David vs. Goliath

This caught my eye while looking at the Section 1 high school athletic schedules: Boys’ soccer – Putnam Valley vs. Arlington B at Arlington.

It was a non-league game scheduled after we went to press so, unfortunately, I couldn’t tell you the results. But that’s not the point.

The point is, it seemed out of place. Putnam Valley has an enrollment of just over 520 students; Arlington is a behemoth with almost 2,500 students. It is so big that in some sports, like boys’ soccer, it has to have a “B” varsity team.

David versus Goliath, much?

But, again, that’s not the point. The point is, this is a life lesson. So instead of criticizing Putnam Valley High School’s athletic administration, I come to praise them.

This is a game that can only benefit the Tigers – win or lose. Just by taking the field, PV has proven its worth. Lose, and they were supposed to lose; win, and they are Putnam County’s darling.

But you can’t discount the experience of playing in such a game. It’s invaluable. Wins and losses are secondary and pale in comparison to anything else. A win is like the cherry on top of a sundae. The coaches and administrators know this. They know that athletics is still a teaching platform.

So whether this was a 1-0 win or 9-0 loss is inconsequential.

The game and the experience are what matter.

Rich Thomaselli is a longtime sports reporter in the Hudson Valley, and currently covers Putnam County. He can be reached at rich.thomaselli@gmail.com.