Reunion was great to be a part of

About two and a half weeks ago I was able to be part of a neat evening prior to the kickoff of the 2017 Southmont football season.

As you are probably all aware, this year a new synthetic turf was put down at Southmont on the football field. The new turf means weather conditions will hardly ever be a problem. It also opens the field up for more than football as now the boys and girls soccer teams are able to use it as well.

While the new turf is a step many schools are taking, it also marked the end of an era. To commemorate the ending of an era and the start of a new one the Southmont athletic department invited all the players, coaches and staff from the school’s first football team to meal and a time to relive memories.

To be able to spend some time with these players who were my “idols” (as I was just a grade schooler when they put together that unforgettable season) was a dream come true.

Some of the stories being told that night seem like they may have been emblemished a bit, but to hear these former players relive stories about the games, the practices and the friendships were thoroughly enjoyable.

Some if the players have aged a little more graceful than others. In fact, some looked as though they were almost in playing shape.

As I went around from table to table talking, but mostly listening, one thing was very evident. The coaching staff that first year made up primarily of Ken Coudret, Mike Hallas, Ron Hess and Dave Scott did an outstanding job of doing so much more than teaching football. You have to remember half of the schools which fed into Southmont had never played football so this was a new sport for a lot of players.

However, the biggest accomplishment was building a team. Some of these guys have not played together for 47 years but yet they have stayed close. They care for one another and would pretty much do anything for one another.

Yes, they went 10-0 that first year. Yes, they set the foundation and brought what had been a somewhat divided community together by bonding themselves and then in return the community by having that magical season.

This team set a precedent for how all the future South out teams should act, care about one another and carry on the Southmont name.

Because of the to allow them to be honored the night of the first game on the new turf was a great idea. I am sure there were many in attendance that night who had no idea who these players being introduced at halftime were. There were many of us who were there and remembered that season like it was yesterday.

Sports gets a bad rap and a lot has changed since 1971. However, when you see a gathering like that which took place that night makes you remember what the great things sports can do for a person, a group and even a community.

Barry Lewis has covered local sports for over 30 years. If he hasn’t witnessed it, he’s researched it and now he’s sharing the history of Montgomery County sports every other Wednesday in the Journal Review.