HAMILTON — Hamilton High football coach Nate Mahon had an adamant focus ever since taking over the Big Blue helm last season. He said creating a product takes a process.
That process, now, is in full force.
“What I’ve always felt needed to be done here is that a better product had to be put out there on the field,” said Mahon, whose squad has won two in a row heading into Friday night’s Greater Miami Conference contest against 4-0 Mason.
“I wanted to see a product that our City can be proud of,” Mahon added. “Yeah, the wins and losses are a part of the game. But what the community and City of Hamilton really needed is a better product.
“I think the special part you’re seeing right now is a team that is playing hard and playing for 48 minutes,” Mahon continued. “These guys are a lot more fun to watch.”
The Big Blue (2-2) knocked off Fairfield for the first time since 2012, and then they took down Oak Hills soundly to get them to this point.
Mahon said the vibe is noticeably “optimistic when you’re winning,” but there’s always a “next step” going up against the GMC.
“We’re in the thick of things now,” Mahon said. “You’re not going to win the GMC overnight. But we’re going to scratch and claw and start winning some of the games were typically not known for winning. And that’s changing right now.”
Big Blue junior running back Keyshawn Stephens has rushed for over 350 yards and four touchdowns in the last two games. Senior quarterback Quincy Simms-Marshall has regulated a steady offense in Hamilton’s two victories, while senior linebacker Jordan Jones has provided a defensive boost on the other side of the ball.
“Our kids are in a great spot,” Mahon said. “We’re happy, we’re excited, and quite frankly, we’re cautiously confident. We’ve only had one bad half of football this season. And we’re looking to just continue to keep doing what we’re doing.
“We’re playing smart, clean football and good defense right now,” Mahon added. “We are a good enough team to be in every game. We can be in every single game if we take care of the ball. We like our team, where we’re at, and how much everyone is bought in.”
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Virgil Schwarm Stadium.
“We’re climbing a mountain and beating teams that we haven’t beat,” Mahon said. “We’re out of the bottom, and we’re creeping up the GMC. We’re starting to rack up accomplishments.
“Our next accomplishment is to beat a Mason team that we feel we can beat.”
