Kings Football » Coach Olds Corner

I recently read, “People hate change, or so I hear. But the change we generally resist is the kind that we think will make our situation worse rather than better. We eagerly change jobs when it means higher pay and more influence. We happily move to a bigger house in a better neighborhood. So it’s not change in general that we hate; its change that involves loss – sometimes physical; other times emotional or psychological. Change is inevitable and necessary. If everything stays the same, no one is growing.’”

Offensive Coordinator Darin Little will be rejoining the Mason football staff once again. Coach Little will be forever linked to Kings Football both for what he did on the field and the friendship and loyalty he provided off the field. Darin could not resist the opportunity to coach in the very building that he teaches in. Best wishes to Darin, his wife Deena, and to their family!

In his place, former Varsity Offensive Coordinator John Karabinus rejoins the Kings staff after leaving in 2007 as he was selected to lead the girls’ basketball program for the past 5 years. Coach K was the first person I hired in 1998 and has coordinated the offense to 7 FAVC championships and 6 playoff appearances during his tenure. He will once again coach the quarterbacks. He has helped develop 5 all conference QB’s and also mentored the 2002 Ohio Offensive Player of the Year. Coach K is excited beyond measure for what lies ahead in this year’s senior class regarding their leadership, work ethic, and desire to compete daily for their jobs!

Other coaches on the varsity staff that will be leaving are Steve Schnee and Gary Popovich. Coach Schnee served as an assistant on our staff for 12 seasons and will be missed. He joins new Wyoming head football Coach Aaron Hancock. Coach Hancock played for Coach Schnee while he was at Norwood High School “back in the day”.  Assistant Coach Gary Popovich is hanging up his whistle as well to spend more time with his children as they are in the fully active in sports and other activities inside and outside of school. We are very thankful for both Coach Schnee’s and Coach Pop’s commitment and dedication to the Kings Football program!

New additions to the staff include former Glen Este assistant coach Ben Osborne. Ben has also coached at Anderson as well as at the College of Mt. Saint Joseph. Coach Osborne will be coaching the defensive line. And lastly, Gerry Beauchamp joins the varsity staff after serving as an assistant coach at Mason High School. His latest stints were at the University of Cincinnati where he served as the Assistant of Football Operations under John Widecan for coaches Brian Kelley and Butch Jones. Coach Beauchamp is finishing up his second Master’s Degree. He will be doing his student teaching in the fall at Kings Junior High as an intervention specialist. Coach “Bo” will be working on the defensive side of the ball.

At the freshman level, Kings Football also welcomes back Veteran Head Coach Matt Christman. Matt has been taking time away as he has been supporting his wife and family at home with newborns and allowing his wife, Jen, to pursue her doctorate in Education at UC. Coach Andy Hill will still be coordinating the defense for the freshman team as he has since he arrived at Kings. We would also like to welcome Coach Keith Gregory to the freshman staff as he will serve as a volunteer coach. Keith and his family recently moved from Northern Kentucky to Kings and reached out to our program in hopes of getting involved. We are very excited about what Coach Gregory will bring to Kings Football and to our community!

And finally, at the Junior High Level, we will see a few different faces as well. The 8^th Grade Team will be led by Coach Al Walsh and the 7^th by Coach Joe Heagen. Assistant Coaches for the 2012 season are as follows; Coach Shane Brandenburg, Coach Andy Endress, and Coach Brian Henderson. Other new members of the coaching staff are Coach Lance Olberding and Coach Mike Stylski.

Again, a huge thank you to those coaches who have helped in the past and are not returning this season and a huge welcome to those new faces who are choosing to become difference makers in your young men’s lives!

Best wishes and good luck for another safe and successful season!

Coach Olds

GO KNIGHTS!!!

This past Friday night will be one most will not forget. This game pitted the two top teams in division 2 against each other two games to early.  In the first half, I am convinced that Trotwood Madison was thinking this as the Knights rolled to a 20-0 score at the half while scoring what seemed at will the last 5 minutes of the half. We scored As a result of some great and athletic plays on offense by individuals. The defense was once again rock steady as they forced three turnovers that set us up for great field position. And even the special team unit contributed as they blocked a punt late in the half to set up yet another Kings score. When the dust had settled, the statistics were  lopsided! Kings churned up almost 170 yards while TM mustard only 67. Most likely a year low for the Rams.

At the half, our locker room was loud but by no means over confident in any shape or form. This makes regional final #4 for most of our staff so as they say, “this was not our first rodeo”. In fact, all three coordinators of our team each made adjustments at the half in order to  anticipate Trotwood’s next move.

