GICC Football 2026 Season Preview

(Grand Island, NE) - After sipping on the cup of greatest and falling short of a state championship in 2025, the Grand Island Central Catholic football team hopes to taste victory this year on the same stage.

The Crusaders finished the season 11-2 after falling 37-15 to Bishop-Neumann in the Class C2 state championship game.

Head coach Jeff Ashby said although the 2025 season was a great season overall, and the championship game loss did sting a little, he is not dwelling on that one game.

“Enjoying the journey getting to that state final game was great for all the kids,” said Ashby. 

He accredits the seniors on last year's team and the hard work they put in to get to that point, for leaving a lasting, positive impact on the school.

“With all those guys did to get GICC football to that point, I am not going to let one game take away from what we did last season,” said Ashby.

This GICC team not only went 11-2 and ended up runner-up , its numbers on all sides of the ball spoke for themselves.

The Crusaders passed for 2,220 yards and rushed for 2,507, scoring 63 touchdowns. They also forced 15 interceptions, had 24.5 sacks, and made 59 PAT’s. 

After strong winds threw a wrench in some of GICC’s arsenal during the championship game, Ashby said they may use their ground assault more this season.

Coach said he knows there is plenty of talent left to again make another run, and he does mean run.

“Jackson Gangiwish will be our quarterback,” said Ashby. “Max Holling and Thomas Schneider are two good running backs, so with those three guys we will be able to run pretty well this season versus more of a passing game last year.”

Ashby said they hope to find success with their legs. 

“We will have to do things well on the ground to get over the hump,” said Ashby.

Other Crusader returners include defender Owen Price, who has had seven D1 offers thus far, UNK recruit Will Maser, and a plethora of talents on both sides of the ball with Brandon Cloud, Braylon Wolfe, Dax Gallatly, Garrett Watson, and the aforementioned, Schneider, and Gangwish. Three transfers in Bo Stobbe (Northwest), Max Holling (GISH), and North Dakota State recruit Adrej Sabatka (St. Cecilia), also give GICC plenty of depth.

Ashby mentioned the size of his offensive line will help with the ground game.

“We are really big on the line and that will help the running game,” he said. “Not just big but these guys move well.”

Ashby says his coaching staff helps set the attitude and tone of this team starting with weights before school.

He said coach Willie Fair motivates his guys during morning weights at 6:30am.

“It all starts with that,” said Ashby. “If you can’t develop a work ethic in the weight room, you’re not going to get much of an effort outside the weight room.”

Central Catholic will begin its 2026 campaign at home against Hershey on Friday, August 28. Catch every GICC game this season on 99.7 Jett FM & jettfm.com.