Talking to Mike Boughton was an enjoyable experience as usual last July. I had called because it was time to start writing the Montoursville football preview, but we talked about more than football.

He was insightful, helpful and pleasant. It was no different than any other interaction I shared while working with the long-time assistant and Warrior head coach the past two seasons. Whether it was minutes after enduring a gut-wrenching loss or an exciting win, Boughton was the same man. He always was a class act.

But that conversation last July was different than the others. Unfortunately, it was the last time I ever talked to the man.

Boughton gave cancer a heroic fight but passed away Tuesday. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy that goes far beyond wins and losses or X’s and O’s.

Still, I am filled with regret as I type this. I learned about Boughton’s cancer diagnosis during the Little League World Series last August. I kept meaning to call, kept meaning to reach out but I let my own life selfishly get in the way. There always was a story to write, a deadline to meet, a place to go.

I had one last chance when Boughton attended the Battle for the Bridge game three weeks ago at Loyalsock. But there were so many people talking to him, and I didn’t want to bother him and let the opportunity slip. It was yet another mistake.

I wish I had reached out but didn’t. All I can do now is try and make up for it and say here what I would have told him here. Boughton was a terrific coach, an outstanding mentor and an even better person. He helped mold individuals on and off the field. His full-time job was working at GEO Lycoming County Reentry Services where he helped those involved with the criminal justice system either avoid prison or return to it.

Then he returned to his alma mater and served as a long-time assistant coach under Jim Bergen and J.C. Keefer. A former standout player at Montoursville who graduated in 1995, Boughton became just as strong a coach. During his tenure he was part of six district champions and some of the more dominant teams to compete in this area throughout the 2000s.

That was not a coincidence either. He was not along for the ride. Boughton was one of those helping drive the bus. He was a fabulous line coach, and those units were among the state’s best during a 2019 season when Montoursville romped to a second straight district title.

When Keefer stepped down following the 2020 season, Boughton was a natural fit to take over. It was not all sunshine and rainbows in 2021, but Boughton provided a steady hand and helped Montoursville navigate a difficult schedule and keep sailing through some costly injuries. The Warriors peaked at the right time, won four straight late-season games and returned to the district final, coming within a touchdown of dethroning defending champion Danville.

Last July, Boughton discussed how much younger the 2022 Warriors would be. They needed to replace nearly every starter on both sides of the ball while going against one of the state’s most demanding schedules.

Little did anyone know how tough that road would become. Boughton never was able to coach this season but that did not stop him from making an impact and helping this young team flourish. Although his body was doing everything possible to slow him down and defeat him, Boughton would not be conquered and attended every home game.

His courage brought out the best in his coaching staff and team. Joe Hanna took over as head coach and he and his assistants tirelessly worked to keep Montoursville moving forward. And when times grew tough, players could look toward the sidelines, see Boughton and know that they could keep fighting and come back.

That is exactly what Montoursville did, too. The Warriors erased a 14-point halftime deficit in the opener against Wellsboro before mounting a last-second drive and edging Lewisburg 24-21 two weeks later when Bryce Eberhart found Ben Conrad for the game-winning 19-yard touchdown pass with just seven seconds remaining. Montoursville fought off a series of Bald Eagle rallies in its next home game and won, 29-21 while improving to 4-1.

Officially, that was Montoursville’s final victory. The Warriors ran into a gauntlet which included some of the state’s premier teams, including Southern Columbia, Danville, Jersey Shore, Selinsgrove and Loyalsock. Selinsgrove is the only team still not playing and that’s only after it gave Jersey Shore a battle in the District 4 Class AAAA final. Together, those teams are 52-7.

Montoursville was leading at Southern in the second half when wide receiver/defensive back Marco Pulizzi, having an all-caliber kind of season, suffered a season-ending injury. It was a devastating blow and one of many injuries this team suffered after Week 5. The odds were long, but Montoursville kept fighting just like their coach.

So, unofficially, Montoursville won a lot over those final six weeks. They played hard. They sacrificed. They did all they could. Everything one needs to do to succeed in life, they did. No scoreboard can measure that, nor the tribute they offered their coach.

The way that team battled reflected the spirit Boughton always exuded. He was the ultimate fighter and while his time here ended, his legacy will carry on through all the lives he positively influenced.

Rest easy, Coach. You will be missed. Your time may have been cut short, but you lived a full life and made the world a better place for so many with whom you worked.

You achieved quite a victory.

–Masse may be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com