SCHENECTADY - On the Union College football field, an intense rivalry unfolds daily between two standout players. Senior wide receiver Gil Rivera, recognized as one of the top talents in the Liberty League, regularly faces off against senior cornerback Matt Mitchell, a first-team all-league selection from the previous season.
Mitchell describes their practice dynamic succinctly: "We say during practice, we’re each other’s No.1 enemy. Once the cleats come off, the helmets come off, we’re best friends. So it’s all good." This friendly competition has become a hallmark of their training sessions, where both players acknowledge that their ongoing battles only serve to enhance their skills.
Mitchell elaborates on their competitive relationship, stating, "He makes me better. Iron sharpens iron. He’s been keeping me on my toes. I keep him on his toes, and that’s kind of how we like it." Their individual matchups are not just about personal pride; they are crucial in preparing for the challenges of the upcoming season. The defending Liberty League champion Garnet Chargers are set to kick off their season on Saturday, hosting the 20th-ranked Susquehanna at noon on Frank Bailey Field.
Rivera expressed his enthusiasm for the competition, noting, "I love it. I mean, he’s probably one of the best corners I’m probably going to play all year, so going up against him every day makes it feel a lot easier when I play against anybody else." Both players wear the number 0, a choice that reflects their unique personalities and commitment to their team.
Beyond the football field, Rivera and Mitchell share a common academic path as economics majors. Mitchell is contemplating law school after graduation, having gained experience through internships at Northwestern Mutual, while Rivera has spent his summers working in sales. However, during practice, their focus shifts from academics to spirited banter, with Mitchell humorously stating, "All the time, this (interview) is probably the most cordial you see us." Rivera added, "I love to talk; whether it’s practice or games, it doesn’t matter."
As the season approaches, Rivera has high hopes for the Garnet Chargers' defense, which returns nine starters, including Mitchell and junior linebacker John Droggitis, another first-team all-league player. Rivera commented, "Our defense brought back almost everybody. It’s really our offense that is going to be more of the question mark. I feel like if we put up three scores every game, we will be an undefeated team. I think we have the best defense in the conference, by far."
One significant challenge facing the Union offense is the need to replace quarterback Patch Flanagan, the Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year who has graduated. Head coach Jon Drach has praised the performance of senior Cole Brisson and juniors Luke Sheehan, Max Cho, and Jesse Ripka during training camp. "We’ll call (who starts) on Saturday," Drach stated, indicating that multiple players are still in contention for the starting role.
Despite the uncertainty at quarterback, Union was ranked first in the Liberty League preseason poll, a prediction that did not surprise Drach. "Not really," he said. "I think that we won the conference; we beat everybody in our conference last year. From that standpoint, we do return a lot on the defensive side of the ball. Patch was an excellent player, and that’s the standard of our quarterback room."
As the season opener approaches, Rivera is poised to be a key target for whoever takes the helm at quarterback. Last season, he made 48 catches for 634 yards and six touchdowns, earning second-team all-league honors. After spending his freshman year at RPI without playing in games, Rivera chose to transfer to Union to play for Drach, who had previously recruited him during his tenure at Wilkes University.
Drach expressed satisfaction with the daily competitions between Rivera and Mitchell, highlighting their growth as players and leaders. "Those guys are only getting better by playing against each other. I think that’s what we expect out of our guys: to push each other positionally," he remarked.
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