Gavin Guidette - The Montgomery News Athlete of the Month

By Claire O’Farrell | September 29, 2022

Gavin Guidette, a Montgomery High School (MHS) senior, began playing flag football as a 5-year-old. His interest stemmed from his father’s love for the game. His father, Steve, played in high school and for The College of New Jersey Lions. Gavin’s older brother, Cade, also played football at MHS.

MHS football player Gavin Guidette with ball in the varsity game against Plainfield on September 10.

Guidette got his start playing for Montgomery Pop Warner, which he did until 8th grade. At one point, his father was his coach. The Montgomery Pop Warner program ended in 2018 due to a lack of parent volunteers and dwindling enrollment. A downside of losing Montgomery Pop Warner is that other kids like Guidette will have to look elsewhere for the same opportunity or play in the popular Montgomery Flag Football League instead.

Fortunately, for Guidette, the MHS football program is thriving. He is the co-captain of the varsity team, where he plays linebacker on defense and running back on offense. “I like football for many reasons,” he said in an interview with The Montgomery News.

“I love the sport because it’s fast paced and I like the contact. It’s also fun to learn all the new plays and execute them. I feel like there is nothing like the team atmosphere in football. Every person has to be doing their job to make the team successful and you all really rely on each other. The camaraderie comes because everyone is working together towards the same goals,” he says.

With a 5-0 record, MHS varsity football is off to a strong start, which makes Guidette’s final season promising.

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“I have had a great experience so far at MHS. Coach Zoran Milich and all the coaches push us constantly to be better and are there to support us on and off the field. My fellow players are some of my closest friends and I enjoy being on the field with them.”

“I also had the opportunity to play on the team with [my brother] Cade, who graduated in 2021. One of my favorite memories was going out on the field as a sophomore on special teams with him. My junior year, I switched and now wear his number, eight, as well.”

Guidette is exploring his options after graduation as he would like to continue to play college football.

Homecoming 2022

The community can cheer on Guidette and the entire MHS football team at their Homecoming game against North Hunterdon, on Friday, October at 7 pm at Cougar Stadium.

Fans can continue celebrating at the stadium on Saturday, October 8 with a MHS Homecoming Parade at 1:30 pm, food trucks at 1:45 pm, and a variety of field games for youth.

For more information about the homecoming events and MHS Spirit Week, read Homecoming Tradition Returns to MHS.