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Kurt Johnson
Aurora had a magical run through this year’s football season, though it didn’t end as planned.
That’s old news by now for Husky Nation, though it’s not too late for a little sideline perspective.
One of the perks I enjoy most about what I do for a living is the front row seat it provides to cover this community. During football season, that often means I’m following the Huskies home and away, paroling the sidelines for photos and post-game interviews. Job one is to not make the news myself by getting wiped out on the sideline, which I managed to avoid with only a few close calls.
Aurora finished 12-1 with a district title and state runner-up trophy, but that’s not the whole story. As impressive as they are, the wins, titles and trophies don’t fully tell the tale you see on young men’s faces as they grow up literally before our eyes.
My glory days were short-lived back in the day, with an emphasis on short. At 4-11 and 79 pounds, I wasn’t much of a physical threat as a freshman and didn’t really feel like I was helping the team as a sophomore, so made the shift to stat-man/student manager hoping to make a contribution in that way.
It’s a different vibe with the Aurora Huskies, where Coach Kyle Peterson has enhanced and put his own stamp on an already winning culture, one that makes every kid in uniform feel like they belong on the team no matter their age or how well they fill out a uniform. Peterson preaches the importance of scout team preparation from Day 1, thus underclassmen are part of the varsity experience while also getting their reps in freshmen and junior varsity games.
That’s a big deal that in my view was made even bigger this year with the introduction of the ALPHA leadership program. Starters and varsity players were challenged to go out of their way to get to know underclassmen and make them feel more connected, which was reflected in subtle ways throughout the season. Younger kids got a lot of second half playing time this season and the starters were their biggest fans, cheering on with an energy level I thought was taken up a notch this year. That sense of connection and team spirit will no doubt leave a lasting impression for next season, off the field as well as long after these kids graduate.
Another thing I so enjoy watching up close and personal is the way Peterson and Co. relate to their players. Even when mistakes are made or things go sideways, this coaching crew stays calm, offering positive feedback and very specific instruction on how to improve the next time out. That makes all the difference in the world to young teenagers wanting to do their best, knowing coaches have their back and best interest at heart.
As for Pierce, what can you say but that those Bluejays pierced Aurora’s hopes for a perfect season. Some acquaintances from that neck of Nebraska gave me a heads up that the Bluejays were predicting a win in advance, and it turns out their stud tight end Ben Brahmer made sure they were up to the task. They deserved the win on that day.
Hold your heads high, Huskies. You gave your hometown a lot of positive energy and mo-jo well beyond the field, perhaps more than you know.
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net
