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Former coach recalls tradition of Scott City football
Published 7/3/2010 in Sports
By BRETT MARSHALL
bmarshall@gctelegram.com
SCOTT CITY — Once every five years, Scott Community High School holds an all-school reunion for each graduating class since the school opened its doors in 1905.
Friday, today and Sunday are all part of the celebration, and there is an added component of the festivities. It is to recognize that football has been played at the school for 100 years.
One person who has been part of the long-standing tradition of Beaver football was on hand Friday for the opening-day activities was former head coach Larry Huck, who began his coaching duties as an assistant in 1963. Two years later he would have the opportunity to become the head coach.
From 1965-1972, Huck, a resident of Scott City, left his imprint on the tradition-steeped program by having two undefeated seasons (1967 and 1968). He helped compile what is believed to be the school's longest winning streak at 27 over a four-season period (1966 through 1969).
"There have been lots of good coaches before and after me," Huck said. "I had good assistants and good players and the community support has always just been there it seems like."
It wasn't until 1969 the Kansas State High School Activities Association began state football playoffs, just one year removed from his consecutive undefeated streak.
"Yes, it would have been great to have been able to determine the champion on the field," Huck said. "But those were things we couldn't worry about."
It was in 1972 when Huck said his decisions would have a life-changing effect on him. That came when he purchased a 6,000-acre ranch north of Healy and retired from coaching. He was just 31.
"Biggest mistake I think I ever made as far as coaching goes," said Huck, who is 69. "Even today I miss it terribly. But I made a decision with my kids coming on to play that I didn't want to coach them. I had a chance to take a year's sabbatical and go coach with Vince Gibson at Kansas State. I'm sure that would have been fun."
Instead, he had the opportunity over a period of nine years to impart values for a lifetime with his sons.
"They learned how to get up early and take care of things before doing anything else," Huck said. "For that, I wouldn't trade what that has meant to them over the years."
Huck said he faithfully attends home games and some away games for the Scott City football team. He feels the program is in good hands with coach Glenn O'Neil and his staff.
"They do a good job," Huck said. "My kids tell me I should get back into coaching because there's still a need on how to teach blocking and tackling. But I know if I get down into that stance now, I might not get back up."
Huck said he believed coaching philosophy and working with kids has remained the same over the years.
"You have to be involved with kids, know their families, where they come from and how they got there," Huck said. "You've got to relate to their mom and dad because there will be times that not everything goes the way they think it should."
During his tenure at the high school, Huck was a math teacher (algebra, advanced algebra) as well as vice-principal and athletic director, a post now held by his cousin, Randy Huck.
"I just think over the years that football has been important to the community and that's why we've had such good teams through the years," Huck said. "When I was involved in coaching I always thought the kids were better off on the football field than out carousing and getting into trouble. But young people also need to feel wanted and I think you still have to do some recruiting."
Huck said he thought at the peak of his coaching years at Scott City, that he would draw from 100-110 players in the four classes.
"You always knew you'd get the good kids because they wanted to be part of something special," he said. "I think it's still that way here today. We're pretty fortunate around here."
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