Gerian Traynor (11, HSU) first discovered his passion for football when he was 3 years old.
From tossing the ball around with his family, to joining his middle school team, to playing at Manual Stadium, football has been a fundamental part of Traynor’s life.
He attended and played football for Westport Middle School, much like many other Manual athletes.
“[That’s] where a lot of great players from Manual came from. It has always been a strong foundation with this team because I feel like most players came from the same middle school or competed against each other, so the team chemistry is high,” Traynor said.
After transitioning from Westport to Manual, he started off on the Crimsons’ junior varsity team and quickly found his groove, taking the position of backup running back during his sophomore year.
“[Playing for Manual has] been great, you know, we had a lot of adversity come our way with, you know, different cultures, but we know how to handle adversity and we have a strong bond with the team, and it’s just great playing here,” Traynor said.
The starting running back during his sophomore year was senior Zahron “Zeek” Washburn, a teammate Traynor admired as both a player and a leader. During the second game of the 2023-24 season, however, Washburn sprained his ankle. As a result, he was unable to play. The team’s then-head coach, Josh Gillispie (P.E.), made the decision to put Traynor in as the starting running back following Washburn’s injury.
“Well, the first thing is, we were concerned for [Zeek’s] safety and how he is, and his health, and in that moment, realizing he’s not going to go into the game. And so Gerian [was] subbed in for him and finishe[d] out the game for him,” Gillispie said.
As a result of his performance, Traynor continued to play as the starting running back even after Washburn recovered. He proved himself as a leader time and time again as the team continued to win their games.
Gillispie describes Traynor as both “humble” and “quiet”, explaining that Traynor led more through his actions than his words.
“He’s not as much of a vocal leader as he is a performance leader,” Gillispie said.
He added that Traynor’s ability to take Washburn’s place demonstrated the kind of player he really was.
“Him being forced into that role showed his competitiveness, showed his determination, showed his ability to play through things,” Gillispie said.
Despite the success Traynor was able to help the Crimsons achieve last year and this year, too, the team had to overcome some adversity. Although they won all of their games in the beginning of this season, the team culture had a rough start. Traynor admitted he wasn’t the motivator he wanted to be. He also explained that they weren’t getting along as smoothly as their coaches wanted.
“At first.. we [weren’t] playing how we were supposed to and I was discouraging my teammates and stuff. But I had to learn to be a leader, and be vocal, and motivate my teammates so we can keep bonding together,” Traynor said.
As such, he overcame this negativity, and has continued to prove himself a valuable player.
“I feel like a lot of people doubt us, you know, and think we’re not really set to be a good team, but we beat two really good teams so far, and I feel like people still don’t respect us, so. We’ll see when the time comes though, we’ll see,” Traynor said.
Traynor wants to continue to be successful in playing football at the collegiate level, but in case that doesn’t work out, he’s prepared for an alternative plan.
“Yes, playing football until the pros. Like that’s where the goal is, but if not, I also have other plans with real estate. [I’m going to go to] school for business when I get in college. So if football doesn’t work out, I have an extra career I can go to,” he said.
Already, he currently has offers from several schools, but he is especially interested in University of Tennessee. However, he has yet to make an official decision.
No matter what the future holds, though, football will always hold a special place in Traynor’s heart.
