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The Cros-Lex grad had five successful seasons with the Pioneers. Obviously, the Cros-Lex football family did not want to see him leave, but they wished him well.

This past Friday afternoon, in front of a large, anxious group of Pioneer football players, VanDerMaas was introduced as the new Cros-Lex football coach.

The return was unexpected by most and certainly a surprise to the players on hand, who gave their former coach a standing ovation.

The chance to return came earlier this year when Pat Connell, hired last summer to replace VanDerMaas, announced his resignation after one season. The Pioneers were 3-6 under Connell, who had some critics in the community on his style of coaching.

Now, VanDerMaas is ready to resurrect his potent spread offense that led the Pioneers to two BWAC co-championships and four straight playoff berths under his previous command.

"The major deciding factor to come back was all the good people here at Cros-Lex -- the kids, the coaching staff and the administration," said VanDerMaas. Overall, he said there were other factors involved, and he added, "It's a situation where the kids at Cros-Lex work real hard and I missed them. And, I just wasn't happy coaching at Carman."

VanDerMaas installed the spread offense this fall at Carman-Ainsworth, but said he just could not quite find the right quarterback to run it. The Cavaliers finished 2-3 in the rugged Big Nine Conference, but were 2-7 overall. The Cavs did, though, just miss some major upsets in two or three contests.

"I gave it shot there, and I think things could have worked out there," said VanDerMaas. "The facilities are great there and the administration was great. It just wasn't the right fit for me."

John Knuth, Cros-Lex athletic director, said he had received 15 applications for the varsity football job and was a little surprised that VanDerMaas was one of them.

"Early in the process we had spoken to Jason, and, as this evolved, his interest grew," said Knuth.

"I know Jason is a great coach and we're fortunate to have him back," Knuth continued. "It just speaks volumes for Cros-Lex that he would want to come back. The kids are big factor in that... and it's just exciting to have him back."

His reappearance Friday in front of an excited group of C-L players reassured VanDerMaas that he made the right decision.

"The kids choked me up a little bit there," he said of the standing ovation. "I couldn't talk for a bit after that. I appreciated it."

Another reason for VanDerMaas leaving C-L last year was that his wife, Jennifer, was teaching in Flushing. She, along with their daughter Emmaline, lived with her parents in the Flint area during the week. Meanwhile, VanDerMaas held down the fort at their home in Lexington.

Now, the VanDerMaases are building a house in the Goodrich school district. Jennifer will have about a half-hour drive from there to her work while Jason, who will also teach social studies, has about an hour commute to Cros-Lex.

"We'll just have to see how that works out," said VanDerMaas. The couple is expecting another baby right away. Jennifer is eight months pregnant.

With the current school year winding down in last few weeks, the wheels are already in motion for the Pioneers' 2008 season. VanDerMaas, who was 36-15 in his five seasons with Cros-Lex, has a familiar coaching staff locked in with soon-to-be-brother-in-law Mike Holes, longtime assistant Chris Zielinski, Rob Butler, Phil Jackson and Kyle Wood. VanDerMaas is also trying to talk Rick Patterson, his former defensive coordinator, to also return.

The transition will not be difficult, said VanDerMaas, who will have his spread offense up and running again.

"The kids will remember the old system -- it's like riding a bike," he said. "And, most of my assistants are familiar with it. We'll change things a little in coaching assignments and that's just to make everything work a little better. "Hopefully, we'll be back competing for another league title and the playoffs."