Prior to the game, I was very concerned with the wind. It was blowing strongly away from the scoreboard all night. In the second half, since we won’t he toss, we of course chose to receive. Upon falling on the ball at about the 35 yard line, we began to mount what many thought could be possibly the game ending drive. As we converted a couple of first down, it seemed we were on our way. Our drive was stopped as a result of a forced fumble. And on the first play on scrimmage, the Rams would get their longest run on the night. The momentum shifted for the final time on this night. The #1 ranked Rams would score just once in the third quarter. However, due to their defense, which has been very strong all year, they forced the Knights into several 3 and outs couple with more turnovers. In the fourth and final quarter, while the wind blowing into our faces,  we turned the ball over an additional 2 more times bringing the second turnover total to 4. Add to this that Trotwood’s average starting yard line the rest of the half would be at the 50 yard line. In most all cases, football games are lost as a result of the circumstances. This regional final would be no different. As the final horn sounded, the Knights season ended with a very unfamiliar score, Trotwood 35′ Kings 20.

So for the fourth time in as many tries, our football team fell short again as we would lose in the regional final. As a staff and for me personally, I think Trotwood can and should win the D2 Championship. But as we all know too well and to honest, we look forward too, a game played by high school athletes in which case anything can happen on any given night!

See you on the field,

Coach Olds

GO KNIGHTS!!!

This past Friday night, the “Kings Mills Kings” football team made a statement… “We can do better!” This statement refers to the first match up with Turpin in game 10 of the regular season when Kings clinched the FAVC title after beating a resilient Turpin team by the score of 35-27. This would be the most points the stingy defense has given up the entire season. Without question, our defense wanted to prove that they could play better the second time around. When the final horn sounded this past Friday, the Knights sat on top with a score of 24-0. The defense regained what little swagger they lost and the offense continues to play better and better!

As a football staff, we have been very, very fortunate that our players have always played their best football towards the end of the season. After all, that is what we should do. But in high school football, that is certainly not the case. There are many reasons, in fact too many to document, as to why teams tail off at the end of a season when playing well should be at a premium. The 2011 version of Kings Football is starting to come in to its’ own stride, especially of offense. Our defense has been a different animal and quite frankly, as consistent as a sunrise. Offenses in football, especially at the high school level, are about timing, continuity, personnel, and consistency. On the offensive side of the ball, we have had our share of setbacks throughout the season but continued to score points consistently for the most part. But it is very clear, we are playing our best football now and it could not come at a better time! Friday night out timing will need to be at an all-time high in every phase of the game!!!

See you on the field!

Coach Olds

GO KNIGHTS!!!

The win over visiting Harrison High School was a little closer than we’d like as players, coaches, and most Kings fans. But as I stated in last week’s Coaches Corner, it is games exactly like this that will allow all of us to learn how to play, work, and train even harder than the week before. I will confirm that last week’s 35-27 win over Turpin prepared us for the rematch with Harrison. And it will be the close game with Harrison that will contribute to us being better prepared for round 2 with Turpin.

Regardless of how the game was played or even turned out, there is no denying the great crowd that assembled at Kings Stadium this past Friday night. From the time I walked out of the school at 2:35, the first news truck was on site and ready for action. Eventually, all three news stations had live coverage at the game at one point or another. And for the second time this season, Kings Football was on the cover page on the Cincinnati Enquirer! Thousands upon thousands started their Saturday morning breakfast out with looking at Kings Football! That is very special and something that should never, ever be taken for granted!

Once again, for the 11^th time this season, we took the lead into the locker room with a score of 7-0. Also at the half, the stats showed the Knights were an outstanding 7 of 8 on 3^rd down conversions-an O.C.s dream. However, we did not convert in the red zone as we would have liked to. In the second half, Harrison mounted a very nice drive to knot the score up at 7 all. It would not be until late in the fourth quarter that the score board would be lit up with a 31 yard field goal by Junior Evan Berg. Just as in the 12 field previous field goals this season, long snapper Ryan Anthony, holder and signal caller Alex Rice, and the front line were again perfect when it counted most! The Wildcats would get one more possession to try to tie it with a field goal or go ahead with a touchdown. But on this night, the Kings defense smothered any last chance Harrison had with the same pressure, speed, and intensity it had played with all year long.

Knights fans, pack those tailgate dinners…it looks like we are heading to Hamilton High School to play FAVC league rival Turpin for the second time this season as they beat Tipp City in round 1.

See you on the field!!!

Coach Olds

GO KNIGHTS!!!

