For the third time in as many years, the Southern Indians are beginning a year with a new head football coach.  This year they have gone with a youth movement as they have hired 27 year old former defensive cordinator Michael Skrinjar to take over the reigns.  "We thought we could get some energy and some youth here.  He has a background in football.  We thought let's give a young energetic person a chance here," Southern Superindent James Herring wold remark following the hiring of Skrinjar.  "Basically it was his enthusiasm.  He was the defensive coach the last two years, and he's been coaching in the school system since he's been here," Herring would add about why they chose Skinjar over three other candidates.
    The Jackson-Milton school district didn't have to look far to find their next head football coach, in fact he is very familar with the surroundings.  Mark Assion returns as the Blue Jays mentor after a one year break from coaching and a two year hiatus from head coaching.  Assion coached the Jays from 2005-2007 before stepping down following the 2007 season.  He was an assistant at Mineral Ridge in 2008, and totally sat out from the coaching ranks in 2009.  "My family needed me at home, I had always told my wife family comes first, and this year I showed her I meant what I said.," Assion confessed..
     "I don't believe that I need to win back any trust from the players, I believe the trust is there.  I have been a member of the teaching staff here at Jackson - Milton since 2005 and my commitment to education has not changed," Assion would remark about whether he needed to win back the Blue Jay players.  "The athletes are aware that I lost my father and that as a group we had lost our Booster Club Vice-President and also a beloved teammate. Probably as much as in any District locally, our students understand that life-altering changes affect people in different ways. When I resigned before, I knew that I was beaten; physically, emotionally and psychologically. I also recognized that I needed help," he admitted.
    Much like Jackson-Milton, the United Eagles have looked back at their former coaches to fill their head football coaching position.  In the process they found one of this areas most respected and success coaches in Mike Ward.  Ward's resume is impressive with three TCL crowns to his credit, and a 104-66 winning record in 17 years as a head coach.  He coached the Eagles previously from 1989 to 1997 and compiled a 58-32 record with a TCL title in 1989.  Following the 1997 season he re-signed to dedicate more time to his family.
     "I am excited to coach the football team here at United. I have spent 25 of my 34 years in education here at United. The community, staff and students are great and United is a great place to be," Ward would remark about his familiar surroundings at United.
    But it may be the events of the past year that have pushed coach Ward to again take on the responsibilities of varsity head football coach.  "Fooball, the United Local school district and community have taken on a new significance for our family the past seven months. Without United Local and the football team and coaching staff I am uncertain of where our family might be following Gavin's death.  I am certain that the Ward Family was saved by the 'United Family'," he confessed following the death of his son during the 2009 football season.  "While many question why I might want to coach again ,  I believe I am meant to coach again. I believe my purpose in life is to help young people like my son and daughter achieve and reach their goals. Our family has found great comfort and relief here at United," he would remark about taking on the Eagles coaching position.
    Ward was also asked what we can expect from a United Eagles football team now that he has taken the reigns, "Our football program here at United will be based in a value system that includes a strong work ethic, courage, accountability and loyalty. I believe our team will be a source of pride in the community and will represent the strong football tradition that exists here at United."
     One player that Ward will count on heavily next year will be senior quarterback Josh McLaughlin.  But Ward likes what McLaughlin brings to the team off the field too.  "Josh McLaughlin is a fine athlete and football player but he is even a better young man and leader. We will count on his and all of our seniors leadership this coming season."  With a senior QB and an experienced coach, the Eagles will certainly be looking to give the ITCL Upper Tier a stiff challenge every Friday night.
    "During the time I had away from the Blue Jays, I truly made a commitment to my family. As a family, we explored other life, career and scholastic options both here and in other states, but in the end decided that this is where we were meant to be," Assion would comment on why he stayed with the Blue Jays program.  "It is a tremendous privilege to be named the head football coach at Jackson - Milton. I am deeply honored to be in this position."
     When asked if taking a couple years away from the head coaching ranks has given him a chance to see what really works and doesn't, he was quick to say, "Absolutely, the time away has allowed me to put things into a new and more proper perspective."  He was also enthusiastic about his Blue Jays chances in the ITCL next year.  "My gut feeling is that we can have success next season. The athletes are here, and I am assimilating a coaching staff that I believe will help elevate our program into the upper echelon of the lower tier."
    Assion is also very encouraged about the changes that have taken place at the Jackson-Milton school district in the past couple of years.  "Since my resignation in 2007, Jackson - Milton has experienced a multitude of changes. This renaissance in our District has been a rebirth for all of us on so many levels. My becoming the head football coach again is testament to this fact. I will continue to try to be a tremendous asset to our District, both in the classroom and on the football field. And honestly, only time will tell how all of the other things will play out."
     The Blue Jays will once again be a tough, hard-nosed team like they were when they were under Assion's direction three years ago.  How successful they will be in 2010 will depend on the development of many underclassmen players.
New Coaches in 2010:
Something New and Something Old
    Skrinjar will see a number of standout players gone as the Indians lose seniors Dylan Puckett, Adam Kelly, Bryan Brinker, and George Allen.  However, a number of undercalssmen such as freshman Luke Griffith, who took over for Kelly in the late season, will be back to give Skrinjar a core of players to build with.  But for Skrinjar the future of Southern football is  much younger then what is currently in high school.
     "I've got something nice to build off of.  Because I see the fourth, fifth, and sixth graders every day, I'm going to build with them.  Southern Local is a football school in my mind," Skrinjar would remark when hired.
     Skrinjar, who graduated from Southen in 2001, is a sixth grade special education teacher within the school district.  He also coaches the Indians baseball and basketball teams.  He was a starting linebacker for Bethany College where he graduated in 2005.