[WILDCAT NATION]

I can't believe the nerve of some people. How could you try to put down the little team just because they beat your hides? Guess what, half of them will be back next year... as 6th graders. Just like this year, All legit!

As I recall you stood in Gatti's of Pikeville and talked about how you were going to go down there and dominate that tourny.

We got beat in the championship game to Corbin, but you did not hear us crying foul play by the tourny directors or the other team. We got beat by a very good football team in a very good game. I think it was a great little tourny and hope to be back next year... we just hope for better weather.

I hope only the best for your little group... but I do feel that Adult leadership needs to step up over there and start acting like adults.

Since we seem to know who each other is now and you have said your peace, I will do the same and I look forward to more meetings in the future:

1. Never said anything of the sort about dominating that ot any other tourney. Thought at the time we would have a good team and we did throughout the year. And if I remember right that meeting was in the middle of August. And never have I dogged any of the kids. They played their butts off. This is about adult leadership.

2. You did hand us our butts pretty good that day. Your execution on offense was great and ours was horrible. Pretty much the same on the defensive side. Cannot take that away from you. You have a great team and should be proud of their accomplishments.

3. Since we also know of each other than you know one of my coachs pretty well too. He just happen to be in the Valley last week and ran into a old friend (maybe even family) that has a son on your team. He would not tell me their name so it may have even been you but I doubt it.

A conversation about football and that game struck up about the Valley kids and how much harder they hit than anybody we played all year and executed their offense great. The parent that he was speaking to said "Well they should. 8 of them are supposed to be 8th graders." My coach then said that would explain alot as we had not had trouble like that all year. It was then that the parent found out that he had been on the other side of the field coaching and not their watching Valley. My coach said the conversation about the team ended pretty quick like somebody had just let the cat out of the bag.

4. I am a parent and know my kids teammates pretty well. All have been to my house and most have spent the night at one time or another over the years. Most of my parents are the same way when it comes to knowing who is on their kids team. If you were in my shoes who would you believe? Sorry but as a parent I going to have to believe the parent is telling the truth.

5. That brings me to Adult leadership. Talk about needing to step up. If some of these kids were supposed to be 7th or 8th graders and were held back, then the adults who did need to take a long look in the mirror at themselves. I don't care how good my kid is or could be in a sport I would NEVER do that to them. If they are going to be good it because they have talent and play with heart not because they are older than the rest. And no there is no difference in starting them late and holding them back because it is for the same reason: to be a bigger and better ball player when they are young. Don't hold them back, teach them how to play the game no matter what the game is. Adult Leadership is trying to raise your kids right and standing up for them when needed. And as a parent after hearing that information I felt it was needed. Sorry if you don't see it the same way but I have no reason to think that parent lied about his son's team.

Hopefully both 7th grade teams will be good enough to get thru the middle school playoffs next year and we can play again. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and I will see you on this board next season.