The 1999 Sterling Golden Warriors football team had a chip on its shoulder and with good reason. After a disappointing 13-14 loss to East Moline to end the 1998 football season, effectively keeping the Golden Warriors out of the playoffs, the twenty returning varsity lettermen had two goals: their mission, in the words of then-senior flanker Ryan Ptak ’00, was “to make the playoffs and strive for reaching ‘The Carpet’” (in reference to the turf field at the Illinois State University where the Class 4A State Title game was held).
And while the infamous “Carpet” remained disappointingly out of reach, the 1999 Golden Warriors football team, coached by Hall of Fame member Max Gaumer ’72, accomplished a great deal on the field. They joined the illustrious 1991, 1994 (Blue Crew III), and 1995 football teams as the fourth Sterling football team to qualify for the IHSA State Quarterfinals in the history of the football program.
The 1999 Golden Warriors started the season with a lopsided win against #2-ranked Oak Park Fenwick (33-0) and quickly rushed to 3-0 before facing archrival Geneseo, who was also undefeated at that point in the season. The close and intense game brought the Golden Warriors their first loss of the season, narrowly losing to the Maple Leafs 7-10. Sterling would remain tied for second in NCIC Northeast Division play for most of the season, chasing the Maple Leafs as they completed a perfect season.
Never ones to be deterred, however, the Golden Warriors put their depth and speed to use, only losing once more in the season and overcoming the severe ACL injury of senior quarterback Tyler Gaumer ’00 to finish the regular season 7-2, securing themselves a spot in the IHSA Class 4A Playoffs.
In the postseason, the Golden Warriors started their run facing Evergreen Park on the road in the first round of the 1999 playoffs. After defeating Evergreen Park 22-19, the Golden Warriors were then set to face undefeated Peoria Manual at home. With stellar performances by Gaumer, Ptak, and RB Alex Barajas ’00, the Golden Warriors were able to surpass Peoria Manual 32-22 and advance to the IHSA State Quarterfinals against Metamora.
The Golden Warriors’ season came to a close at the quarterfinal game, as Metamora skirted by, winning 28-21.
Despite the disappointing conclusion, the 1999 Golden Warriors football team received recognition both in the form of All-Area and All-Conference awards. Four Golden Warriors were named 1st Team All-Area and ten were recognized as 1st Team NCIC Conference. 1st Team All-Area honorees included Gaumer, Barajas, Ben Loy ’00 (OL), and Brian Jackson ’00 (DB). 1st Team NCIC Conference honorees included Ptak, Loy, Gaumer, Barajas, Dan Smith ’00, Chad Ryan ’00, Cam Dempsey ’00, Al Gonzalez ’01, Matt Moser ’00, and Brian Jackson ’00.
Even more notable were the school records set by the 1999 Golden Warriors as individuals. Tyler Gaumer’s individual career quarterback records of 133 total points and 127 pass completions stood until 2008 and 2015, respectively. Chad Ryan led the team in rushing yards with 818, averaging 6.104 yards per carry.
Varsity coaches for this resilient team were head coach Max Gaumer, long-time assistant and defensive coordinator Jay Rhodes, Shane Brown, Chad Monnier ’93, and Tim Rockhold.
Members of the 1999 Golden Warriors football team:
Matt Garcia ’00
Chad Ryan ’00
Dan Smith ’00
Josh Imel ’00
Greg Walzer ’01
Dan Stutzke ’00
Ryan Ptak ’00
Kyle Stange ’00
Aaron Howard ’01
Tyler Gaumer ’00
Matt Taylor ’01
Ryan Vasquez ’01
Mike Pyron ’00
Brian Nelson ’00 Dustin Sunday ’01
Chad Howze ’01 Kevin Amesquita ’01
Andrew Gee ’01
Alex Barajas ’00
Eric Bontz ’01
Cam Dempsey ’00
Brian Jackson ’00 Nathan Paufve ’01 Pete Staranko ’00
Dan Buchholz ’00 John Loos ’01
Derek Frank ’00 Willie Zigler ’01 Dustin Gray ’01
Dan Woessner ’00
Marc Geerts ’00
Josh Rick ’00
Jon Dukes ’01
Delon Bland ’01
Al Gonzalez ’01
Matt Moreno ’01
Josh Buis ’00
Ben Loy ’00
Ryan Bopes ’01
Joe Bittorf ’01
Jeremy Wellman ’00
Kyle Fisher ’01
Matt Moser ’00