COLUMN: The players don’t care, nor should you
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 . Follow him on Twitter @JimSacco242.
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Reader Reactions
To wolverine,
Sir, I can’t imagine what your problem with Holston High may be. It’s quite amazing that you take such steps, and time, to bring down the good folks of Damascus.
I can absolutely guarantee you that a Holston High football player got a full ride to U.Va. back in the early 80s. I won’t give you his name because I doubt seriously he’d want it printed here. His reaction would probably be like most…....Who cares?? It’s actually easy to see that he played there. With all the extra time you apparently have, why don’t you research it?
Now, did he graduate from U.Va.? I have no clue. I wasn’t aware that your argument had shifted to that. At first, your only claim was that no HHS athlete had ever received a full scholarship to U.Va. You said the scholarship was to U.Va.-Wise, which didn’t even exist at that time!!! It was Clinch Valley College then. You were proven wrong on that, so your focus apparently changed.
If you’re saying this player didn’t REALLY attend, and play football at U.Va. because he didn’t graduate, can the same be said for all the NFL stars today who left their respective schools before graduation? Oh no, Jimmy Clausen from Notre Dame just announced that he’s leaving college for the NFL. I suppose after he leaves Notre Dame, you’ll say he never REALLY went there, right?? Thinking back, I believe Herschel Walker left Georgia before he graduated. In your world, did he ever actually ever go there?
You need some rest, sir.
Oh, and if there is still a question about whether anyone GRADUATED, check out this article- paragraph 5.
http://imspatial.blogspot.com/2007/07/darden-removes-pmints-from-incubator.html
I encourage everyone to check out this article. Especially paragraph 3. Enjoy!
http://hogoheegee.com/content/view/972/73/
For liberty defender,
Flame on!
I do not require your sorry a-s to defend my liberty. I’ll do that myself.
Farmer, if you’re out there?
Checked with the UVA registrars office, no HHS undergrads from UVA in the history of HHS. Since 1964, NO GRADS! There is a difference between being given a free ride to a school and taking advantage of that to graduate. There are Damascus High school graduates 1963 and prior.
Sacco=whacko
So it doesn’t matter where a game is played! Home field generally is 3-10 points. If ( a big word associated with candies and nuts and every day being Christmas) Holston had played at home, possibly a different outcome? A little late now, since they were influenced by candy a—ses like you.
Lets call todays instant classic the Battle of Little Bighorn II, oh yes Burton played the role of the Indians. Or the “ Give up game”, give up home field advantage, since the “experts”, you, think it doesn’t matter.
You sir, should have been a girl!
Two State semifinal games on an atrocious day for weather and safe travel. One team will travel 100+ miles with their children and entourage. A large group will leave the coal fields aand travel to EHC. On a normal school day school would be postponed or dismissed, thus NO extracurricular activites.
You hypocites say it is for the kids, yet thoughtlessly load them up on school buses on slick, hazardous roads.
Say what you may about others opinions, I think you need to check your anterior anatomy, for it is showing!
Wolverine, contrary to your belief, utopia does not exist in your presence, or for that matter in Tennessee. I could sit here and debate you all night long but the fact is it would be a waste of time and effort. You are incapable of true debate. In your best efforts to cut others down or belittle those you know nothing about; you do more than you realize to expose your character.
The truth is Wolverine, I defend your liberty; your right to say whatever you want about whoever you want. With that ability also comes a responsibility I’m not sure you’re willing to accept. So instead of getting into a “posting war” with you, I’ll walk away on my own terms and I’ll let your future posts speak volumes so I won’t have to.
This dialogue just got much too heavy for a column on high school football. Good luck tomorrow CAVS!
Liberty defender?
You mean TN where they play real football?
I notice the BHC predicts Burton over Holston 23-13. Most of the time home field is worth 7-10 points. Lets see add ten to HHS and its an even game. Could this be a case of “bait and switch” by the BHC?
Whose liberty do you defend?
Wolverine,
Sorry that Virginia’s 6 state champions is so much more watered down than Tennessee’s 8. Oh wait, that’s right Tennessee actually has more divisions. Virginia decided to go to divisions within classes to avoid having so many classes- so what’s your problem. It’s also interesting to me that you really think you are so much better than anyone that has ever so much as passed through Damascus. What a class act…
Mr. Sacco,
I thought your article made several statements that needed to be made. For that I thank you. I especially appreciated your willingness see the positive in the atmosphere at Holston’s field.
I would, however, like to make one statement. I notice that in the article you pulled a quote from my comment on your last article. I’m not sure if you used mine directly, or someone else who used the exact phrase. Either way, the statement was taken out of context for the meaning I was giving it. I’m as excited about the next person to see our guys play on the big field. My point was that you were purely critical of our field when there have been political decisions made in board rooms that resulted in a lack of preparation for the game. I for one would like to know the details leading to the lack of preparation.
Bottom line is, there is no better location for HHS to play tomorrow. This setting will best prepare us for the State Championship (which is within reach if we play like we did last week). More than anything, however, I am thankful for you writing a column that is direct. Thanks for leaving the poetic imagery and flowery language in some rough draft saved on your laptop. Keep up the good work.
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