Loveland 6th Grade Football headed to youth Super Bowl and Beyond

By Joanne Prater (Special for Loveland Beacon) 

LOVELAND, OH (October 29, 2025) – At first, I started writing this to celebrate our amazing sixth-grade football team, undefeated in their last seven games and heading to the Super Bowl of the Greater Cincinnati Youth Football League (GCYFL) this Sunday. Their growth, heart, and hard work over the years is something special.

As I began to write, I realized this story isn’t just about the team’s record. It’s about the man who led this team since kindergarten, Coach Grant Galloway.

For those who don’t know, that’s seven years of dedication. Seven years of showing up, teaching, leading, and pouring into these kids. Grant has served as head coach for six of those years, leading his teams to six consecutive Super Bowls, with three championship wins and two runner-up finishes. His team even brought home a National Championship in Rocky Top back in third grade.

Beyond the field, Grant has given countless hours to the football community. He served 3½ years as president of the Loveland Youth Football (LYF) board and two years as the ECC representative for the (GCYFL). He also helped shape the next level of Loveland football, currently serving as Offensive Coordinator for 7th grade, Defensive Backs Coach for 7th and 8th, and Receivers Coach for 8th.

While no one knows when, or if he’ll make the move up to high school, he’s already helping out on the sidelines, assisting with JV games and spending Friday nights with varsity, learning and growing alongside those coaches.

None of this has been a solo effort. His wife, Bekah, has been “Team Mom” for six years, keeping everything running smoothly and cheering on every player like her own. His mom, Susan Galloway, has been behind the camera since day one, capturing every game and milestone at no charge, giving families a priceless gift of memories we’ll cherish forever.

About three years ago, Grant’s brother Seth joined the staff as Offensive Coordinator, bringing even more energy and football knowledge to the team.

Watching the two of them coach together, brothers sharing their love of the game and their passion for these kids, has been something truly special.

And through it all, standing by Grant’s side from the very beginning are Coach Doug Hyrne and Coach Drew Dahlke. Together, these coaches have been through six Super Bowls, countless practices, and endless hours of mentorship; building something reaching far beyond wins and losses.

As parents, we’ve witnessed firsthand the impact Coach Grant has had, not just on the field, but in the lives of these kids. He teaches them to win with humility, lose with grace, and find pride in the work itself.

When our son broke his wrist last fall, he was heartbroken. Out for the season, or so we thought. But the first person he called wasn’t us, it was Coach Grant. And Grant didn’t see an ending; he saw an opportunity.

He said: “You’re a soccer player, why don’t you be our kicker?”

That one moment changed everything. During recovery, our son found a new purpose, learned a new skill, and went on to become one of the top kickers in the league, making 38 out of 45 field goals and inspiring other kids across Cincinnati to try kicking too. When he was cleared to play again, the first person he called was Coach Grant, and Grant celebrated right alongside him. That’s who he is. That’s who he’s always been.

His wife, Bekah Galloway, said it best:

 “It’s been fun watching him grow into the coach he is now. He’s learned and evolved in the way he’s coached, he knows these boys and how to coach them up as individual players, not as a lump of kids. He’s not only keeping up with them as players on the field, but checking in on how they’re doing in school and in life. Something he kept repeating last night was, ‘I don’t want the glory. The kids are the ones who got themselves here, I just steered them in the right direction.’ Kind of like lane assist in a car, if they start veering off the path, he guides them back to where they need to be.”

His mother, Susan Galloway, echoed that pride and perspective:

 “I am beyond proud of him. I’ve watched him grow so much, and what I see is so much more than football. They are teaching commitment, handling adversity, loss, teamwork, and life skills that will carry them way beyond the football field.”

As Coach Galloway takes this crew to his final GCYFL Super Bowl, we can’t help but feel proud, not just of the wins, but of the legacy.

Grant, thank you, for your leadership, your heart, your example, and the countless hours you’ve poured into these kids and this community. You’ve built more than a football team. You’ve built a family.

This Sunday isn’t just a game. It’s a celebration of everything you’ve given, and everything you’ve inspired. Special thanks to Coaches Nate Clasgens, Boston Hipps, and Nathan Busemeyer for their dedication and support over the years, helping make this program the incredible experience it is for these kids. Now, let’s give this team a great send-off on Sunday, November 2nd.  

PLEASE Join Us as we send off our sixth-grade Tigers in style!

NOTE CHANGE! The community is invited to join the LYF Super Bowl TAILGATE & SEND-OFF CELEBRATION This Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. at 1 Tiger Trail (LHS) Loveland, 45140 – ALSO NOTE: Game has moved to Mason HS Field.

Let’s pack the stands and show Coach Galloway and this incredible team just how proud Loveland is!