NEW MIAMI — Kingston Royalty was fresh off an ankle injury that kept him from hitting the football field sooner than he wanted.
But the New Miami junior was able to stain up his Vikings uniform Thursday night on the grassy turf at Mara Field.
“It really means a lot,” Royalty said of New Miami’s 32-8 win over Dayton Stivers. “Considering the losses we had the past couple weeks, I think it’s a big step in the right direction. Especially gaining momentum into the upcoming game.”
Royalty’s pride stems from more than just the scoreboard. Six weeks ago, he went down with an ankle injury that left him restricted. His return to meaningful playing time has marked a milestone — not just for him, but for a Vikings team still learning to grow up fast.
“This was my first game back with more playing time,” Royalty said. “I think I made a big difference with this team. I finally feel like myself again, and I’m really proud of that.”
Now, with his ankle stable enough to compete, he’s turned everything into fuel.
New Miami is young. The Vikings start several freshmen, a fact Royalty doesn’t hide but embraces.
“We have a lot of freshmen that are starting,” he said. “They came in and did their job and did what they had to do. I’m really proud of them. The coaches are proud, too. That means a lot.”
It’s that collective grit that gives the Vikings hope. Though their 1-2 record doesn’t sparkle, the growth is visible in flashes — a third-down stop here, a sustained drive there and a celebration when a young player steps up in a big moment.
And the win was more than just a result. Players spoke openly about honoring former coach Jim Jewett, a fixture in the New Miami community who left his mark on generations of Vikings.
“Tonight was special,” Royalty said. “It wasn’t just for us. It was for him.”
Honoring a legacy
The community of New Miami gathered Thursday night to celebrate the life and legacy of Coach James “Jim” Jewett, a man remembered not only for his success on the sidelines but for the lasting influence he left on generations of athletes and students.
Jewett, who passed away earlier this year, devoted his career to football, wrestling and track while also mentoring countless young men and women through life.
His journey began in the late 1980s at New Lebanon Dixie High School and stretched across Brookville, Twin Valley South and Preble Shawnee before he returned to New Miami, where his impact was felt most deeply.
“Coach Jewett’s legacy cannot be measured in wins and losses,” a tribute read. “It is measured in the lessons he taught: hard work, resilience, teamwork, and integrity. It is measured in the athletes who left his teams not just better players, but better people.”
Jewett became head football coach at New Miami in 2011, leading with the same grit and determination that defined him on and off the field.
After three seasons, he returned to Brookville, where he coached until 2018, when he faced his first battle with cancer. True to his character, he met that challenge with courage and perseverance, never wavering in his love for the game and his players.
When his health allowed, Jewett returned to the sidelines, coaching again at Twin Valley South in 2021 before reuniting with longtime friend and fellow coach Chris Fogle at New Miami in 2023.
Fogle stood on the sideline knowing Thursday’s win meant more than just the score. For Fogle, it was about honoring his best friend of more than 30 years.
“It’s been hard work,” Fogle said. “Jim was my best friend for 30 years. We started coaching together in ’98 at Dixie. So this was an emotional game. We had to bring a win for him, and that’s what it meant for everybody. Jim’s whole family was here, and it was a good night.”
Fogle admitted it felt as though Jewett was still out on the field with them. The two had spent years rebuilding struggling programs, beginning with an 0-10 Dixie team in 1998 that had just 18 players, 10 of them freshmen. They endured winless seasons before finally turning the corner.
“That experience was identical to what we came into here,” Fogle said. “It wasn’t the only time we’ve done it. We built things at Twin Valley South, and now we’ve done it here. His sons, Jimmy and Danny, played for me on those Dixie teams. To have them here tonight, it meant everything.”
As part of the evening’s pregame ceremony, attendees turned their attention to the 50-yard line, where Fogle presented the Jewett family with a memorial football signed by players and students.
Family members stood alongside the community that had rallied to honor Jewett’s life.
The ceremony also included the dedication of the New Miami Spirit Rock on the east side of the school’s football field. Painted with a special memorial design, the rock will change with time but will remain a symbol of who Jewett was and what he represented.
“It will serve as a place where Vikings — past, present, and future — can gather, reflect, and celebrate the pride and spirit of our village,” the dedication said.
“Today, we remember not only the coach, but the mentor, the role model, and the friend,” the dedication concluded. “We celebrate a life that made a difference, and we carry forward the lessons he instilled in us all.
“Thank you, Coach Jewett, for everything. Your legacy will always be a part of this community, and your spirit will live on in every game played and every student whose life you touched.”
