By Shawn Garrison The Examiner
Posted: August 25, 2012 - 12:08 AM

The William Chrisman football team’s season opener might have looked uncomfortably familiar on the surface.

After finishing 0-10 a year ago, the Bears started 2012 with a renewed sense of optimism heading into their game against Platte County. But the Pirates squelched that positively not even 21⁄2 minutes into Friday’s game as James Valentine hooked up with JT Taylor for a 66-yard touchdown connection to spark a 31-14 victory at William Chrisman High School.

But ignore unsightly appearances, Chrisman coach John Crutcher said, things are still better than they were 12 months ago.

“Not at all,” responded Crutcher, when asked if Friday’s defeat reminded him at all of the setbacks from last season. “Wasn’t even the same. Two different teams. Last year’s the past. We ain’t dealing with the past, that’s last year. This is this year. We’re focused on this year and what we can do.”

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