Danville lost a key Class AA district football game to Somerset on Friday 24-7. However, the Admirals certainly made a fan in Somerset High School principal Wesley Cornett for the way they responded after two Somerset starters were seriously injured in a car accident Thursday night.
“I had heard while I was at the hospital (in Lexington) that night and then at school on Friday that many of the (Danville) football players had called, texted or tweeted their concerns and care about what had happened and talked just as two human beings instead of intense rivals,” said Cornett.
He said Danville coach Sam Harp and some assistant coaches also called Somerset coach Robbie Lucas and that Danville principal Aaron Etherington also called him.
Cornet was also impressed that rival Pulaski County “even wore purple on their helmets Friday night” in honor of Will Hinton and Jacobi Gilmore, the two injured players.
Danville also honored the injured players with a moment of silence before Friday’s game.
“I didn’t know they were going to do that,” Cornett said. “As a former coach and teacher and now administer, I haven’t personally witnessed this kind of unique character and class in my 23 years in education, especially among 'rival' student-athletes. It just further affirmed why I love high school kids and being around them day in and day out.
“Our student body, staff and community as well as myself were very humbled and grateful for all the Danville people did and appreciate what Sam, Aaron and (superintendent) Carmen (Coleman) did for us and our players before, during and after the game.”
Cornett said he was surprised, but “not in a negative way” at the way Danville coaches, players and fans reached out to comfort Somerset’s players and coaches.
“It did surprise me how impressive it was for the kids to reach out on the eve and day before not only a rivalry, but our first district game and the importance of that. But even the young people saw the significance of a win or loss of a district game failed in comparison to what could have been the possible loss of life of two young people,” Cornett said.
The Somerset principal said he knew Harp was a successful coach based on the state championships, but had not seen this caring side of the coach.
“I am sure most people on the outside don’t ever get to see that side. They see the wins and rough exterior, but everyone has that human side of caring for one another,” Cornett said. “Again, it was all just very impressive.”
And a lesson high school sports should indeed help teach us all, not just the players involved in the game.
“I had heard while I was at the hospital (in Lexington) that night and then at school on Friday that many of the (Danville) football players had called, texted or tweeted their concerns and care about what had happened and talked just as two human beings instead of intense rivals,” said Cornett.
He said Danville coach Sam Harp and some assistant coaches also called Somerset coach Robbie Lucas and that Danville principal Aaron Etherington also called him.
Cornet was also impressed that rival Pulaski County “even wore purple on their helmets Friday night” in honor of Will Hinton and Jacobi Gilmore, the two injured players.
Danville also honored the injured players with a moment of silence before Friday’s game.
“I didn’t know they were going to do that,” Cornett said. “As a former coach and teacher and now administer, I haven’t personally witnessed this kind of unique character and class in my 23 years in education, especially among 'rival' student-athletes. It just further affirmed why I love high school kids and being around them day in and day out.
“Our student body, staff and community as well as myself were very humbled and grateful for all the Danville people did and appreciate what Sam, Aaron and (superintendent) Carmen (Coleman) did for us and our players before, during and after the game.”
Cornett said he was surprised, but “not in a negative way” at the way Danville coaches, players and fans reached out to comfort Somerset’s players and coaches.
“It did surprise me how impressive it was for the kids to reach out on the eve and day before not only a rivalry, but our first district game and the importance of that. But even the young people saw the significance of a win or loss of a district game failed in comparison to what could have been the possible loss of life of two young people,” Cornett said.
The Somerset principal said he knew Harp was a successful coach based on the state championships, but had not seen this caring side of the coach.
“I am sure most people on the outside don’t ever get to see that side. They see the wins and rough exterior, but everyone has that human side of caring for one another,” Cornett said. “Again, it was all just very impressive.”
And a lesson high school sports should indeed help teach us all, not just the players involved in the game.
