[Ridge Runner]

I just don't understand why people are quitting this early in the season, especially seniors. When the group I played with during high school was in middle school we won a grand total of 4 games out of about the 20+ we played. We stuck together and eventually won a Regional Title, only to get beat out by NCC in the Final Four. When Daniel Pugh come up as a freshman he took over for Shane Simpkins at QB, not much was said then by players or fans. Everyone could see that Coach LeMaster was looking to mix things up to get something clicking and the fans as well as the players knew it. The Tigers offense has struggled this year, no question about that, maybe Coach Kinner thought the current QB could be a better asset to the team at another position to use his speed to help get the ball rolling. The defense isn't much better and that all comes from youth as well as the competition they have played this early in the season. The Daniels kid could be a better throwing QB than the former, and in their district if they can pass then they can beat a lot of teams because hardly anyone does it and hardly anyone can defend it. When times get tough, you tighten up your chin strap, put another notch in the belt, suck it up and go out with your blood pumping to take a stand and make it a point to improve every day. The Tigers are very young and could be the next Regional Champion team to go along with the many other past outstanding Tiger teams. I hope all this was, was just frustration and they will see the light at the end of the tunnel and come back out. Not everyone is going to be as big as Lawrence Co. Not everyone is going to be the quality of a Prestonsburg. Eventually you will face teams and say, "Hey these guys aren't anywhere near the competition that we have already faced" and put a pounding on someone like they have taken early on this year. It really disappoints me to see the former school that I represented not do well, but you have to have trust in the scheme and Coach Kinner, and I have that. He will get things back to the way they were in the late 90's and early 00's. It's hard enough to beat a team on Friday nights, but it makes it even more difficult when you have to win the game on the field while trying to please the players and everyone else. It's a team sport. Everyone has a role that they need to do and if you aren't playing then you just have to wait your time. Friday nights is totally different from playing on a Saturday afternoon. I had the time of my life playing with my friends, representing my school and community, more so than I did in college. There is nothing else in the world to describe the feeling you get when playing high school football. The memories you make right now will last you a lifetime.

Comparing Daniels and Pugh is like comparing a mini van to a mustang. And it wasn't because of passing abilities.