The 2005 football season at Grant Union was one of those that happens every now and again to nearly every team.

In 2004 the Prospectors were state ranked, just like in 2003, and both teams advanced to the state playoff competition.

Last year’s squad was loaded with senior talent at so-called “skill” positions and the Prospectors played accordingly, finishing 8-3 overall.

Unfortunately, all those seniors graduated and coach Monty Nash said from day one of practice it was going to be a tough year for Grant Union football in 2005.

I hate the term “a rebuilding year,” so lets just say the Prospectors were not as deep at various positions and lacked the experience they’d enjoyed in previous seasons.

Combine lack of experience with a tough preseason schedule that had Grant Union playing four nonleague games against Class 3A teams, mix in the usual amount of injuries both major and minor that every football team has to endure, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why the Pros finished with a 3-6 record.

Last year no team scored on Grant Union’s defense in a home game and that alone should tell people something.

If nothing more the 2005 season was a lesson in patience that was accepted, but not enjoyed, by the players and the coaching staff, and the fans have to accept it as well.

This year was also one that taught humility after three straight seasons of glory at Three Flags Field.

One thing is for certain, the players never gave up and “quit” is not a word in the Prospectors’ vocabulary.

Fans can take heart, there were a lot of players that gained invaluable experience as underclassmen this season and they will be back next year.

There is no substitute for experience and rest assured, things will be a whole lot better in 2006.

…

Like the Prospectors, Mt. Vernon Middle School closed out the 2005 football season with a loss.

In a battle of teams with Mustangs as mascots on Oct. 28, Heppner got the better of Mt. Vernon 26-6.

Mt. Vernon battled the Mustangs to a 6-6 tie in the first half, but the Morrow County team completely dominated the final 16 minutes of action shutting the local boys’ offense down.

MVMS scored on a 40-yard pass from Gage Immoos to Dalton Moore.

Mt. Vernon coach Pete Piazza said the Heppner squad has a tough bunch of players on the team and some good coaching to boot.

“They have five coaches, one of them coached the kids when they in fifth grade and two more are members of the high school staff,” Piazza said. “This allows them to carry the kids through under the same system all the way from elementary school right into high school.”

I can attest to Heppner being tough and coach Greg Grant has a heck of a program at the high school which is why the team has a winning record every year.

During my coaching career in Stanfield at the middle school and high school, I had 10 shots at Heppner and beat them once.

The MVMS eighth-grade team finished 2005 with a 5-2 record which pleased the coach.

“This is a big turnaround for them, they didn’t win a game last year as seventh graders,” Piazza said.

You bet it’s a big turnaround! A turnaround that has a lot to do with the kids’ efforts and attitudes and also a lot to do with some excellent coaching from Piazza and his staff.

Remember too, these eighth-graders will be at GUHS next year.