David Mitchell: Central players must ignore distractions
I remember playing Little League baseball when actions were driven by the egos of young men with rising levels of testosterone.
What started as a small rivalry between two players on the team became an all-out unfriendly competition that forced friends of both to choose sides.
Soon, the tiny rift had grown to a team-sized chasm, ruining an otherwise fruitful season.
That was only Little League, but it's a cautionary tale as Central High wades into dangerous waters.
Former coach Woodrow Lowe addressed the Phenix City School Board on Tuesday, airing grievances for the way his exit was administered by the powers that be. He asked for justification for not renewing his contract and requested his job back.
This is also about clearing a name that he feels has been unfairly tarnished over the past three months' proceedings.
Which is fine. Lowe has a right to do that and should pursue that as much as he sees fit.
But that's his business. It's not the business of the current football staff or players, and they need to remember that as the situation progresses.
There were players and assistants who loved Lowe and were understandably upset when they learned he would no longer be the coach of the Red Devils. And, as on any team, I'm sure there were some who didn't buy into his way of doing things as much and were happy to see a fresh approach from current coach Jamey DuBose.
Those differences in opinion are expected. But this rift has the potential to grow into a team-sized chasm if the players and coaches allow it to.
That's why they need to focus on their business -- practicing and winning football games -- and let Lowe focus on his.
The challenges are hard enough on the field as it is for the Red Devils this season. Class 7A Region 2 is a minefield of great competition and the non-region schedule, which began last week with Stockbridge, still has Harris County, Opelika and American-Heritage (Fla.) left in store.
They don't have the time or energy to spend worrying about Lowe's business if they want to have the kind of success they are capable of this season.
DuBose set the tone in his response to me Tuesday when I asked his opinion on the issue. He had no comment, which was expected. He didn't know anything about it, and he didn't think it was any of his business. His business is coaching the 100-plus players he has and getting them prepared to travel to Harris County on Friday night.
It may be a bit presumptuous to say it this early, but I do believe this Central team is capable of achieving big things this year -- a state championship -- if they continue to progress. They have the kind of talent that it takes and they have a proven staff that grew under Lowe and is now working under a man who has won two state titles as a head coach.
No team can win it all without unity and buying in to the current coach's concept.
So heed the advice, Central: Worry about football and don't let any potential drama outside of Garrett-Harrison Stadium distract you from what you are trying to do.
Let Coach Lowe worry about Coach Lowe. He's more than capable of handling his business.
David Mitchell, dmitchell@ledger-enquirer.com. Follow David on Twitter@leprepsports
This story was originally published August 27, 2014 at 3:36 PM with the headline "David Mitchell: Central players must ignore distractions."