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Bob Parasiliti (Joe Crocetta / April 15, 2012) |
“It was our chance … our turn,” said another.
The numbers and statistics these Bulldogs accumulated were amazing. They scored more than 51.5 points per game while allowing just 11 to their opponents.
In the process, these seniors did something the star-studded class before couldn’t.
They won three straight titles, completing a feat that last happened in West Virginia 42 years ago. And they did it with an overall record of 41-1.
Lost in the shuffle is the structure of the program that coach David Walker has built through his 16 seasons. Now he holds the state records for most games coached and won in the playoffs. He also tied some old friends and mentors in those record books.
But these three championships were the pinnacle of some forgotten days gone by.
Many questioned if Walker was the man to lead the Bulldogs when he first got there. He was 1-9 in his first season and 6-5 in his second.
Now, he owns a 162-38 record at Martinsburg.
That’s 155-24 — an .866 winning percentage — since those first two seasons. It includes seven trips to the state finals in the last 12 years.
And Martinsburg is getting rather used to all the success. In fact, they want — and expect — more.
“I see no reason why not,” said Walker to the crowd, referring to the possibility of a fourth straight title. “… I want to meet you guys here again next year.”
It could be a date, provided the Bulldogs stay the course and remain healthy.
So, if it takes 10 to 21 days to make a habit, what do you call something that has been a 16-year climb up Mount Excellence, culminating by reaching the peak for the last three years?
Perhaps, habit is an understatement. It’s time to start consider other terms.
Like maybe tradition … or dynasty.
The truth is that Martinsburg football is a well-oiled, hugely productive machine running in championship overdrive. Outside of maybe Walker — and his staff — it’s not a product of one cog.
The framework is there and the pieces are interchangeable. The Bulldogs’ success is a sum of all the parts.
That will make championship football a hard habit to break at Martinsburg.
Bob Parasiliti is a staff writer for The Herald-Mail. He can be reached at 301-791-7358 or by email at bobp@herald-mail.com.
The numbers and statistics these Bulldogs accumulated were amazing. They scored more than 51.5 points per game while allowing just 11 to their opponents.
In the process, these seniors did something the star-studded class before couldn’t.
They won three straight titles, completing a feat that last happened in West Virginia 42 years ago. And they did it with an overall record of 41-1.
Lost in the shuffle is the structure of the program that coach David Walker has built through his 16 seasons. Now he holds the state records for most games coached and won in the playoffs. He also tied some old friends and mentors in those record books.
But these three championships were the pinnacle of some forgotten days gone by.
Many questioned if Walker was the man to lead the Bulldogs when he first got there. He was 1-9 in his first season and 6-5 in his second.
Now, he owns a 162-38 record at Martinsburg.
That’s 155-24 — an .866 winning percentage — since those first two seasons. It includes seven trips to the state finals in the last 12 years.
And Martinsburg is getting rather used to all the success. In fact, they want — and expect — more.
“I see no reason why not,” said Walker to the crowd, referring to the possibility of a fourth straight title. “… I want to meet you guys here again next year.”
It could be a date, provided the Bulldogs stay the course and remain healthy.
So, if it takes 10 to 21 days to make a habit, what do you call something that has been a 16-year climb up Mount Excellence, culminating by reaching the peak for the last three years?
Perhaps, habit is an understatement. It’s time to start consider other terms.
Like maybe tradition … or dynasty.
The truth is that Martinsburg football is a well-oiled, hugely productive machine running in championship overdrive. Outside of maybe Walker — and his staff — it’s not a product of one cog.
The framework is there and the pieces are interchangeable. The Bulldogs’ success is a sum of all the parts.
That will make championship football a hard habit to break at Martinsburg.
Bob Parasiliti is a staff writer for The Herald-Mail. He can be reached at 301-791-7358 or by email at bobp@herald-mail.com.