We recently sent the following letter to the parents of our rising 7th and 8th graders concerning the organization of our lower school teams
During the past four years, following our dismissal from the Shelby County League, we have tried several different options to give our Lower School boys a great football experience.
We endeavored to keep the established model in place, fielding separate teams for the seventh and eighth grades. In order to fill our schedules, we played our seventh graders in a league of eighth graders, and our eighth-grade schedule was not challenging. As this was not a sustainable model for our program, we are initiating a new system this season.
With the approval of Mr. Ellis Haguewood and Mr. Clay Smythe, and the cooperation of our Lower School non-faculty coaches – led so ably by Mr. Jim Burnett and Mr. Bobby Wade – we will field two equally matched teams, each made up of both seventh and eighth graders. These teams will compete in the Parochial Athletic Association (PAA). This is the same league in which our seventh graders have played during the past two seasons. We appreciate the league’s willingness to accept our teams; and to be perfectly honest, they are the only group willing and able to do so.
Creating combined seventh- and eighth-grade teams is the best course of action for several reasons: It will provide our players with a challenging schedule. It will allow our seventh graders a chance to be more competitive in a league that includes eighth graders. It will maximize the playing opportunities for individual players on each Owls squad. In addition, the unique two-team structure will provide for an exciting atmosphere of collegial competition in the Lower School.
We understand that seventh and eighth graders often find themselves at varying stages in their physical and athletic development. However, as we see in the elementary football leagues as well as in Lower School wrestling, lacrosse, and track, bringing the two grade divisions together under the responsible guidance of our experienced coaching staff results in greater progress for the younger boys. It also cultivates a team chemistry that will continue to grow at the varsity level.
Here is an overview of how the program will work:
- Week 1 begins August 6, 2012. All Lower School coaches, under the supervision of the varsity coaches, will run a week of practice as if all the boys were on one team.
- In Week 2, the varsity coaches will select players to field both a Red Team and Blue Team. Through our thorough individual evaluations, we will create parity between the two squads. This WILL NOT be an “A Team” and “B Team” model.
- Once the Red Team and the Blue Team are established, they will follow similar practice schedules. In general, they will practice two or three times a week and play once a week.
- Both teams will be off Friday through Sunday.
- A complete 2012 schedule is attached.
- Our Lower School football program’s association with the PAA will have no affect on any other Lower School sport.
The coaching staff and school administrators have made this decision in the best interest of our players and for the continued success of our program. We are very excited about the opportunities for our young players in the coming season.
We hope you have a great summer break and look forward to seeing you in August.
