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[Rocketcorner News]

I am excited to bring you another aspect of our Rocketcorner News coverage. "Questions From The 'Corner" will entail a small set of questions asked to the coaches involved in that weeks contests. I guess while the playoffs go on, the number will go down. But we want to continue this into the Basketball season.

The first "interview" is with Genoa's Mike Vicars as the Comets get set to take on the Kenton Wildcats.

by Kevin Oberhaus

"Questions from the 'Corner"

1. What would you say is the defining moment of your coaching career ?

Deciding that I knew very little about coaching and decide to reach out to mentors and really focus in on certain elements of football...In 1990, after going 0-10 for the second time in my career I knew I was in trouble. I went to guys like Skip Baughman (St. Marys Memorial), John Downey (Archbold), Charles Buckenmeyer (Napoleon) for help. I decided I was going to focus on three elements of football. Offense - a tough run style and went with T/Wing T, Defense an aggressive multiple 50, and we decided we would really try and have good special teams each year.

We've also slowly evolved over time into building relationships with our kids. We turned off the football mentality, and decided we could get farther if we truly cared about the kids and truly loved them. Did all that make a difference? You bet, we started 5 and 45 in the first five years and in the last 18 years we have been 149 and 55....in that period we've been in the playoff's 12 times, been to the final four twice, and have 8 league championships. I giggle when people make fun of our "junior high offense", but we've been very fortunate to say the least. So we keep doing what we do. We've been very fortunate.

2. How has the recent success at Genoa affected the school and community ?

It truly brings an upbeat atmosphere to the school and community during the fall. This is a great football town and they love their football. The stadium is packed every week, and it puts a bounce in their step. The football guys are truly town hero's...it is just fun to sit back and watch it. When we walk onto the field each Friday night I always take a peak into the stands and check it out...it is really cool to see what these kids bring to their community. The joy is awesome.

3. What did the regular season win streak mean to you and the team ?

It is gonna take some time for the sting to go away, but we really enjoyed that process. We've told the kids someday you are truly gonna turn the page and look back on that time period and just flat out smile. It wasn't about dominance when we think about it, it was more about excellence and the reward of the effort put forth toward that. I think the kids learned some great lessons from when you have goals out there, and you really go after it. We never tried to go 10 and 0 each year, we just always tried to be our very best.

4. How did you and your team handle the loss to Eastwood and the end of the streak ?

It hurt like heck, but we knew it could happen...the kids work so hard every day that we knew when it ended it would take somebody petty good to take them down. The kids on both teams handled it with such class...there were tears both ways and tons of hugs. When it was all said and done both teams prayed at the 50 together and then there were more tears and hugs. It was quite a moment for a loss. One of the more incredible things I've been involved in and we lost.

5. How do you prepare for a team like Kenton?

We have to be careful...because ultimately we need to do what we do...changing it up now is going to hurt us more than it will help us. We can't just say wala and here is our defense. We have to build a plan within our system that can give us a chance. It requires a lot of coffee and little sleep right now...lol!

6. What challenges does the spread offense present ?

It is like recess...you have all these really good athletes spread all over the field and this tremendous field general running the show making everybody look silly...that is the best way I can describe it.

7. Have you ever faced a QB and offense as prolific as you will this Saturday ?

Never...he is special...and what is worse he is a coaches kid so he knows what is up. Tremendous talent.

8. What has been the key to Genoa's success?

Ability to run the ball...tough hard nose.Quick get to the ball defense...bend but don't break when we have to.
Special...special teams.Great blue collar kids...high character.

9. How will you attack Kenton's defense?

I'm not sure yet, I'm still working on that...Kenton's defense is very under rated...Very physical designed to stuff the run. The have some special players over there to. It is going to be a huge challenge on that side of the ball to.

10. How do you feel about 2pt conversions and onside kicks?

I like them when we make them and get them and don't like it when we don't. lol! It is an element of the game that is under exploited, but not for Kenton. We have to be prepared for those elements.

It is a huge challenge this week...but that is what makes high school football fun. Only one team gets to end their season with a win from here on out. We will try and make the best of it.

Thanks for the opportunity,
Mike

[oberhaus]

Thanks to Coach Vicars for promptly responding. Some great answers.

[Rocketman]

RM likes! .......thanks to Coach Vicars for taking the time.......a great read

[RWB 71]

Ober, Great questions and another great article for the Rocketcorner Archives!

[oberhaus]

RWB 71, on 08 November 2011 - 09:00 PM, said:

Ober, Great questions and another great article for the Rocketcorner Archives!

Hopefully coach I responds.....