A tough climb
Since winning a playoff game in 2005, West Carrollton won just one of its next 26 games before a seven-game winning streak, including a 3-0 start this season, has provided some optimism:
2005 7-5
2006 0-10
2007 1-9
2008 4-5*
2009 3-0
*Started season 0-5
WEST CARROLLTON — In the middle of last season, when the West Carrollton High School football team lost its fifth game and fell to 1-25 since winning a playoff game in 2005, things were dreary.
“No one should get used to losing, and I felt like that’s what we were doing,” said Tyler Liberatore, a West Carrollton tight end and linebacker. “Then we won those last four games.”
The Pirates, in fact, have done more than that. In starting this season 3-0, West Carrollton has extended its winning streak to seven in one of the quickest and most dramatic turnarounds by a local football program in recent years.
Headed to Greenville tonight, Sept. 18, West Carrollton carries a new optimism under first-year coach Rob Berger, who was promoted from defensive coordinator following the retirement of Bob Brigati last fall.
In his first season, Berger has led the team to wins over Wilmington, Shawnee and Miamisburg, a trio against which the Pirates were 0-9 the previous three seasons.
The Pirates play their next seven games against teams with a combined 3-18 record, which has some around the team thinking this start could last. Players say attention to detail and a sense of urgency have guided the turnaround.
“Last year, if we were in practice and we forgot the snap count, we’d do it over again,” said Ryan Tincher, a Pirates offensive lineman.
“One thing (Berger) stresses is there are no do-overs on Friday nights, so we have to do it right now.
“We’ve only got one shot to do it.”
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