Reflections on the Season
REFLECTIONS ON A DREAM SEASON
How does one quantify a high school football season? Do numbers truly paint the picture of what we have here in Stillman Valley? Let me gush for a second, I know I do it often, but when I type the words, Stillman Valley, I do it with such pride. So often we think about how things will be perfect “someday”, but that won’t every happen, and the perfect place doesn’t exist, but Stillman Valley is special.
I once had a friend mock Stillman, calling it a modern day Mayberry. The more I thought about it the more I agreed, but because I think Mayberry is ideal. Anyway, back to the matter at hand.
Statistical data is fun to look at, especially with bawdy numbers like ours. We scored enough points this season to last most programs three or four seasons, and our starting defense gave up less than 35 points during the regular season. A 13 win season did end a 27 game winning streak, but that happened in Champaign (which means we made 2 consecutive trips to the state championship-for the 2nd time in a decade!). These things matter, I realize that. We spend thousands of hours collectively to amass stunning statistics and wins. However, the real joy is in the minutes we share together. That is the most important number in Stillman Valley Football.
After conversing with local fans and community members I have learned a few things about Stillman Football. Friday night at the football field is where we come together. I mean literally, this is the nexus of the community. Some people go to church and some don’t. Many visit the limited number of business we have in the Valley, but the one even that galvanizes this picturesque rural community is high school football.
As I write this I smile reflecting on the monstrous sign John and Carol Dotzel plants in their perfectly manicured lawn each fall, urging our team on. Or watching Mr. Norm Wills proudly implore the kids to eat more free donuts he has provided (I think I’ve seen A.J. Dobson consume 12 at one sitting). If that isn’t enough for you just rise from slumber on a Friday morn and watch the parents decorate the town with personal and colorful signs.
Let’s take a minute to recognize a man that appears to live at SVHS, Mr. Jim Miller. I’m half convinced that he has successfully cloned himself-how else can he be at multiple sporting events simultaneously?
On the field this year the highlights were continuous. Adam Cox abusing would be tacklers and sprinting to the end zone was a common sight. Eric Boettcher and Bryce Dixon probably convinced several mothers of prospective youth footballers to choose an alternative sport with their bone jarring hits. Nate Bond wowed us with moves only Usher or Barry Sanders can surpass. For those of you who prefer to watch bulldozers witnessed our offensive line destroy defensive fronts to open daylight for perfect option keepers for Dane Green. I often wondered how long opposing defensive coordinators watched film of our offense before throwing their hands up in despair. How can you stop this offense? The answer: you can’t.
Defensively the 2010 Cardinals were simply amazing. As a linebackers coach, this writer is fully aware of how special players like Clay Kruger, Adam Cox, and Jake Word are. The rest of the conference just breathed for the first time in several years (better think twice though, Wold, Dobson, Tanaglia, Haas, and many more will be back to ruin your game plans). Coach Blume Sr. realized the unique talent of this squad early, “After about three days of camp I could see the potential dominance of this group, mostly because of their ability to move, they have speed.” That speed was used to limit opponents to crumbs offensively. As you watch film during the off season pay attention to how square the shoulders of our defensive team are-this proper practice led to big hits and three and outs for the offense.
At this point let me reveal to you one of the blessings of being a teacher and coach here at Stillman Valley. Every day we see these young men walk through the halls, in the classroom, working in the weight room, and all the time maturing into men. “I love to see the kids come in as 8th graders and leave as grown men 4 years later. The transformation is incredible, not just physically but all the aspects of who they are. It is such a neat process to be a part of, “shared Coach Lundine. I could not agree more. When I’m asked why Stillman Football has been so successful my first reply is that we have such quality kids, individuals with work ethic and an understanding of a team mentality. So, as coaches, we profusely thank you parents!
With this we close another magical ride. The Monday following the state game a group of “next year juniors” approached me in the halls pleading for us to open the weight room. When we reminded them that they might need a break they replied that they just wanted to get bigger and better for next year. With players like that the Valley will always remain competitive and probably much more, but hey, that’s life in Stillman.
Special thanks go out to Coach Scott Rempfer for his willingness to report back each week on coaching insights from the previously played game!
