The lights are back on for Friday Night Football at Hempfield Area, and each week, students flood the stands for the 24-25 football season.
The boys continue to fight for wins on the field, and they hope to extend school pride beyond the turf. Our biggest reason for this is Girl Dad, and returning head coach, Mr. Nick Keefer, who worries just as much about character as he does their record. “We always talk about being a true Spartan in everything we do,” says Keefer.
Keefer says that his goals for the season are always the same, “We need to compete and get better every day. If we take care of that, everything else will take care of itself.” The team’s effort yielded successes at the game against Kiski Area where the Spartans defeated the Cavaliers 31-29. Pouring rain didn’t stop the boys from competing at their best, securing a memorable win.
Last year, Keefer defined success of the season as creating good leaders and raising school spirit. His attitude has not changed, and it is clear that this class does a good job of fulfilling his definition. Keefer says, “We feel like our ‘25 class does a nice job of leading the right way.” This season’s captains are seniors Jacob Hornyak and Owen Buchholz. These seniors, along with others, act as examples for the team in practice and on game days. Their goal is of course to play well but more so, to live up to the high standard the coaches have for their players.
Keefer is known as a Girl Dad at home, but he has nearly 100 pseudo sons, his players. His staff is filled with girl dads including Coach Poodie, Coach Tim Keefer, Coach Zach Keefer, Coach Murray, Coach Dolinski, and Coach Evans who Keefer is able to lean on and from whom he gleans advice. Joining the “Girl Dad” staff this year is Jim Nesser. Nesser’s young daughter Kori is best friends with Keefer girls Ella, Mila and Lena. While it’s clear that Nesser brings his years of coaching experience to the staff, the friendship between the families outside of football is also a key component for a dynamic coaching staff. “Having a strong staff is vital to any head coach,” says Keefer, “The fact that we are so close outside of football makes our staff that much stronger in season.”
Keefer and Nesser leave their spots on the sidelines for seats in the stands as they watch their girls cheer for the Hempfield Spartans Youth Football and Cheer program. It is then, that instead of having eyes locked on the game, that these coaches lock in on the girls instead. Keefer tells us that this is mostly because the girls are constantly waving and looking towards their parents in the stands. “It is definitely a new experience for me,” Keefer laughs, “I really do enjoy it.” We are pretty sure the coaches won’t be chanting rec cheers from the sidelines, but watching the upcoming youth showcase Spartan Spirit certainly motivates them as they reach for further success and more importantly, act as examples for the community.
Perception matters, and this coaching staff consistently uses their public roles to help create a positive experience. A new tradition that Keefer introduced last year was the cheerleaders joining the boys in singing the Alma Mater. After every game, win or lose, the band plays and as a community of individuals- players, cheerleaders, band members, and fans, we stand strong and most importantly, together.
