Relieved. Happy. Frustrated.
Coon Rapids football coach Jon Young felt the emotions swirl last Friday as his Cardinals ended an 11-game losing streak that spanned three seasons.
Young felt relieved for the seniors he worked with all summer, a group on a mission to earn respect for the slumping program. Happiness came from watching parents and community members basking in the boys' effort. As for frustration, Young thought his team struggled at times throughout a 23-7 victory against Park Center.
And, of course, he doesn't want Friday's victory to be the last one this season.
"It was a big win for a number of reasons," Young said. "But we got them together after the game and said, 'Raise your hand if you thought you could have played better.' Pretty much every hand went up.
"But hey," Young added, "you can't win two unless you win one, right?"
A positive streak would be a welcome change. Coon Rapids' last previous victory came in the regular-season finale against Andover in 2011. A playoff loss to Blaine, coupled with a 0-9 season last fall and a season-opening loss to Totino-Grace ran the futility streak to 11.
"We have an unselfish group of guys who have stayed together," Young said. "Sometimes winning is just a reward in itself."
