Ben Murphy
Sports Scene
The Arthur Hill Lumberjacks may be 0-4 to start the 2011 football season, but that doesn’t mean the squad isn’t moving in the right direction under first year head coach Will Luzar.
“This is my third time being in a program and trying to get it going in the right direction,” Luzar said. “The hardest part is getting kids to buy into your system, but the kids are always hungry to win. For us as coaches, it is helping the kids to make the right choices, not only in football but in life, and give them good life experiences. You work hard good things will happen.”
Arthur Hill is Luzar’s first head coaching job. Despite the fact that taking the job meant leaving his assistant position at Midland High, a squad that perennially qualifies for the playoffs, he didn’t hesitate going to coach the Lumberjacks, who have qualified just twice since 1994.
“I wanted the opportunity to be a head coach and work with kids,” Luzar said. “Mainly it was just a great opportunity, and I get to work with inner city kids. I really wanted to do that, and I enjoy what I’m doing.”
Besides Friday night’s 66-0 loss to Midland, the Lumberjacks have been competitive in most games this season, losing to Flint Southwestern 26-20 in week one, to Saginaw Heritage 27-12 in week two, and to Bay City Western 42-13, a game that they led for much of the first half, in week three.
The loss to Western featured Yenta Sanders running for 186 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 119 yards rushing and two scores against Heritage.
“You don’t take those subtle victories,” Luzar said of losing close games. “The main thing for us is to get better every day. Just keep giving our best effort and good things will happen; that’s what we’re trying to get across.”
Luzar is confident he can get the program turned around, and he isn’t concerned about the lack of success in recent years.
“I don’t worry about the past,” he said. “Our philosophy is to do things right, give your best, and to be a family no matter what happens. Our kids are extremely hard workers… Our goals for the season are to get better every day and play hard every day. The best thing is getting to know all the kids and seeing how good these kids can be.”