Are the Ferndale Yellow Jackets the 2016 version of the Hickory High School Hoosiers?



... Congratulations for great win over Williamsburg 

While I want to congratulate all of the high school football teams that have won their first playoff games in districts 5 and 6, one deserves special recognition.

That is the Ferndale Yellow Jackets, the 12th-seeded single A team that upset Williamsburg, 21-12, on the loser's turf on Friday night.

Why was Ferndale's win so special? First, this was the first playoff win for the Yellow Jackets since 1995, 21 years ago. That is special.

In addition, the Jackets have struggled in recent years primarily due to low turnout -- low roster numbers in a small, single-A school. In one season, Ferndale started a game with just 15 players dressed, and according to some reports that I read, only 12 of them were healthy at the end of the game.

Yet, the Yellow Jackets, their coaches, their supporters in the school, their community -- did not quit. Many critics said that they should drop the football program and join with either Johnstown or Westmont.

Ferndale did not follow that advice.

Here is how tough things were. The Yellow Jackets last had a winning season in 2004 when they compiled a 6-3 mark under Coach Ron Goisovich, according to information on the MaxPreps website.

From 2005 until 2015, they compiled a record of 10-94. From 2010 until 2015, their record was 2-56, with four winless seasons.

Most teams, players, and coaches would have quit. Not the Yellow Jackets.

Under second-year Coach Don Robertson, the Jackets compiled a 4-6 mark this year, which was enough to earn them the 12th -- and last -- seed in District 6 single-A

That is what made Friday night's win so special to so many in Ferndale.

Hoosiers II?

One game certainly does not carve out a path to the state title. Remember the basketball movie Hoosiers with Gene Hackman from the 1980s? Set in the 1950s, tiny Hickory High School overcame all odds to win the state basketball title.

I am not about to cast Coach Robertson in Gene Hackman's legendary role with Hickory. I am about to say that I think that their next game against Northern Cambria should worry my old friend and current NC Coach Frank Paronish.

Never underestimate a team that is on a mission. A win next week would be special for the Jackets and their fans.

Could they beat another A school, two-time defending state champs Bishop Guilfoyle, to take the 6-A crown? If they can do that, move over Gene Hackman.

In any event, congratulations to the Yellow Jackets on a huge win! Good luck to them and their fans in the remaining district game(s).

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