After a winless 2024 season, the Gates Chili football team has turned the page, compiling four victories in 2025 and earning its first home sectional game in fifteen years.
Head coach Andre Fontenette, now in his third year, brings a rare blend of continuity and fresh perspective, having assembled a senior-heavy roster that includes many players who have thrived in his system.
A senior-laden roster fuels optimism
The defensive line, anchored by seniors Ray Jones and Ethan LaJuett, is being hailed as one of the strongest in the region, providing a physical presence that should help the team tighten up its defense.
Returning starters such as quarterback Nate McKinney, tight end/defensive lineman Ethan LaJuett and offensive lineman Ray Jones give the team a blend of experience and talent that should translate into more consistent performances.
The schedule ahead features a marquee test against Irondequoit, a team that scored 60 points in last year’s meeting, as well as key home games against west-side rivals Churchville-Chili and Spencerport, all of which could prove pivotal in the pursuit of a sectional title.
Coach Fontenette has emphasized the importance of competing in close games and improving the physicality of his defense, goals that align with the team’s broader ambition of breaking through the playoff barrier and contending for a championship.