Randy Lemmon, head football coach of Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School, has an idea that he hopes will assist him in rebuilding the school's struggling gridiron program.

The school board should give its blessings to the plan, even though it might evoke opposition from some players and others within the school district and be frowned upon by coaches at other schools.

However, between now and next season, there also is a flaw in Lemmon's thinking regarding the football program that he should address within himself and in discussion with school officials - before the board either endorses or rejects the idea.

Tossing that flawed thinking out of bounds might do more to help the program than what Lemmon currently is proposing.

What Lemmon envisions as a building block for his program is a policy to award varsity letters to all football players who endure the whole season of practices and games, even if they never actually play a down in a game. Currently, a player must participate in at least 50 percent of the team's quarters in order to be eligible for a letter.

It is regarding playing time that Lemmon deviates from the positive spirit that his varsity letter proposal seeks to establish.

"We have a numbers problem at A-C Valley," Lemmon said. "What you end up getting is 13 or 14 athletes, then some other kids. Those other kids work just as hard - if not harder - than the kids who play. They get beat up at practice but don't get into a game. They deserve some recognition too. They deserve a letter."

They do deserve one, but the nagging question is why Lemmon is so hellbent on keeping the "second-string" players off the field when he finished the past season with just 28 players, after beginning practice with more than 40.

Morale-via-playing time obviously isn't at the top of his coaching philosophy. If less-talented players were given more of a chance, more probably would be willing to tough out the season to try to "get better" - perhaps benefiting the team in the future.

Realizing that there will be no chance for playing time despite effort put forth in practice is a morale-buster, not only in football but in all sports.

Since schools are all about education and since athletics are viewed as an educational as well as physical training tool, young people who exhibit the determination to remain part of their school's sports team should be given playing time, even if they are perceived as never being of "first-string" caliber.

Coaches can't expect players to improve game-performance skills if they never are allowed to participate in a game.

That is not to say that coaches should jeopardize a team's season by an everyone-plays-every-game or everyone-plays-a-certain-amount-of-time policy, where a smooth-running first team does not have the opportunity to jell. But the A-C Valley Falcons' 2-25 record over the past three seasons proves that playing the team's 13 or 14 athletes hasn't been a godsend for the team's playing-field fortunes.

Lemmon could instill more optimism than pessimism among potential players if he not only awarded varsity letters to practice field "fixtures," but allowed those perceived as less talented the opportunity to exert some of their energies in battling A-C Valley opposition.

There might be some surprises along the way.

Building an understanding that a varsity letter symbolizes loyalty, dedication and determination, not only a specific number of playing quarters, whether mistake-filled or mistake-free, could re-instill pride in participating in A-C Valley football.

How the school board handles the varsity letter issue in regard to other A-C Valley sports can be decided now or later.

Lemmon's idea is great, regardless of whether 13 or 14 football athletes initially accept the change or oppose it. The A-C Valley football program is about much more than the egos, pride and self-interests of a few players and coaches.

If Lemmon doesn't strive to boost overall player morale to a higher position on his coaching "depth" chart, it's unlikely he will change the football squad's fortunes anytime soon.

Hopefully, the A-C Valley School Board will embrace such a message and accord the issue careful consideration from all vantage points prior to rendering a decision on the Lemmon plan.

- J.R.K.