Don’t blame Heber for Oilers’ tough season

In the days of the old west, people loved a hanging. They would dress in their Sunday best — men, women and children — hitch up the wagon and ride into town to watch a murderer or horse thief meet with justice at the end of a rope. One would only assume it served them well since hangings enjoyed such popularity. Times have changed … or have they? Oil City head football coach Bill Heber is no murderer or horse thief. But, if a group of misinformed fans, taxpayers and others have their way, once again Heber’s coaching job will be on the line. Why? Because of a losing season that has been beyond his control for a number of reasons? Because the win-at-all-costs mentality has filtered all the way down to scholastic athletics? Because people neither realize nor understand what it took to produce the championship season of 1998 and measure all other teams by such a standard? The answers to the three questions are yes, yes and yes. Heber and assistant coaches Ritt Smith, Ray Beers, Dave Skinner and Mario Fontanazza, deeply understand exactly what it took to produce that championship season. They were members of the coaching staff in 1998 and played an integral role in the team’s success. Paul Stamm, who served as head coach of the Oilers during that season, was adamant in his praise of his assistants — particularly Heber — of whom he regularly referred to as a “defensive genius.” But, that was a different time. Adam Lehnortt and Ben Lynch, who went on to highly successful college football careers at West Virginia, were members of that team. So were Kevin Kresinski — Oil City’s all-time leading rusher — Todd Fishinger, Bert McClellan, Ryan Hutchinson, Mike Willyoung, Jon Clark and the list goes on and on. The talent level was decidedly different than what the Oilers coaching staff has had to work with this season. It doesn’t say here Oil City’s football team is devoid of talent this season, but points out the 1998 season blended a special group of athletes who reached their scholastic peaks during their junior and senior seasons. This season’s Oilers edition is a combination of youth and inexperience. Toss in an unforgiving schedule and rash of injuries and it is appropriate to use a term which is gaining increasing popularity — “it is what it is.” Thus, we ask: Did Heber — who has coached high school football for 20 years, Smith, Beers, Skinner and Fontanazza suddenly forget all they had learned? Has a staff that was considered brilliant when it had enormous talent suddenly become stupid? Does anyone believe deep in their hearts and minds the 2007 Oilers measure up in talent to the team of 1998? The answers to the three questions are no, no and no. Heber has worked with all levels of Oil City program, from volunteering for duty in the fifth- and sixth-grade flag league, all the way up through to the varsity. Losing tears at him as much as any Oilers fan and he hasn’t offered any excuses for the team’s performance. Maybe he should. Maybe the fans should know certain facts. Oil City has used five quarterbacks and now is starting 14-year-old freshman Ben Koyack. Armed with very few starters returning from a 4-6 team, the Oilers opened their season against four powerhouses in Strong Vincent, Harbor Creek, Titusville and General McLane. Injuries have taken their toll and just when Oil City is matched against teams with which it can compete; several of the team’s top players are no longer available. The quality of teams in Region 5 and Class AAA of District 10 has improved dramatically in recent years. Heber, his staff and players have fought through adversity. This was displayed in the team’s comeback against Franklin after entering with an 0-4 record and falling behind 21-6. The numbers on the Oil City roster exceed or are equal to that of any program in District 10. Large crowds, other than at the Meadville game in which rain was eminent, regularly attend the games. The staff has endured setbacks that would have discouraged many, including the delayed game at General McLane a few years back that ultimately was decided by several questionable calls by the officials. The loss of Nick Stallone, arguably the team’s best athlete, to an injury in the preseason that would sideline him for all but the final seconds of the season’s final game. Through it all — including criticism from people who don’t know a trap block from a Cover 2 secondary scheme — Heber and his staff have maintained their patience, commitment, values and put the players’ best interests in the forefront. Oil City’s football program has a promising future. Koyack and fellow freshman Dallas Williams are gaining valuable varsity experience while the junior high team is stocked with top-notch athletes. Here’s hoping Heber and his staff are part of that future. We don’t need another hanging. (Craig Phillips is a sportswriter for The Derrick.) Posted 10.26.07