Brooke meets South Charleston for Class AAA title
Saturday, December 5 , 2009
By MIKE MATHISON- The Herald Star
When Tom Bruney stepped in front of the Brooke football team on May 21 after being named the new head coach, he didn't exactly have visions of sugar plums dancing in his head, but also knew the settling down for a long winter's nap wasn't exactly in the cards at the time.
The Bruins are four quarters away from a really good nap.
No. 1 Brooke will face No. 2 South Charleston at noon today at Wheeling Island Stadium in the West Virginia Class AAA state championship game.
"When we took over the program in May it was obvious the kids were ready for some change," Bruney said. "For their whole lives they've had to hear about Brooke football from the past - the pride and the tradition.
"What's happened to Brooke football? Is it the kids? Are they no good anymore? Is it because the steel mills have shut down and the enrollment has dropped and the population is dwindling? What's the problem with Brooke?
"Deep down these kids knew they could win and that the pride was there. All I had to do was tell them what we believed in, what our philosophy was going to be and what we expected and they bought in right away.
"It's sort of like Forrest Gump - what did he say about that box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get. When I walked through that door they just looked like a regular bunch of Joes. Nobody really stood out.
"It wasn't until we were able to get on the field in June during our three weeks of spring practice that we were able to do somee valuation. You really don't know until you strap on the pads. You go through a couple of weeks of two-a-days and you're still really not sure until you get to that first scrimmage.
"Ryan Lazear just looked like a good kid to me. Then all of a sudden we're in that scrimmage and he's doing some unbelievable things. That's when my brother coined the phrase that when Ryan is on he goes into Jedi mode. He went in and out of Jedi mode against University and we're hoping he locks into that and gets his light saber going early."
The Bruins defeated University 32-15 last week for their 13th win in 13 outings. It was also the third straight playoff win at Brooke Memorial Stadium.
Now, for the 14th game, the Bruins head about 20 minutes south.
"Brooke is a really good football team," South Charleston coach John Messinger said. "They are undefeated and No. 1 for a reason. They are going to play in their back yard. This is definitely a home game for them.
"We get, what I consider, is a great honor in playing a really good Brooke team. That football team has it all. The greatest thing about Brooke that I see is their will to win. They refuse to lose and refuse to quit.
"To say that we're facing an inferior team is the farthest thing from the truth. We're playing the No. 1 team in the state and they're No. 1 for a reason. They're good."
"We have seven seniors and five who start for us and those five have been tremendous leaders for us," said Bruney. "Mike Koscevic and Kyle Sims in the middle on defense have done a great job of getting our defense lined up and getting us in the proper fronts and coverages. They are tremendous leaders by example. They're not real vocal, but they work real hard every day.
"Jake Lilly is probably the finest two-way lineman I've ever had. He's very unselfish and works every hard. You very seldom hear him say anything because he's constantly working."
Brooke's offense begins with Kennedy Award finalist Cotey Wallace, who has thrown for 2,026 yards on 133-of-211 passing and has rushed for 1,045 yards. The senior has been a part of 41 total touchdowns.
"In my opinion, if he doesn't win the Kennedy Award it's an injustice because, other than the numbers he has put up which are unbelievable, this is the first year he's got under center and took snaps," said Bruney. "He went through an entire system change and instillation of a brand new offense. For him to step in and do what he's done is just remarkable. I look back to the first day I met him on May 2lst.
"After I got done with my talk to the kids, I stopped and said 'Well, who's my quarterback?' And immediately his hand went up. From that point on he and I have a feel for each other and built a good relationship. He's one cool cucumber. He's unbelievable. He doesn't get too high. He doesn't get too low.
"He's the perfect commander on the field. When he says something it's very constructive and to the point. He understands our system and how it fits into the grand scheme of things. I 've had quarterbacks who were better athletes. I've had quarterbacks who've had better arms. But, I've never had a quarterback who had the total package like this.
"He's such a tremendous leader and so smart in the game of football. He's a gamer."
