Tony's Take: Homewood-Flossmoor Has A New Girls Sheriff

At the end of the 2019 season, Homewood-Flossmoor was miles ahead of the competition

Leading up to the National Letter of Intent Signing Day on November 27, it is usually a joyous cause for overall excitement. It's a time for the athletes, parents, coaches, well-wishers, and even school administrators to share and marvel in the accomplishments.

Homewood-Flossmoor High School is one of the top public high schools in the state has always prided itself inside of the classroom and outside. The athletic programs have been second to none having tremendous success in girls basketball team, girls golf, boys football, boys gymnastics, boys track & field, and last year the girls' track & field team won the 3A state championship. It was the third consecutive trophy that the Lady Vikings had won. 

Unfortunately, the good times would not last as head coach Zontavius Johnson was terminated in August prior to the start of the school year. To this day, there has been a dark cloud on what led to his dismissal as well as several of his assistant coaches not returning.

MileSplit Illinois lead contributor Pierre Nealon ventured to Homewood-Flossmoor to attend the signing ceremony and to meet the new girls head coach Terrence Terry to gain some insight on a precarious situation. Although it was a rocky beginning with athletic director Gail Smith creating interference, the investigative task was completed. 


Last year's team will not be on this year's trophy-

And so the Terry era begins, it will start with extremely high expectations.

With all due respect to coach Terry, but he has to come in and smack down the competition from day one. He knows from being a football coach that themes are important and a message must be sent to the opponent that business will be taken care of.

The Homewood-Flossmoor gig should not be taken lightly. This is NOT an intramural program. The Lady Vikings are filled with stars and champions- this is a national caliber program that is on top of the food chain in the school district hierarchy.  Hopefully, Coach Terry went into his interview knowing that a dynasty must be upheld. It is a must that he is aware of his predecessor's iconic status from E. St. Louis, Morgan Park, Evanston, and even Lincoln-Way East. They all faced some of the challenges that Terry will see. 

Most coaches nurture their kids and assure their parents they will graduate and stay on the right path. That is a given. But make no mistake about it, Terry must win titles to validate his existence as the leader of the Vikings ship.

Terry is a former standout student-athlete who once ran track in high school before concentrating on football at the collegiate level. His coaching pedigree has come from football where the closest thing to track and field is running a few speed agility camps. But he believes in culture. Whatever that is. "One of the things that I want to bring over first is culture," stated Terry. "I have a plan to allow them to be successful... [the girls] could potentially do some great things," added Terry. Hmm...

No team can be successful by one man alone... but can piecemeal coaching work? With a plethora of the team members training with different clubs during the off-season, it will be important to assemble a strong staff to deal with multiple personalities when they return to the mothership. Illinois Shockers Track Club coach Kirk Robinson is on board. He has run a successful program in the past but what role will he play? There is a rumor that former 100H record holder Jayla Stewart will be on staff. Also, the great Reggie Torian's name has been tossed in the hat. Regardless of who is coming and going, the spotlight will be shining very bright on the Homewood-Flossmoor girls track and field program this season.