As most adults know and those who have a strong faith, the most growth people, businesses, organizations, and even teams experience is when things don’t go quite as planned. Sometimes these experiences can be so overwhelming that the entities potentially collapse! But if they can endure, fight through, and make the adjustments to overcome this adversity, they rebuild themselves only to be stronger in many, many different ways.

Friday night, Turpin came to the castle playing very good football and with a record of 7 & 2 (4-0 in FAVC play). By the end of the quarter, the score read Kings 14- Turpin 0. But by the end of the half, the score going into the half read Kings 28, Turpin 24. This was the largest amount of points ever given up by the Knights stingy defense all year. We went into the locker room to regroup, as one would expect given the history of our previous games. In the second half, our defense began to stiffen as Turpin had to settle for a field goal to close the gap to 1 by a score of 27-28 Kings. The Kings defense again provided a turnover for our offense and gave up a starting field position at the mid field strip. The Kings ground machine marched down to the four yard line. And on 4^th and goal with just under 2 minutes remaining, the choice to seal the game with a touchdown was made. Senior QB Jensen Gebhardt found senior Zach Hilderbrand in the end zone. Turpin would mount one more drive that ended on the Knights 40 yard line with Turpin’s version of the “Hail Mary” only to be intercepted by Mason Barker, leaving one second on the clock on this memorable Senior Night!

So Kings would win the last FAVC championship on its home field in a very, very hard fought game! Congratulations to the senior class of 2012, to the supporting Junior class, to the rest of the team, to the parents, to the coaches, and to our community! The second season begins now!

The Knights rolled into Wilmington College to take on an improving 6 & 2 Hurricane team for their senior night. On this evening, the weather was perfect for the FAVC showdown! The team mantra all year has been “one at a time”. On this night it would be tested as the following Friday could be the perfect setting for Kings as we host Turpin on our senior night. They potentially could bring a perfect 4 & 0 league record to make for a “dramatic” and fitting final championship match up.  This marks the last league game the FAVC Cardinal would ever see.

Knowing that this scenario could play out, we would have to once again, take care of the business at hand-Wilmington. If there was an award that recognizes a team for improvement over the course of a season, it would have to go to the Hurricanes. Their offensive and defensive lines were some of the strongest we have played all year so going into the game we knew as a staff that it would be a competitive match up. One of the biggest plays in the game came with just 5 seconds remaining in the first half. Wilmington turned the ball over on downs at the midfield stripe to give us a great chance to run the Kings version of the “Hail Mary”. We practice this play every Thursday for just this situation. Although it did not come with the dramatics as the Michigan State – Wisconsin game Saturday night, it could have very well been the straw that broke the home teams’ back. That made it 17-0 at the half. With the Kings defense playing well, the Hurricane were held to 40 total yards at the half. And when the low lying smoke cleared as the final horn sounded, the scoreboard at Townsend Field read Kings 37, Wilmington 7. Week 10 is upon us!!!

 See you on the field!

 Coach Olds

GO KNIGHTS!!!

This past Friday night, the West Carrolton Pirates visited the Castle for the first and last time as they will be dropped from our schedule as both schools will join new leagues in 2012. If other high school teams ever wondered how Kings Football continues to turn out great seasons on a very regular basis, all they needed to do was be present at this week’s pre game festivities. On this night, we recognized coaches, players, and cheerleaders from grades 1^st through 8^th grades. Although I have not seen the photos of the group shot, I am quite sure it is more than impressive numbering close to 500 total participants! As we spoke purposely in the pregame talk that we are all role models and are on display for all to see 24-7! When our upper classmen see young players wearing their number and asking for an autograph as if they played for a professional team, it really sets in that many, many eyes are upon them. So along with the privilege of playing for and wearing a varsity uniform comes the responsibility that we all have to be not only the best players and coaches, we also need to be the best students, the best teachers, and the best people we can be!

When the horn sounded as the final seconds ticked off the clock for Youth Night, the score board read, Kings 45, West Carrolton 20. As we rolled up 28 points in the first quarter and the defense flexed its muscle, we as a staff knew quickly that this would be a very good opportunity to give our regulars a much deserved break as we begin to finish up our regular season schedule. Our reserves got the majority of the minutes for almost a full three quarters of play. Bright spots for those young guys included running back Michael Ovington, wide receiver Willie Strosnider, and back up QB Drew Patterson. All of these guys and many more have earned the right to show what they could do under the lights. All of the varsity coaches were more than eager and excited for all of our young guys on this night!

