Coach, players already excited for next season

EUREKA – The Plains Horsemen fell short to Eureka Friday on the gridiron 72-38.

The final score was not a reflection of how the game turned out to be. Plains scored early and played well against the bigger school. Lincoln County’s roster had far more players and experience than Plains. The Lions starters were nearly all seniors whereas Plains started lots of underclassmen.

“The young men rose up to the occasion and played hard,” Head Coach Juan Lulack said. “They really enjoyed the game. One of the referees said it was the most fun he had ever seen on the field.”

Junior Nick Barnes, sophomore Trent Brouillette, and senior James Rulison all scored for Plains. Lulack was happy with his team and their ability to score points.

“The real positive thing is it was the most points we scored all season,” Lulack said. “Plus Lincoln is a playoff team. We scored 38 points on a playoff team. It really made the young men excited.”

The Plains players were even told how much better they were playing from the opposing team. Lulack remembered hearing compliments from opposing players about how much effort the Horsemen had given.

“It means the whole world when the other teams talk about our improvement,” Lulack said. “It gave our guys motivation to work harder.”

The game marked another milestone for Plains. It was the most points Plains had scored in a game the past two seasons. Though the Horsemen did not win a game, they were a much-improved team. Last season they managed just one score. This season Plains scored 134 points.

“We had a tough year last year,” Lulack said. “We went through some things as a team with guys giving up. We didn’t have that this year. Our guys were committed and still are.”

Even without a win this season, the Horsemen are looking ahead for next year. Lulack hopes his offseason training regimen has more participation this year than last.

“Last year we had three guys in the 100 point club,” Lulack said. “Next year I want a dozen guys and I think we have the commitment to do it.”

Players are already hitting the weight room for Plains. Even before the season had ended, the Horsemen were in the weight room lifting and hoping to get stronger each week.

“It’s good to see players get after it,” Lulack said. “These guys are the most committed guys a coach can ask for. They want to win.”

Coach Lulack held his first football camp last season. He wants to continue having camps in the offseason.

“We had a camp last season. I invited down a coach I knew who had coached college and high school,” Lulack said. “I want to continue my own three day camp. It is funny how life goes full circle. I know so many people from my playing days that are coaches now. It really opens doors up for us.”

The Horsemen need the opened doors to lead to success. Lulack and the Horseman know it takes a lot of work to build a program from the ground up.

“We are changing the program one step at a time,” Lulack said. “The players are ready to get in the weight room and ready to get excited about football.”