Nevada Middle School eighth grade football season ends

The Nevada Middle School eighth-grade football team finished up with a 4-2 record, with the team's only losses coming to Carl Junction and Carthage.

"Our team's progress was big," said coach Blake Howarth. "The boys always showed up to play and loved practicing and learning how to play the game of football.

"The whole team, in general, made strides. If anyone was better than someone else, it was because we always put the kids against the best. Every player competed every game and practice and that's a big stride for eighth-grade football players.

"Our notable highlights were the boys stepping up to the challenges and listening to what us, as new coaches, had to say and competing to be the best.

"The boys did meet our goals for the season. I enjoyed having a winning season.

"Losing to bigger schools is always expected, but the boys never looked at it like that. They always wanted to compete and play football, no matter who it was.

"I can't wait until they mature even more as football players and men and just growing into great student-athletes. The Nevada Tiger football program has a lot to look forward to with the eighth (grade) boys moving up and all the talent they already have at the high school level. I'm looking forward to the future.

"I would just like to thank everyone that gave us coaches a chance this year to coach their boys. We really appreciate everyone's support.

It's easy to coach great athletes that want to play football and just continue to learn the game."