Independent school struggles

Paducah Tilghman is 2-6 and could be 1-7 if they have to forfeit their first win.

Harlan was 1-9 last year and 1-6 this year.

Paris has struggled mightily in recent years

Mayfield hasn't been the Mayfield of old, losing their first regular season district game last year in 27 years and having a 3-4 record this year.

Same deal with Pikeville. They have not been the mountain power of old in recent years.

Glasgow appeared in consecutive state title games in the past decade and they are winless this year.

Bardstown is 1-6 this year.

Danville isn't the Danville of old, by Ad fans' admissions

Ashland has enjoyed a rebirth of sorts this year but has been down in recent years

Murray lost in the first round of the playoffs last year for the first time in 12 years

While I know the same doesn't apply to the NKY and urban indepedents, is this trend of rural independents slipping a coincidence or a trend?

Bowling Green and Owensboro seem to be exceptions.

Coincidence. Somerset and Corbin continue to thrive. Bardstown scheduled a ridiculously hard schedule the past two seasons which it will come out of next year, and remember last season the Tigers took Ft. Campbell to the wire, and they will be a tough out again this year. I think with Danville and Mayfield you have a situation of such utter dominance for so long it was just hard to maintain that level. For Danville, putting Bardstown in the district I think has made a difference. Mayfield may be in a trend, they are losing students to surrounding areas and that may be taking a toll. Campbellsville is actually in comeback mode from where they were. Elizabethtown continues to be a great program. The NKy's are still very strong. What about Apollo?

I will say that Glasgow is a mystery to me.

Another reason I think its a coincidence is because these things don't translate to basketball.

Originally Posted by Hearsay

Coincidence. Somerset and Corbin continue to thrive. Bardstown scheduled a ridiculously hard schedule the past two seasons which it will come out of next year, and remember last season the Tigers took Ft. Campbell to the wire, and they will be a tough out again this year. I think with Danville and Mayfield you have a situation of such utter dominance for so long it was just hard to maintain that level. For Danville, putting Bardstown in the district I think has made a difference. Mayfield may be in a trend, they are losing students to surrounding areas and that may be taking a toll. Campbellsville is actually in comeback mode from where they were. Elizabethtown continues to be a great program. The NKy's are still very strong. What about Apollo?

I will say that Glasgow is a mystery to me.

Another reason I think its a coincidence is because these things don't translate to basketball.

Apollo is part of the Daviess Co. public school system.

Hazard is doing quite well.

Beechwood and Highlands are doing pretty well.

I didn't say all independent schools were struggling. I also discount the NKY teams because they are located in urban areas.

Williamsburg seems to do well most of the time, at least in football.

Originally Posted by The Scribe

I didn't say all independent schools were struggling. I also discount the NKY teams because they are located in urban areas.

I didn't mean to be critical of your theory, Scribe, I think its possible. The luster is off of 3 or 4 of the state's finest powers, Danville, Mayfield, Russell, and Pikeville.

I just found it odd that it has happening at the same time.

Originally Posted by The Scribe

I just found it odd that it has happening at the same time.

This trend might reverse. With the economy in a bit of a tailspin, could we see more people leave the suburbs and move back to towns? That might lead to improvement in the independent schools.

Raceland is 7-0. Doesn't sound like they are struggling to me!

Generally, in my area of the state, the Independent school do much better then the county schools. Russell, Raceland, and Ashland are normally strong programs, and this year is no different. Fairview is also have in a good year, and does well most years.

Greenup County, Boyd County, East Carter, West Carter, Lawrence County, and Lewis County are all struggling.

I think the trend in North-Eastern Kentucky is that the Independents normally do better then the county schools.

Just my opinion.

I agree with Ram. The smaller, independent schools in this area traditionally are the ones that have strong programs.

Frankfort is 6-1, only losing to 4-A Franklin County is OT. Frankfort has been stronger than usual for the last several years. Coach Foley has a lot to do with that.

I didn't say ALL independent schools. Geesh.

Originally Posted by The Scribe

I didn't say ALL independent schools. Geesh.

You started it.

Originally Posted by The Scribe

I didn't say all independent schools were struggling. I also discount the NKY teams because they are located in urban areas.

Don't discount all the NKY Independent schools (ie. Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow...). These schools see some signs of struggle. These paticular districts are in a "land locked" situation. There is no housing growth. There are alot of transient students because of an abundance of rental properties. Not to mention the "urban" attitude that rears it's ugly head with what could be some talent. Most would rather see street time rather than minutes in a game. The stable families that participate in the athletics in these schools are only viable for so long.

Danville is way better than Mayfield this year and Pikeville hasn't been good for a long time. Danville has good talent, I think its self discipline that may be lacking, and there are several lines of thought on that. But, HEARSAY, don't be so quick to pile Danville in with the rest of the teams you are listing. They have the ability to beat anyone in 2A, they just need to learn to play consistantly, and take care of the football. You won't find any team looking forward to playing Danville in the playoffs this year, except may be Fort Campbell because they seem to be the real deal and probably would like the challenge.

Apollo is pretty much for the most part the same football program they are known more for basketball and baseball and well last year they lost in OT to go to the sweet 16 in basketball and lost in the state semis in baseball to the state champs.

I agree with you though the far western side of the state is struggling in football I can remember when I was in college it was Mayfield, Heath, Tilman from down in that area and you knew they were going to be a force every year and lately that is just not the case and with the way I think football is headed in the state they may never be a factor again.