I have a question. What's the point in Clinton County having a team? They've not been in any district since 2012 so if I'm a kid playing there, what am I really playing for? It would be disheartening to play there, knowing that none of the games matter and we're not going anywhere.

Well, we have a great example this year of why teams like Clinton County should keep playing - Fulton County. Fulton County has struggled for years and people have talked equally as long about them doing away with their program because they were not competitive. Fulton County started the season 4-0 this year. Those players that put in the time and effort and went winless over the years should be seen as trailblazers, they continued to play and continued to complete against insurmountable odds. They may have not won games, but they persevered and as much a part of Fulton County's 4-0 start this year as every player on that team.

 

To deviate from the win and loss columns, every player in the Fulton County program over the last 10 years have learned real, applicable, life lessons. They are better equipped adults because of the things they learned from playing a team sport with their friends and coaches. Even thought they struggled, they are stronger for taking on the struggle. Education takes place on the field, on the court and in the locker rooms just as much as it takes place in each science and math classroom. Those players received an education of life while striving for a common goal with their friends.

 

So, for Clinton County, I hope the powers that be see the value in a team sport that teaches: personal accountability, self-discipline, team work and perseverance. I hope the players at Clinton County look back on their time as players and remember what it was like to spend that time with friends that they will hopefully have for life. I hope they look back and think, "even thought we didn't win a lot of games, I wouldn't trade it for anything". I hope they are able to follow the Clinton County program, and when they begin to win district games someday, they are able to say, "I was part of that program.

 

That is the point of Clinton County having a program.

They are rejoining district play next year and will be paired with Edmonson, Monroe, Metcalfe and Green Counties. Last season and this season have been Clinton County’s best teams and they would have been competive with the bottom of their district. However, the other years they were looking 40-50 point losses to all district mates.

 

Too bad they aren’t in that district this year as they already defeated Metcalfe and would have a great shot to beat Green County as well. This was Clinton’s first victory over Metcalfe and having some friends in Albany, I can promise you it meant a great deal to them.

 

Would it mean more if they took a 50 point loss to Glasgow and then traveled 2-3 hours and take another 50 point loss in the playoffs?

 

Having been a fan of a team that has been a 4 seed three years in a row, I can tell you the playoffs have been anticlimactic.

I was there for the birth of Clinton County football around 2005/2006 as a student at Cumberland’s officiating games, me and a couple of other guys were sent there non stop for a JV only schedule that first year. This year is the first year of kids to go all through school with the high school having a team, it’s way too early to say time to fold up, you ask me they are just now finding their stride!