I have noticed with the team I follow Newark Catholic that by the time the class becomes seniors they have lost most of the players they started with.

 

For example this years senior class started with 26 and now they have only three players left.

I do not have the numbers for the Junior class but was told it too started in the 20's and they are now down to 12.

 

Is this happening on this level at any school in Kentucky?

It probably happens at several schools. Cooper's undefeated Divison 2 Frosh team from 2 years ago are missing around 6 or 7 players that either started on one side or both sides of the ball. Different reasons such as injury or focusing on another sport or just wanting to give it up.

I actually talked to a longtime coach about this once, and he said it happens just about everywhere.

 

The top three things that he attributed it to:

- Wanting to spend time with their girlfriend

- Having a drivers license/getting a car

- Getting a job after school

 

He said usually its not your "star" players that you lose. Obviously, they want to continue to play. But it's your guys that are perenial second teamers that get tired of doing nothing but practice, and hardly get any gametime. Sure, maybe they actually played in middle school, when you were confined to that specific class for players. But, once they get to high school and you can cherry pick from all the grades, they realize that they're doing a lot of work, and not going to reap any of the rewards. Some stick around for the comaraderie, but others find something else to do.