[Gatti-Ward]

Verity played a hard, emotional, and brave game tonight. The players and coaches should be commended on all of their hard work during a season full of injuries, discipline problems, and various other obstacles. Those players that worked hard all season, gave 110% of their heart and soul, pushed themselves to get their grades up, and remained loyal to their team deserve all of our respect and admiration. We need to also remember that the coaching staff eats, sleeps, and breathes football during the season. They dedicate countless hours to these boys not because it's a job, but because they love these boys and this team. It's easy to criticize these coaches when you're sitting in the stands, but please remember that these men are taking time away from their own families and dedicating it to yours.

As for Lawrence County-congratulations on a well played game. Your legitimate 8th grade players should be very pround of their performance. However, your establishment should be ashamed of themselves for allowing several hold back players to compete on this level. This has never been fair and never will be. It's as bad as playing an 8th graders against 7th grade players. If a child is held back at Verity for any reason (academics, maturity, behavior, etc.) they are not allowed to compete that next year in any sport. I am proud of our integrity on this issue and I think other schools should follow our example. The playing field should be even in matters regarding age and grade level.