Changes
by Ardent Cougar

It's hard to believe that most of a year has passed since the Cougars finished the 1999 season with a thrilling Homecoming win. 

It's also difficult to think that, after 24 years in the Roanoke Valley District, Pulaski County has but 12 months before a change of scenery. 

Next year we move to the Southwest District to face new teams, take different road trips to unfamiliar stadiums, and play on a lower-populated level. 

Some are happy with the new situation we will face; others are not. 

Back in 1974, when the Dublin Dukes and the Pulaski Orioles left the New River District and consolidated to give us the Pulaski County Cougars, many of those with memories of great games and rivalries were no doubt unhappy with the merger. 

That feeling is long gone now, except perhaps in the minds of a few. 

After a short stint in the Western District, we joined the RVD in 1976. 

It's interesting to look back and remember what a big thing it was to beat Radford 13-0 in Coach Hicks' first game in 1979. This was the last encounter with the rivals from across the New River. The Cougars and Bobcats ended up going to opposite ends of the AAA-AA-A scale. 

Now, after reaching the pinnacle by winning the Championship of AAA Division 6 in 1992, and then dropping to AAA Division 5 a few years after that, we will be classified as AA Division 4 beginning in the Fall of 2001. 

Let's face some facts. 

Our county is losing population, at least in relative terms. It is doubtful that we will ever be AAA again. 

Then again, in our part of the state, AAA football is rapidly dying. Of the current RVD lineup, only Franklin County will remain AAA in a couple of years. 

Remember this - just because we move "down" in population, does not necessarily mean that the level of PLAY goes down. 

Last year's 14-0 Salem team could have beaten any team in the state. 

What about the schools we will play next year? Will they "fit in"? 

Culturally, the move to the Southwest makes sense. 

To tell the truth of it, it has to be a thorn in the side of Roanokers that the Cougars won so many RVD titles. PC and FC have always been the outsiders. 

Players and fans from Carroll County and Richlands will have more in common with most Cougar players and fans than those from Patrick Henry and William Fleming. 

Yes, it is sad that our run in the RVD will be done after this season. 

Memories of the many RVD titles will be stored away. The great games in Cougar history will still be cherished. From the stunning finish against Northside in 1979 to last's year's Homecoming thriller (or perhaps some game THIS season), and all of the wonderful games in-between, we will look back on our time spent in the Roanoke Valley District fondly. 

But, after a quarter of a century, life will go on. 

New teams, new rivalries. 

Of course, any encounter with Salem will mean much more to us when we join them in Division 4. So, not everything will be so unfamiliar. 

We can remember and revere the past, but still move forward. 

As those who faced a similar situation 26 years ago know... 

The only thing constant in life - is change. 

Here's to one more RVD title - and the future.