Finding the right fit
Panthers begin new season putting new systems in place
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Coach Peugh watches the catch.

After assessing the Panthers varsity football program at the end of the 2006 season, second year Head Coach Todd Peugh said that he and his coaching staff felt like they had often been trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

As a result, the focus for 2007 has shifted from trying to make players fit a certain system, to implementing a system that will best fit the players they have, especially considering the lack of size on the team.

"When you're 1-9 or 2-8 for the last five or six years, why not try something different to fit your kids," Coach Peugh said. He was quick to add that regardless of the offensive or defensive schemes, the game still comes down to making plays. "Whatever system we're running, we have to execute," the coach said.

He described the players he has now as being committed to the system and excited about football, but acknowledged that if depth is a concern, it forces more players to play on both sides of the ball and makes injuries that much more devastating.

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Coach Byers looks on as players practice making "juke" moves around cones.

"We probably have more returning students this year [compared to last year] but our [overall] numbers are down," Coach Peugh said. "Whenever you're trying to turn around a program you're always going to have that mentality of, 'Why do I want to be on a losing program,' instead of, 'What can I do to make it better?' I think our number one thing this year is, lets not worry about who's not here, lets worry about who is here. I can only coach the kids that are here. "

While the upper classmen numbers are there, the goal is to get more freshmen on the field before the season begins. "There's still an opportunity for people to come out," the coach said. "It's important to establish that JV program. Your ninth grade year, and some tenth grade, your experience is going to come in the JV program. In many programs, kids don't even play varsity until their junior year. I don't think people realize that."

Although all of the fall sports are forced to practice in the August heat, football in particular is made more dangerous due to the fact that those athletes are on the field wearing pads and helmets.

UCHS Athletic Director Jim Hughes monitors the heat index, allowing the coaches to make adjustments to practice accordingly. Tuesday's practice was pushed back to 6:30 p.m.

"We avoid the heat as much as possible and make sure we water them every 10 minutes," Coach Peugh said. "We're probably in for two or three weeks of really hot weather. We just have to be precautionary, making sure all the parents and kids know its important to hydrate and get the rest they need. Plus, it takes them a while to get them into condition after they have been off for the summer."

Even though he has been a coach for 12 years, Coach Peugh said that his first season as a head coach was a unique experience that has given him better insight into the job. "Its funny, I think after last year, I've started to better understand some of the other head coaches I have worked for," the coach said. "With some of the mentors you had and people you respect, you start getting an understanding of why they were the way they were. Never did I understand it before now."

He said that he has learned to be cautious about actions and decisions, but to work toward a goal without worrying too much about outside factors. "You listen to people, but you have to draw your own conclusions," Coach Peugh said. "You almost have to have tunnel vision. You have to stand firm in what you believe in."