If you’ve been around a Bridgeport High School football practice over the last five years, you’ve certainly heard Coach Josh Nicewarner talk about life lessons. If you’ve played for him you’ve definitely heard him occasionally preach about taking what you learn on the field and applying it elsewhere.

 

Nicewarner has been emphatic – as much as he wants to win – that you need to take more than a win or a loss away from a contest. At the recent Class AA state title game between Bridgeport and Frankfort, Nicewarner proved to one and all that what he’s been saying isn’t simply coach speak. In fact, on the state’s biggest stage Nicewarner showed his words aren’t lip service.

 

Prior to the end of Bridgeport’s 43-7 state title-clinching victory against Frankfort, there was more than just a bucket of cold water to be poured on Nicewarner. There was more than hugs for players and acknowledgement to fans in the crowd as the game was long since decided.

 

Some may have missed it, but there was a meeting on the field sometime with a few minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter and the game already in the bag between Nicewarner and FHS Coach Kevin Whiteman. It was subtle, but when you’re on the field at the state title game during a break in the action and it involves the two head coaches it gets noticed. Certainly, it was noticed up in the press box and by probably many if not most fans.

 

As it turns out, there was a reason for the meeting. And it was set up in the days leading up to the game when Nicewarner and Whiteman had a phone conversation.

 

“We talked, and he told me about one of his players that was injured that would like to get in the game for at least one play and, if it wasn’t detrimental to either team, would I be agreeable to it,” said Nicewarner, who said that was what the game meeting was about.

 

“Quite frankly, had I said no I would have been a hypocrite because of what I tell these kids practically each week in practice.

 

“I realized when he told me about the kid — and this may sound odd from a person whose professional life is largely dedicated to football — that it had to happen if it could happen,” he continued. “At the end of the day, no matter how big of a crowd and hype there is, it’s still just a game and there are bigger things in life.”

 

Certainly, what that phone call set up was one of those things. As it turns out, Whiteman wanted a chance to get senior running back Stefan Buser in for one final snap. Buser, a team captain, was injured in Frankfort’s 68-20 victory against Oak Glen Oct. 24 and wasn’t back on the field again.

 

At least he wasn’t until the state title game. He stood – fully dressed – and on crutches on the FHS sideline. To most from Bridgeport who spotted him, they probably figured he was just there for support. And in many ways he was. Yet, in a game where injury has no sympathy for situation or dedication, Buser was also there because his coach wanted to honor him for that dedication.

 

“(Buser) asked me if he could dress and I said fine, but I got to thinking (the day before the game) that we got to get him out there for a play. I called their coach and he was all for it,” said Whiteman. “It was great to get Stefan Buser out there on the field one more time.”

 

Of course, getting that snap required a little more cooperation by Nicewarner. And he was glad to provide it.

 

Although anyone who follows BHS knows fully well that Nicewarner pulls his starters early in games that are decided, he also usually lets his reserves go full throttle before taking a knee at the end of the game. This time, however, Nicewarner’s team had the ball, the reserves were in and he went to a knee extremely early.

 

With the score tilting heavily toward Bridgeport, no one really questioned what was taking place even though yours truly was surprised not to see Nicewarner let the backups have their day. Then, it all came together. Those backups will have another day. For Buser, this was it and Nicewarner made sure there was enough time on the clock that the Falcons would be able to put him in the game and – at least ceremoniously – get him officially into the game one last time.

 

Everything was set up once the Indians had time on the clock - thanks to taking knees - and  punted so that FHS got the ball back. Out hobbled Buser on one leg. It was then that everyone realized what was taking place. It was then that, hopefully, everyone realized that as Nicewarner said that it is, in fact, “just a game” and there are things in life beyond the sports field that are worthwhile.

 

What happened, though, wasn’t just worthwhile. A simple gesture of kindness between two coaches and two teams made the ending to an anticlimactic game in the Super Six super. With the outcome decided, the Falcons allowed Stefan Buser, who has been out since suffering a leg injury in the seventh week, to take the field for the final play with the help of his teammates for that last snap. Despite the anguish of coming up short in the state title game and seeing an undefeated season end, you could see the satisfaction that Buser’s teammates and even the fans took after the game’s final play as those wearing the FHS colors hugged and congratulated their injured standout.

 

Several BHS players and Nicewarner himself took the time in their moment of glory to also find Buser.

 

“Allowing this kid to come out there was nothing but a good thing for everyone. I wouldn’t put our kids or our goal in jeopardy and neither would their coach, but if it was something that we could make happen then I was 100 percent for it,” said Nicewarner. “It always makes sense to the right thing and I can tell you that it may not mean much statistically, but that play probably meant the world to that kid.

 

“I certainly didn’t do it for me or our boys as a football team, but hopefully they realized that at that moment, in what will be the biggest game for many of our players, there was one of those life lessons I like to talk about,” he continued. “If you have the means to do something for someone when you’re competing and it doesn’t hurt you, then you do it. I hope the team values that as much as that trophy when they left the Island.”

 

Click HERE to read this week's ToquiNotes Blog.

 

Click HERE to read the game story.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Josh Nicewarner amidst a sea of Frankfort players patting Stefan Buser on the helmet, while he and FHS Coach Kevin Whiteman meet following the game.