Can only speak on what I've seen and heard from friends around town. Male has about 40 kids and that's a lot compared to other publics in Jefferson County. Ballard had decent numbers. Manual maybe had 20-25 last year so them having less doesn't surprise me so much.

 

I don't think it's quite to the point where we give up freshman contests but teams need to be honest about playing sophomores down on the freshman level. Butler even played an eighth grader at the qb position

Lacrosse is now replaced football as the sport of choice for many kids in Jefferson county. It now offers kids a school season and a club season. I witnessed the Ballard Seneca game last Thursday. Senecas biggest kids were on the sidelines in street clothes. One player was a drummer in the band. It was their homecoming and their stands were about 20% full. Mostly parents and homecoming participants. Pretty sad.

Lacrosse is now replaced football as the sport of choice for many kids in Jefferson county. It now offers kids a school season and a club season. I witnessed the Ballard Seneca game last Thursday. Senecas biggest kids were on the sidelines in street clothes. One player was a drummer in the band. It was their homecoming and their stands were about 20% full. Mostly parents and homecoming participants. Pretty sad.

Griff, I think you're right about lacrosse and soccer too taking players off the football field.

From all accounts I've heard the new administration does not put a lot of stock in athletics in general. Football can be taxing on a school budget especially when so few fans support. But, when managed properly, the football program can be a driving force behind school spirit, pride, and community involvement.

 

In all honesty this type of situation is all too common in JCPS.

 

Manual is even struggling to field a freshman team. I'm interested to know how many JCPS teams have more than 25 players out for freshman. This year Male played Freshman, Sophomores and select Juniors against Fairdale and Seneca. it looked like Male had 100 players on the sideline compared to Seneca's JV of about 25.

 

I heard from a veteran official about a month ago that the biggest disservice in football in Louisville is the freshmen programs a public schools.

THS, Seneca is the worst ranked 6A football school correct?

 

They may be the worst team...period

They may be the worst team...period

 

I don't know Logan County and Fulton County would be in a foot race to the bottom with them :bunny:

Hearing Seneca wants to forfeit the Varsity game but apparently there is some sort of fine if they do, we shall see what happens...

I heard from a veteran official about a month ago that the biggest disservice in football in Louisville is the freshmen programs a public schools.

 

It's really a shame. There are a myriad of reasons why but it begs the question about putting students first. Kids start out their freshman year ELIGIBLE and with a clean academic slate. Really interesting to me that more administrations or the board wouldn't emphasize participation. Anybody who's been around football in particular but sports in general knows that kids work hard for their coaches. Many times the sport is the only source of discipline that student will have encountered in their lives and they start applying that discipline to their whole life.

 

A few other thoughts on this...

 

Most programs can only dedicate 2 coaches to handle the freshman team with or without sacrificing positional during the varsity week.

 

With so many students at these Jefferson County publics, what in the world kind of high school experience are they having?!?!? Many kids just want to spectate and be seen nowadays.

Hearing Seneca wants to forfeit the Varsity game but apparently there is some sort of fine if they do, we shall see what happens...

 

I know, Champ! Kind of stinks but I guess we can only hope that Coach Beatty will take a page out of the J -Town game. Again, Beatty and the JT coaches did a great job of getting us in and out of the game quickly. It looked like an honest effort to keep the score down and keep kids safe. If we can make the Seneca game happen, pretty sure we can expect the same. I gather Male did the same thing by pulling starters in the 1st quarter. Just hope the Seniors can enjoy one final regular season game and be recognized on the field with Mom/Dad. That to me is the most important part. Get the JV and 3rd string guys on the field ASAP.