The question “How many?” doesn’t matter to those associated with the high school football program at East Hamilton. Only the question “How?”
How the Hurricanes, who still haven’t reached double figures in victories in their three-year history, won their first District 6-AA championship this year was winning at the right times. Another of those was Friday when they beat Howard 42-6 at East Hamilton on senior night.
It was the last regular-season home game for East Hamilton (6-4, 6-1), but the Hurricanes hope not the last home game this season. They know they’ll be part of the Class 4A state playoffs, but Tyner had to travel after recently winning a district championship.
“It’s exciting,” East Hamilton coach Ted Gatewood said. “I’m so happy for the kids. I know the work and everything they’ve put into it. I’m so proud they were able to accomplish something. They see what you put into it is rewarding. You get punched in the mouth long enough, you learn to do something about it.”
The punches to the mouth are figurative referrences to the program’s 1-9 and 2-8 previous seasons, which junior lineman Francisco Rodriguez was part of. This season started 0-2.