[goBIGblue82]

^^^
To add something... most of the elite talents who are capable of playing up will usually be the same talents who will see playing time as underclassmen at the HS level.

To have that year in Middle School...and usually a year on JV as a Freshman where they play with guys older than them and build chemistry will ultimately best prepare them for varsity football as well.

When Player X is asked as a Sophomore to take on the Juniors and Seniors from a Wayne County, Johnson Central, etc it will be second nature. By contrast if Player X has only played the people his age by the time he is called as Sophomore to step into varsity action it will be an adjustment.

You need not look past belfry's State Championship last year to see evidence that the system works. The Pirates started 5 Freshman in last year's 3A Finals and they made huge plays.

To each his own. I guess I've just never been a fan of the let's pick the 4-5 best athletes and focus all of our attention on making them the best possible players and we can win games mentality. As a coach at a middle school level I would want to send as many quality football players to the high school as possible. By making sure that all kids are given the same amount of attention and really focusing on the "fringe" kids who could really develop into players at the next level. It's always been my opinion that it's not going to be the 2-3 superstars on the team that win championships, but rather the 10-15 role players and make sure they are adequate at their position.