Gilford football team earns championship, sportsmanship banners

GILFORD — Gilford High School is going to have to reorganize the gymnasium walls soon, if their athletic teams keep winning with such class.

The Division III champion Golden Eagles were presented with their title banner on Wednesday, as well as a sportsmanship award from the New Hampshire Football Officials Association.

This is the first title in the team's history, but the banner joins the many other Gilford High championships triumphantly displayed, striking a tinge of fear in opponents entering the gym.

Captain Mark Uicker, who was integral in the team’s championship season as a running back and linebacker, said this was a season he and his teammates will never forget.

“This is what you work for from Day 1, especially being the first in program history,” Uicker. “I think a lot of people didn’t think of Gilford as a football team. People say it’s a soccer town, and we have a great soccer program. But it is an incredible feeling to put one up there for football."

Uicker said this was a collaborative effort of 50 guys who, regardless of role, had a common goal. It wasn’t about statistics or individual accolades; it was about winning as a team, and doing it with respect.

“As a captain of this team, I couldn’t be happier about how we handled ourselves,” Uicker said. “Our sportsmanship is a testament to that championship banner, because of how we were able to keep our heads and focus. Not only toward our opponents, but toward ourselves and teammates.”

Rick Acquilano has been the school’s athletic director for the past decade, and is also the boys basketball coach. That team has seen plenty of success in its own right, with four straight titles from 2020 to 2023. He said for the football team to walk away with a state title, and also be recognized for their sportsmanship, is an “athletic director’s dream.”

“At the end of the day, you’re trying to sell not just being competitive and winning, but winning both on and off the field,” Acquilano said. “There’s so much more beyond football, or the sport you’re coaching or playing in. This is like a community celebration — something the coaches, players, and the town all own.”

Acquilano said the school not only has a winning culture, but prides itself in setting up their student athletes for a future where they can contribute to society. He said this team exemplified what it meant to be successful, and winning the right way.

“This is so full and rich, and something we are all very proud of,” Acquilano said. “One of the biggest compliments paid to me was that after every game, win or lose, we get in a line and shake hands. We are proud of that sportsmanship as educators. When coaches take on that role, they represent more than just a sport.”

Acquilano said sportsmanship has always been part of the mantra of Gilford teams, but being recognized for it just solidifies what they already know about their players and coaches.

“It’s neat that the referees association recognized this,” Acquilano said. “Football can be a violent sport, but at the end of each play, you pick each other up.”

Tim Macaione was another captain of the state championship Golden Eagles, leading the squad to their first title in team history. His big final year of high school continued Wednesday, when he was awarded a $2,000 scholarship check following the banner presentation.

“It’s kind of putting the cherry on top of the season,” Macaione said. “I can’t thank my coaching staff and family enough for making me the man I am today. I feel really proud for myself and this organization."

After a couple of playoff losses in the two previous seasons that left the team yearning for more, it all came together last fall. Macaione shifted over to the middle linebacker roll and took control of defensive playcalling, and said the whole team did what they had to do to come out on top.

“It was a really special year, with our whole team being all in,” Macaione said. “This is a little bittersweet being the end, but I’m happy to be here with my boys. We’ve been a tight-knit group since our freshmen year, so getting together today with a championship ring is a special feeling.”

The sportsmanship banner was presented by NH Football Officials Association Treasurer Jim Presher, and John Morris, a council member for the association.

Presher travels the state to recognize teams deserving of the accolade, and this one hit a bit differently, as he is a former teacher and coach for Gilford about 50 years ago, when the building was first opened.

Presher said after every football game, the five officials get together and evaluate the two teams. One criterion they look at is sportsmanship, and they compile the information to determine the most deserving team. He noted Gilford was also recognized in both 2008 and 2010.

“Sportsmanship is extremely important, and more important than winning, believe it or not,” Presher said. “If you put a player on the ground, offer the hand to get him up. Next time he might put you on the ground, and you hope he puts his hand out.”

He commended Coach Brandt O’Hara and his coaching staff, as well as Acquilano and Principal Anthony Sperazzo, for leading the way with a mentality that clearly resonated with the squad.

O’Hara said sportsmanship is something they preach, to make sure players get the most out of the program. Football doesn’t last forever, and the coaches want to make sure players go into the world with a high level of character.

“It all starts with being a good person,” O’Hara said. “Our leadership this year was fantastic, with a great group of seniors.”

O’Hara said the team went all out at practice, and they fought through any adversity that came their way as a team. With a new team next year, he knows a repeat needs to be earned. That starts in the weight room, at practice, and cooperating as a team.

Coach Matt Mansur said Uicker and Macaione, along with fellow senior captains Declan Voivod and Emmett Hughes, led by example, and the players around them bought into the culture.

“They are great leaders and great athletes, and it was a lot of fun to work with them all this season,” Mansur said. “We had excellent senior leadership. They speak up, and fed off each other, and they knew how to walk the walk.”