RIVER RIDGE, La. ― Hope springs eternal on high school football fields around the state every May with the feeling that this is the year.

At John Curtis, it seems like an eternity of reloading and repeating, no rebirth needed – 23 state titles, including its fifth straight title in 2008, a school record.

Curtis cornerback Jonathan McKnight picks off a pass during practice before the 2008 2A championship game. Curtis won that game and entered the spring with questions that had Head Coach J.T. Curtis tossing and turning in his sleep.

Still, every year, Head Coach J.T. Curtis faces the same dilemmas as many other programs.

Who is going to be the new quarterback? Will a new running back emerge? And is a new leader going to step up?

Since 1969, Curtis has answered those questions and surprisingly, it still seems like the first day all over again.

"It’s ridiculous. The night before spring ball, I couldn't sleep,” Curtis said. “I said to myself, ‘What are you doing?’ I'm in the bed turning back and forth all night."

At 62, the coaching game has been kind to Curtis.

But his reign is far from over. From the pro ranks to college and below, head coaches hang it up for a myriad of reasons, including the desire to spend more time with their family and burnout.

Neither is a problem for the elder Curtis.

The program is populated with eight family members on the current coaching staff – Johnny and Jeff Curtis are his sons; Leon Curtis is his brother; Leon's three sons Preston, Matt and Steve; nephew Lance Rickner; and son-in-law Tommy Fabacher.

Not only is every film session a family reunion, but the connection gives the coaches ownership of the program.

"It's a great working environment,” J.T. Curtis said. “You know they have your interest. What they are doing is for the program and for the kids. They know what we want to accomplish. They know the system.

“They've all been through it, so there is no controversy on what needs to be accomplished. It's a tremendous advantage for us."

Yet, there can be the potential for problems with so many family members on staff. A loss could carry over to the family dinner the next night, right?

Curtis said that's not the case.

"I remain their dad off the field,” Curtis said. “When we leave that parking lot, we are done. Ball is just not discussed."

And burnout doesn't register in Curtis' vocabulary either, what with 467 wins and counting.

"Football still gives me a great deal of release,” Curtis said. “It's a place unto itself. You can walk out there for those two hours (and) you’re in a different world and all of the problems and difficulties of the world that you are in every day aren't on that field."

That field in River Ridge is littered once again with eighth-graders who can barely fill out their jersey.

They might not be the next Joe McKnight, but Curtis will afford them the opportunity to develop, even if it takes five years.

"I will never cut a kid,” Curtis said. “If a player is willing to go out and do the things I ask him to do, to work as hard as we work, two-a-days, then I'm not going to be the one that eliminates him.

“Because you never know what an impact you’re having on his life. But just important is the impact he has on yours."

While the state is well aware of the Patriots’ exploits, the program is now gaining a national audience.

In 2006 Curtis beat then No. 1-ranked Hoover, Ala., on ESPNU. A book was written on the program's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. And the latest coup – a documentary airing this fall on NFL Network. 

"I never limit where we are or what we are going to accomplish,” Curtis said. “I never guessed the book, the documentary. A lot of people think it’s the winning that drives me. I don't think that's enough.

“I don't believe the only thing that counts at the end of the game is the score. It’s about the relationships with players, coaches and fans.”

Relationships J.T. hopes spring another trip to the Dome in December.