COLUMN: The players don't care, nor should you

By: Jim Sacco | Bristol Herald Courier
Published: December 04, 2009

Sorry, it’s not about you.

Sorry to burst your bubble. Sorry to make you feel like you don’t play the game anymore because, well, you don’t.

Please, move along.

Because if some fans would peel themselves away from ragging high school kids (behind a fake name, of course) on the World Wide Web, you’d know that the Holston football team doesn’t give a lick about where it’s playing Saturday.

The fact is, one week away from the Virginia High School League football championships, the Cavs are still playing and making a small community proud.

Right now, that’s all that matters to them.

For the record, the game is at Emory & Henry’s Fred Selfe Stadium – the first time the field-turf home of the Wasps will host a state semifinal football game – on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Also, for the record, the move has a small group of fans complaining about nothing.

“Holston should be hosting.”

“How dare.”

Come on, guys (or girls). This game could be at Tazewell, in Timbuktu or on Rocky Top. The players don’t give a darn where it’s held.

They’re just ready to play. This is the state semifinals after all – the once-in-a-lifetime experience the Cavaliers are enjoying for the second straight year.

“It’s going to be amazing,” said Holston’s Cody Blevins. “It’s the first time we’ve played on turf.”

It should be amazing because, for many, their first time playing on turf could be their last. For the seniors, who’s only hope right now is to bring a state title to mountain-rimmed Damascus, it’s their final shot.

Again, where it’s played matters little. The outcome, however, means a lot.

“It don’t matter,” said quarterback John Pratt, proving the point again. “It’s football. Football’s football no matter where you play at.”

Sure, it would be nice to be at home. The atmosphere at Holston is borderline awesome, with a look and feel that’s repeated nowhere in the Commonwealth. A couple come close; can’t think of any that surpass. But it’s not. The players are dealing with it and are excited, so why can’t some fans?

But alas, thus is the ultimate, all-too-often-seen curse of high school sports – a big game for the players with “adults” (quotes added) trying to find any reason to sully it.

“The kids will love it,” said J.I Burton coach Jim Adams, a coach who has “hosted” a few semifinals at neutral sites. “This time of the year, these games are about the kids …”
You see, it’s not about you, Mr. or Mrs. Whatever Your Real Name Is.

At this point of the season, your job is to cheer and, well, act like an adult.

JIM SACCO is assistant sports editor at the Bristol Herald Courier. Contact him at jsacco@bristolnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @JimSacco242.