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CONNORVILLE -- Win or lose last Friday, Buckeye Local's season was coming to a close. There would be no playoffs for Coach Jim Hoover's Panthers this season.
There was still plenty to play for, however, as the V.A.L.E.S. Trophy was on the line against rival Harrison Central.
The Panthers, as they did so many times this season, played well in the first half and had a great chance to win. But turnovers and mental miscues culminated in the second half, allowing Harrison to pull away late for 45-34 win.
Harrison heads to the playoffs while Buckeye capped its season at 2-8, one that very easily could have gone an entirely different direction.
It's a fact Hoover and his staff will lament on during the offseason as they begin preparations for 2023.
"We had our opportunities but didn't capitalize on them," Hoover said. "A lot of the times, we couldn't put four quarters together. We'd play well, especially in the first half. I don't know if it was the immaturity, the youth, but they found our guys in the second half and got to them."
In fairness, when your secondary consists of four sophomores, and your offensive line is featuring 10th and 9th graders, it makes an battle an uphill one.
"Youth an immaturity were big for us," Hoover noted. Physically, we were ready. But the biggest thing is mentally, a lot of the kids were making the same mistakes in Week 9 and 10, that they were in Weeks 1 and 2. Our football IQ just wasn't very high."
A difficult schedule didn't help either. Of the 10 teams on Buckeye's schedule, only one--Monroe Central (2-8) in Division VII, failed to qualify for the postseason. True, the playoff spots in each region were doubled for this season. But the
Panthers' opponents combined for a 63-37 record. Smaller schools on the slate or not, that's a tough road week in and out, yet Buckeye managed two wins, very easily could have had two others and remained competitive early in other games.
"Offensively, we averaged close to 30 some points per game," Hoover said. "When you do that in high school football, you should win games."
Youth and injuries and inexperience will do that to you. Still, there were some bright spots for Buckeye.
One was the play of senior Trey Hoover, who capped his career with a 301-yard night to give him above 1,200 rushing yards for the season, and 3,500 for his career. He also led the team in tackles, finishing with around 325 for his career.
His production will be missed next season, but Coach Hoover is already busy mentally preparing his replacement(s) for their increased work load.
"We've got some guys and we've already talked to them and they know what will be expected of them,"
Hoover said. "They are nowhere near as big as Trey, so can they carry the ball 20, 30 times a game?
That's a tough ask. We will have to spread the load a bit at first. But it's going to be tough because for three years, when we got in a bind, I knew who I was giving the ball to."
It's going to be unique for the coach in general, because for the first time during his coaching career, one of his sons won't be next to him in some capacity, whether as a water boy, manager, or player.
"It's going to be different," he said. "I started coaching in 2004 and one of my sons has been by my side and the last seven years, I've gotten to coach them and it's been a huge honor for me."
Hoover is excited to get back to work and he feels his returner players understand the work that is required of them to take the next step and prepare for the 2023 season. In fact, many are chomping at the bit, ready to get back to work.
"We talked about it Monday when we collected equipment," Hoover said. "We have that no contract period, but it was nice to see how many of the kids asking when we were going to start lifting and get back to work.
"Hopefully the culture (here) is changing. It's still an uphill better, but I'm encouraged."