Ashton-Franklin Center hopes for improvement under new coach – Shaw Local

Dave Smith has been coaching high school football in Illinois for 35 years, but as he returns after a four-year break—and plays 8-man football for the first time—it feels like everything is brand new to him.

The longtime coach is back on the sidelines and will take over as head coach of the Ashton-Franklin Center for the 2024 season.

“I’m a freshman again and I’m enjoying it,” he said. “But this isn’t me, this is us. I want it to be about these kids because this is their experience. I’ve had mine, so I’m doing this for us. That’s why I’m here. I love football and I’m giving back. I’ve put in my years and now I’m just going to pay it back and have some fun.”

Smith replaces Ben Mershon, who led the Raiders to a 7-12 record over the past two seasons – the AFC’s first two seasons in eight-man football – including their first playoff appearance since 2005 after a 6-3 regular season in 2022.

It’s the 10th school as head coach for Smith, who has a 138-93 record and 13 playoff appearances. His last stop was just down the street in Dixon, where he coached the Dukes to a 48-43 record in nine seasons, including a 43-21 record and six consecutive playoff appearances from 2014 to 2019 before retiring.

While the Raiders hope some of his past successes will rub off on them, Smith also preaches that this is a fresh start not only for him, but for the players as well.

“I told these guys, it doesn’t matter where I’ve been or what experiences I’ve had, this is my first year. And it’s their first year, so regardless of what’s happened in the past for all of us, it’s our first year, so we work hard and keep a positive attitude,” he said. “The energy is tremendous, training, film study … these kids are catching on to things really quickly, so I’m really happy.”

Smith, a retired teacher, returned to work part-time as a driving instructor at AFC. He took over as head coach in January and immediately set up an off-season training program – and was delighted with the way his players participated.

“Great group of kids. I’ve been with them since January. When we came back from winter break, we got together and implemented the strength training program. We’re raising grades, we’ve increased the weights, we’ve pushed speed training, plyometric training and agility training since January. We were going to do it four days a week, and these kids came to me and asked, ‘Can we do five?'” Smith said. “And I have to tell them to go home. They pack up after practice, go back into the building and want to keep working. It’s so nice to see these kids want this so much.

“Plus, my grades are phenomenal and I feel very lucky to be here. Things are just going well.”

Smith also thanks his assistant coaches, who are locals and have been involved in the school and athletic programs since before he arrived. They know the kids, they know the culture, and they have proven invaluable as the Raiders prepare for their third season in the Illinois 8-Man Football Association.

Smith says that as he gets used to the game, the other coaches’ insights into the style of play and strategy of 8-man football will help him as he continues to build the program.

“It starts with the coaches I was fortunate to have,” he said. “When you have guys like Josh Stone, Mike Messer, Brian Treadwell, Ryan Engelbarts and Chad Murphy, it makes everything easier.”

“Brian Treadwell is the varsity baseball coach, Mike Messer is the head basketball coach. So I have the head baseball coach, the head basketball coach and two phenomenal teachers in the building. I’m only in the building part-time. So I’m really happy. The culture has evolved and the kids are in the thick of it.”

While numbers are down, the group is a tight-knit group that is willing to work hard to get better. The kids have played a variety of sports together their entire lives, and Smith and his team believe that any sport they play, not just football, will be valuable experience on the field.

“We have good kids and they work hard. Right now the numbers aren’t perfect, but we’re going to put in the effort, work hard and not worry about what we don’t have,” Smith said. “What they’ve done in the past isn’t important at this point. What’s important is the successful experiences the basketball and baseball teams had last year and we’re building on that.”

“We promote multiple sports. I told these kids we’re putting in a strength training program because it’s going to help them in football, basketball and baseball. So you’re not just a football player, you’re not going to be done in November. It’s got to get you through basketball, then it’s got to get you through baseball, so let’s develop a program that’s going to meet the needs of all of our athletes. And I can’t tell you how impressed I am with the training and the work that these kids have put in. They’ve really bought into it, and that’s going to be a big thing for us this season and going forward.”

Schedule: Aug. 30 in Milledgeville; September 6 Rockford Christian Life; Sept. 13 at West Carroll; September 20 Polo; Sept. 27 at South Beloit; October 4 River Ridge; October 11 at Hiawatha; October 18, Orangeville; October 25 Alden-Hebron.