That I don't know, but wouldn't be surprised at all.
Yep, just like what I mentioned in my most recent (at the time of typing this) post in the MAC thread, kids don't believe in coach Niekamp anymore.
They don't have a true QB in that locker room... not even for scout team. At practices, they have the WR coach QB'ing during the starting defense reps. So there's not even a younger underclassmen developing any skills in the most important position for the future.
The JH numbers are big. We're talking mid-40s between 7th and 8th, which for us is huge. The coaching staff for that grade level is young, vibrant and draws kids in. I know for a fact that those middle school coaches are always in the ear of those kids who are on the fence or don't think they want to play in the halls (while coach Niekamp's approach has solidified into "if they're not excited to want to play football, then why would I want them on the field?")
I fear once those big group of kids flow into school in the next few years, they'll also not want to play for a less exciting, complacent and perpetual underdog culture.
After this terrible game that will be played next week (and when we play Marion later) I already know what will be said. "You just got to tip your hat to them." He's been saying that for 20 years now when we play Coldwater and ML. Better coaches wouldn't stand for it. Better coaches would do everything they can to figure out how to get at least one W on one of those teams in 20 years. Minster did it, New Bremen did it. There's no fire. There's no passion, no emotion... then again, one of his quotes he'd use to say (according to my nephew who played for him) is "don't play with emotion, play with enthusiasm."
Coldwater by 130, but kind enough to keep it in the 70s.
