Kates brothers go head-to-head for first time when Richland takes on FW Paschal
Joe Kerbel won two state titles at Breckenridge in the 1950s before turning around the football program at West Texas State, known now as West Texas A&M, for 11 years.
His passion for the game trickles down over 60 years later to three grandsons - Ged (44), Matt (42) and Will Kates (36).
All three have had their share of success during the past decade, but Thursday night marks a first for the family when two brothers go head-to-head.
Ged is the head coach at Richland, which takes on Fort Worth Paschal, where Will is offensive coordinator. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Clark Stadium in Fort Worth.
“We’ve been teasing and laughing about it,” Will said. “It’s going to be more awkward for our parents. They’re torn.”
The two teams will also meet up next season. The home-and-home series was scheduled in February while Paschal was led by its previous coach, Chris James. John Killough was hired and he brought on Will to be an assistant.
“It was already scheduled, but if Will had been there before, we never would have done it,” Ged said. “You don’t want to coach against your brother. After every game, the first scores I look up are Will and Matt’s. But I guess it will be like the old days in the driveway. We’ll go to battle, but then hug it out after. My brothers have always been my best friends.”
Ged coached Will for one year at Richland. Then the two spent two years together at Fort Worth Arlington Heights. Before that, Ged and Matt were assistants together at Heights.
Matt then went to become the head coach at La Grange, the same year Ged left for Richland.
Will spent eight seasons as Matt’s assistant at La Grange.
“It will also be the first game I coach against my Alma mater,” Will said. “The passion for the game stems from our grandfather. It’s why we coach. We want to honor his legacy. But Ged has also been a big influence. He was my position coach for a year and we had our disagreements on the sideline, but at the end of the day, we said I love you and hugged it out. We have so much respect for one another.”
Despite the age gap, Ged and Will are close.
Growing up, it was like Ged was another parent, taking care of his youngest brother.
“I’m extremely proud of him and thrilled he’s back in town. Our families are very close,” Ged said. “They have a great coaching staff over there. We’ll do our very best and then root for one another the rest of the way. It will be a fun night.”
