Zuri Berry: Back on top

After the Franklin blowout, in which Nevada Union's football team really embarrassed a program that could at one point be called elite, 77-7, the demeanor of the players was noticeably different.

The team had shed its coat of sour grapes and grew some man hair.

Arrrgggh.

After seven losses in one year (technically six, thanks to the forfeit by Franklin) the Miners were at their lowest of lows. Players often hung their heads after games in a forgettable 2007 and enough kids quit on the team to put morale below the toilet and in the sewer.

Losing will do that to a team.

But at the turn of last season, there was a character shift. The attitude got suddenly brighter and the light bulb in their collective minds turned on. They won their final game to end the season on a positive note.

The wins have kept coming ever since.

I think it's safe to say, the Miners of old are back. I mean the perennial power Miners are back. Not the skittish Miners season of 2007, which was buried unceremoniously under Hooper Stadium.

Don't believe me? Look at what Natomas coach Gary Melvin told Sports Editor Brian Hamilton after his Nighthawks were spanked 56-12.

"I think NU's back," he said. "They're back and they're playing with some pride and passion."

At 5-0, there's enough breathing room for players and coaches to exalt at the success of this year's team, while still holding goals for what's to come. The focus, as one player put it to me, has shifted from self to team.

Teamwork. Now that's the ticket.

The subtlety of the newly selfless players is the benefit of western Nevada County. On Friday night, you and I are sure to walk away happy knowing that our local schools, Bear River included, are playing the game right and seeing the success of their hard work and determination. It's a far cry from losing five in a row.

Again, the difference is attitude - and sometimes swagger. After shellacking the Yellowjackets, Nevada Union half back Cameron Ryan, who scored three touchdowns on three touches, put on is best Terrell Owens impression and said to tell the community "get your popcorn ready" because, essentially, the Miners are back.

Repeat: The Miners are back.

Do you need more evidence? In the last three games, NU has outscored its opponents 184-19. I believe its important to note that only one of the programs (Natomas) did not have a winning team last year, while Franklin's season ended early because of illegal recruiting.

And in every contest, the Miners have been head over heels better than their competition, from offense to defense to special teams.

It's not like the Miners totally upgraded their talent. Most of the players on this team were on that team. You know, that one buried under Hooper. It took some revisionist type of work by Dave Humphers and staff to come back from the depths they were in. As Athletic Director Steve Pilcher put it to me, nothing was sacred. There was no conversation that was off the table. Yes, they even talked about scrapping the Wing-T.

That proved to be unnecessary, and if the last few weeks are any indication, the Wing-T is making a comeback. But what was necessary was for Humphers to find a way to get the kids to buy in from the beginning.

The players have focus. They have shown integrity with their hard work. They have show the ability to overcome adversity (a come-from-behind 15-14 win over Ponderosa). And what's important, they've pieced it all together. The results are wins and the feeling is pride.

What else can you ask for?

Zuri Berry is a sports writer for The Union. His column appears Wednesdays. You can also read his blog online at TheUnion.com/blogs/sports. Contact him via e-mail at zberry@theunion or call 477-4244.