[cat86]

Well, unless my daughter plays football...this was my last game as a Blackcat football parent...

First off: great effort by both teams. The game had some sloppy moments, and momentum swings were huge and frequent. But this was a great game to watch.

Coming into this game, I was most concerned with Danville's speed and quickness. Given how our defense had looked most of the year, I feared it would be a recipe for disaster. However, over the last 3-4 weeks, the Blackcat defense has really improved. REALLY, REALLY improved. This may be one of the better coaching jobs that this staff has done. Early in the year, when teams were gashing us, it was easy to question what the heck was going on: kids seemed to be out of position every play, tackling was atrocious, and defense in general seemed like an afterthought. But slowly, surely, every week the play improved. Looking back now, it should have been expected, given how many young players we were playing and given the fact that even our older players were adjusting to new positions. But this staff and this team quietly, methodically, and professionally went about their business, improving every week, not letting some early embarassing defensive performances stop their plan. If you had told me after the Belfry game that we would hold Danville and all their speed to 16 points, I would have laughed at you. But that is just what we did.

Prestonsburg had lots of opportunities to win the game, but just couldn't capitalize on them. That's football, especially when you advance in the playoffs.

Mega kudos to this senior class. After all the graduation losses from last season, people didn't expect much from this bunch. However, this senior class just went to work...improving daily, and determined not to suffer back to back losing seasons. Let me say this to the MEN of the senior class: Job well done. You are to admired, emulated, and respected for this season.

Football is the greatest game in the world. It teaches you so much about life, the importance of team and family, and the fact that there is no substitute for hard work. One of the harder lessons that you learn from this is that sometimes, no matter how hard you work or try, you can still lose the game. This is life, and precious few other sports imitate life so perfectly.

Congrats Senior Class. You are an inspiration, and will be missed. Young guys: take some time to hurt, mourn, and get over this loss. Next season begins tomorrow.