[Fly Like a Duck]

I don't know if some of you Bulldog Nation fans realize the following or if you do, and just fail to accept it, but don't you think that the level of competition this year was a little bit better than it was the previous two years?

Now, don't get me wrong; what Salmons did in revamping the program was great. He, his staff, the players, etc. should be commended on a job very well done.

However, you have to acknowledge the fact that the year before he took over in '08, Lawrence County went 1-10 in '07 then 0-10 in his first year of '08. Well, I have news for you- when you go 1-21 over two years, you can pretty much schedule any and every average and/or below average team that you want. Guess what Lawrence was able to do for the '09 and '10 seasons? Downgrade their schedule (it's ok, it's part of it and that's what they needed to do), and they did just that.

I went back and looked at the win/loss and winning percentages of Lawrence's opponents from '08-'11 and this is what I found.

'08- Lawrence finishes 0-10 and their opponents record was 97-44 (67% wins).

'09- Lawrence finishes 12-1 and their opponents record was 63-64 (49% wins).

'10- Lawrence finishes 9-2 and their opponents record was 40-63 (38% wins).

'11- Lawrence finishes 5-7 and their opponents record was78-65 (54% wins).

I can promise you this; as bad as their record was in '08 and as good as it was in '09, I can guarantee that Luke Salmons didn't just wake up before the '09 season and learn how to coach. He can coach and a dang good one at that, just like Coach Cecil and his staff. However, the fact of the matter is that so much of the success with programs like Lawrence County (those good, reputable yet not 1st class nor a lower tier program) weighs on not so much scheme and coaches (because there are a ton of guys out there that can coach and many great schemes), but the Jimmy's and Joe's---and, you either have them, or the teams you are playing have them. I haven't seen a state championship team nor great offensive and defensive schemes that were made famous by average talent. It's hard for some of you and many other fans who look through the world with blinders on to realize, but it's true.

Moral of my points? Just support your dang team through thick and thin. That's it. Every Tom, Dick and Harry know what's best when things just aren't going great. Luke Salmons and his staff can coach the game, just like Coach Cecil and his crew can----and, just like countless other head coaches across the state can.

You went 5-7 this year. Two of those losses came to Belfry. Things will improve. Support your team(s) through the good, the bad and the so-so.