior Night
10-24: South Haven Away 7 p.m.