With football season right around the corner, the new head coach Rob Walker has been given no option, but improvement.
In the last four years the Harbor Springs Rams have gone through three coaches with only eight wins out of 27 games. Last year’s head coach was unable to win a single game, making Walker’s job less stressful.
“I know what I have to do and am excited for the challenge,” Walker said.
Walker’s son David will be a junior next fall. Some community members believe that a coach should not be a parent, out of fear of bias. Walker does not believe this will be an issue.
“I will treat my son the same as everyone on the football team,” said Walker. “I expect him and every other player to play aggressively, be controlled and to always be poised on the field. I will not tolerate dumb penalties.”
Walker is not new to the football or coaching scene. He played high school football for all four years as offensive left tackle and defensive tackle. His coaching experience consists of assisting Jud Silveus as offensive line coach, along with coaching several pop warner teams.
“I expect nothing less than playoffs,” Walker said.
The team as a whole shares the high expectations and are ready to work.
“I hope the team can move forward from last year. I expect everyone to come and play hard. This is the year we make the community proud of its football team again,” said junior Kaynan Elkins.
“I know Coach Walker will do a great job preparing us in the preseason. I can only hope he expects as much from the team as I do,” said junior Peter Lauer.
With parents, students, community members and the coaches, the Rams have a lot of support.
And the coach has a plan.
“We will start in May, with workouts, in the summer. We will have a seven on seven team that will play four games in Petoskey,” said Walker.
“Next year I want everyone ready, we will have a very strong team; all the players can and will contribute.”
The Harbor Springs Rams will have a slightly larger team than normal. There will be 16 seniors and 11 juniors that make up the varsity team of 27. With an ultimate goal on the horizon, the players have no choice but to excel.