The second is that Casey was in the 10th grade, and the bully in the 7th. That suggests Casey actually was small for his age -- the other kids all seem to loom over him. And also, how bad must it have been for him that kids 3 years younger thought it was okay to make him a target.
Only thing he did wrong was not kick him a few times once he was on the ground.
I disagree. I think what he did was appropriate. He stood up for himself, defended himself. He didn’t to become the sort of person his tormentor was. I can respect that. Had he done more I would have understood, because there was bound to be some pent up anger, but I can so much more respect restraint in a person, especially a child, who has anger but does what is needed and moves on. He will make a heck of a man some day, I bet.