[Mama Bear]

Do you think an extra year of middle school will better prepare a child for high school academically as well as athletically? Wouldn't Johnnie and his stud friends be more physically apt to compete on the high school level if they have an extra year? Boys develop slower than girls. They mature much much slower than girls (if ever). There are KHSAA guidelines as to how old a child can be to participate their senior year. If those are the state guidelines, then I don't know what difference it would make as to when a child could be held back. It's up to the board of education in each district whether they will allow "hold backs". If a board chooses not to then they shouldn't complain about those who do. A lot of successful programs do. I'll use Bell County (undefeated) as an example since I have them fresh on my mind . (Our Harlan County's Freshmen team beat them last night.)