The generation that has been created isn’t soft in my opinion, it’s a sheltered one by individuals who could careless about the sport but continue to put their hands on something to feel as if they’re making an impact for the better. Fights in football especially glorified practices (scrimmages) have been going on for as long as the sport has been played, especially when you’ve been beating one another up all year long and get some fresh blood. This is nothing new, and the one’s who have been in the sport know it’s just one of those things you want to have under control, but let’s be honest with ourselves, it’s hot, everyone is competing and it’s teenage boys, they’re bound to be more aggressive by nature and when you’re playing a physical sport, tempers can flare, who really cares? If you don’t like it do not participate, I’m not condoning a brawl every possession, but I’m also not wanting to watch flag football and if a kid gets popped on the field I like to see some emotion and excitement, and like many spectators I don’t want to see a kid go punch the other for getting excited. Even in that hypothetical scenario, back in the 60s, 90s, you would have bad apples do that rather than strap it back up and make a play on the next snap, we just live in a time where cameras capture all and now everybody has an opinion. A silly move by the KHSAA, just shows how out of touch they are with the game of football.

5 hours ago, theguru said:

This is for you or anyone, what does the KHSAA receive from schools for playoff games?

Also, I assume the stadium expenses are very steep and probably offset the ticket sales.  Does the KHSAA release an accounting of the money made/expenses for football?

You can get it through open records request. 

20 hours ago, Thakattack said:

Football is the cash cow for the KHSAA.

Have you ever attended the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament? Have you ever wondered why basketball is not classed? I think you might be surprised. 

 

Just catching up on this and heard some rumblings this week.

I, for one, hope the KHSAA does something to make a statement about this. Make someone an example, and it might deter others from doing the same thing. Ok, maybe wishful thinking, but at least try.

Heard some negative things about Valley and Atherton in 7-on-7 and now in scrimmage. Crazy. If it's happening now, what happens when it's a real game?

 

On 8/11/2025 at 3:32 PM, TheBallCoach said:

The generation that has been created isn’t soft in my opinion, it’s a sheltered one by individuals who could careless about the sport but continue to put their hands on something to feel as if they’re making an impact for the better. Fights in football especially glorified practices (scrimmages) have been going on for as long as the sport has been played, especially when you’ve been beating one another up all year long and get some fresh blood. This is nothing new, and the one’s who have been in the sport know it’s just one of those things you want to have under control, but let’s be honest with ourselves, it’s hot, everyone is competing and it’s teenage boys, they’re bound to be more aggressive by nature and when you’re playing a physical sport, tempers can flare, who really cares? If you don’t like it do not participate, I’m not condoning a brawl every possession, but I’m also not wanting to watch flag football and if a kid gets popped on the field I like to see some emotion and excitement, and like many spectators I don’t want to see a kid go punch the other for getting excited. Even in that hypothetical scenario, back in the 60s, 90s, you would have bad apples do that rather than strap it back up and make a play on the next snap, we just live in a time where cameras capture all and now everybody has an opinion. A silly move by the KHSAA, just shows how out of touch they are with the game of football.

Been around a long time.

And I don't disagree with some of your points.

But the way one of these games was described to me - how it ended - I doubt that has been something going on for a long time. Wasn't just physical football or a 'football fight.'

On 8/11/2025 at 3:32 PM, TheBallCoach said:

The generation that has been created isn’t soft in my opinion, it’s a sheltered one by individuals who could careless about the sport but continue to put their hands on something to feel as if they’re making an impact for the better. Fights in football especially glorified practices (scrimmages) have been going on for as long as the sport has been played, especially when you’ve been beating one another up all year long and get some fresh blood. This is nothing new, and the one’s who have been in the sport know it’s just one of those things you want to have under control, but let’s be honest with ourselves, it’s hot, everyone is competing and it’s teenage boys, they’re bound to be more aggressive by nature and when you’re playing a physical sport, tempers can flare, who really cares? If you don’t like it do not participate, I’m not condoning a brawl every possession, but I’m also not wanting to watch flag football and if a kid gets popped on the field I like to see some emotion and excitement, and like many spectators I don’t want to see a kid go punch the other for getting excited. Even in that hypothetical scenario, back in the 60s, 90s, you would have bad apples do that rather than strap it back up and make a play on the next snap, we just live in a time where cameras capture all and now everybody has an opinion. A silly move by the KHSAA, just shows how out of touch they are with the game of football.

"The generation that has been created isn’t soft in my opinion"

 As someone who admittedly who once thought they were (in my 20's, just finished playing in college, just started coaching), I couldn't agree more with this. There has never been a time in all of youth sports where MORE is demanded from them across the board, top to bottom (ages) & IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE., 

In regards just to football? Offseason weightlifting programs weren't even the NORM until the 80's.  Summer/7v7 workouts? 90's. Spring practice reintroduced? Late 90's (spring of '98 to be exact).

Spring forward to the start of this century - present day? Travel/All Star teams for the "feeder system(s)" age groups where some play up until the start of a new year (Jan 1), AAU 7v7 type leagues in the spring and even a middle school aged group(s) that play in the summer- during (part) dead period at that. (Newsflash, sorry to be a dream killer...but, THOSE aren't the reason your son ended up being a good high school player & going to college to do the same).

