Former Blue Raiders' coach to play homecoming game in Walnut

WALNUT — Former Walnut football coach Mick Peterson has written his second novel, entitled “Homecoming,” a continuation of the story begun in “Once a Coach.”

It is the fictional story of the Midwestern town of Hillsdale and its football-hungry community. Peter-son says he has drawn on his experiences from his 34-year coaching career, including Flora (1974-84), Walnut (1984-88) and Pontiac (1989-2006).

The storyline would seem to parallel the career of Peterson at Pontiac High School. He led the Indians to the state championship in 1993, but nine years later was suspended by the IHSA for what it determined to be “undue influence” to lure quarterback Isaac Monts from Streator Woodland.

The head coach of the Hillsdale Hillmen, Ben Reynolds, is also suspended by the state association and unable to coach as his team plays on.

Peterson says in the first book, naturally, he had a lot of people making comparsions between coach Reynolds and himself. In his second book, Peterson says he begins to separate himself from Reynolds even more.

Besides, Peterson says, Reynolds “doesn’t have a mustache.”

Peterson, who has retired as English teacher at Pontiac, will have his own homecoming this week from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Walnut Public Library, where he will have copies of “Homecoming” available and ready to sign. He will also have limited copies of “Once a Coach.”

Peterson’s Blue Raiders went 50-9 at Walnut with four Indian Valley Confer-ence championships and quarterfinals appearances in each of his five years. He went 136-47 with a state title and two semifinal appearances at Walnut.

All of the pageantry and hoopla connected with a high school Homecoming — dress-up days, the bonfire and pep rally, the parade, the royalty, the alumni, and, most of all, the game — provides the background for Peterson’s second novel “Homecoming.”

After that thrilling opening win against Valley Forge, the Hillsdale Hillmen have struggled, losing two of their last three games and in danger of the missing the state playoffs. Their suspended coach, Ben Reynolds, is also having his own personal troubles, trying to deal with the fact that he must serve his punishment handed down by the state and remain on the sidelines, not being able to help.