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Following an article I posted on MageeNews.com on Thursday, September 10th titled “More than footballs are rumbling at MHS,” brought answers to questions asked by parents.
As I stated later in the day Thursday, Coach Tim Coats was on duty at the Magee/Mendenhall JV game.
This morning, Friday 9/11, Head Coach and Athletic Director Tim Coats brought a letter to my house …with the truth about several questions posed in Thursday’s article.
Below is a copy of the letter. I have also attached a signed copy of the letter.
“In response to the “Street Talk” article by Sue Honea on September 10, 2015:
Concerning the 9th grade football players the last two period of the day “sitting and not practicing”…
The 9th graders lift weights 2x per week, condition 2x per week, do film study, have meetings with coaches, do 7 on 7 drills on Tuesdays, a walk-through on Thursdays and participate in game day devotions on Friday. After school, the 9th graders practice with their coaches, Cleveland Jackson and Mat Turner. Coach Jackson and Coach Turner decide which position players will play and how much playing time they will receive.
“Is there a 9th grade team or a JV team?”
The original plan was to have a separate 9th grade team. We decided to change that plan for several reasons:
1. Most of the teams we play have a JV team, not a 9th
grade team which means our 9th graders would be
playing against 10th graders.
2. Several of the 9th graders that participated in 8th
grade last year decided not to play football this
year.
3. A couple of 9th graders are playing with the varsity
Team.
4. Magee does not have enough players or coaches to
have a separate 9th grade team, JV team, and a
varsity team.
5. The 10th graders had been practicing with the 9th
9th graders for approximately two weeks prior to
their first game.
“The JV team is made up of high school players that do not start with the high school team.”
The truth is that is the JV team is made up of 9th graders and only eight 10th graders. There are no 11th or 12th graders on this team.
When parents or members of the community have questions, I would be more than happy to talk with them. They are also welcomed to come watch us practice and see what all we do…both as a team and a staff.
Tim Coats
Head Football Coach and Athletic Director
