[Football1]

Sounds like a great conference. Tough competition will prepare these teams for the challenges in post-season.

The issue of holding a kid back is simple. Older kids perform better in the classroom, in social settings, and yes in sports. Why in the world would you not want your son or daughter to not get an extra year (compared to their peers who graduate at 18) to learn, mature, and compete? Life is hard enough. That extra year means better grades, more college choices, and a more mature kid taking on the Freshmen year of college.

I know this is not popular among parents who have some philosophical reason against it. But that is your choice. Many of us have chosen to make the most of a public education and give our sons and daughters an extra year to prepare for life. That is our choice.