Leadership? “We didn’t play very well with the lead there in the third quarter,” said Cavalier coach Chip Otten. “And we’re going to feel pretty good about it because that was a good team we played.” – (Press Pros Feature Photos)
There’s no slighting his numbers, but Karsyn Homan’s sheer presence on the field was a major factor in Coldwater’s opening night win over visiting Valley View.
What can you say about leadership?
Except…how can you win without it?
The sheer impact of one who wants to be where the fight is the hottest is so often overlooked.
In esssence, those words describe the impact of Coldwater quarterback Karsyn Homan, whose 231 yards of total offense (154 passing and 2 touchdowns) were so critical to the Cavaliers’ 37-21 opening night win as to be taken for granted. Such is life when you’re accustomed to winning.
“They’re a tough team,” Valley View coach Matt King said, afterwards. “That’s why we schedule them. Every down they play to win. It’s a mentality.”
And more than the yards and points. Playing with leg cramps from the heat…and a shot taken on a tackle near the sideline in the third quarter…Homan was hardly 100% for most of the second half and a critical period in the third quarter when Valley View made its comeback attempt from a 30-7 halftime deficit. Homan refused replacement, delivering a critical sack on defense, and an eight-minute drive and touchdown during the fourth quarter that capped the Cavaliers’ win, their third in as many years over the tough-minded Spartans from Germantown.
How important was his presence?
“There were so many odd plays and mistakes,” said Coldwater coach Chip Otten. “We didn’t play very well with the lead there in the third quarter. And yet, we won, and we’re going to feel pretty good about it because I think that was a pretty good team we played – a good way to start the season.”
Karsyn Homan scored the clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter for a 37-21 opening win over Valley View.
“We had a good game plan,” shrugged Homan, afterwards. “How we did it wasn’t the prettiest, but we fought through it. Stayed mentally strong. We just kept playing and came out of it with a win.
“There’s going to be some mistakes and things go against you. Things you can’t practice. That’s part of it.”
You won’t find it in the manual on how to play.
You can’t spoon feed it to the young guys that were on the field at the time – their first experience.
“We had some young guys out there,” he assured. “And they did a good job.”
No doubt because they observe at places like Coldwater and Marion Local. Leadership is something you learn by example. What Chip Otten would later acknowledge when he said, “The glass was half full.”
His senior quarterback had provided a difference. Yes, a good way to start on opening night. Not perfect, but a win’s a win, is a win.
And because of it…our recognition and congratulations to the Cavaliers’ Karsyn Homan, this week’s ‘Who’s Hot’ honoree on Press Pros.
Peace of mind is as easy as the relationship you have with your local bank, and the St. Henry bank is small enough to know you, and big enough to serve you. The St. Henry Bank joins Press Pros Magazine in recognizing this week’s “Who’s Hot” honoree…quarterback Karsyn Homan, from Coldwater High School.