Despite the team’s dreadful record in recent years, the varsity football team always attract a large crowd at Susquehannock. After last season’s 1-9 record, varsity football coach and high school math teacher JC Lewis has decided to step down as head coach following his first season in charge of the program.

Lewis found that a lot of his time was devoted to football and realized he could not juggle all his priorities.

“There were a number of factors [that led to stepping down],” said Lewis. “The biggest being the time component. Just the amount of time that football takes up in addition to school and family life and everything that goes on, and just not feeling like I had enough time to give to the program to put it into a position where I wanted to see it go.”

Although no longer in charge of the program, Coach Lewis still has high hopes for the team next season.

“While the record wasn’t great this year, I think this team is heading up. They have a lot of returning starters next year, which is certainly a positive thing. There is a good group of young guys coming up that work hard and look like they are dedicated in the weight room. Things are definitely on the upswing,” said Lewis.

Despite the fact that Lewis has stepped down as head coach, he has not ruled out a return to coaching.

“For now, I have decided to take a back seat and put coaching football aside because of that time factor and everything that is involved with it, but down the line, as my kids get older, and depending on what happens, I can see myself coaching again,” said Lewis.

Who will be leading the Warriors out onto the field this upcoming Fall as head coach ? Chuck Abbott, athletic director at the high school, is already on the search for a new head coach.

“Mr. Molin and I will be reviewing all the applicants… [on] January 5, and we will start the interview process the 14. We will form a committee of myself, Mr. Molin, Dr. Bryson, two players, and two parents, and we will sit down and interview the candidates,” said Abbott.

RJ Myers, a two way starter last season, will be a senior in the Fall, and will have a third new head coach in three years to lead his team.

“I don’t really know how I feel [about Coach Lewis leaving],” said Myers. “With a new coach every year, I’m just used to change at this point.”

Workouts have already begun for players; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after school. Abbott hopes to have a decision on the new head coach by late January.