Junior running back Ethan Sadler (Endwell, N.Y./Maine-Endwell) gets asked a lot about why he stuck around Keystone College last season.

There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the school, questions on if it would even stay open due to financial issues and the threat of losing its accreditation.

Fortunately, the school's doors didn't close. But because of the uncertainty, a number of students left and the football team played a JV/club schedule in 2025. 

That didn't matter to Sadler.

"I get asked a million times about it. I always tell people it's about the guys in the room," Sadler said. "We had about 20 guys that said they were going to dig their heels into this and put all their eggs into one basket. It's something people usually advise against.

"We formed a unique relationship and to come out on the other end of this, it builds a bond that not many can say they have," Sadler added. "Years down the road, if I have a flat tire. I know one of my teammates will come with a tire iron to help me out."

Teammate Jayvon Swann (Chesapeake Beach, MD/Northern), a senior defensive lineman, has similar feelings.

"Like Ethan said, it's about your brothers in the room," Swann said. "You have hope and confidence if you stick it through. I always knew I was going to stick it out. I had no desire to leave. They would have to close the school for me to leave."

And this past Friday night, the door to victory opened as the Giants rallied for a last-second win over Alvernia in their season opener.

With just five seconds on the clock, Keystone ran one final play, and Sadler caught a Hail Mary pass from Frankie Leyshon (Lake Ariel, PA/Western Wayne) in the back right corner of the end zone for a 25-21 win.

For Sadler, it was like living out a childhood dream.

"You think about it when you are a little kid in the backyard and you are counting down from five and going up and grabbing the ball," Sadler said. "To get something like that, it is only going to push me and the program farther."

Sadler never had any doubt he would make the play.

"I got out of the backfield and saw the safety flat footed and blew by him," Sadler said. "I made eyes with Frankie, and I knew the ball was going to end up in my hands."

Head coach Hugh Kirwan took over the program last year after Justin Higgins, the only coach Keystone has ever known, stepped down. He had been with the program since 2020 and was happy to take on the job.

When he thinks back to the season opener, he remembers seeing the players remain confident, even with the Giants having less than two minutes to play and 87 yards to cover.

"We talk a lot in this program about unwavering belief, which comes from our preparation," Kirwan said. "I saw a lot of guys not flinching. They were focused on what they could control. It took every second to get the win. Even in the eyes of the offense before the last drive, with a lot of grass in front of them, they looked determined to get it done."

Kirwan guided the Giants to a 5-4 record last season, 1-2 against varsity, countable opponents. He isn't surprised this year's team started off the year on a high note based on what Keystone was able to do in 2025 despite the circumstances. 

"I look at last year maybe differently than how others look at it. I saw it as we get four quarters, we get 60 minutes, and we get it nine times," Kirwan said. "In this program, we value competition, and while last year might have looked untraditional, a lot of work went into laying a foundation. A lot of what we did last year carried over to this year."

Swann came into the season ready to push forward and stepped up in a big way for the Giants. He had a key stop near the goal line on Alvernia's third drive of the game.

"It's a team game and I always play for the guy next to me. We needed a stop there and as a defensive player, you have to stand tall," Swann said.

Swann said it meant a lot to play a part in the team's season-opening victory.

"It was very emotional. We just kept grinding and kept going, and to see it all come together with a win, it was a big deal," Swann said.

Swann and Sadler are two of the Giants' five captains. Linebacker Nicholas DeFrancesco (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco), offensive lineman Decklon Blache (Harlem, N.Y./Northern Highlands Regional) and tight end Quinten Barclay (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle) are the others. Kirwan will tell you all five are vital to the team's success.

"It starts with the captains. We put a lot on their plates to make sure they set a great example for their teammates," Kirwan said. "Those guys remove circumstances and show up every day and work."

Kirwan also said the team overall is selfless.

"This group doesn't care about credit. They just want to go out and continue to improve. They are constantly looking for ways to cultivate an edge," Kirwan said.

And as alluded to earlier, the team shares a special bond, forged in part, by a willingness to keep pushing forward.