The old sports saying goes 'the best thing about sophomores is the become juniors,' but probably the worst thing about seniors is they become graduates.

Only numbering three, and with injuries limiting their playing time, John Pheral, Zach Adams and Detrix Schafer were the Tigers' trio of upperclassmen playing football for Princeton Community in 2006.

Following the final game of the season last Friday, first-year PCHS head football coach Andy Zirkelbach spoke of the Tiger threesome, and also of the recent past and future on the Princeton gridiron.

John Pheral - &#8220We were glad to have him come out this year. He hadn't played football before at Princeton Community until he was a senior. He was a strong kid. He had a decent idea of how to play football and we worked with him on technique. He was excited to learn and tried hard and did everything we asked him to do."

Zach Adams - &#8220He started the year with a broken ankle, so we didn't get to see him until the fourth of fifth week and that ankle never completely healed. It was 85 to 90 percent, but he played through some pain and gave us all he could. Then, he rolled his other ankle against Jasper so he's been on two bad wheels so to speak. But he's played hard for us, was a part of this program, coming in and giving us some senior support when we needed it pretty bad."

Detrix Schafer - &#8220I started coaching sports in 1997 and when I look back to all the guys I coached, a few of those stick with you and Detrix Schafer is one of those guys. He worked hard. His will be big shoes to fill. Of all the kids I've coached in three different sports, he's right there at the top as far as players I respect. He did everything I asked him to do. I appreciate that."

While the loss of the three will be felt, Zirkelbach put it into perspective.

&#8220There are two sides to looking at it," the coach said. &#8220We get nine starters back on offense and defense and 29 guys that we are going to keep building around. And they are a good group of 29 guys.

&#8220Next season starts tomorrow," Zirkelbach said at the end of the Tigers' final game of 2006. &#8220It really does. To win football games on Friday nights in the fall it's a 12 month process. I told the kids you have to work non-stop at it. You can't take even a little time off. You work year-round, whether playing another sport to stay in shape, or weight-lifting, working on footwork, throwing or catching balls or even watching college football.

&#8220I tell these guys to watch football on TV," Zirkelbach said. &#8220You can pick up a lot of stuff, get a better understanding of the game. I challenged them to not only become physically stronger, more agile and quicker, but to become students of the game. That was one thing I always got excited about, studying the game. Seeing how it worked. The scheme of things.

&#8220That's why coaching football is so great," Zirkelbach said. &#8220So many things go into it and you only have a few opportunities to get it right.

&#8220It's not easy when you do not win a game, but it makes you tougher, really challenges you to work hard," Zirkelbach said. &#8220It's hard to win a football game on Friday night. It's hard to do. You have to cross all your t's and dot your i's, keeping your fingers crossed. Working hard. Watch a bunch of film. Keep a bunch of guys excited and at times it's a battle to do that. We have a good coaching staff. We're happy with these guys and I see good things ahead.

&#8220I'm really appreciate that Mr. Elkins (PCHS AD), Jon Abbey (PCHS principal) and the rest of the administration that gave me this chance," Zirkelbach said. &#8220There are no regrets on my part. It's a great place to be.

&#8220It's tough when you don't win, but there are going to be wins down the road for this football team."