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Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Rising From the Ashes
Central Oklahoma, OK
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By: Jeff Harrison
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Photo(s) By: Wes Sharp
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A fire might have burned down the high school, but on the field, nothing has changed.
Dave Martin knows just how the fire last December at Jones High School affected the student body.
After all, he was once one of them.
After spending several years coaching high school football in Texas and Oklahoma, Martin made his way back home last year, and began teaching and working as an assistant football coach.
But, like everyone in Jones community and many across the state, the fire that destroyed nearly all of the school’s facilities rattled Martin.
As the new school year draws closer, and the new building may be a few graduations away, Martin, the school’s new head football coach, is skipping the history lessons. On the Longhorns football field, it is business as usual.
"It's an adverse situation for everyone and football is something to look forward too and take minds off of it,” Martin said. “We've got really good kids, they're not going to let something like that ruin high school career, we don't' talk about it and we try to stay positive with the things we're doing."
The fire devastated the majority of the Jones campus, but the athletic facilities were nearly unscathed. After a strong spring practices, the Longhorns summer weightlifting program is well underway, and the team is eager to hit the field this fall.
“We have got switched around a lot with the classrooms, when it's raining have to walk through it, but then when you get in athletics, that's the one thing that was solid for us,” senior tailback and cornerback Todd Thomas said.
One key aspect of Martin's game plan was the implementation of character education classes. Martin said he has had success running the weekly classes at other schools, and believed it was even more important for the Jones students following the recent tragedy.
“It's funny how it was tied together, it was something I wanted to do, but it definitely fit the situation,” Martin said. “I had done it at other schools, wanted to do it before and it was a good time to get that started, that helped the kids keep upbeat.”
While the Longhorns have yet to take a meaningful snap on gridiron, the players are already seeing results.
“We have had changes in leadership, and more respect for a team I've never seen,” Thomas said. "Before there were clicks and we had seniors that did own thing, but now all together working for the same thing, I feel like the classes we've been doing, get over that hump."
Aside from the character building exercises, the players have fed off Martin’s enthusiasm, and passion for the community.
“It has been great, he's a fun coach, and it helps a lot, him being from Jones and keeping up that tradition,” senior linebacker Storm Bailey said. “The new stuff he's putting in is great, he’s the best coach I've ever had.”
The Jones players have put the tragedy out of their minds, but they have not forgotten about their school’s reputation on Friday nights. After a 6-4 regular season finish, and a first-round exit in postseason, the Longhorns are not willing to let excuses get in their way this fall.
"The fire was a big deal for us and it would have been easy to have a sorry attitude,” Thomas said. “Most schools would think it would destroy a team, but our team has not worried about that and moved on.”
“I'm just excited for state to see how good we’re going to do, not just because of the fire, but because we're better and more focused,” Bailey said.
There might be some darkness in Jones’ past, but Martin and his players will not worry about it. Instead, they will enjoy their bright future.
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