OPINION: 50 Football Players, But Few Get Playing Time

Patch reader Enid Morgan submitted the following opinion editorial as a .

I have a major gripe with regards to the varsity football program at Perry Hall High. Why is it that when there are close to 50 athletes listed on the roster, only half ever see playing time? Did they not all go through the same tryout process? Do they not all participate day in and day out in practices? The majority of them were either varsity or junior varsity the previous season, yes? Obviously, the coaches saw something in them in order to make them part of the team, didn't they?

As I see it, the only reason these coaches allow so many players on the team is so they have enough for practice squads. After all, you can't have your starters hitting and tackling each other and risking getting hurt in practice.

From the games I have observed over the years, coaches tend to play the same athletes on offense, defense and special teams for an entire game. They obviously don't do this to hold the lead or to eventually win the game. So far, after two games at Perry Hall, had the coach been more liberal with his substitutions, I think the outcomes may have been much different. Our starting athletes were exhausted, yet they continued to play both offense and defense for the entire game. Teenage athletes are not designed to play 15-minute quarters for four quarters of a game. They have no chance to rest, refresh and clear their heads, other than half time, which is not adequate.

Wake up, coaches. You have a ton of talent being wasted on your sidelines. They aren't exhausted, they have fresh legs and they are determined and eager to contribute to their team’s success.

With close to 50 athletes, there is absolutely no reason for such poor management. The game isn't about playing seniors before juniors because it’s their last year, nor is it about playing favorites. It’s about winning and advancing your school to championships. Yes, people, this is high school, not rec league. Playing an exhausted athlete, whether he is a senior or junior, will not impress any college scout.

This issue should be a no brainer. You don't see colleges or pro teams playing both offense and defense for entire games. Perhaps it’s time high school football teams be made to define a player on the roster as either offense or defense and limit the roster to no more than 40 athletes.