[cat86]

The point about laziness and technology (READ: X-Box) is well stated. That appears to be a problem almost everywhere. Why is it that some programs have been able to overcome this? How many kids does Belfry field? I know at other nearby schools like Prestonsburg, the numbers have been in decline for years, community support is way down (stands are never even crowded, let alone packed), and the future is beginning to look bleak. How is it that programs like Belfry, Johnson Central, etc are able (at least to the outsider) to overcome this? The easy answer is "It's the coach", but I'm not so sure that is accurate. Another easy answer is that larger schools have a larger pool to draw players from, and that is also true, but it seems like even some bigger programs are really struggling with this issue. Yes, kids are different now, and times have changed, but it seems like you only hear that line from programs that are having problems with the above points. Is it overwork during practices? It is spring practice? Is is the fact that football now is a year round sport? Don't get me wrong...there is absolutely no substitute for hard work, but if hard work were the only answer, Jack Hall would have ruled the state back several decades ago with his infamously brutal practices.

I know the sport has changed since my playing days decades ago, but it seems like some changes are NOT for the better.

The original poster brought up a great point for discussion that not only applies to Pikeville and other local schools, but also state and dare I say it, nation wide.

The obvious $64 dollar question is how do you fix this problem? If it is truly just a "kids are different" issue, then I guess we are witnessing the downfall of competetive sports at smaller schools, since the pool of kids to draw from that are willing to put in the effort to succeed will continue to decrease over time until there is not enough to field a team. If it is a coaching issue, how can you fix that problem if a program continues to win year in and year out with decreasing numbers and diminishing community support? Is the true measure of success in a high school football program simply how far they advance in the playoffs? Can anyone remember a coach who was fired after going 10-2 or 9-3 just because they began to see a decrease in numbers or community support?

These are all interesting questions that I can't wait to hear some other opinions on.