4nik8
11-06-2010, 09:58 AM
Undefeated Youth Football Team Banned From Playoffs
SEDALIA, MO. — A 5th grade football team has been denied a chance to show off their skills after having an excellent season. The Sedalia Junior Outlaws were banned from the playoff games because they're too good and now the team's coach is speaking out.
The kids earned a spot in the playoffs after dominating their league. After being told they weren't allowed to play, the kids are heartbroken and coaches are confused. The team made a splash by going 6-0 in the regular season in the West Central Youth Football League.
"It's very exciting and a lot of hard work and preparation," said coach Ben Lyles. "After playing above expectation, it's hard to put into words."
The coach's son and his other 18 teammates, like Terrance Callaway, had just one more wish.
"Our wish was that we go the the championship and play Pleasant Hill again," said player Terrance Callaway.
But there was a catch, and the kids and coaches were thrown for a loop when right before the playoffs they received a disappointing email from league officials.
The email said despite their 6-0 season, officials had talked to teams in the league and they didn't feel like they could be competitive with the Outlaws, so they were asked not to participate in the playoffs.
And just like that, the Outlaws were outlawed from their post season. It was hard for the kids to understand.
The coaches were troubled because they said several other teams in other age divisions of the league also went undefeated, and they went to the playoffs. The coaches heard nothing more from the league besides that their team received an honorary champion designation.
FOX 4's attempts to reach league officials were unsuccessful.
"There's adults making decisions for kids and that it's ok to quit, ok to give up," Lyles said. "It just doesn't send the right message."
After other teams heard about the Outlaws' situation, they were invited to play some upcoming games to make up for the ones they missed out on. Next year the Outlaws' coaches hope to grow from one team to starting its own league and helping develop youth sports in the area.
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What is the message they're sending to kids now?
If you aren't good enough to beat the other guy, get him disqualified?
I mean, instead of playing UP to the competition, the league has fixed it so the teams are now playing DOWN to the level of the others.
What kind of life lesson is that?
SEDALIA, MO. — A 5th grade football team has been denied a chance to show off their skills after having an excellent season. The Sedalia Junior Outlaws were banned from the playoff games because they're too good and now the team's coach is speaking out.
The kids earned a spot in the playoffs after dominating their league. After being told they weren't allowed to play, the kids are heartbroken and coaches are confused. The team made a splash by going 6-0 in the regular season in the West Central Youth Football League.
"It's very exciting and a lot of hard work and preparation," said coach Ben Lyles. "After playing above expectation, it's hard to put into words."
The coach's son and his other 18 teammates, like Terrance Callaway, had just one more wish.
"Our wish was that we go the the championship and play Pleasant Hill again," said player Terrance Callaway.
But there was a catch, and the kids and coaches were thrown for a loop when right before the playoffs they received a disappointing email from league officials.
The email said despite their 6-0 season, officials had talked to teams in the league and they didn't feel like they could be competitive with the Outlaws, so they were asked not to participate in the playoffs.
And just like that, the Outlaws were outlawed from their post season. It was hard for the kids to understand.
The coaches were troubled because they said several other teams in other age divisions of the league also went undefeated, and they went to the playoffs. The coaches heard nothing more from the league besides that their team received an honorary champion designation.
FOX 4's attempts to reach league officials were unsuccessful.
"There's adults making decisions for kids and that it's ok to quit, ok to give up," Lyles said. "It just doesn't send the right message."
After other teams heard about the Outlaws' situation, they were invited to play some upcoming games to make up for the ones they missed out on. Next year the Outlaws' coaches hope to grow from one team to starting its own league and helping develop youth sports in the area.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++
What is the message they're sending to kids now?
If you aren't good enough to beat the other guy, get him disqualified?
I mean, instead of playing UP to the competition, the league has fixed it so the teams are now playing DOWN to the level of the others.
What kind of life lesson is that?