Nothing is more interesting in sports than the relationship players have with each other, their coaches and the people they represent. Through the years of following sports in the local area I have seen the good and the bad, with the good far outweighing the bad.

At a recent game I spotted an athlete who was on cloud nine because his coach gave him the opportunity to play a position he had always wanted to play. With the score out of hand and both teams subbing liberally, this guy got to throw his first ever pass in a varsity game. Although his team was up by 38 points he took advantage of his dream and heaved one about 30 yards in the air, it fell right into the hands of the opposition who returned it for a score.

Coming off the field somewhat rejected. I heard the coach say,”keep your head up, you’ll get another chance.” Following the kickoff he went back in and on first play from the 39 yard line he took it 61 yards for a score. Later in the last minute of the game he threw a 29 yard scoring strike. Since that game he has seen very little action and I heard a sideline comment that he should be playing more.

Believe me, he’s not going to get much time unless the score gets out of hand again. The only one dissapointed with his playing time is the sideline coach. I talked to the athlete and he is still excited about his run and his pass. He told me his coach always encourages him and although he’s a senior who has never played much, he’s really enjoyed his time with his team.

Now, how do you think he’ll feel 20 years from now when he looks back on what coach gave him on that one particular night? I think he made a friend for life and he’ll always feel a part of something great. Sometimes it just takes something little like that to make a difference in the life of an individual.

I have heard many coaches over the years tell me “that kid is a great athlete, but he’s just not coachable.” I have seen those kind of kids and so have most of you. My advice to those wanting to play sports – work hard on your own, pay attention to what your parents tell you, but when you join the team, always remember the coach runs the team not mom and dad.

I have been watching the scores of local games and with some of the high scoring lopsided games I find it hard to understand how there are kids who don’t get to play. After all, there are only on average around 20 kids per team. If you can get a good size lead on a team it’s a good time to give some experience to those who have stuck with the program all year. It doesn’t matter if your winning big or losing big, kids who were dedicated to sticking it out deserve to play when the game is no longer on the line.

It should be that way in all sports. Coaches never know when they will need someone to step in and fill a spot, it’s just makes sense to have kids ready with some type of game time experience.

Our two local football teams are really playing tough this season. The Silver Knights played one of the best Class A schools in the state Friday and came away with a loss, however they still had some great moments, the younger kids are growing up quick and Coach Walton is getting the most out of what he has. They should win the remainder of their games and end up in the playoffs once again. Paden City was idle this past week, but will get back to work on Friday when they host Hancock, MD, on Homecoming night. The Cats should pick up win number three this week by a couple touchdowns.

On Friday night ex-Wildcat Coach Steve Deem is scheduled to make an appearance with many of his players from the 1979 team who went undefeated and beat Bishop Donahue in the state championship game. They will be honored during a ceremony, thanks to coach Zach Heasley who arranged for it all to happen. It should be a great night for Paden City as these athletes and their coach come back home. Come out and fill the stands and cheer on the Cats to another victory. I look for a 55-6 win as the Wildcats get their third win of the season. That leaves two more games to go which I think they will win to finish the season with a 5-5 record.

The Silver Knights will host Magnolia Friday in what should be a win for Tyler, however when it comes to these to rivals you never know what will happen. I would like to see a good ball game but it looks like the Silver Knights wioll pick up win number five to stay alive in the playoff picture.

I have heard many coaches over the years tell me “that kid is a great athlete, but he’s just not coachable.” I have seen those kind of kids and so have most of you. My advice to those wanting to play sports – work hard on your own, pay attention to what your parents tell you, but when you join the team, always remember the coach runs the team not mom and dad.

One of the best Volleyball matches I’ve seen in a long time happened on Thursday at Tyler Consolidated whe Magnolia and the Knights hooked up. I knew from the start it was going to be a dandy. It ended up going five sets with the Silver Knights nipping the Blue Eagles in set five to take the match. It was a back and forth affair the whole way with Magnolia winning set 1, Tyler won sets two and three and the Blue came back in set five to set up the showdown.

As I said in an earlier column this years volleyball sectional is goint to come down to which two teams have the fewest mistakes. Paden City, Tyler, Magnolia and Ritchie look like any of the four could end up in Charleston. Better get ready to go support your favorite team, everyone of them will need all the help they can get.

These are four of the better Class A teams in the state and I predict one of them will come away with the Championship trophy. eparsons@tylerstarnews.com