Head coach Jay Crum (orange) gives the SSHS Blackhawk team a pep talk after the first day of practice.
SEELEY LAKE - The roar of an excited crowd, the adrenaline stemmed from pride rushing through the players' veins and the fresh feeling of victory are what Seeley-Swan High School's new head football coach Jay Crum is looking forward to during this year's season.
Throughout his earlier years, Crum coached high school- and college-level leagues, as well as played for the Los Angeles Rams' practice team. Last year, he volunteered to be the defensive coordinator for the SSHS Blackhawks football team.
After the previous head coach resigned, Crum did not want to see the team endure too much change and struggle to adjust to someone who did not know them. He knew the team and took the opportunity to become the head coach.
This year, Crum has high hopes for the SSHS Blackhawk football team. His goal is to win the conference game and then guide the team to State competition. During training, Crum has focused on redesigning the team to be more durable for the season.
"The kids are now designed to win," said Crum. "They are faster and stronger than ever before. First, they needed to learn the fundamentals of football. Then, we focused on the workouts that were designed to condition the kids."
The football team faces many challenges this season, one being the lack of players. Crum, however, is determined to use the players he has to their best advantage. With a total of 18 players, Crum has decided not to have a Junior Varsity team, and to instead train each individual player for the Varsity team.
"Our front lineup's strengths are size and power. We have power runners. We're calm, we're offensive and we're defensive," explained Crum, expressing his confidence in the team. "These kids are hard working and well-mannered and they want to be a part of something special. I want to watch these kids succeed and I want to see them get what they deserve. I want them to feel pride and to be proud of being a Blackhawk."
Crum invites the community to a spaghetti feed and pie auction fundraiser Aug. 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the SSHS Cafeteria. The funds earned will go to the team in order to get more modern gear and updated jerseys.
Crum said, "If you like football, then come and watch. Support the team! This will be an exciting season."
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