A NEW PROGRAM AT SAUGUS; HILTON BRINGS DISCIPLINE AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS TO FOOTBALL TEAM.Byline: Lee Barnathan Daily News Staff Writer A Saugus High School Saugus High School may refer to:
Another player missed a passing-league game. He won't see action in the first game, either. Players are required to sign contracts stipulating they won't touch alcohol or other drugs, miss practices or engage in other illegal acts during the season or face suspensions. Ron Hilton, new Saugus football coach, means business. When about 50 players jogged up to him in the center of the field, surrounded him in a semi-circle and went down on one knee, he knew they were ready to listen to him. ``I believe in accountability,'' Hilton said. ``There are no excuses. I believe kids want to be disciplined. They want direction in their life.'' So Hilton, after spending 17 years helping the football teams in several capacities and being softball softball, variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Invented (1888) in Chicago as an indoor game, it was at various times called indoor baseball, mush ball, playground ball, kitten ball, and, because it was also played by women, ladies' coach for 15 of those years, becomes head coach for the first time. He takes over for Jack Bowman, who resigned after six years, with the intent of instilling in·still also in·stil tr.v. in·stilled, in·still·ing, in·stills also in·stils 1. To introduce by gradual, persistent efforts; implant: "Morality . . . some intensity he felt was missing. He also wanted to eliminate the cliques that hurt the team last year, when it finished 6-6 after being picked by many to win the Foothill League. ``We've always had a problem at Saugus hoping we can win,'' he said Monday in between his first two practices as head coach. ``I know (league rival) Hart takes the field expecting to win. I know I took the softball field expecting to win.'' He actually started making the changes in the spring and summer. Those players who tested him will pay by sitting against Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. on Sept. 12 and against Palmdale the following week. The players readily welcomed the changes. ``He rules with an iron fist iron fist n. Rigorous or despotic control: ruled the nation with an iron fist. i ,'' senior defensive lineman Ben Sitko said. ``You screw up, you're going to run. (Last year), you screw up, you'd get a stern talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to .'' Fall practices began this week with Hilton firmly in control. Maybe that was why two-a-days began so quietly. When some players walked during a conditioning drill, Hilton made everyone run some more. These practices usually are reserved for conditioning drills, coaches barking bark 1 n. 1. The harsh sound uttered by a dog. 2. A sound, such as a cough, that is similar to a dog's bark. v. barked, bark·ing, barks v.intr. 1. orders like they were drill sergeants (Mil.) a noncommissioned officer whose office it is to instruct soldiers as to their duties, and to train them to military exercises and evolutions. (Mil.) See under Drill. See also: Drill Sergeant and players collapsing or feeling sick. A couple of players got sick during the 90-minute conditioning period, but neither Hilton nor his assistants yelled yell v. yelled, yell·ing, yells v.intr. To cry out loudly, as in pain, fright, surprise, or enthusiasm. v.tr. To utter or express with a loud cry. See Synonyms at shout. n. much. Players went through special-teams drills while other players worked in the weight room. ``Hell Week'' it wasn't. In fact, Hilton took time to praise players when they performed well and blame himself when he made a mistake. Example: During a punt-return drill, he instructed his returner to run left. Hilton meant his left, but the player ran to his left, Hilton's right, away from the drill. The player received no punishment. ``They know exactly where he stands,'' assistant coach Bill Irace said. ``He's been that way from the start. The kids know what he says is true. He's going to stick to the policy. He's not going to bend.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Ron Hilton is showing more patience with his players, but he demands they expect to win. Shaun Dyer / Special to the Daily News |
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