CRESPI HONORS RIVAL COACH LOCAL HERO STILL APPRECIATED, EVEN ON OPPONENT'S SIDELINE.Byline: Dave Shelburne Staff Writer Who says you can't go home again You Can’t Go Home Again revisiting his home town, a writer is disillusioned by what he sees. [Am. Lit.: Thomas Wolfe You Can’t Go Home Again] See : Homecoming ? Harry Welch has excelled as a football coach for parts of three decades at Canyon High. He directed the Cowboys to three consecutive Southern Section titles and a then-state-record 46-game winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" during the 1980s. He took them back to the section semifinals last year. This season, Welch has the No. 5 Cowboys (5-0) entering this week's Foothill League opener as the only undefeated team in that high-powered league and one of just four in the region. But on Friday night, when Welch brought his Canyon team to Crespi of Encino, he was much more than an accomplished, middle-aged opposition coach. He was a native son coming home. Welch was the player who threw the first playoff play·off also play-off n. Sports 1. A final game or series of games played to break a tie. 2. A series of games played to determine a championship. Noun 1. touchdown pass in Crespi history and later returned to help coach seven seasons at the school, including the Celts' 1973 trip to the Southern Section championship game. On Friday, Canyon held off Crespi 28-22 after leading 28-3 in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys stopped four first-and-goal plays in the final minute. When it was over, well wishers from both schools came down from the packed stands to congratulate him. Welch, who quarterbacked Crespi's first playoff game Noun 1. playoff game - one game in the series of games constituting a playoff game - a single play of a sport or other contest; "the game lasted two hours" playoff - any final competition to determine a championship on a snow-shrouded field in Bishop in 1962 and returned as an assistant coach to help develop eventual All-Southern Section quarterbacks John Sullivan
John Sullivan (b. February 17 1740, Somersworth, New Hampshire – d. and Bob Kettles, was greeted like a long-lost family member. Past classmates Classmates can refer to either:
Goidelic Celts
``It brought back a flood of memories,'' said Welch, who applauded when he first walked on the field and watched the Celts warm up with the Crespi-trademark snap-signal drill that Welch took to Canyon. Fourth-year Crespi coach Troy Thomas has brought back the drill during a football revival that has seen the Celts improve from 0-10 to 10-2. A lot more people were applauding afterward af·ter·ward also af·ter·wards adv. At a later time; subsequently. Adv. 1. afterward - happening at a time subsequent to a reference time; "he apologized subsequently"; "he's going to the store but he'll be back here , when, in the wake of one of the most thrilling games of the season, both teams took the field, then took turns doing the snap-signal drill and embraced. The display of sportsmanship, coming after such a dramatic finish, was inspirational in·spi·ra·tion·al adj. 1. Of or relating to inspiration. 2. Providing or intended to convey inspiration. 3. Resulting from inspiration. and left fans of both schools moved. ``I can't remember a game where there was more positive energy and good sportsmanship,'' Welch said. ``By the end of the game, people in both stands were standing. And after the game, not only did the teams shake hands, but do the quick drills and embrace. ``That to me was the epitome of what sportsmanship should be all about. We teach that athletics enables people to grow, and that was evident after that game.'' Ciufo, who now works at Valley College, called it one of the best displays of sportsmanship he had ever seen at a football game. ``It was almost chilling,'' he said. ``I went home and told my son, that's what athletics is supposed to be about.'' It's also about winning, something Welch has done better than most and something Thomas is bringing back to Crespi. His Div. X Celts are 2-3 going into this week's Del Rey Del Rey may refer to:
``That is one of the best teams in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, ,'' Welch said. ``They are literally 45 seconds from being 5-0. I'm so proud of them, and I'm proud of my Cowboys.'' Those who have played with or for Welch believe both programs have benefited from his contributions - from his helping launch Crespi's football playoff fortunes 42 years ago, to helping guide the Celts to the second of their three title-game appearances, to continuing the excellence of the program at Canyon. ``He might be the best coach I've ever played for,'' said 1973 Crespi quarterback Kettles, who remembers being benched by Welch during a late-season game with college scouts watching. ``He's a tough teacher but a very fair guy, and if you've got what it takes, you will learn from him.'' On Friday, Welch learned again what he already knew: Home is sweet, wherever you are. Dave Shelburne, (818) 713-3609 dave.shelburne(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Canyon football coach Harry Welch, center, made a name for himself as a quarterback and coach at Crespi of Encino. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News |
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