GameStrat Blog

The 2024 college football season marked a significant shift across the entire NCAA, as in-game video technology was permitted for the first time. Abilene Christian University (ACU), a consistently competitive program within the FCS, quickly adopted this new technology, utilizing GameStrat to help gain a competitive advantage. The Wildcats were the 2024 United Athletic Conference champs and made an impressive playoff run, ultimately falling in the second round to powerhouse North Dakota State, who went on to win their 10th FCS national championship (another GameStrat team).

This year, the NCAA approved in-game video technology to be used by football teams, marking a transformative moment for college football. As the 2024-25 college football season now comes to a close and longtime powerhouse & GameStrat team North Dakota State wins another National Championship, it is clear that GameStrat is the trusted leader in sideline video technology at the FCS level. Of the final 8 playoff teams this year, 7 of them relied on GameStrat to gain a competitive edge, and all 7 of them were awarded first-round byes for their impressive seasons.

Brown University football is one of the most tenured college football programs in the country. The Bears played their first game in 1878, and since then have played over 1,200+ games spanning across 150 years. When the NCAA approved the use of sideline tablets in live competition April 18th 2024, it was interesting to see a team with such a storied tradition, be so quick to adopt this new technology.

Baylor Football wasn't waiting around for the NCAA to decide on sideline tablet technology. They took a proactive approach, researching and implementing the GameStrat Sideline Instant Replay system in their training this spring. This allowed their coaches to experience the advantages of instant feedback and streamlined film review firsthand, and get ready to utilize the system at full capacity this fall. "At the time we didn't know for sure if sideline tablets would be approved or not," shared Kaleb Wood, Baylor's Director of Football Technology. "But our coaches wanted some form of tablet replay system in their hand as soon as possible so they could get familiar with how it worked & figuring out the processes of how they would use it to be even more efficient."

Pittsburgh's Central Catholic High School is a preparatory school with a very rich history in the state of Pennsylvania. After another successful season under Head Coach Ryan Lehmeier, finishing 1st in the WPIAL Conference with a 10-2 overall and 5-0 conference record, we decided to sit down with Coach Lehmeier and reflect on his experience using GameStrat over the last 3 seasons.

Cincinnati’s very own Steve Specht, head football coach at St. Xavier High School, is a legend in the state of Ohio. Coach Specht began as the head coach of the Bombers varsity football team in 2003. In that span, Coach Specht has led his team to a 180-74 record, won four Ohio big school championships (2005, 2007, 2016, 2020), earning Ohio Division I Coach of the Year honors in 2005 and 2007, as well as receiving the NFL Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award in 2013.

The Junipero Serra Padres, led by their highly successful Head Coach Patrick Walsh, has been a dominant force in the CIF-Central Coast Section (CCS) for many years. The team has achieved numerous accolades, including their 8th CCS title and 3rd consecutive championship in the fall of 2022. With a string of remarkable achievements and a legacy of excellence, Serra Padres Football has become synonymous with dominance in the sport. Their 2022 season was marked by an impressive 13-game winning streak, setting a record for the most wins in school history.

Cathedral Catholic High School's Football program, under the leadership of Head Coach Sean Doyle, has a rich history of success. With over 400 program wins and Coach Doyle surpassing the 200-win milestone in his career, Cathedral Catholic has established itself as a powerhouse in high school football. Coach Doyle has been instrumental in shaping the team's success and fostering a culture of excellence, with a legacy spanning over four decades. The team's consistent dominance on the field is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and strategic guidance provided by Coach Doyle.

The St. Joseph Regional Football team, under the leadership of Head Coach Dan Marangi, has seen immense success over the years. With 19 NJ State Championships and a perfect record as League Champions from 2012-2016, the team has cemented its place in high school football history. In 2018, the team claimed the State Championship title, adding yet another accolade to their impressive resume. Marangi, who previously served as the Defensive Coordinator at Don Bosco from 2004-2016, and at SJR from 2017-2019, has been an integral part of the team's success, contributing to 10 state championship-winning teams in his career to date.

Head Coach Travis Foster and the Shadow Ridge Mustangs Football Team of Las Vegas, Nevada have been on an incredible run over the past two seasons, compiling a 20-5 record with a perfect 12-0 mark at home. The Mustangs have made two state title game appearances during that time, thanks in part to their explosive offense, which averaged 41.8 points and 399.1 total yards per game.