This week, we travel to Wilmington College to take on the Hurricane for the last road trip of the regular season. They bring an impressive 6 & 2 record overall with only 1 loss in league play.

See you on the field!

Coach Olds

GO KNIGHTS!!!

Electricity was certainly in the air at Kings Stadium Friday night! It was homecoming weekend and the weather was outstanding with game time temps right at 70 degrees.

Friday started off in a fantastic way with a pep assembly that moved even me. In fact, it was so energetic that is reminded of the “good ole days” back when I played high school. It seemed the gymnasium was packed with the entire student body. Each class was easily identifiable by the four colors Columbia Blue, Red, White, and Black! No assembly would be complete without the help of Math teacher and Golf Coach Ben Tilton. He definitely brought his “A” game to the assembly this time and it showed as the students yelled till kids most lost their voices!

As the Annual Homecoming parade came to a conclusion, the home stands filled to capacity very quickly. Walnut hills not only brought a 6-0 record to Kings, they also brought a very good cheering section. Unfortunately Walnut’s cheering section had very little to make noise about as the score read 23-0 Kings. It was not until mid way through the 4^th quarter that they would get their first 1st down! Wow…..

To make the night complete, senior defensive end Max Demumbra was selected as Home Coming King! The student body could not have picked a better young man to represent Kings at Homecoming! A GREAT choice and very well deserved!!

But perhaps the coolest thing that happened that weekend is when I picked up the Enquirer on Saturday a.m. only to see that senior RB Brian Huffman had made the front page with a wonderful color action shot along with a very nice write up to boot! Kings FB also dominated the inside sports section as well! I was very happy for the entire Football program which includes players and coaches in the KYO ranks through the junior high program, and ultimately to and through the players and coaches at the high school level! Many hours, days and months of strength training, speed training, and numerous film sessions have been logged to get the program to this point.

In closing, a special thanks and congratulations go out to Mr. Phil Poggi, our new Athletic Director at Kings. Friday night’s event was nothing short of “perfect”! He and his staff showed all of Kings Alumni what we’re all about. It was a first class event! Again, thanks to Phil and his vary hard working athletic staff!

See you on the field!

Coach Olds

“GO KNIGHTS”

One of the oldest existing rivalries in the FAVC came to an end this past Friday. Despite playing subpar football, the Knights rolled up 45 points and 466 yards of offense. The defense continues to dominate as our reserves gave up the only score on the night. Our special teams also played well with Evan Berg hitting 3 field goals while punter Zac Hildebrand punted only 2 x he averaged just over 47 yards per punt. Once again, the seniors of this team can chalk up another accomplishment to add to their legacy by ending the Panther-Knight rivalry with a convincing win.

This coming Friday marks Homecoming for the Kings community as undefeated league foe Walnut Hills visits the castle. Once again, the Kings Football Alumni hospitality tent will be welcoming all Kings FB alumni along with our friends from ProCamps, Ltd. Founder and CEO Gregg Darbyshire was the former Athletic Director at Kings and was also the A.D. who hired me back in 1998 as the head coach.

As we look to the extended forecast for Friday, it looks like the game time temps will be hovering in the mid to low 70’s making for a great set up for a great game!

See you on the field!

Coach Olds

GO KNIGHTS!!!

Times have certainly changed since the time most of my coaching staff played high school football. “Back in the day” as our players would say, grass fields were the standard. Parents had no issues with getting out grass and mud stains from the previous nights football game. Weather was certainly a huge factor back then. In fact, back in 2002 during the region 8 final game against C.J., Cincy took almost 5 inches of rain in less than a 24 hour period. These rains were steady throughout the contest at Princeton’s Mancuso Field. In fact, this would be the last football game ever to be played on a grass surface on this field.

But since then, field turf facilities have become the “norm” while the nice well kept grass fields are rarely seen. At Glen Este, the players and coaches got to experience something that in this day and age would be considered rare. This natural grass field was very saturated with rain from the days earlier in the week. Water was standing in several places. Lucky enough for our kids, we had three chances to practice on our own grass practice fields. This helped players and coaches alike to prepare for the game time conditions.

Both our players and coaches adapted extremely well. Again on this night, the defense played extremely fast and swarmed as if they were on dry field turf and our offensive ground game went well over 200 yards once again.

But probably the coolest thing that seems to get lost in the contest was the pure fun of playing a game in muddy conditions! All of the coaching staff has at least one special game they played in that they will never forget whether it be in high school or in college that was played in similar conditions. Now, the 2011 Knights can add this past Friday night’s game with the Trojans to their memory books!

See you on the field!

Coach Olds

GO KNIGHTS!!!