In case anybody didn’t know just how popular high school football is in Bogalusa, all they had to do was attend Thursday night’s coaches’ forum at the Bogalusa High School library to find out.

Fed up with losing — especially to rival Franklinton — approximately 100 community residents came Thursday night, despite rain and chilly temperatures, to hear the top two candidates give their sales pitch to land the position of head football coach. The position came open after the Lumberjacks went 4-7 overall this past season, including a 60-6 pasting by Franklinton.

That loss was a hard pill to swallow for the Lumberjack faithful. BHS supporters had lost faith in Craig Jones after nine years at the school. Franklinton has beaten Bogalusa in 14 consecutive matchups.

David Roberts and Percy Williams both vowed to turn the program around through sweat equity, determination and getting the players to believe in themselves.

Both candidates had ready answers to prepared questions from the selection committee and audience members.

A response from the affable Roberts drew scattered applause from the audience. The coaches were asked if they would allow student-athletes to participate in other sports.

“The more sports they play, it’s less time they’ve got to run the streets,” Roberts said.

Both coaches said they welcomed student-athletes to play more than one sport.

Williams brought up good points when he mentioned that he would visit with area ministers to introduce himself to sell the program. Williams appeared to be a person who is plain spoken. But he did reveal a little dry wit in his complete response to the question of how he intended to sell the program.

“I want to meet with all the people in the barber shops,” Williams said. “They know everybody,”

The Search Committee did a good job in selecting Roberts and Williams as the top two finalists for the coveted position.

Each revealed plans to rebuild the program, start winning again and restore Lumberjack Pride.

We will learn Monday which of the two will be selected to accomplish those goals, but no matter who will lead the Lumberjacks next year, the infusion of new blood will result in a win for the community.

Hopefully that will translate into wins on the gridiron.