This season, Triway football is a family affair
The saying “like father, like son” has never been more fitting for the 2024 Triway Titans football program.
Ten current Titans had dads who also played football through their senior seasons for the Purple and White. In several cases grandpas and uncles also played.
Seniors Brody Snyder and Gavin Hatfield; juniors Luke Starr, Joey Yacapraro, Grayson Smith and Roman Gilbert and freshman brother Deacon; and sophomores Bruin Flinner and Chase Walter and freshman Jacob Kline all grew up hearing stories of their dads suiting up for Triway.
The fatherly advice has certainly helped the Titans in compiling a 6-3 record entering a regular-season finale against archrival Orrville (4-5) at Jack Miller Stadium on Oct. 25. They’ve clinched a Division V playoff spot and will earn a home playoff game with a win.
“It’s really cool to have a legacy of guys whose fathers and even grandfathers played here,” said coach Cody Kelly, who’s also a Triway alum. “It’s awesome that guys want to come back to the area, come back to the Triway community to raise their families. It means a lot to the kids.”
Barth Snyder, whose son Brody leads the team with 45 catches, good for 460 yards and three TDs, can’t help but feel excitement similar to when he played wide receiver on Triway’s first playoff team in 1993. That squad finished with a 9-3 record.
“My class was the first to make the playoffs for Triway, and these guys are almost mirroring our performance,” Barth Snyder said. “It was a pretty big deal getting into the playoffs back then. Now a lot more teams get in, but it’s still awesome.
“Hopefully, we finish the regular season (7-3) and win some playoff games. I’m really proud of all these kids, and I played with most of the dads. I coached these kids in little football and in eighth grade.”
Brody Snyder, a wide receiver-defensive back, has been around Triway sports since his birth. His dad and Uncle Travis Snyder were multi-sport athletes, and his siblings, Colton and Devan (Hissong), also were Titans.
Brody Snyder said he has lots of motivation to continue the family tradition and do it better, he said with a smile.
“I’ll say we’re doing something better to my dad and to Colton sometimes and Devan a few times,” Brody Snyder said. “I’m just trying to rub it in their face and have fun with it.”
If Luke Starr’s playing style looks familiar to longtime Triway fans, it’s because he’s a left-handed quarterback wearing No. 15 like his dad, Adam Starr (Class of 1999). Adam was an All-Ohioan who led the state in passing yards (2,425) as a junior on a 7-3 team.
Stan “Coke” Starr, Luke’s grandpa and Adam’s dad, also played quarterback and wore No. 15 for the Class of 1973. He led Triway to an 8-2 record while playing several Div. I teams as a junior.
“When I was little, every footstep my dad took, I was like a little shadow following behind him,” said Luke Starr, who’s 177-for-293 passing for 2,091 yards and 19 TDs along with 332 yards and six scores rushing. “We spent countless mornings, afternoons and nights throwing the football outside together, watching the Buckeyes, and him coaching my teammates and me.”
Luke Starr said any time he’s had the chance to wear 15 on his jersey, he did it. He said his dad taught him to have fun, pay attention to detail and put his faith in God.
Adam Starr called it a blessing to watch Luke follow in his footsteps and have a good group of teammates around him.
“These boys are great,” Adam Starr said. “The junior and senior class played together in everything growing up. They have a special unity.
“There’s been nothing better than getting to throw the football with my dad for several years and now throwing the ball with my son. It’s just a highlight of my life.”
Of course, it takes linemen to open up holes and provide time to throw, and Gavin Hatfield (LB-OL) is continuing in the large footsteps of his dad, Kennie Hatfield (Class of 1992).
“It gives us a little bit of tradition that our dads played and we’re playing right now,” Gavin Hatfield said. “It’s really cool. We’ve seen some YouTube videos of them, and now we’re the ones out there.”
Bruin Flinner (WR-S) has 36 catches for 483 yards and five TDs, as well as a team-high 74 tackles. His dad, Shane Flinner, was a running back-linebacker in the Class of 1996. Grandpa Ron Flinner was in the Class of 1972.
Grayson Smith (OLB-RB-WR) is on pace to be a four-year letterwinner and has 70 tackles and two interceptions this season. His dad, Barry Smith (QB, Class of 1991), has been an assistant coach for 10 years at Triway and coached for 32 years.
Roman and Deacon Gilbert have learned from their dad, Ryan Gilbert (Class of 1996). Roman is a tackle and defensive end like his dad while Deacon is the varsity long-snapper and JV quarterback as a freshman.
Joey Yacapraro (C-NG) plays center, just like his dad, Mark Yacapraro (Class of 1988). Joey’s Uncle Tony Yacapraro (1984) also was a two-way lineman.
“I’m very impressed with this team,” Mark Yacapraro said. “They practice and play harder than we ever did. Joey works harder than I did.”
Chase Walter is seeing special teams action as a sophomore. His dad, Eric Walter, was a WR-DB in the Class of 1995. Chase’s brother Owen Walter, Uncle Mike Walter and Grandpa Dan Walter also played.
Jacob Kline (WR-S) is learning the ropes as a freshman, following in the path of his dad, Chad Kline, a linebacker on the 1992 team and a state champion wrestler.
With so much tradition, it certainly adds motivation to the 2024 Titans.
“I think it means more to those guys just because they’re brought up in it and their dads talk about it more,” Kelly said. “They want to continue the legacy.”