[barrel]

I have never heard the term true freshman in regards to HS sports. Honestly in HS holdbacks have little to no affect unless you are a smaller class school. At a smaller class school it just means those freshmen are more likely to be able to play earlier in their career and help their team. In larger classes the teams have so many players that the need for a freshman to step up now is much less.

Now as far as it being an "excuse" to losing to team with larger more experienced players. I think excuse is a not the best word to use. Explanation maybe but not excuse. The fact a number of players on a team were held back explains why they are larger. The fact they played an extra 8th grade year due to having 2 8th grade years is an explanation on why they have more experience. Physical strength, speed, and overall physical maturity does have an affect on football but at this level it is gained largely through age.

If there was a rule that stated you only had 3 yrs of MS sports would it have any impact at all?