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Emmanuel to start football program

Hires veteran program builder Hunsucker; to start middle school club this fall.

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 11:43 PM Thursday, April 28, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — Emmanuel Christian Academy has hired Steve Hunsucker as the coach of the school’s start-up football program, which hopes to begin varsity football competition in 2014.

Hunsucker, a 1970 Tecumseh High School graduate, began the football program at Troy Christian in 1998, guiding the school to its first playoff victory in 2002.

Nine years later, he gets to do it all over again at Emmanuel Christian.

“It seems surreal,” Hunsucker said. “I never thought I’d get the opportunity the first time, let alone the second time. It’s exciting to be able to go through something again.

“In starting a program, there are things we did we thought were very successful at Troy Christian, and as it is with most things you do, you look back and say, ‘I probably would’ve done that a little different.’

“Now, I get the opportunity to do that.”

Next fall, the Lions will field a middle school club team consisting of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. In 2012 and 2013, the school will play a junior varsity high school schedule, and hopes to have play a varsity schedule in 2014.

Hunsucker, 58, previously coached at Tecumseh, Northwestern, Lehman Catholic and Riverside. As a head coach, he’s guided three teams — Lehman Catholic (1986), Troy Christian (2002) and Riverside (2006) — to the state playoffs. He’s also coached baseball and wrestling.

Emmanuel Superintendent Dr. Dan Bragg hired Hunsucker to begin the program at Troy Christian, and said the coach was a perfect fit.

“I’m so excited,” Bragg said. “We have total confidence in (Hunsucker).”

Bragg said the school’s program is starting “below” ground zero. They’ll have to find a place to play football, among other things.

“We’re going to have to do some things a growing school needs to do,” Bragg said. “But again, I keep telling the board you’ve got to start taking those baby steps. If you wait until the clouds line up and stars line up and say, ‘I think we can do it,’ it will never happen.”

Hunsucker understands the challenges in starting a program.

“There are a great deal of hurdles that we have to go over,” Hunsucker said. “You can look at it as an insurmountable block, or you can use your ingenuity and creativity, and create something and I like to do that. Those hurdles are just opportunities for God to reveal his plan and to be creative.”

Hunsucker will be joined by former West Liberty-Salem coach Jack Beard, who will serve as the defensive coordinator. But they’re still rounding out the coaching staff.

“We’re looking for quality Christian men to fill out our coaching staff,” Hunsucker said.

Bragg believes football will be a rallying point for the school.

“It’s such a school-building activity,” Bragg said, “and I’m all for it.”

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