Frustrated

For those who have not read any posts of mine before and don't know me, let me start out by saying that I coach on the JV level and this is my third year at this school. We are playing our final game of the season this Thursday night and I am entering it with a not so good feeling. We had a rough loss last week to a very good undefeated team (30-8). If asked, I will admit that I think they were a better team, not 22 points better, but better. We had a very energetic second half where our #1s played their #1s evenly. Our second and third teamers played servicably against their backups as well. As a coaching staff, we were excited because our kids didn't quit at any point in the game. They kept fighting and were still excited even late in the game. However, this week at practice has completely lacked any excitement or energy and it seems like some of our more talented kids have checked out already. After 2 very good seasons (5-2, 5-1-1) there may be some disappointment in the kids. However, it's not like we're terrible, sitting at 4-3 with a shot at a respectable 5-3. We will enter the game with 5 kids who, due to disciplinary reasons, will not play. Two have not been at a practice since Friday, two are not following team rules regarding dress in school the day before a game, and one removed himself emotionally from the team in the 2nd quarter of our last game. Four of the five are starters on at least one side of the ball. It has been told to me by one of the other players that these guys are doing this stuff intentionally so they will be benched. I just don't understand this kind of mentality. I would've given (and truthfully still would give) my right arm to play football at any time regardless of score, record, etc. Maybe I've failed as a coach this year and haven't connected or found a way to motivate this group of kids correctly. I don't know. Like I said, I'm frustrated and needed to vent a little. Oh, and to top it all off, one of our co-captains, a starter at center and Strong ILB, is coming back to school from the doctor to tell us whether he can play this week because he may have a fracture in his humorous. So, the number may be up to 6 with one of the kids being possibly the most dedicated and smartest on our roster. I'll take any reaction any of you may have.