By BOB ALLAN, Pioneer News Network
Published: Friday, September 4, 2009

When you have been coaching high school football for as long as Onekama’s Jim Hunter, you have seen just about everything and done everything.

Still, even he had to do something.

The Portagers opened the 2009 season with a road contest against Crossroads Charter Academy, a team Onekama defeated 64-0 one year ago

Onekama coach Jim Hunter (right) told the Big Rapids Crossroads Charter Academy team to stick with it following last week’s game. (Dave Yarnell/News Advocate file photo)

 

Onekama would tack on two more touchdowns for the final outcome, 36-6. But for most of the game, Crossroads seemed like it was just one play away from changing the momentum of the game.

That was not lost on Hunter.

After the contest and the post-game handshakes, Hunter asked Crossroads Charter Academy coach Jeff Thorne if he could talk to the Cougars near midfield.

Hunter did not have to do this. In fact, it is rarely done by any coach in any sport. But Hunter felt he needed to say something to Crossroads.

“Really, what I told them was to stick with it,” Hunter said. “They are much improved. They have several players who could start for us.”

Hunter has been on the tough side before, but that happens when you have been coaching for more than 30 years. Coaching that long, you see the ups, the downs and everything in between.

Hunter knows the Cougars are experiencing the downs, but he believes it won’t be long until they start experiencing the highs.

“When you are trying to build, its ‘oh my gosh, we are never going to get it,’” Hunter said. “It takes a while to get past it, but that is the last hurdle — when the next important play is the next play.” Hunter sees Crossroads beginning to get it.

The Cougars gave up a big play, but instead of pointing fingers, they rallied and did their best on the next one. It is one of the reasons why, though the game was a 30-point spread, it was closer than the score indicated, according to Hunter.

“The coaching staff knew coming in they were a much improved team, though I don’t know if the players believed us,” he said. “(Crossroads) have athletes that can make plays. If they could have gotten a break here or there in the second half, the game would have been much different.”

In the end, the Cougars walked away with another loss. They are still searching for the first victory in the program’s history. But for at least one day, Crossroads found a friend in Hunter.

“I love kids who can play football,” Hunter said. “Especially those kids who continue to work hard.”

Bob Allan can be reached at: sports@pioneergroup.com