ISLANDER FOOTBALL
Est. 2015
To submit a nomination for the Islander Football Hall of Fame CLICK HERE
Class of 2023
HOF Coach Bryan Mabie:
An Islander assistant coach from 1982-to 2002, Bryan Mabie was the offensive line coach for coaches Ken Fischer, John Farrand, Greg Uhrmacher, and Mark Fritch. Considered an outstanding technician of offensive line play, Coach Mabie was also an integral part of the Islander football strength program for many years. Bryan mentored several all-state offensive linemen including Greg Gaden, Scott Woods, Bill Cox, John Klaasmeyer, Paul Hoos, Jon Peterson, Rob Crabtree, Chad Vokoun, Montie Mason, Matt Vrzal, Rob Zuelow, Lonnie Fulton and Kurt Mann. Coach Mabie earned a number of accolades throughout his career including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year in 1986, the Nebraska Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in 1990-91, the Nebraska Coaches Association 25 Year Award in 1998, and the Nebraska Coaches Association Level I Milestone Award for football in 1995. Bryan’s coaching journey included stops in Nebraska City, Johnson-Brock, Sargent, UNK, and Papillion South in addition to Grand Island Senior High.
Richard Simpson (Legend):
Richard Simpson was a two-way standout on the offensive and defensive lines for hall-of-fame coach Jerry Lee in 1947 and 1948. Richard helped pave the way for the great Bobby Reynolds as well as standouts Bill Noble and Bobby Hahn. Simpson helped lead the Islanders to two undefeated state championship seasons. One of the highlights of Richard’s career on the gridiron was the 1947 game vs. Lincoln High in Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium. The Islanders went on to defeat the number-one-ranked Links 25-14 in front of 15,000 fans. A proud United States Marine, Richard went on to serve his country in the Korean War. After serving his country, Richard came home to Grand Island where he served the Grand Island community as the long-time Fire Chief.
George Ayoub:
A versatile speedster with outstanding ability as a running back, receiver, and defensive back, George Ayoub was a standout for the Islanders in 1966 and 1967. With a knack for making big plays at key times, George was an “every snap ironman” for the Islanders. A rare three-year two-way starter, George helped to lead the 1967 team to an impressive 7-2 record and a top ten final season ranking. For his exceptional play during his Islander career, George was selected to play in the 1968 Nebraska Shrine Bowl. In addition to his prowess on the gridiron, George was an exceptional all-around athlete. Ayoub earned 9 letters in three years in football, basketball, and track. George was an integral part of the 1968 State Championship track team and was a part of two gold-medal-winning 880 relay teams in both 1967 and 1968. As a result of his prowess on the track, George was a three-year member of the Omaha World-Herald track honor roll. George was selected as Grand Island’s top high school athlete in 1968 and received the KRGI Sportscaster’s Club Scholarship.
Scott Fischer:
An outstanding all-around athlete in the mid-70s, Scott Fischer was a hard-hitting safety for the Islanders in 1974 and 1975. Scott earned numerous accolades following the 1975 season including first-team All-Conference, first-team All-Area, and first-team All-State honors in both the Lincoln Journal-Star and Omaha World-Herald. Selected as the Grand Island Sr. High Male Athlete of the Year in 1975-76 for his excellence on the football field and on the hardwood, Fischer was selected to play in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl in 1976. Following his outstanding Islander career, Scott earned a scholarship to Kearney State College where he was a three-time letterman. The son of legendary coach Ken Fischer, Scott carried on the legacy of the Fischer Family as a player and later as a coach. Scott went on to coach at GISH, Nebraska (as a graduate assistant for Coach Osborne), then went on to many years of successful coaching in Florida and Texas. Scott finished up his coaching career at Peru State. An outstanding strength coach, Scott was a featured clinician at the Texas HS coaching clinic during his time in Texas.
Ryker Fyfe:
One of the all-time great quarterbacks in Islander history, Ryker Fyfe was a gifted passer and an elusive runner for the Islanders in 2010 and 2011. A two-year starting signal caller, Ryker helped lead the Islanders to playoff appearances in both 2010 and 2011. Ryker had an outstanding senior campaign earning first-team All-HAC Conference honors (also in 2010), All-Heartland first-team and Player of the Year honors, first-team All-Nebraska in both the Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star, and honorary captain of the Lincoln Journal Star All-State team. Fyfe threw for 1,921 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 746 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns while leading the 2011 Islanders to a 9-2 record and quarterfinal berth. Ryker was selected to play in the 2012 Nebraska Shrine Bowl and then went on to a solid career at the University of Nebraska. At Nebraska, Ryker earned three varsity letters and passed for over 1,000 yards and 10 TDs in his three-year backup role. Ryker's 407 yards in a single game still ranks #6 all-time in the Husker record books. An outstanding all-around athlete, Fyfe left his mark at GISH in basketball (three-year starter), track (state qualifying triple jumper), and on the baseball diamond.
Kalan Jones:
A versatile and hard-hitting player who was a standout linebacker and running back, Kalan Jones was an outstanding player and leader for Coach Mark Fritch in 2000 and 2001. Kalan was named the team’s special teams player of the year in 2000 and also earned honorable mention All-District honors. Kalan earned first-team All-District, first-team All-HAC Conference, and first-team All-Heartland honors following his senior campaign in 2001. Kalan was also named a team captain and earned team MVP honors following his senior season. Kalan was a standout sprinter for the track team where he was a member of the school record-holding and “All Class Gold” 400 meter relay team in 2000. Following his stellar career as an Islander, Kalan went on to star at Chadron State College. At CSC, Kalan was a four-year starter, a four-time letter-winner, a two-time team captain and earned All-RMAC honors in 2005 (2nd team) and in 2006 (1st team). Kalan is at or near the top of the Eagle’s all-time charts in forced fumbles and in fumble return yardage. In 2007 Kalan was named the recipient of the prestigious Clyde Bond Memorial Award for his combination of athletic ability and moral character. Kalan has also been selected as a member of the CSC Athletic Hall of Fame.
Chase Reis:
An outstanding middle linebacker in the Islander mold, Chase Reis was a dominant defensive force and tremendous leader for the Islanders in 2012 and 2013. Chase earned first-team All-HAC Conference honors as well as first-team All-Heartland honors in both his junior and senior years. Chase was selected Class A first-team All-State in both 2012 and 2013 and was an integral leader on the 2013 semi-final team. Chase was selected to play in the 2014 Nebraska Shrine Bowl and went on to a stellar career at Morningside. Chase played on five GPAC Championship teams and earned All-GPAC honors in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Chase helped lead the Mustangs to the 2018 NAIA National Championship and was named the Defensive MVP of the national championship game. An outstanding multi-sport athlete, Chase was an outstanding wrestler for the Islanders winning the 2013 State Championship at 195 lbs. and earning state runner-up finishes in 2012 and 2014. For his outstanding character and work in the community, Chase was honored by the NAIA as a Champion of Character in 2018.