Silver Creek Dragons 2021 | Page 64

Silver Creek assistant coach Dave Rooney displays the clipboard used by former Dragons assistant Charlie Popp , who passed away during last season . That clipboard sat on an empty seat at the end of the bench during the Dragons ’ state final victory .
Silver Creek head coach Scott Schoen and his father Randall Schoen come together on the sideline during the IHSAA state finals . the championship ) and we were just talking about our team chemistry , because we knew this stuff was coming to an end ,” Schoen recalled . “ I was sitting there talking to our coaches and I was like , ‘ It ’ s not a coincidence that we have such team chemistry , look at our coaching staff , we ’ re best friends . So the kids don ’ t see any different .
“ I think that ’ s why the kids love each other and they care about each other .”
That shouldn ’ t come as a surprise considering all the familial connections on the team . From father ( assistant coach Randall Schoen ) and son ( Scott Schoen ); to husband and wife ( assistant coaches Jay and Heather Vance ); to father ( assistant coach Dave Rooney ) and daughter ( Emme , a junior wing on the team ) to a couple of sets of sisters ( the Striversons , as well as senior forward Savannah Kirchgessner and her younger sister , Claire , a team manager ), the Dragons were one big happy family .
And they had one big happy ending , which was especially memorable for the Schoens after the loss of Marsha Schoen , Scott ’ s mother and Randall ’ s wife , in May of 2019 .
“ With dad , it ’ s good for him to come and help coach — for one ,
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