Pigskin Roundup 2017 | Page 32

COVER STORY COVER S some of their best years ever. Our schedule had been hard. We had hoped to go back down to 3A, but that didn’t happen. Some years we had good backs and no line, and some years we had a good line and no backs. Last year we finally brought it all back together. There is not a big difference between being good and being average.” Asked if he ever had doubts about bringing the program back to its winning ways Coach Rob responded, “I tried to not lose patience and confidence. We never panicked. I was aggravated at some things, but we always practiced the same way. The players in the locker room knew we were doing the right things. When things are bad, you find out a lot about yourself. I tried to be consistent. I don’t get too high or too low.” Accounts designed to fit your needs with FREE Virtual Branch and FREE Mobile Money. You can say goodbye to Monthly Fees, Transaction Limits and Minimum Balances! Loans for your lifestyle: Autos, RV’s and Watercraft, Farm Equipment, Mortgages, Lines of Credit and Credit Cards with low fixed rates! On-Site ATM’s, Night Depository, Safe Deposit Boxes, along with 4,500+ Locations Nationwide through the Service Center Network. Member-Owned! Your needs come first and we are here to serve you! Experience the Credit Union Difference at Fort McClellan Credit Union! 5 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS Anniston Golden Springs/Oxford 1731 Noble Street 1010 Golden Springs Rd. (256) 237-2113 (Coming Soon) Centre 500 Cedar Bluff Rd. (256) 927-4203 Jacksonville 1204 Church Ave. (256) 435-5741 Roanoke 4479 Hwy 431 N. (334) 863-8902 Ohatchee Indian Village (256) 892-7129 30 | 2017 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine Both coaches point to particular moments that were turning points for their teams and programs in the 2016 season. Ohatchee’s Martin stated, “Last year at Weaver. It was a big game with both teams undefeated and ranked in the top ten. We were up 34-0 at one point and I told our coaches in the headset that we must have a pretty good team.” Hokes Bluff ’s Robertson said, “We started 0-3, but I thought we had played well and I still thought they were a special group. I was still positive. I think people were wondering if we were going to be bad again and then we beat Oneonta in overtime and it just snowballed from there.” Backing off and looking at the big picture beyond just the 2016 season, both coaches believed their respective programs could come back again. “I am eternally optimistic. I despise losing. I thought we could change the culture at Ohatchee. We just needed to find what our kids could do well. One of the big things in changing the culture was the weight room. We work there 40 plus weeks per year. Coach Chris Findley deserves a lot of credit for getting us bigger and stronger. Another thing is how we treat our kids. We have respect for our kids and we expect them to give respect to others in return. No profanity is allowed in practice or games. We don’t have many rules, but we do have high expectations. We have high expectations and we expect to play for championships,” says Martin. Robertson also knew the Eagles’ program could return, “Except for a few years, I have basically been calling the plays at Hokes Bluff since 1971 and I am still calling the same plays. I haven’t changed much, but I am actually a better coach than I was when we won a state title. I became more of a complete coach during the losing seasons. I also never doubted our community. They have always supported all of our sports here at Hokes Bluff.” The 2016 season was special in many ways to both communities. Coach Martin says, “We have always brought a great crowd home or away, but many Ohatchee folks revitalized themselves last season. Our fans have always wanted to wear Ohatchee stuff and be proud of their