For most communities, the legends of Friday night football are written by coaches and players. In Byron, there's another name woven into the story—one that doesn't appear in the stat sheets but without whom the Tigers simply couldn't take the field. For twenty seasons, Andy Gomez has been the steady, unseen force making sure every helmet buckles, every shoulder pad fits, every piece of gear is exactly as it should be. He is Byron Football's equipment manager, and he does it alone—the only manager for a championship-caliber program. Andy is part caretaker, part historian, part good-luck charm, and part heartbeat of a program that continues to define excellence in Illinois high school football.

Andy arrived in Byron in 2005, fresh out of Florida, with no idea he was stepping into a place where football is so widely supported by the community. He didn't grow up here, but this town—and this program—quickly became home. He's the oldest of four siblings, all of whom now live in Byron along with his parents, nieces, and nephews. And all of them were every bit as thrilled as he was when Byron clinched another state title last November.

That win gave Andy something extraordinary: his third championship ring in the span of his two decades with the team. He carries the first two on his hand—2021 and 2023—and when he slips them off to show them, their weight is immediately noticeable. "Oh, my goodness, that thing weighs a ton," I say. They look diamond-encrusted, glittering under the lights. Are they real diamonds? "That I don't know," Andy says with a smile. "They feel like they're diamonds."

The 2025 victory held special meaning. "The two-year absence from the championship game made it more special to me," Andy says. "Getting my third ring in my 20 years—it's a great experience." And he's already looking ahead: when asked if Byron will have to wait until 2027 for the next one, he doesn't hesitate. "I hope not. I hope we get it in 26."

Andy's pride in the program is matched only by his admiration for the people who shape it. He lights up when talking about the coaching staff, describing them as Illinois high school football icons. Head Coach Jeff Boyer stands at the center, a leader whose command of the X's and O's is matched by the culture he's built. "He's an awesome coach to be around," Andy says.

He moves through the roster of leaders who make Byron Football what it is: Sean Considine, the former NFL player whose experience elevates the team in ways few high schools can match. Brad Miller, who has poured more than 40 years of his life into Byron sports. Eric Yearly, the special teams coordinator and running backs coach who adds another layer of excellence.

Andy's relationships with these coaches run deeper than logistics. They are his colleagues, his daily collaborators, his family in their own way. "They make my job so much easier because of the camaraderie," he says. And though the program may seem larger than life, Andy remains refreshingly humble. He simply shows up and does his work—every day, every season, every game.

His attachment to Byron's football legacy extends beyond the sidelines. Many of the players he's supported over the years have gone on to college football careers, even Division I, and he follows their progress closely. "It's phenomenal to see them on TV," he says, following them on a daily basis. Watching them succeed feels like watching a piece of Byron succeed, too.

One relationship in particular captures what Andy values about Byron: his longtime connection with superintendent Buster Barton, whom he first met in 2005 when Buster was the defensive coordinator for the varsity team. "He's a wonderful person," Andy says. "A wonderful husband, a wonderful dad. Just a great overall man." The respect between them runs deep, built over two decades of football seasons.

But Andy's devotion isn't limited to Tiger football. He is a loyal Chicago sports fan—Bears, Cubs, everything except the White Sox. "I'm not a Southsider," he laughs, despite growing up near Chicago's south side. Loyalty, for Andy, is not a matter of geography. It's a matter of heart.

Ask him what he loves about Byron, and he'll tell you without hesitation: the people, the sense of family, the high standards that define the schools. "You don't get any better than being in Byron schools," he says. "Top of the line." And he means it.

In the end, Andy Gomez is the type of person who reminds a community what teamwork really looks like. Championships aren't only won on the field. They're built in the quiet, consistent, faithful work behind the scenes—from hands repairing helmets, organizing pads, double-checking inventory, preparing uniforms, and making sure every player feels ready and supported.

Byron's latest state title may shine brightest on the scoreboards, but its glow falls just as warmly on a man who has shown up day after day, year after year, simply because he loves this place, these people, and the game they all share.