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photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports

By Mike Moore

Staff Writer

Jackson — He will point and gear credit to his players, and that much has come to be expected.

But when looking back at the 2016 football season, there’s a fair amount of credit due to the man guiding the Lumen Christi ship.

From the choppy waters of the first three weeks to the seemingly smooth sailing down the stretch to the most important navigating come playoff time.

When it came to area football teams this fall, none were better than the Titans.

When it came to sideline generals leading those teams, the same can be said about Herb Brogan, the JTV 2016 Coach of the Year.

“We had a real nice group of kids coming in,” Brogan said, looking back on the season. “They were young and inexperienced and opened against a (Grand Rapids West Catholic) team that was loaded. We went in a little wide-eyed, not knowing what to expect. And we played like it.”

Lumen got blown out 30-13 against the eventual Division 5 state champ, but Brogan’s composure, confidence and focus never wavered.

Over the next 13 weeks of games, his team lost once, and last Friday capped things off with a Division 6 state title, the seventh during his tenure.

That, in itself, proves this year wasn’t unique to those gone by.

The team, however, certainly was.

The Titans came into the season with 13 seniors, most of whom were stepping into starting roles for the first time at the varsity level.

“This team was younger than most,” Brogan said comparing the 2016 squad to the six other champs. “When you’ve done this as long as we have, though, I don’t think there’s a lot of new things the coaches aren’t ready for. We’ve been down the road of being behind in the record before. We were 2-3 once and then won a state title. So really, we just wanted to make it to the playoffs, get to a point where we were playing our best, and have a chance.”

The chance turned into a title, which Brogan admitted he’s finally trying to enjoy.

“I think you enjoy the success it in the moment, and not too long after that, you’re looking at the next challenge,” he said with a laugh. “Come playoff time there’s even less time to really think about wins. You win one and you are immediately focused on what’s next, because there is no tomorrow if you lose.”

A week later, with a banquet approaching, he’s forcing himself and his guys to relive 2016.

“You have to look back and enjoy it for what we did,” Brogan said. “This was  great group of guys who took care of a lot of business along the way. But I’ll say this, they are chomping at the bit and getting ready to go for next year. It’s a whole different challenge now. It’s different being the hunter and being the hunted. It’s a big difference winning a title compared to trying to defend it.”

Always a coach.

And this year, the best there was.

Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’

Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.

Visit http://lovedefinedbook.weebly.com for more information.

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