COACH OF THE YEAR
Randy Trivers
School: Gonzaga College High School (Washington, D.C.)
Record: 9-3
Super 25 rank: 18
Thrown into an absolute gantlet to end the season, Gonzaga College High School easily could have fallen apart. But Randy Trivers coached his team through tight losses in the regular season and a pair of wins in the playoffs to avenge two defeats.
In leading Gonzaga College to its first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title since 2002, Trivers has been named the All-USA Football Coach of the Year.
After a six-game winning streak to open the season, Gonzaga lost by a touchdown to Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Maryland). The next week, Gon- zaga fell to DeMatha in triple overtime. It would be a prequel to an exhilarating matchup later in the season. Gonzaga rebounded with a win the following week before falling to D.C. powerhouse St. John’s.
The Eagles got into the playoffs with a 6-3 record but would need to rebound against two teams that beat them in the regular season to win the WCAC. Trivers coached his team through No. 5 St. John’s for a 24-14 victory.
Next came DeMatha, a traditional power that had won three championships over the last four seasons. But Gonzaga scored 25 points in the fourth quarter and didn’t fret when DeMatha took a three-point lead with 29 seconds to play. A 60-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass capped the game.
In avenging a pair of losses as the underdogs, Gonzaga took home the trophy for the first time in 16 years.