One advantage of coaching both a varsity and a junior varsity team is the ability to see your varsity team’s future in the performance of your eighth- and ninth-graders.

For Adams County Christian School coaches Paul Hayles and Bruce Pickle, the future is bright indeed.

The ACCS boys JV team, which is coached by Hayles, is currently 14-1 and undefeated in MPSA District 4-3A. The team’s only loss came at the hands of 4A power Jackson Prep in the first game of the season.

The Lady Rebels JV team, headed by Pickle, is 14-3 overall and also unbeaten in district play.

With ACCS’ varsity teams posting a disappointing combined record of 9-30, the younger players’ accomplishments are welcome and encouraging, Pickle said.

&uot;We’ve done well so far,&uot; Pickle said. &uot;This group of ninth-graders I’ve had since seventh grade. They’re just a fun group to coach.&uot;

Hayles lists athleticism, depth and conditioning as his squad’s secret to winning.

&uot;It’s nice when your team’s in shape,&uot; he said. &uot;The starters can play and they know the guys behind them can run, too.&uot;

Teamwork is another attribute of a winning team, Pickle said.

&uot;We don’t have an MVP. Everybody contributes,&uot; he said. &uot;And they don’t like to lose. It makes a world of difference in a group when it hurts them to lose.&uot;

Despite the success some area teams have had moving JV players to the varsity teams, and ACCS’s older teams struggling, Pickle said he has no intention of moving any girls until next season.

&uot;I believe my ninth-graders will be a big part of next year’s team, but I’m going to wait,&uot; he said. With a nearly full varsity roster already, &uot;It would be hard to choose just two out the seven girls I have.&uot;

Only one ninth-grade boy – Derrick Corley – jumped to varsity this season, Hayles said, although he has several young players he is confident will have an impact at the varsity level.

&uot;We asked the ninth graders if any of them wanted to make the move,&uot; Hayles said, but most of the players – who were also together on ACCS’ undefeated junior-varsity football team – decided to take a shot at a district title with the JV team.

&uot;They’ve had a pretty good run so far, if you ask me,&uot; Hayles said.

And after Monday’s District 4-3A JV tournament, hosted by ACCS, Hayles plans to use several ninth-graders for the rest of the varsity season.

&uot;I think you’ll see an immediate difference in our depth. They’ll help overcome a lot of the weaknesses we have on the varsity team,&uot; Hayles said.

Both ACCS teams are the No. 1 seeds in the Monday tournament, but district games Friday will determine the seeding of Centreville, Central Private and Silliman.