[The Cross Movement]

First I will say that I rarely get on message boards to reply. I do read them probably too much. MY assistant is a very passionate coach and that s why the kids play hard for him. I do not think he was being critical of Belfry fans. I have been to Belfry and love the school and how much support the team and coaches get. What bothered my assistant coach and myself was that someone would come on a message board just to try to pee on the accomplishments of 14-18 year old men. These kids have worked from the day I arrived here to turn a 1-30 three years stretch into a 6-4 regular season in two years. I could not be more proud of this team regardless of who the wins were against. When Mr. Tackett allowed us to schedule for 2013 and 2014 seasons, my phone rang off the hook. There is a reason we are on those teams schedule as well. I realize that the one being critical is not a Belfry fan or a true fan of ANY high school team or he would let our kids just enjoy success no matter what HIS opinion of how I schedule is.
Belfry fans are among the best in the state and I have recruited from Ballard County to Pike County. Belfry is a model program for all the "little engines that could" in Eastern Kentucky. Coach Haywood is a class act and I enjoyed visiting with his coaching staff when they would visit us at Cumberlands. I consider David Jones a friend and its good to see that he is coaching there now. I am a competitor but once let him use my own coaching shoes to play against the arena team I was coaching because I believe that sportsmanship is the best lesson that football has taught me. I believe that both teams will be better by getting a chance to play this game regardless of the score. For our kids its about the opportunity that God has blessed us with and to HIM we give the glory and honor, in victory or defeat.
Thanks,
Russ Shearer
Head Coach
Jackson County High School

Right on Boss!!!