Dear Editor,

I read that Youngsville is playing with only 15 football players and may have to cancel later games.

Also, in recent years, Sheffield needed Abraxas athletes to fill its roster. Things have changed a lot since I played football for Youngsville from 1958 to 1960. Back then, we had more students and fewer sports, only football, basketball and track.

Now we have fewer students and more sports to siphon off the available athletes. If we had only one or two high schools for the whole county, we could have full rosters for all sports and more competitive teams.

Of course, the voters have decided to keep the small high schools. The trophy cases in the halls of Youngsville, Eisenhower and Sheffield reflect the small-town pride. The small schools are great for untalented athletes like me. I was inadequate in basketball and track, but I could play football. I couldn’t play a skill position, so I was a guard even though I only weighed 140. The other guard weighed 210. It seemed that when the other teams needed a couple of yards, they came to my side. Somehow, I held my own.

In 1960, my senior year, undefeated Sheffield came to Youngsville with its Hall of Fame quarterback Danny Petchel. Early in the game, one of our guys broke through and hit him in his own end zone and he fumbled.

I pounced on the ball for a touchdown, a lineman’s dream.

Sheffield went on to beat us 39 to 13 for an undefeated season. We had losing seasons and lost to Eisenhower and Sheffield every year I played, but I had many great experiences because I had the opportunity to play. My senior season, I played almost every minute of every game. If I had gone to a big school, I would have been on the bench or in the bleachers. I am grateful for all the memories even though I realize that it is inefficient and expensive to maintain so many sports teams.

I have gained 90 pounds since high school. I am finally heavy enough to play interior lineman. Unfortunately, I am now too old and decrepit to play football.

Bruce Williams

Warren