FERRIDAY, La. – When Gerald Reeves was named Huntington School’s head football coach earlier this year, he probably looked familiar to a few people.

For some, it may have been only wishful thinking. After three head football coaches in as many years, the Huntington faithful were undoubtedly hoping for some kind of consistency on the Hounds’ coaching staff.

But anyone who attended Tensas Academy from 1975 to 1980 remembers Reeves as the tough, if slightly younger, coach there.

&uot;The moms of some of my players now were cheerleaders for me at Tensas,&uot; Reeves said.

Reeves said he had no reservations about taking the head coaching job known for its notoriously short tenure.

&uot;I think I can take any situation and make the best of it,&uot; he said. &uot;And I think we are making the best of it.&uot;

The Hounds have already surpassed last year’s win total of three with a 4-3 record this season. In fact, Huntington’s season was going swimmingly until last Friday’s 62-32 loss to Wilkinson County Christian School, Reeves said.

But Reeves also had a more personal reason to return to the Miss-Lou, as he wanted to move closer to his mother, who lives in Meadville. Reeves had a camp in Clayton, on the Tensas River that now serves as home. He moved in August from Monroe, where he coached at 5A Neville.

Football has always been a part of Reeves’ life. In addition to 28 years of coaching, he played for both Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Delta State University, where he graduated in 1972 with a degree in physical education.

&uot;It’s all I’ve ever known,&uot; he said of the sport. &uot;It’s been my life. Back in school I couldn’t wait for seventh period so I could go to football practice.

&uot;If it wasn’t for football, I probably wouldn’t have gone on to school,&uot; he said, referring to his athletic scholarship to Delta State. &uot;I always enjoyed it, and I’ve stayed with it.&uot;

It is the love of the game that inspires him to coach, Reeves said.

&uot;Football gives kids a pride in themselves,&uot; he said. &uot;Every kind of kid can play one position or another on a football team.

&uot;But it also gives them a chance to be a part of a group,&uot; he said. &uot;It lets them work towards something worthwhile.&uot;

The best aspect of coaching is watching players develop as athletes and people, Reeves said. The worst aspect was unfortunately realized last week.

&uot;It’s getting whipped 62-32,&uot; he said. &uot;That’s the thing about football. When it’s good, it’s great. But when it’s bad, it’s terrible.&uot;