Published: August 28, 2008 08:38 pm         

Bearcats change coaches again

Milford opens with Mooseheart

MILFORD — As if suffering the loss of key players year-to-year because of graduation isn’t tough enough, imagine changing coaches (and systems) nearly as often.

That is what the Milford Bearcats have contended with the last three seasons.

This year’s senior squad has had a total of three different head coaches since its freshman year, with Nate Albaugh being the newest.

Originally from Monticello, Albaugh attended college in Wheaton before spending time as a defensive coordinator at Johnsburg, Fox Lake (Grant), and a couple years at his alma mater, including an 8-5 2002 season in which Monticello reached the class 3A state semifinals.

Milford’s seniors had the first multiple-win season of their careers last year when they finished with a record of 4-5, and they hope to build on that with the help Albaugh’s successful past.

“It’s tough, but we’re getting through it,” said senior Ryan Kunce. “Putting in a new offense two years in a row is kind of tough.

“We all have high expectations this year — especially the seniors.”

And with good reason. The seniors make up seven of the 11 offensive starters including five linemen, fullback Jordan Sherf, and quarterback/receiver Ryan Kunce.

Kunce was, without doubt, statistically Milford’s best receiver a season ago. So with the departure of quarterback Justin Garrelts and realizing the talent of the Bearcats receiving corps, Albaugh didn’t think twice about converting Kunce to the team’s primary signal caller.

“I did watch some game tape and you can tell that (Garrelts was) an athlete and made things happen,” said Albaugh. “But when we came in, I knew that Kunce was one of the leading receivers in the area. He still is a great receiver, but the bottom line is that with a great receiver, we can get the ball in his hands 10 times a game. And I still don’t feel like that’s fair to the kids to only give him the ball 10 times in a game (out of 50 to 60 snaps).

“When I came in, I said how do I get the ball in that kid’s hands? You put him at quarterback. Now the ball is in his hands and we’re going to make things happen from there.”

Albaugh is leaving open the possibility of mixing up his playbook a little by starting backup quarterback Kristopher Evans at receiver.

Still, he contends that constantly switching out positions isn’t what will lead to the team’s success.

“They are all fired up for the system,” said Albaugh. “They are ready to play. They are ready to be serious about football and when you get in that huddle, there’s no messing around in that huddle because there are too many seniors around and they’re not going to let you mess around.”

Regardless of the excitement surrounding this year’s program, the first-year coach isn’t placing a number on his expectations, but has also made it clear that showing a lack of effort will not be

acceptable.

Of the program’s six wins in the last three seasons, only two have come within the conference — excluding Schlarman’s forfeit last year.

“I can’t say that I have expectations,” said Albaugh. “I haven’t sat down and set a record for expectations. I know that any time we lose a game, I’m not going to be pleased with that and I’m not going to accept that.

“I know as well as anybody that Westville is coming off of a second in state team, but I’m not going into that game thinking lets keep it close. We’re going to go into each and every game to win the game. By all means I’m not saying that we’re going to win every game we’re playing, I just know that we are going to play one week at a time and each week we’re going to play to win.”

Milford will play it’s first two non-conference games at home, including it season opener against Mooseheart, but the Bearcats’ first two Vermilion Valley Conference games against Bismarck-Henning and Salt Fork are on the road.

Mooseheart finished last season with an overall record of 7-3 but fell to Milledgeville 36-6 in the first round of the playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.