Peacock credits his players

First-year Waite football coach Aaron Peacock says getting the Toledo City League Coach of the Year honor was a blessing, considering that Start, Waite and Woodward all finished 4-1 in league play. 

Peacock gave credit for the award to his players.

“It’s an amazing achievement but truthfully it was those kids who made it possible for me. The guys believed in me and they want out there and did what they were supposed to do and just really believed in the philosophy that I brought to the table, and that’s what made me coach of the year, to be honest,” Peacock said.

“That was tough competition with (Start coach) Godfrey Lewis and (Woodward coach) Rahson Wilson, both 4-1 at the time. It was just our kids working hard and doing what they had to do, and I appreciate them.”

Peacock said he and his players appreciated the final four playoff opportunity, too.

“I think the kids were excited about it. It was something different to have a playoff scenario where the kids decide who is the winner or not,” Peacock said. “Plus, we had a three-way tie for first place — that just made it more fitting that we actually get a chance to play for the championship.”

However, Waite blew a two touchdown lead in the third quarter and fell to Woodward 42-27 in one City League semifinal and Start nipped Rogers 16-13 in the other, so the Polar Bears and Spartans played in the City championship on Thursday, Nov. 12.