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Harants keeping tabs on Braves |
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Written by Reporter1
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Friday, 21 November 2008 |
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Page 2 of 2
"Oh, yeh, as much as I can," he replied on the phone earlier this week when asked if he had been keeping watch on this most unbelievable of Bellmont football seasons. "I saw 'em play earlier in the season and got to talk to Toney then. I haven't had a chance to talk to him since then, though; he's busy, we're busy.
"But I am really, really happy for him — for all of them," an obviously sincere Harants said.
It's a busy time, too, for Harants as he's still coaching football, now at the college level. He's a part of that top-level football program at St. Francis University in Fort Wayne.
He began his head coaching career at South Adams, then moved to Bellmont and enjoyed great success, including one 9-1 team that topped anything since accomplished at BHS until this season. After leaving Bellmont in the spring of 1987, Al took over a moribund program just up the road, at Wayne High School. He went 33-30 at Wayne and, more importantly, went to the Class 4A State championship game in 1992 and then won it all in 1995.
From there it was on to one of Indiana's biggest schools, North Central in Indianapolis, and more success. After 10 seasons at the helm of the Panthers, Harants walked away from football and teaching, finishing with a 220-115 record as a high school head coach.
Al and Sandy, a former teacher at Northwest Elementary here, moved to Fort Wayne. Before long, the itch returned and Harants joined the staff at Concordia High School, as a line coach.
He's now in his sixth season with the Cougars, taking over the wingbacks this season after serving as quarterbacks coach.
"I just coach football now," he chuckled, having left the classroom behind. "The guys have been really good and I have really enjoyed it. College kids are a lot of fun to be with. Hey, where else can an old guy hang around with college kids," Harants laughed. "It fun to be here; they treat you well."
The success of the Cougars' program has been staggering. "In my six years, we've lost seven games; probably won something like in the mid-70s," Harants said. "We've got some really good kids; they like it here and get treated well. Chemistry is the buzz word now and we've had it here. It's just a combination of things."
One of the Cougars' top players this season is junior wide receiver Brian (Corky) Schultz, a Bellmont graduate. Another Bellmont grad is freshman offensive lineman Ryan Lehrman.
Harants has had some second-generation players at St. Francis — players whose fathers played under Al — and he describes it as "cool ... really cool."
At least two members of the current Braves team are the sons of former Harants players: Andrew Bultemeier (father Roger) and Carlin Hormann (father Doug). And, of course, let's not forget the guy who has taken Bellmont into these unchartered waters of one step from the State Finals: Toney Bergman.
"Toney played for me sometime in the early '80s, as I recall," Albert remarked. "And, you know, he coached with me for a couple of years at Wayne. I don't think a lot of people know that."
Told that Bergman has put together a solid coaching staff here, Harants added: "That's good. I know he's been very patient. He takes his coaches places (to view other football programs and coaches) to learn things and it's really helped, I'm sure. He had his D-line guys up here (St. Francis) at one time.
"Toney's done a great job there. My hope now is that they (the school) would help him out with some things. I know he's not always had a lot of help, so I hope he gets it now. You really want to keep this thing going."
Unbeaten (10-0) St. Francis will host No. 11 Union this Saturday as the Cougars begin their annual playoff trek. So Al Harants will be focused on that game ... with a check of the Friday-night high school scores and the Bellmont Braves. "I wish them well, all the very best," he said with obvious feeling.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 24 November 2008 )
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