Coaches don’t randomly select a victim for the season. If a kid doesn’t play he either doesn’t have the talent, the coach has the perception in the long run another player will be better, displayed attitude in practice, has grade issues or citizenship issues in school.
As a parent I heard stories of why the coach doesn’t play my kid for eight years and twenty-one seasons of six high school sports. In every case the kid fell into one of the situations I listed. Often the parent isn’t getting the straight scoop from the kid. The parent is unaware of things that go on at practice, in the locker room or in school.
When I played high school ball I didn’t understand a couple of situations. One of my friend’s parents said it was because the coach is Irish Catholic and favors Irish Catholic players. Maybe it was possible in the 70’s. I’m Jewish and took a lot of crap including from coaches. It didn’t keep me from starting in three sports for three years. Even anti Semite coaches want to win.