“But, with children, as a parent you put 20 years of your life into them before turning them over to me. I always said I would treat them as my own, which means I’ll love them when they do good and bust them when they do wrong.”

The close-knit family feel is also what Booth credits for the Jackets’ success over the past 25 years.

“That family thing, I honestly think that’s why we won so many matches,” he noted. “You can’t ask them to respect you. Either they do or they don’t. If they love you, they’ll die for you. They’ll do super things — they’ll win matches they shouldn’t, they’ll score touchdowns they shouldn’t.”

Still, Carlton knows who was at the center of that will to win.

“You can’t teach heart, you can’t give someone heart, but he does make you want to win,” she said. “He makes them want to play, not just for him, but for themselves.”

Booth’s ability to inspire extends past his players, too. Although they coach at rival programs, Thomasville coach Phil Slaughter admits that Booth is more a mentor than a rival. As does Bainbridge coach Pauncho Hufstetler, a former Central star.

“I know Thomasville and Central have always had a big rivalry, but as far as ours goes, he’s been more than just an opposing coach,” Slaughter said. “He’s been a friend and a mentor.

“It’ll be a different feeling when we face Central again with coach Booth not being there. I’ll miss playing against him.”

Added Hufstetler: “Coach Booth is one of a kind, he’s got that dominant personality and I’m not sure that’s my style. But, I expect my kids to work hard and play the right way, just like he did.

“It was always good to be able to lean on him and bounce some ideas off him.”

That advice includes a Booth specialty — breaking the tension with a well-placed story. He is, after all, an admitted “showboat.”

“I love teaching,” he said. “I love the classroom. When I walked through that door and looked at that new crop there, it was kind of like a buzz. I enjoyed it.

“Of course, I guess I’m somewhat of a showboat and enjoy the spotlight. But when I’m teaching, I am the star. I have the floor. If you liked the last one, wait until you hear the next one.

“I was the star and they couldn’t go anywhere for 55 minutes.”

After 25 years, they still haven’t left. Neither have the stories — whether it’s an interesting tidbit on Warren Harding to get a history class to remember the former President or healing Jesse Finder by taping a pair of aspirin to his head.