The Huebert way

Friday wasn’t the first time Troy Huebert challenged his alma mater from the opposite sideline. Heck, the way it played out, it’s not even the last time Huebert will see Husky red across the turf this season. 
The 2007 Aurora grad spent all of his time growing up around Husky football. Played quarterback for his dad, Randy. Spent a year as an assistant for his dad in A-Town. Now, it’s Troy calling the shots in Central City green. And in the 13 years since taking on his first head coaching venture he has become the Bison’s most decorated coach in history. 
“It’s fun to come back to your alma mater and I have so many great memories here growing up on the sidelines with my dad,” Huebert said. 
Friday didn’t unfold how those in Bison green wanted as Aurora played spoiler to its undefeated season with a 27-12 win, setting up a rematch this Friday in the opening round of the playoffs. 
We didn’t know it at the time, but it was almost an unspoken vibe. Huebert wanted another shot. Central City wanted another try. 
They got it -- on Halloween -- at their place. 
“We knew Aurora was playing with a lot of confidence, winning five in a row,” Huebert said. “That first drive really summed up the game. We knew they wanted to control the clock and sustain drives. Our guys battled and competed. We’re undersized in some areas and have a few key injuries, but that’s just part of the game. I was proud of our kids and how we played.”
It’s been quite the two-year stretch for Huebert’s Bison. Friday night in Aurora was just Central City’s third loss in the past two seasons. 
Last season was Central City’s first-ever state championship game appearance, a 47-7 loss to Wahoo. 
The loss stung, sure. Losing never feels good. Standing on the sidelines of Memorial Stadium, wearing his patented Central City visor was the dream. 
“As a coach, that’s always your mountain top to get there,” Huebert said about pacing the sidelines in Memorial Stadium last fall. “You dream and pray for those days to get a chance to coach in a championship game. We came up short last year, but would love another opportunity. Hopefully this is the year, but that’s why we do it.”
It was the culmination of more than a decade’s worth of passion, culture building and love for the game. 
It’s a Huebert brand of football that has stood the test of time. Longtime Husky fans knows what it looks like. Now, the only difference is the green. 
“Our kids have just bought into our program,” Huebert shared. “From day one when I got here 13 years ago, we just tried to help our kids find a love for football. This game can teach you a lot about life and have fun along the way.”
It was there after Friday’s rivalry game. Two teams, one postgame huddle. A quick prayer and, although they didn’t quite know it at the time, a “see you next week.”
This time, it will be Aurora in the visiting locker room. This time, it’s a year-ending proposition. Win and see you Monday, lose and it’s unfolding the basketball jerseys and wrestling singlets. 
A few weeks ago in a road win against Lincoln Christian, Huebert became Central City’s all-time wins leader as football coach. 
As it stands now, his current win-loss record is 76-52. Like most coaches, he admitted it wasn’t something he gave much thought to until after the fact, reflecting on the program he’s built north of the Platte River. 
“You don’t look at that stuff very often, but it is definitely special,” Huebert noted. “You just put so much hard work into it and I’ve just loved everything about my time in Central City. I’ve loved building our football program. It was a pretty special moment.”
Central City’s postgame huddle Friday night would have been very familiar to a large pack of former Huskies. It featured a coach that was calm, firm, direct, but forward-thinking. A teachable moment, an opportunity to improve. 
Losing to a rival doesn’t throw away the rest of the goals the team has. Everything is still out in front of both Aurora and Central City when they lock horns again Friday night.
Huebert was confident standing near midfield of his high school yard that Friday’s game wouldn’t define the Bison. Just a chapter in the story.
The chapters that follow, though, that’s what wakes Huebert up in the morning. 
“Our guys have experienced what it’s like to get to the top when we got to Lincoln last year,” Huebert said. “We’ve got a lot of seniors that were part of that and are hungry for that opportunity again. We’re bummed about tonight, but there’s a lot of work that needs to be done. We’re excited about the next couple weeks.”
Friday night was one of those games that really makes high school sports romantic. We get to do it all over again this week. 
No more tricks come Friday night. Just two teams chasing one goal -- a definite treat. 
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.