Turnaround will take time
Jared Putnam

Sports, like life, has its highs and lows. The only real difference is probably the fact that life doesn't have a scorekeeper. Consider that a good thing because every now and then I think we all have a day where we feel like life soundly beat us somewhere in the neighborhood of 97-2.

Luckily the situation typically gets better, but it can take time. The hardest part can be the waiting. Thank a world where we have the luxuries of cell phones, DSL, and overnight shipping for spoiling us on getting what we want in a hurry.

However, the fact remains that there are still plenty of things in life that do take time, and regardless whether it is at the high school, college, or pro level, I think you can file rebuilding an athletic program into that category.

The key is getting the right people in the right positions. I think this is most important in high school, where coaches inherit young athletes who are still learning the fundamentals of the game, not to mention the fact that they are still maturing physically.

At least college athletes have more physical maturity, so even though you may have to throw a freshman out there against a senior, it is not as bad as throwing a 15-year-old high school freshman out there against an 18-year-old high school senior.

High school athletes often are not really ready to contribute

on a varsity level until their junior year, then in the blink of an eye they graduate.

Therefore, having a coaching staff that will be there longterm, having the patience to develop both the character and talent of young athletes over the course of their high school career, is in my mind, the most important aspect of a program.

I believe that the Union County School system has positioned itself well with its recent coaching hires in all sports. When it comes to football, Coach Peugh is clearly a football guy. If you have ever heard his cell phone ring sound

out the intro to Monday Night Football or watched his little boys run around the field in Patrick Kerney jerseys, you probably already know that.

But more importantly I think he and the rest of the staff have priorities in order, and have a good plan for developing this program.

There may be no better evidence of it than the turnout for the football program this year. Something so simple as turnout has allowed he and his staff to assemble a "b-team" of younger players, while still giving them varsity experience as well. The coaches are trying their best not to have to throw freshmen to the wolves right away.

There's no doubt that there will be bumps in the road, and maybe Friday night was one of them. But given proper time, I believe Union County will have a successful football program. Just remember that part about how big of a role time plays.

If you rush something, you often won't get the same result as if you let it properly develop. If you don't believe me, just try microwaving your Thanksgiving turkey in a couple of months. Let me know how that works out.