To add onto what it already feels like "it never stops"? The school year(s) for the vast majority across the state begin within the 1st two weeks of August, and many of those are, as we speak, completing their FIRST FULL WEEK of the new school year TODAY, August 13th.

While we're at it? 1st Day of Practice? July 10th (stupid)

First scrimmage? Played roughly a week ago (stupid)

Yet, talk to many, many  coaches across the state and what's the #1 issue going into a season? Numbers/Depth of roster. 

Freshman teams on the yearly regular? Used to be a norm. JV teams as well within the same program? Same.  Now? "Frosh-more", with a heavy emphasis on the "Frosh" for many & that's not yet counting the slew of "looking for a JV game due to a cancellation" emails that will start flooding the list serve here in a couple weeks. Seemingly & sadly, growing in numbers week by week.

I haven't even hit on what it's like for those playing football who are multiple sport athletes, but no need. 

So, to those playing football in "this generation"? You're not soft. You're different, you're special. You're a RARE BREED, maybe more now than ever- I don't care what your 30 year old uncle, who was an 8th grade all star, but quit playing after his freshman year b/c he "didn't like the coach" or your 55 year old uncle who played all through high school, yet didn't full experience the 'year round' demand(s) say.

On kids today, in my experience they are "super advanced" compared to when I was young.  No matter what group we are talking about, some are always softer than others. I assume some kids people call soft are actually much more informed than in the past and don't want a major commitment to a sport they only have a moderate interest in.  

4 hours ago, Calico Jack said:

"The generation that has been created isn’t soft in my opinion"

 As someone who admittedly who once thought they were (in my 20's, just finished playing in college, just started coaching), I couldn't agree more with this. There has never been a time in all of youth sports where MORE is demanded from them across the board, top to bottom (ages) & IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE., 

In regards just to football? Offseason weightlifting programs weren't even the NORM until the 80's.  Summer/7v7 workouts? 90's. Spring practice reintroduced? Late 90's (spring of '98 to be exact).

Spring forward to the start of this century - present day? Travel/All Star teams for the "feeder system(s)" age groups where some play up until the start of a new year (Jan 1), AAU 7v7 type leagues in the spring and even a middle school aged group(s) that play in the summer- during (part) dead period at that. (Newsflash, sorry to be a dream killer...but, THOSE aren't the reason your son ended up being a good high school player & going to college to do the same).

To add onto what it already feels like "it never stops"? The school year(s) for the vast majority across the state begin within the 1st two weeks of August, and many of those are, as we speak, completing their FIRST FULL WEEK of the new school year TODAY, August 13th.

While we're at it? 1st Day of Practice? July 10th (stupid)

First scrimmage? Played roughly a week ago (stupid)

Yet, talk to many, many  coaches across the state and what's the #1 issue going into a season? Numbers/Depth of roster. 

Freshman teams on the yearly regular? Used to be a norm. JV teams as well within the same program? Same.  Now? "Frosh-more", with a heavy emphasis on the "Frosh" for many & that's not yet counting the slew of "looking for a JV game due to a cancellation" emails that will start flooding the list serve here in a couple weeks. Seemingly & sadly, growing in numbers week by week.

I haven't even hit on what it's like for those playing football who are multiple sport athletes, but no need. 

So, to those playing football in "this generation"? You're not soft. You're different, you're special. You're a RARE BREED, maybe more now than ever- I don't care what your 30 year old uncle, who was an 8th grade all star, but quit playing after his freshman year b/c he "didn't like the coach" or your 55 year old uncle who played all through high school, yet didn't full experience the 'year round' demand(s) say.

Couldn't agree more. And that's just the sports side of the equation. Academically it's a different world as well. Back in the day, there were a few kids who did AP classes. But now you've got kids taking multiple college courses, and just like private sports lessons, there are private tutors, ACT/SAT prep work etc. And many have to have jobs to contribute to the household income because everything is so expensive. Kids today are getting pressure to excel from so many different places all in the interest of getting a little more college money or that elusive full athletic ride, which for most, never comes. It drives me crazy to hear people label today's kids as soft. Despite the fact that the older generation had to share shoes with holes in them and walk uphill both ways into school in 6 feet of snow, kids nowadays do have it pretty tough too.

I always go back to a story I heard an older gentleman tell me when he mentioned how when he was in High School if you got your butt whoop maybe 10-15 people saw it, whoever was around. By the next day the story may of altered that you held your own, wasn’t anyone with a video camera to tell otherwise. What I took from this was we’re seeing a generation who cannot stand to lose because of the embarrassment and comparison to others who may seem as though they have it made on the internet. It’s a blessing and a curse to have technology at our fingertips because some people aren’t utilizing it for the best of one’s interest, it’s all about engagement and hoping to be the next famous influencer. Like @Calico Jack mentioned the numbers across the board for this game are extremely low, and really every competitive sport if you choose to look at in whole. It’s disappointing but when you look at it through a perspective you may not of thought of it does make quite a bit of sense. Though the blessing in it all is that it does show the true power of coaches who obtain the sort of leadership that cultivates great young men, no longer all about the X’s and the O’s or even the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s. It’s the great equalizer that has always been the measuring stick of what makes a coach great, the relationships you build with your student athletes and the belief they have in you to put them in positions to be successful. Great leaders are needed now more than ever, from the head coach to the film guy there is no better role model than a coach, have to take pride in that.