By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorWhen Jeff Sargent sits down at his desk before football practice, he realizes he doesn’t have the easiest gig.The first-year head coach is taking over a Wright City football program which has an 8-22 overall record over the past three seasons.While he could demand his players to take the extra leap by going 100 mph at all times in hopes that athleticism and talent will win games, Sargent wants his players to focus on an important quality and mindset. Something he hopes will be engrained in their minds even after finished playing football.“First and foremost, what I’m trying to do is make sure they understand what winning is about,” the 28-year-old Sargent said. “Not only winning on the football field, but to win at life.”In sports, sometimes hardships can’t be avoided with how things unravel, such as untimely injuries. However, the thought of losing is something he doesn’t want anyone on his team to ever be okay with.“Failing a test or failing on the field is not acceptable, especially if you just give up,” Sargent said. “With me being their head coach, they are going to have to try at all times. The things you want the most are the things that you are going to have to work the hardest for. It’s not an easy path because there’s a lot of people that want the same thing you do.”Through four different stops as an assistant high school football coach after a four-year career at Missouri State from 2005-2008, Sargent has taken strategies and knowledge from each school he has been at.Last season, he was an understudy of a longtime head coach. One that helped him make his dream become a reality.“While I was at Warrenton last year, Coach (Steve) McDowell prepped me very well,” Sargent said. “When he hired me, he knew I wanted to become a head coach somewhere soon. He kind of gave me the reins. He was one of several great people I’ve been able to work with, who have taught me how to create relationships with the kids and how to also give out tough love when needed.”This summer and through the start of fall practice, the rookie head coach has seen plenty of positive signs.Senior quarterback Andrew Pfuhl has displayed strong leadership and is fully recovered from a shoulder injury that sidelined him all of last season. Potential all-conference running back DeRenzo Blanks has also impressed his head coach by helping mentor and encourage others around him on the gridiron.Investment and motivation are two things Sargent wants to see every player embody.“The more you win, the more you compete against people, the more you challenge yourself, it’s all going to help you be more successful in the end,” Sargent said. “That’s my motto on the football field and is what I want our football program to understand. You don’t have to be the best, but you can always beat someone that is better than you if you put your mind to it and hard work. Winning is always capable if you do things the right way.”Like any coach, practice time out on the field in pads and scrimmages are important, but the self-described “football nerd” believes teaching is much about film work.“Through my times playing college football and preparing for games, I’ve learned that kids really need to see things on film,” he said. “I will take time out of practice if it means we can go into the film room and learn. If watching and making corrections to your game gives you an edge on one or two plays, it could be the decisive outcome in the game.”This season, Sargent hopes Wright City grows accustomed to a new culture between the lines. Especially for his seniors to go out with their first winning season with the program.“They expect the wins to come,” he said. “I measure success by doing three things. Showing up early, giving your best effort no matter what and performing when it’s game day. High school football is about turning boys into men.”
Wright City Head Football Coach Jeff Sargent talks to his team after a recent scrimmage. The former Warrenton assistant coach believes the Wildcats have game-changing forces this year that can help make for a winning season.
Patrick MacCoon photo.
