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Health & Fitness

Minutemen finding they're not so lost in transition

Concord High offensive coordinator Jon Bell has seen pretty much everything in his time as the Minutemen's offensive maestro. He's played a part in a North Coast Section title run, and played a key role in orchestrating the fast-paced approach that has helped establish Concord as a perennial playoff team.

But on this day, just a run of the mill mid-week practice, Bell has a shovel in his hands. He strides across the practice field that sits between Concord's gym and game field, scoops a shovelful of dirt and fills a divot about 10 feet away.

"Gotta fix the field," he says, smiling.

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Bell and his fellow coaches know that feeling well. They've been filling holes all season.

At first glance, a 6-2 record in the first eight games doesn't jump off the page. One of those wins came off the field when Liberty was forced to forfeit its opening-week win against the Minutemen. 

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But context helps in this case. Head coach Brian Hamilton returned a grand total of two starters this season. He watched a host of talented seniors graduate over the summer, and suddenly the winning foundation established over the past few years needed to be re-taught to a group searching for belief.

"With challenge comes reward," Hamilton said. "Professionally and personally, it's been so rewarding to watch how much we've improved."

Hamilton has always preached belief. What has carried his teams to playoff appearance after playoff appearance has been consistent proof that if players put in the work, good things will happen. With plenty of holdovers year after year, that foundation hasn't needed to be re-taught.

This year, with so many new players, the base for belief is undergoing a bit of a rebuild. 

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