Just got back from spending the weekend at the KY high school football state championships. Usually going to the games for this weekend entails sitting with Caldwell County, KY head coach David Barnes and his family, catching up and second-guessing officials and coaches on the field. You know what I mean, “I would do this”, “I would have lined up like that”, “He should call this play”, “I can’t believe they missed that call!” Turns out this time around would prove to be much more meaningful.

The first game of the first day Mayfield, long-time TFS member, won handily to take home another championship. After that we settled in for the next two games of the day and just shot the bull with old friends, colleagues and former co-workers. That night we left and met up with the Caldwell Co team as they had their team dinner.

David Barnes has been a TFS member from its inception and has attended camp every year since we began having them back in 2003. David and his son Will are also regulars on the summer  System Camps circuit- they have worked numerous camps and are always very popular with players and coaches wherever they go. I forgot to mention that David is now the head coach of his alma mater- he has truly gone back home again.

Caldwell County has had a magical season- not in the sense that they didn’t deserve to go as far as they did or that they didn’t earn their right to be there. By magical I mean playing on the state championship stage wasn’t assumed or guaranteed, and probably not even expected by David, his staff, his players or the community. Like most high school teams they had their share of ups and downs and had to overcome adversity. Thrilling come-from-behind victories and controversial losses all played a part in this season.

Magical also refers to the community support- the small town of Princeton, KY pretty much shut down during the Tigers run through the playoffs on game nights. It was even rumored that there was a sign going out of town that read: “Last one out please turn off the lights”. So, it was no surprise that virtually the entire town was in attendance Saturday morning for the 2A state championship game.

Caldwell Co. has progressively gotten better each week, like we all want our teams to, and I was witness to that in the fact that even though they are 4 hours away from me, I watched their game film regularly and have gotten to know some of the players from camps during the summer. It’s obvious to see that they are well coached and prepared each and every week. It goes without saying that David and his staff do a great job- on and off the field with their kids. The Tigers semi-final game was close enough for me to go, so I got to see them in person as well (along with most of Princeton, KY). They took control of that game early and never looked back- they did have to respond to a late comeback attempt by their opponent- but that was thwarted and the state championship date was set.

The town rallied behind their school and began raising funds to cover travel costs and food for this championship showdown. One group of students even had t-shirts made up that showed their support of their mustachioed head coach. It read “Fear The Stache….Go Tigers”, along with a resemblance of David’s trademark mustache. It was clear that this outpouring of support showed genuine love and belief in the Tiger football program.

David Barnes is truly one of the good guys in coaching and has become a dear friend to me over the years, so I was honored that he asked me to be on the sidelines with him during the game. I met up with him, Will and the rest of the team early Saturday morning just as Coach Barnes was addressing the team in the locker room. He emphasized that they belonged there, they had earned everything they had gotten, to go out and have fun and enjoy the moment- “ it will be something you’ll never forget.” He was right- this game turned out to be one that no one associated with the team is likely to ever forget.

This is a team that was given no shot at winning the championship. The only ones that truly believed that this team belonged here were the team itself and all of Caldwell County. If any part of that group began to waiver the other part would prove anything was possible. The community support motivated this talented and young group to play inspired football when it counted and this same group of young men motivated their community and brought it together in grand fashion. They really did feed off each other.

I won’t bore you with play-by-play details of the game, but in a nutshell it was nip and tuck the whole way. But I do have to point out that this was the loudest game I’ve ever been a part of- those people from Princeton sure can make some noise! Caldwell forced an early turnover then couldn’t convert it into points and fell behind as they went into the locker room at half time. Adjustments were made and a second half plan formulated. The Tigers fought hard and made play after play and eventually took the lead only to give it back and have to take it again with about 2:30 left in the 4th quarter. Their opponent had all 3 time outs to Caldwell’s none. The defense, who had played well all game, took the field and forced a long third down. They gave up a big play that backed them inside the 5 with 1:40 on the clock up by 2 points. The defense played lights out and drove New Cath back forcing a 3rd and goal from the 4. Unfortunately there isn’t a storybook ending here- New Cath scored the winning TD with :26 left on the clock. Caldwell had a chance to take 2 shots and fell short.

Now, as you can imagine, there were tears, heads hanging down, anger and dismay along the sideline. But, as I turned and looked back into up into the stadium, the whole of Princeton, KY was on their feet still cheering and supporting the efforts of this young Tiger team. No one walked out, no one was pointing fingers or making excuses. They knew they just witnessed a great high school football game and that entire football program had just laid it all on the line and played as hard as they possibly could.

No one likes to lose, and no one on this sideline liked it either, but as they watched their opponent being crowned 2012 state champion and had to pose for pictures with their runner-up trophy- they did it just as they had been coached- just as their head coach has always done: they did it with class and dignity. What made this such an amazing event for me was that not only the team handled a hard fought loss with such maturity and class, but the entire lower arena filled with Tiger fans did so as well. It was refreshing to see them continue to stand and cheer on their team as they exited the field and how they even stayed and cheered on each player as he exited the locker room and boarded the bus for that long trip home.

To me this is what’s right with high school football- these young men came together and believed in each other and played for each other. Their community came together and believed in them and their coaches and each other. In a world that is way too quick to point fingers and shrug off responsibility for the easier path to blame someone else- it was refreshing to see that the true lessons and meanings of coaching this great game are still alive and well!

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