Cougars Finish Season With Heart
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Article The Cougars didn't come away with a win on Friday night, but they did earn some points for playing with heart and determination as they fell to the River Ridge District Champion Salem Spartans 36-20. The scoring summary will tell you the way the game went, but what it won't tell you is what was going on in the locker room and on the sidelines. There was excitement. There was anticipation. There was a look in the eyes of the Cougars that hasn't been there most of the season, and it was mighty nice to see it back. Most folks expected the Cougars to show up and get blown away by the Spartans, who were looking to avenge two heart breaking losses to Pulaski County last season. I guess to be honest I was expecting that too. The Cougars just haven't been right this season, and it breaks the hearts of Cougar fans to see the team play the way they have over the last few weeks. Last weeks loss to Blacksburg was by far one of the worst losses I can remember in some time. Coach Turner and his staff didn't give up on these kids though, and the team didn't give up on them either. With rumors and accusations flying on message boards everywhere, the coaches did what they've done all year and put together a solid game plan to give the team a chance to be successful. With a good break or two in the first half, this game could have been much different. Unfortunately, those breaks didn't come. The team kept going though. They didn't stop working. When Salem scored off of a recovered fumble, Pulaski got back on offense, went into the huddle, and then senior Trey Smith exploded. Smith had a career night for Pulaski County. He finished the game with 150 yards rushing, 2 catches for 18 yards, and he played solid defense and special teams all night long. He got hit a couple of times. He took a hard shot after missing a pass that was a little high, but he bounced right back up and caught another one. He came close to blocking a Spartan punt too. Trey left it on the field Friday night, and we're proud of him and the other seniors that did the same. Taking that uniform off for the last time is always a hard thing to do. There are tears, there is disbelief that it's over, and there is a sad realization that they will never put on that gold helmet again. It's a tough thing to take, and for anyone who has ever been through it, you know exactly how it feels. It doesn't matter if your team has just gone 14-0 or 2-8, it still hurts. I remember last year's seniors sitting in their lockers after the Amherst loss in the State semi-finals. The tears then were the same as the tears Friday night. Every year, I make a point of thanking the seniors for their years of hard work. For those of you that went out on that field Friday night and laid it all out on the line for this program.....we thank you. While it does hurt to know that you won't be able to walk down those steps again, just remember that you will always be a part of the Cougar family. One final note for this week before I go, and I think it's something that does need to be said. There have been people on this website and others that have taken time to question the coaches and players. They hide behind anonymous screen names and throw their darts at people who spend countless hours busting their tails to make this program run. They question everything and anything that can be questioned, and they do it from the dark corners where they hide behind computer screens. For those of you who have a true question or complaint that you would like to have answered, feel free to stop by or call the field house anytime. The coaches door is always open, and he is more than willing to take a few minutes to answer your questions. For those that just want to gripe and complain and snivel and whine.....Cougar football will be back in the hunt in 2010. With or without you, this program will find it's way back to the top. As far as most of us are concerned, you can feel free to stay at home and hide behind your screen next season too. COUGAR PRIDE!!!
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