All in the families
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Family reunions were in order for the coaches of both Hart and Loyola after the Indians’ 21-13 victory over the Cubs, and I, somewhat unintentionally, was a part of both post-game gatherings.
First, I wanted to check in with Loyola Coach Jeff Kearin, with whom I’ve played phone tag lately. We have fun with it, I think, but eventually, I gotta talk to him.
By the time I get to him, though, Kearin had already taken a handoff from his wife, Becky, and was cradling their first child, 11-week-old daughter Maggie.
‘She was undefeated until tonight,’ Kearin quipped.
Maggie, who has been in attendance at three of Loyola’s five games, missing losses at Concord De La Salle on Sept. 15 and at Dominguez last week, still has a better record than the Cubs.
After Friday’s setback against the seventh-ranked Indians (5-0), Loyola dropped to 2-3.
Once I finished admiring the baby -- she really is adorable -- and wound up a brief football-related chat with Kearin, I headed across the field to catch Hart Coach Mike Herrington, who had just recorded his 200th victory in 19 seasons with the Indians.
I figured I’d break the ice by congratulating him, but first, I had to get in line.
Herrington’s mother, June Wooley, wanted first crack at him, and stepped into a quick bear hug with the coach before I could get a word in edge-wise, or any of the other myriad well-wishers could shake Herrington’s hand.
‘Just a minute, I want to congratulate my son,’ she said.
Herrington himself took the victory, which improved his record at Hart to 200-42, in stride after Loyola’s defense had kept the Indians off-balance and within striking distance for much of the game.
‘I’ve just been around a long time. All I ever cared about was the present,’ he said, way too modestly for someone who has guided the Indians to six Southern Section championships and three division runner-up finishes.
- Lauren Peterson