Spoiled fans can become unreasonable fans.

Such was the case last Saturday during Walton’s 25-6 loss to Deposit, one that eliminated the Warriors from the postseason for the first time since 1995.

Walton coach Jim Hoover is the all-time winningest coach in Section Four, breaking the record with a forfeit victory over Hancock on Sept. 23.

Since then, the Warriors have sputtered. And for the fourth time in 30 years at Walton, Hoover’s team lost three in a row. A 12-6 setback to rival Delhi started the skid, followed by a 26-6 division loss to Oxford and Deposit’s knockout punch.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]"I can’t seem to get them excited," Hoover said. "I’m not doing a very good job of coaching right now. So much of this game is emotional. (Deposit) had it and we didn’t."

Hoover did what a good coach does — he shielded his players by placing all the blame on his shoulders. But fans in Walton are unaccustomed to losing skids, no matter who’s to blame.

"Hey Hoover, glad you chose Class D this season?" someone yelled from the crowd late in the third quarter last Saturday.

"How about getting some different plays?" another of the bleacher coaches offered.

"Find something that works!" the crowd’s offensive coordinator demanded.

It only takes one or two loudmouths to make an entire fan base look bad. But can these people really be serious?

Hoover has won almost 80 percent of his games at Walton, with a 233-58-1 all-time record. He has two state final appearances, with a state championship in 1994, six state regional crowns and eight Section Four Class C championships.

And the teams Walton lost to this season are no slouches as Delhi, Oxford and Deposit are all 6-1.

Speaking of Delhi, 40-year coach Dave Kelly has his share of critics despite the state’s No. 8 ranking in Class C and a playoff berth hinging on the outcome of Saturday’s home game against Greene.

Take Oct. 1, when Delhi beat Walton, 12-6. The Bulldogs were assessed a delay of game penalty late in the game, prompting more bigmouths to let everyone know they were in attendance.

"Come on Kelly, get the play in on time!"

"Throw the ball more!"

Etc.

This, directed at a coach whose resume sports 227 victories, a handful of Section Four championships and a state title in 2001.

Together, Hoover and Kelly have 457 career victories, 70 years of experience and probably a Section Four record for most snide remarks all-time.

Some fans become instant experts after watching a few plays go awry. But seriously, if you have nothing nice to say, shut up.

Second-guessing two of the best coaches in Section Four history only makes you look stupid. Football goes way beyond one penalty, one series or even one game. These guys revolve around preseasons, offseasons, practices, scouting, game film and everything else high school football.

And no matter what is said, Hoover and Kelly aren’t going to change anything because someone’s embarrassing himself by barking out instructions.

It can be tough at times, but there’s a good reason Hoover puts up with it.

"I have to get into the locker room," he said last Saturday to close his post-game interview. "The kids need me."