The Banks County High School football team was in the middle of a hotly contested game against region foe Jefferson last Friday night.
The visiting Dragons entered the contest undefeated and basically unchallenged. No opponent had been able to come close to slowing down Jefferson’s spread offense, which seemed to be getting even more potent with each passing game.
The BCHS Leopards, however, made it known early on they were not going quietly. Coach Blair Armstrong’s team was prepared to give the Dragons their toughest challenge of the season. It was obvious from the opening kickoff.
As the game wore on and the two teams traded punches like two championship contenders in boxing, a situation occured on the BCHS sideline which probably went unnoticed by those in the stands. It is worth noting, however, because it shows the type of coaches who are leading the Leopard program.
Defensive coordinator Paul Hoch was talking with one of the BCHS players who had become frustrated with how a series of plays had gone against the home team. The player had begun criticizing his own teammates for what they were not doing on the field.
Hoch immediately told the player that he would not tolerate that type of behavior. It didn’t matter that the player in question was one which BCHS desperately needed on the field to have a chance to win.
“I will sit you out the rest of the game to prove my point,” Hoch told the player. “I will lose this game to show you we are going to do things the right way. That is not something you are doing to do.”
The player quickly got his head back on straight and was back in the game helping his team give undefeated Jefferson all it could handle. Hoch had made his point and all it took was a few direct comments from the defensive coordinator.
Everyone wants to win football games. Coaches, players and fans want their team to win every Friday night. Every school across this state dreams of that magical, undefeated season.
However, high school athletics can also be used as extension of the learning process for student-athletes. The lesson Hoch taught his standout player on the BCHS team last Friday night was a valuable one. It was a lesson that no one player, regardless of how great he is, is bigger than the team. Even with the Leopards challenging an undefeated opponent, Hoch had the bigger picture rightfully in place.
As I watched Hoch and the BCHS coaching staff at work last week, it made me think if I had a son, the Leopard team would be the place I would want him to play.
Yes, winning is important, but there are other lessons which are also being stressed within the BCHS football program.
Lessons which will stay with these players far beyond their years on the gridiron. Lessons about life and what’s important in that game.
