Chomping his green gum and scanning the grounds of James Stadium, Doug Rosser was right at home. Seriously.

Rosser, the unofficial King Pioneer, was at his usual post holding his usual post Friday night, patrolling the sideline at East Ridge High School with his chain gang — down marker in one hand and his happy little routine in the other.

“Oh, I’ve seen them come and go, all right,” said Rosser, who started his 40th year of keeping up with East Ridge football players and literally marking their progress. “We just like to do it, I guess.”

It’s a family affair for Rosser at his alma mater. His son Dave has been working the sideline with him for 25 years now, and son-in-law Fred Cook has been on the crew for 23 years. Rusty Howell is the greenhorn of the group, starting his 22nd year working the chains, but Doug has worked with the youngster and with a few more years he’ll be fine, I’m sure.

The family affair for Doug Rosser extended beyond his crewmates. He first started for legendary East Ridge coaches Mack Franklin and Raymond James, and it continued Friday night when Mike Martin saddled up on the home sideline for the first time in a 31-0 win over Lookout Valley.

Martin is the seventh Pioneers coach during Rosser’s tenure. He succeeded Tim James, Raymond’s son, now the coach at new Heritage High.

“He calls me about every day wanting me to come work the chains at Heritage,” Rosser said.

It’s good to be wanted, I guess, but I doubt Rosser will move any time soon. He is more than wanted — he’s needed. Heck, he’s an institution in the institution that is high school football.

He said he’s missed three games in his 40 years — home and away. That’s right. Three. Let’s say East Ridge has averaged eight games a year during that time, then Doug Rosser has been right there, pompom or yard marker in hand, for 310 of 313 games counting Friday night.

“I’ve enjoyed every day I’ve been here,” said Rosser, who taught at East Ridge for 20 years before retiring in 2005. “I’ve been a Pioneer since I moved back here. I’m always going be a Pioneer.”

The quintessential Pioneer watched as the newest Pioneer made the most of his debut. East Ridge was aggressive and forceful against the rebuilding Yellow Jackets.

“This is a good group,” Rosser said. “They’ve got a chance to be pretty good.”

And with his experience, Rosser should know.

“You’re not going to find a better man than Doug Rosser,” East Ridge principal Mark Bean said. “We’re lucky to have him ... Go, baby, go. Yeah.”

Bean trailed off because Pioneers quarterback Adam Long connected with receiver Austin Roden for a long touchdown to build the lead to 21-0 just before halftime.

Across the field, Rosser trotted down the sideline to mark the spot for the extra point and smiled — as did Martin across the way.

On this night of beginnings — the new season for all, the 40th for Rosser and the first in orange for Martin — all was right in East Ridge.

E-mail Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com

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