MERRILLVILLE – Like their peers who are also halfway through their senior year, Andrean High School football players have been reflecting on their school journey. The 59ers team members are leaders on their campus, bonded by a distinct “brotherhood” that has allowed them to excel both on and off the field.
At 5959 Broadway in Merrillville, administrators, teachers and trainers alike have noted from their interactions with the student-athletes, qualities of perseverance, thoughtfulness and faithfulness that “go to the character” of the young men who recently turned in their red, white and gold uniforms for the season.
After winning regional titles in three of their last four seasons, and earning a state class 2A championship in 2021 with a 21-9 victory over Mater Dei of the Diocese of Evansville, the 59ers ended this season as runners-up. On Nov. 25, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a rematch with the Wildcats of Mater Dei saw Andrean bested 20-10.
Andrean sophomore religion teacher Denise Maldonado said that among the classes she has taught in her 34-year tenure, the 2022 seniors are memorable for their “don’t give up” attitude.
“I want everyone to see the players as I see them,” Maldonado explained. “When it comes to life, you’re not always going to win. Winning is easy. It's losing and being able to come back from that adversity and still do well.”
This postseason, Head Football Coach Chris Skinner was confident in his players’ abilities, but the result of the rematch with Mater Dei was not what they had hoped for.
“We just didn’t get it done; it was pretty close, and is a bit sad,” said Skinner, who is also an anatomy, biology and physics teacher at his alma mater (Class of 2006).
As a player for the 59ers, an assistant coach and now at the helm of the storied region gridiron program, Skinner said he sought to avoid a win-at-all-costs attitude and instead focused on creating a family-like atmosphere, where athletes create lasting friendships as they study, pray, enjoy a pizza party or work on charitable initiatives.
"We organically developed ways to help get the athletes (to bond),” Skinner said. “I want to help strengthen the good experiences … I don’t want anything to be a critical aspect of an (overall) positive experience.”
Senior running back and linebacker Drayk Bowen has received many accolades. On Nov. 4, 2021, he committed to play as a scholarship athlete at the University of Notre Dame. On Nov. 29, he was honored as the state’s high school football player of the year by MaxPreps sports media and, on Dec. 6, received the Butkus Award as a top linebacker among high school athletes from across the nation.
The soft-spoken team leader, instead of citing his career (junior and senior years) 2,969 yards rushing or 55 total touchdowns on offense, said he feels most strongly about the camaraderie of his teammates. After the state runners-up finish, he took to Twitter and tweeted: “It was a brotherhood that never made the headlines. Thank you! All (heart) #34Out.”
Drayk Bowen thanked his parents Jeremy and Rebecca Bowen and the motivational people at Andrean for propelling his football dreams.
“I believe everything, every gift you have comes from God, so being able to give thanks to him and express gratitude to him is super nice, especially when other people feel the way you do,” Drayk Bowen said.
Before his growth spurt at 16, Senior Ethan Kost came into AHS as a sophomore transfer from Valparaiso High School. He was about 5 feet and 6 inches tall and weighed about 110 pounds. Now checking in at 6 feet and 3 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds, he reflected on the positions he’s played for the 59ers – from wide receiver to tight end to defensive lineman.
The St. Paul Catholic School of Valparaiso graduate said there has been great guidance from school officials, always backed by the tender loving care of his family.
“My dad (Kurt Kost) encouraged me to go to the gym and eat right,” Ethan Kost said. “A big part was the cooking; my mom (Heather Kost), would be in the kitchen for countless hours for me.”
Senior James Mantel, who played cornerback, cited the example of his eldest sibling and brother Michael Mantel, an AHS graduate, as an inspiration for his gridiron pursuits, which started as a St. Mary Catholic Community School of Crown Point student who played in the nearby Taft Middle School football program.
Mantel, who is employed on the school’s “Red Crew,” assisting with facilities and logistics, said his leadership abilities were developed under mentors at Andrean.
“Danny O’Shea (AHS Class of 2021) led through his work ethic," Mantel explained. “He was someone who the team could really look to last year.”
Not an alumna of Andrean, but someone with deep roots in the school family since she was contracted as an athletic trainer in 1990, Susan Marovich is the health and physical education teacher.
The woman affectionately known as “Trainer D” by athletes and colleagues, said she enjoyed assisting the team and witnessing their success on the field.
“It isn’t hard to see how special Andrean athletics and athletes are," Marovich said, emphasizing how much the current seniors mean to faculty, families and the greater community. “I hope the (student-athletes) never forget their Andrean family because we certainly won’t forget them.”
Praising Coach Skinner and staff, Andrean athletic director Mike Schultz said there is a nearly year-round effort of training, practice and on-field execution of strategy. Though there is “a lot of pressure to maintain that success,” the coaches’ holistic approach to elite athlete development is what will remain a happy memory for graduates.
Andrean Principal Jaycob Knazur said 59ers athletes demonstrate to the greater school family what really matters in life.
“We talk a lot about family at Andrean. Our football program has long exemplified that call (to) support, fellowship, and drive with and for one another," Knazur said.