Gesswein Looking to Break School Sack Record

By Brett Longcor

No, that’s not thunder, but the sound of football helmets colliding in the crisp fall air. Del Val Aggie football is back for another exciting season on the gridiron.
The team, led by 4^th year head coach Jim Clements, has many key starters returning on both sides of the ball, including senior quarterback Mike Isgro, the reigning Middle Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the YearOn the defensive side, one name comes to mind: Goose. Although he doesn’t have wings, Kyle Gesswein could fly past the school’s all time sack record this season needing only 7.5. The record is currently held by former Aggie Anthony Silver with 26. Silver played from 2003-2006.

Gesswein, a junior, tied the single season record for sacks last season with 11.5 which was good enough for first in the MAC. He also led the MAC in tackles for A loss with 22 and led the Aggies in tackles with 105. Those numbers earned the linebacker the 2008 1^st Team All-Conference honors and D3football.com All-East Region 2^nd Team.

This year, Gesswein, a Business Administration major, was named a preseason All-American by D3football.com, Lindy’s Sports and The Sporting News.

“It is a great honor, but I try not to pay attention to it because All-Americans don’t win championships, teams do,” Gesswein stated.

His goals are to break the sack record and help the team win the MAC and a national title, something that every Aggie has in common.

The team has gotten off to good start and from here on out every team is a key opponent, if the Aggies want to fulfill their goal of winning the MAC and national championship, according to Gesswein.

“We’re excited about league play and looking to make a good run especially if our homecoming king (Gesswein) comes through,” commented coach Clements.

To prepare for a game Gesswein practices hard and watches as much film as possible on the next opponent. There are two things about playing football that fuels the fierce linebacker: making a lot of new friends and being able to play and win games with them on Saturdays.

“I try to let the excitement build up all week until the opening kickoff,” says Gesswein.

The Aggies are favored to win back-to-back Middle Atlantic Conference championships, according to the preseason coaches’ poll. Will that be the case when the fourth quarter clock hits zero in the final game? Aggie fans will have to wait and see.