Cousins lead SMCC to undefeated start

SANDUSKY — St. Mary Central Catholic's football team is a big family. The Panthers are off to a 4-0 start that includes a 2-0 mark in the Northern 8 Conference. Inside that family is a group of four cousins — literally family — who have been a big part of why SMCC is undefeated with big goals still ahead. "We have a great team," senior Bryan Gibson said. "It's a big family. We all hang out together. We go on the field, we get the job done and we get off the field." Gibson, senior Gabe Burch, sophomore John Burch and freshman Adam Burch are all cousins. Gibson's mom and the Burches' dads are siblings. Gabe and John are brothers. "It's definitely interesting," said John of the family dynamic. "We're very competitive. It's very beautiful to have us be together. We always make each other better." The group provides depth and size for the Panthers, who have 32 players on the roster. Gibson is 6-foot, 165 pounds while Gabe is 6-3, 245. John is 6-4, 250 and Adam is 5-11, 275. "I wouldn't want to play with any other group of boys," John said. "We all coach each other up. We all talk football at brunch or whatever the family get-together is. It's an awesome experience." Gibson and Gabe are seniors, meaning they played through a winless season as freshman. They progressed and won six games as sophomores two years ago before winning nine games as juniors last season, losing in the Northern 8 championship game. "With Gabe and Bryan, when they were in junior high, we thought this group of seniors would give us a chance to be respectable," Panthers coach Toby Hammond said. "They didn't win a game as freshmen and they had to play because we didn't have that many guys out. "Each year we've gotten better with them." John is Gabe's little brother, although John is bigger, despite being two years younger. Their father, Robert, is an assistant coach. The two push each other in practice and fight for playing time. "Not so little," said Gabe of John. "It gets feisty sometimes over the dinner table. It's all in wanting to make each other better. Going against each other in practice, it's the most competitive it'll get." Like most teenage boys, they played off the field, dreaming of the big times. Physicality ensued. "We've been playing together out in the back yard since before I can remember," Gibson said. "A couple bloody noses, a couple black eyes. It's always good fun." Gabe has recorded 10 tackles and two sacks for the Panthers this season. Most teams avoid him when running the ball, otherwise his tackle numbers would surely be higher. Gibson has 30 rushes for 429 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also returned the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown against Cardinal Stritch. "What can you say about Gabe? He's a load defensively," Hammond said. "People run away from him like they have all year. Bryan is so explosive with the ball in his hands. Offensively, he's a threat." With kicker Matteo Di Rosa injured, Gabe has attempted a few extra points for the Panthers. He has also punted, caught a pass and recovered a fumble. Adam, a lineman, said he's gotten to watch Gabe and John, who have shown him the ropes of the positions. "It's really cool because I get to learn from them, especially Gabe and John being linemen," Adam said. "It's nice having them basically as a mentor teaching me the ins and outs of what I need to do and what I need to learn." The group has been a factor on a defense that has pitched four shutouts this season. SMCC is outscoring opponents 156-0. "We take big pride in our defense," Gibson said. "We love defense. We're in the film room all the time looking for keys and doing our homework. Being with these guys, we're able to talk so much football." As a team, the Panthers have seven interceptions and have allowed just 44 rushing yards. SMCC has also recovered four fumbles. "We grind hard in practice for defense," Adam said. "We take a lot of pride in holding the shutout. The backups care just as much as the starters about it. I think that's the big key to it." The Panthers face their toughest test of the season by far at 7 p.m. Saturday when they travel to Lakeside to take on Danbury (4-0, 1-0). The Lakers have outscored their opponents 178-61 this season. They opened league play last Friday with a 44-12 road win over Holgate. "I think that's everything," John said. "That's thee game. They are the big rivalry and that's the one to decide who's the top dog around here. I think we can definitely win that if we keep going and do what we're supposed to do." SMCC defeated Danbury 43-14 last year in the regular season. Adam said the game takes on another meaning for the freshmen, as Danbury was the only team the SMCC junior high lost to last season. "It is like a crosstown rivalry, almost," Gabe said. "That's the most hyped game of the year for us. I know we circle it on our calendar and they probably circle it on theirs. It's a game you don't want to miss, that's for sure." However the Panthers' season ends up, the group of four will be family forever. While they have just the one season to play together, they have aspirations of a league championship. "It's a great feeling like no other," Gabe said. "As a team, we're all one big family. When you're actually family, it adds a whole other element to it. It's fun all around and I love them."