The Cobras have secured their first winning season in 18 years, and quarterback Kyle Hatcher is giving his wornout, left-handed glove some credit.
By BOB PUTNAM
Published October 27, 2004
Hudson coach Mark Nash has been trying to figure out why his quarterback, Kyle Hatcher, will not get rid of the wornout, smelly glove he wears on his non-throwing hand.
The glove was used to help Hatcher recover from a lawnmower mishap nearly two months ago. The junior was mowing a lawn and stuck his hand underneath to see if the blade was moving.
It was. Hatcher cut the tip of his left middle finger. The glove helped him grip the ball and eased the pain.
"But the injury is healed," Nash said. "I keep asking him, "Why in the world do you keep wearing that thing.' "
Hatcher can explain.
"I wear it because it's good luck," he said.
Like some athletes, Hatcher seems largely unburdened by the commonly held assumption that superstition is mumbo jumbo that doesn't work. For him, the glove is a crutch, a secret weapon, a way to get that little edge.
It seems to have helped. Hatcher wore the glove and played well against River Ridge, Ridgewood and Pasco. Then he forgot to bring the glove against Mitchell and was knocked out of the game with a mild concussion. He didn't wear it the following week against Wesley Chapel and the Cobras lost that game, too.
"After that I started thinking there was something about that glove," Hatcher said.
He has worn it the past three games, all wins, to help Hudson secure its first winning season in 18 years.
"To beat a good team like we did against Springstead last week and have the first winning season here in awhile is a big thing," Hatcher said. "People have come up and congratulated me all week. It's fun."
Though the Cobras have been vexed with years of bad breaks, their about-face cannot be attributed solely to a piece of equipment Hatcher wears. The quarterback also has displayed remarkable poise and leadership.
The results are evident. Hatcher leads the county in passing yards and touchdowns.
"Kyle has certainly been a big part of our success," Nash said. "He's a perfect example of someone who has grown up with the program. He started last year as a sophomore and sort of had that deer in the headlights look about him. But he's gotten through the stage and is really starting to mature."
On Friday, Hudson will try to keep its streak going. A win over Zephyrhills will assure a spot in a three-way tiebreaker in Class 3A, District 9.
Hatcher no doubt will play a big role.
"Zephyrhills is the most important game for us," Hatcher said. "We need that win to keep our goal of making the playoffs. Because of that, I'll make sure I have that glove on. I haven't even washed it yet. And if we happen to win the district, I don't know what I'm going to do. I'll have to make a shrine for that glove or something."
