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V.A.L.E.S. week for Huskies, Panthers

ADENA — The last week of October signifies the final week of the prep football regular season.

As that pertains to the Buckeye Local and Harrison Central rivalry, it also means it’s V.A.L.E.S. week. It kicked off during Monday’s luncheon at the Adena American Legion 525.

“We sponsor so many activities in the schools because we want the students to learn what veterans do,” Cadiz Post 34 Commander Ed Long said.

“The first job of a veteran is to take care of other veterans, but the second job is educating young people.”

One of the areas in which basically every veterans organization in Harrison and Jefferson County has come together is through sports and their sponsorship of Friday’s game, which will be played in Cadiz.

“We spend a lot of money on athletics because we want to see the kids succeed and learn to do the best they can,” Long said.

“What does a veteran do? He or she is the best individual that he can be and then they work together as a team.”

V.A.L.E.S., which is an acronym for Veterans, Athletics, Legionnaires, Education, Sportsmanship, is in its sixth year of existence. It was the brainchild of Buckeye Local Athletic Director Sam Jones.

He approached Harrison Central and head coach Justin Kropka, who was on board immediately.

Jones then approached the veterans groupsand it was met with open arms.

Kropka believes the week is a win for everyone involved, but especially for the players.

“This game is extra special to me since I am one of the few guys left who was in on the ground floor of it,” Kropka said. “It’s great that we’re able to help bridge generations. And kids these days, who have grown up in the Internet generation, need that probably more than any other generation prior. I grew up in a time when you listened to grandpa’s music and actually had to have a conversation in a car.

“You just couldn’t put your earphones in and build your own world.”

While Kropka has been on the winning side of equation in four of the first five meetings, Buckeye Local head coach John Holman is new to the rivalry and the trophy. He actually marveled at the trophy’s size and meaning.

“This is a great thing,” Holman said. “I didn’t realize what all went into this. It’s a great opportunity for me and the kids to learn. It’s great to see how much these veterans organizations do for the communities and bringing them together as well as what they do for the kids.”

The players, coaches and cheerleaders from both schools will be honored Sunday with a recognition dinner at the Hopedale American Legion.

One senior on each team will receive a $750 scholarship at the academic awards banquet in the spring.

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