WCHS fans greedy for success now
There?s good news and bad news when it comes to the Pioneer football program.
The good news is there is no such thing as a moral victory anymore.
In years past, a three-touchdown loss was considered a moral victory by fans who were grasping at any positive to offset another 0-10 season, that is, until the breakthrough last year and a return to the playoffs.
Of course, this moral victory stuff happens everywhere as even DeKalb County fans were overheard last night, following the Pioneers? 21-0 win over Smithville, talking about how the Tigers? showing was a moral victory for the DeKalb program which went winless last season and is at the dead bottom of the 3A power rankings this year.
The bad news is that there is no such thing as a moral victory anymore.
Yes, the loss of using moral victories to soothe ourselves is a two-edged sword. Now that the Pioneers have tasted victory with a 5-5 season and third place district showing, fans look for them to win. Simply getting close isn?t enough anymore. Simply not quitting when you?re down isn?t enough. Simply putting up good numbers isn?t good enough. Pioneer fans have gotten a taste of victory and they like the taste.
For the first time in quite a while following a regular season game, people were stunned the Pioneers lost during their season opener at Bradley Central. In years past, a two-touchdown loss on the road would have been somewhat acceptable, and touted as something to build on. Not so this year.
And, it goes beyond just winning now. People not only expect winning but they expect the Pioneers to look good doing it.
I was in the crowd during the DeKalb County game and people weren?t happy with the shutout win. I think most felt that the Pioneers should re-live the 50-6 crushing of the Tigers last year.
However, we must be mindful that this is a new year with new players on both sides. Our first two opponents, Bradley Central and DeKalb County, are both very improved from last year.
While tradition may never graduate, a large percentage of our offensive production did graduate when running back Jevon Ramsey and trigger man Josh Paz headed up to the next level. They combined last season for over 60 percent of the yards gained by the Pioneers.
Whether we like it or not, that leaves us rebuilding somewhat, at least on offense, seeing you don?t fill holes like that overnight.
Look at it even on the college level. If your long-time quarterback graduates, it takes a while for the next guy to get accustomed to the leadership role. That?s just the way it is.
Is it gloom and doom time already? Will this campaign end up 1-9? To hear some fans talk in the crowd, you?d think that?d be the case. However, I?m not so much of an alarmist. There was already remarkable improvement in the offense from this last week so I think there will be steady improvement this season. Meanwhile, the defense looks pretty good, although Lincoln County, who skirted the Pioneers 20-13 in overtime last year, will but the first big time test for the defense at Nunley this Friday in the Pioneer home opener.
Like it or not, last year did spoil the fans. The faithful are expecting big things this year and the next. Moral victories no longer exist.