MORAN — Marmaton Valley High football coach Kent Houk stresses teamwork and commitment from his players, and the results have been impressive.
Fresh off a playoff appearance in 2011, the Wildcats have high hopes for another successful season this year.
Another project involving teamwork and commitment has been equally received. This time it involves a group of local volunteers working to provide a suitable playing field for the football team.
Of specific issue was the previous field’s drainage.
“It’s the only field I’ve ever seen without a crown,” said USD 256 Superintendent of Schools David Hardage, referring to most fields that are elevated in the center to provide better drainage.
So while the field usually was lush with thick, green Bermuda grass, its lack of a crown meant standing water during heavy rains. That in turn led to slick and muddy, and potentially unsafe, conditions in wet weather.
“The field had taken a beating in recent years,” Hardage said. “We knew we wanted to do something, but we knew we couldn’t afford it.”
Enter Bob Sager, who offered up a substantial amount of dirt from his farm.
Local patrons Buddy Mann, Steve Becker and Sager assisted Denny Lasley, district maintenance worker and grounds keeper, in hauling the dirt.
More than 130 loads were brought in, Lasley said.
Becker then tilled up the freshly deposited soil for local contractors Virgil Tucker and Bill McAdam, who helped seed the field with more Bermuda grass.
Assisting with the effort was local resident Rusty Cole, who provided much of the brainpower.
“He was the one who advised us on what to do and when to do it,” Hardage said. “He let us know how much to plant, when to fertilize.”
From there, Houk and Lasley oversaw watering, ensuring the grass would take root and survive one of the hottest, driest summers on record.
“We kept watering it until the city put in its water restrictions a couple of weeks ago,” Hardage said.
The Bermuda has held up well through the first two games of the season.
