Hanover
After two seasons as an assistant coach with Plymouth State University, primarily working with the tight ends and running backs, Kershaw, the former Mascoma High football coach who put the Royals’ program on the map, has found his way back to the high school ranks by way of Newfound High in Bristol, N.H.
Given the state of Newfound’s program — which includes only one win in its last two seasons — it’s a position in which Kershaw has become somewhat of an expert.
It didn’t take long for both Kershaw and the school’s athletic department to realize it was a perfect fit.
“What I missed was the high school kids,” Kershaw said while his Bears were participating at a six-team high school football jamboree on Tuesday night at Hanover High.
“That age, helping them make the right decision. They’re still young. They’re still undecided. That fine line between right and wrong. That’s what drew me back to the high school.
“I saw that Newfound had opened up, I saw that they had won one game in two years. The numbers were extremely low. They were in danger of possibly closing the program. I hate to see that. Some of your best times are playing sports in high school.”
Kershaw reached out to Newfound athletic director Peter Cofran, who in turn encouraged the veteran coach to apply for the job. It was his work at Mascoma, he said, that impressed them the most.
Between 2010-13, Kershaw took Mascoma’s third-year football program, which had gone 1-19 over its first two varsity seasons, and built it into a power with dual varsity and junior varsity squads.
In 2012, Kershaw guided the Royals to the Division VI championship game and was selected as New Hampshire’s head coach for the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl for his efforts Kershaw went 16-21 as Mascoma, 13-6 over his final two seasons.
But the challenge with Newfound was similar enough to raise some deja vu. This time, however, Kershaw feels a bit more prepared.
“This young program, we’re going to have anywhere from 21 to 26,” he said. “Right now, we have 22 kids. I’m not sure where we’ll end up. Part of that is changing the culture of football because the kids, some of them don’t show up until the first day of school. It’s about changing all of that. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun.”
The Bears, who had 18 athletes in uniform, featured by far the smallest team at Tuesday’s jamboree. But seniors such as Scott Sargent, who has seen more lows than highs in the last few years, can already see a difference.
“It definitely feels like this year is picking up,” Sargent said. “Commitment from the coaches, definitely. A different mentality. (We’re) still trying to keep the intensity going upwards.
“(Kershaw), he can be strict, but he can also be a good friend when you need it. He’s always there for you. You can talk to him about anything you want, but you have to strap down and do your thing when it comes to football. That’s for sure.”
Part of Newfound’s struggles, Kershaw said, has been consistency from a coaching staff that, at one point, consisted of four different head coaches in one year. Kershaw hopes to change that this season, knowing that a familiar face for an entire season will already be a big step in the right direction.
“This first year is all about keeping the numbers up, doing better than last year, teaching the game of football, teaching them the game of life, keeping them positive,” Kershaw said. “It’s a challenge, but it’s a different challenge. Different kids, different community but everyone wants the same thing. … Am I a little bit more prepared? Yes, because you know what to expect. I knew it when I did Mascoma. But I have a better idea.”
Notes: Deuces were apparently wild at Hanover High on Tuesday as Newport quarterback Dylan McNamara and Woodstock running back Bill Wood, both of whom don No. 2 on their jerseys, stood out above the fray. McNamara, after leading Newport to an undefeated championship season last year, showcased his improved arm strength from a year ago, when the Tigers focused on their overpowering run game. Wood, one of the Wasps’ speedy backs, looked in prime form with the regular season just around the corner. … About 250 people packed Hanover’s Merriman-Branch Field for the jamboree.
Josh Weinreb can be reached at jweinreb@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.