BigRich in 60
Friday night had a much different feel for a couple of communities with deep-rooted traditions, although a new heritage blossomed in real time.
Longtime fans of the Hampton Hawks and Heartland Huskies swapped purple and crimson colors to sport black T-shirts with Bearcat logos while watching an entirely different brand of football.
What unfolded over a 2-1/2 hour time period under the Friday night lights was not necessarily healing, but an idea proven to be successful by a group of young men hungry for a challenge.
The H&H Bearcat ideal began a year ago with other sports but was officially brought full circle Friday with the start of an 11-man football slate. The boys in silver and black certainly didn’t disappoint.
A team of nearly 40 boys, not one of them having ever stepped foot on a 100-yard football field for a high school game, proved that they belonged there.
It was written on everyone’s face after the game in a large postgame huddle that included every single player, coach and fan that traveled the 90 minutes to watch in Schuyler.
Sure, it was just a regular season opener that in the grand scheme of things really doesn’t mean all that much.
But to H&H coach Jereme Jones, it was proof that all the chatter, cooperation and sacrifices were worth it.
Three communities, two schools, one H&H Bearcat team.
“This win tonight is huge for everyone within H&H just to see and feel,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of people, for good reason, that were concerned about going to 11-man. Some people thought we should play 8-man. I understand why, but I’ve seen the potential these guys have. I knew we could be an 11-man team that could compete.
“I appreciate the administration and school boards from both schools for trusting that. They trusted we could play 11-man and compete and we showed that tonight. There will be a lot of tough games, but the joy and excitement from these boys tonight, it doesn’t get any better than that. This moment right here, for all the ones I’ve had, is a pretty good one.”
It was there right from the opening whistle. Nevada Gloystein was running over guys in green jerseys. Schuyler couldn’t tackle him and the Warriors couldn’t break his grip.
Rylee Scheidemann hadn’t played football in years. Decided to give it one last go for his senior season. Scores the first-ever Bearcat touchdown and lead the team with 10 tackles.
Landen Rojewski was likely the fastest player on the field Friday night. He’s much faster when he’s not relied upon to be on the field every single snap.
The big fellas up front included Noah Miller at center, Rigs Newton at right tackle, Brian Bearinger at right guard, Jagger Regier at left guard with Colby Friesen and Cam Riggs rotating at left tackle. Not one of them has ever ran blocking schemes the Bearcats used Friday night. They likely stepped on one another’s toes trying to figure it all out during the summer.
They were tough, played with an edge, and helped the Bearcats rush for nearly 300 yards.
Landen Hansen and River Glinsmann are two quarterbacks from two different schools, yet play the position nearly identically.
About the only way to tell them apart is which way they roll out of the pocket. Hansen throws lefty while Glinsmann fades right.
Both are splitting playing time at the position and will continue to do so the rest of the season, according to coach Jones. Neither has an issue with it. Both have the team’s success ahead of their own accolades.
They even have a kicker! Cason Bamesberger was a perfect 5-of-5 on extra points. Coach Jones is just upset they’re only worth one point, now.
Things get a whole lot tougher this week as the Bearcats welcome Class C2 favorite Grand Island Central Catholic to town.
Sure, it won’t be easy. But anyone who has ever tightened the chin strap of a football helmet knows we never did so because we thought it would be.
We did so because we wanted to be part of something bigger than ourselves. To be part of a tradition and brotherhood unlike anything else in life.
The teamwork. The long bus rides. The two hours before the game in the locker room. The goosebumps. The celebrations in the post game huddle.
You don’t realize how special it is when you are in it. You can’t duplicate it when it’s over. I’m still chasing that feeling from the sideline. It’s why we show up every week.
Keep grinding, Bearcats!
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.