Last Friday night, the 2009 football season came to an abrupt end for the Pike County Bulldogs.

PCHS had finished off a perfect 9-0 season, and seemed prepped to make a deep playoff run.

However, that was not in the cards, as the Bulldogs fell 13-7 to the visiting Luverne Tigers.

As we here at The Messenger have done all season long, we reported on the game and posted the story in both the Saturday print edition and online for all to see.

Unfortunately, some people saw fit to use the online version of the story as a forum in which to deride a certain individual.

That individual was first-year PCHS head coach Eddie Stephenson. Stephenson was called names and basically blamed for the Bulldogs’ loss.

Now, obviously, the Web site is a public forum, and people are free to write what they want within certain limitations, but after attending several PCHS games this season, it is baffling to me why this occurred.

Yes, the loss was disappointing, to be sure, but does that one loss take away from the accomplishment of a perfect regular season or a region championship?

Before Stephenson, this team went 5-5 in 2008. However, he, with the help of his assistant coaches, was able to turn things around in just one season.

I have had many conversations with Coach Stephenson over the course of the season, and I can tell you that there is no one at Pike County who wants the Bulldogs to be successful more than him.

It seems to me as if he has caught some undue flack for “making too many changes” or being “difficult to deal with.”

However, I can say that it has been a pleasure dealing with someone so passionate about an athletics program.

Also, after watching Pike County practice this season and standing on the sideline with the Bulldogs on several occasions, I can tell you that the players really rallied behind the entire coaching staff this season.

Coach Stephenson has spoken very highly of the young talent on this year’s Pike County team. The future is bright in Brundidge, and the players are behind their coach. Perhaps it is time others followed suit.