Did a little research myself...... since '00-present, in the playoffs:

 

Bell County is 9-2 against the opposite district

Rockcastle Co. is 11-2 against the opposite district.

 

To say that Bell hasnt been just as dominant as Rock against the opposite district is pretty much false. :irked: Showing the regional champions since '99 is a little deceiving when talking about how Bell has performed against the opposite district compared to how Rock has performed against the opposite district.

 

So...... once again.....the regional crown traditionally comes down to Bell and Rock. It just so happens that Bell hasnt been able to get past Rock. I dont see that changing this season. :fight:

Uh that's because they are usually the 1 and 2 seed in their District which pairs them with a 3 and 4 seed. If you look at what the 1 and 2 seeds in the other District did against the 3 and 4's in Bell/Rock District you will see that they have only lost one game in the 21st century. That dosen't include #4 Boyd Co upsetting Bell Co a few years ago. Try again

This argument is silly really. Rockcastle has been the cream of the crop this century. Programs like Bell, Ashland, Lawrence, Mason have the ability to win the Region as they have shown in recent past. Johnson Central, Boyd and Madison Southern are doing some good things but have to prove it in the playoffs. A real sleeper that is looking better in that Region is Clay Co. Coach Stepp is starting to close the huge gap some there.

Rockcastle is definitely the team to beat in the region next season. However, anybody who thinks that the regional title is a two way race between them and Bell County may be shocked. Don't forget that Rockcastle struggled to a 20-19 home playoff win over Mason County = a team that both Johnson Central and Ashland handled much easier. I know that Ashland and Johnson Central return a lot of talent as does Rock. I am not as familiar with what Mason returns, but I believe that they were a fairly young team this past season as well.

Uh that's because they are usually the 1 and 2 seed in their District which pairs them with a 3 and 4 seed. If you look at what the 1 and 2 seeds in the other District did against the 3 and 4's in Bell/Rock District you will see that they have only lost one game in the 21st century. That dosen't include #4 Boyd Co upsetting Bell Co a few years ago. Try again

This argument is silly really. Rockcastle has been the cream of the crop this century. Programs like Bell, Ashland, Lawrence, Mason have the ability to win the Region as they have shown in recent past. Johnson Central, Boyd and Madison Southern are doing some good things but have to prove it in the playoffs. A real sleeper that is looking better in that Region is Clay Co. Coach Stepp is starting to close the huge gap some there.

 

You are right........ but dont forget also that Bell Co. has been to 4 regional championships since '00......winning one against Ashland and losing 3 to Rockcastle.

 

Just because Bell and Rock are the #1 and #2 seed doesnt matter because after the 1st round they usually end up playing the other districts #1 and #2 seed in the second round. If you go back and look at #1 and #2 seeds in the Bell/Rock district vs the #1 and #2 seeds from the other district you are going to see the same thing....... the Bell/Rock district wins out. Your argument doesnt hold up because I wasnt just counting wins and losses in the first round when Rock and Bell face the #3 and #4 seeds for the other district, I was counting TOTAL wins and losses in the playoffs.

 

When has Ashland or any other team from that district showed the ability to win the region in the recent past. The only teams having showed the ability to win the region in the recent past are Rock, Bell, and Mason. Most would claim that the only reason Mason won it was because Rock was a little down and Bell was uncharacteristically upset. Rock and Bell have dominated the regional playoff race....... there is no way around that.

OK Bell and Rock are a lock and the other teams should not even show up next year. I think we've wasted enough people's time on here so we'll just have to agree to disagree. I think Rock and Bell have great programs that I respect a lot but they are not unbeatable like they are being made out to be.

Uh that's because they are usually the 1 and 2 seed in their District which pairs them with a 3 and 4 seed. If you look at what the 1 and 2 seeds in the other District did against the 3 and 4's in Bell/Rock District you will see that they have only lost one game in the 21st century. That dosen't include #4 Boyd Co upsetting Bell Co a few years ago. Try again

This argument is silly really. Rockcastle has been the cream of the crop this century. Programs like Bell, Ashland, Lawrence, Mason have the ability to win the Region as they have shown in recent past. Johnson Central, Boyd and Madison Southern are doing some good things but have to prove it in the playoffs. A real sleeper that is looking better in that Region is Clay Co. Coach Stepp is starting to close the huge gap some there.

 

OK Bell and Rock are a lock and the other teams should not even show up next year. I think we've wasted enough people's time on here so we'll just have to agree to disagree. I think Rock and Bell have great programs that I respect a lot but they are not unbeatable like they are being made out to be.

 

Did some more research for you...... since you still arent convinced. Don't get upset and not even read this..... read this with a reasonable, cool mind!

 

Here is a "resume" of sorts that shows exactly how Bell & Rock (District 7) have performed comparatively against all other teams from District 8 since '00 - present in Region 4 state playoff competition:

 

-Bell is 9-2 vs. District 8

-2 losses came against Ashland (2 seed) in the first round of '00 and an upset minded Boyd (4 seed) in the first round of '03.

- On a side note to '03. Many felt that after Bell Co. was uncharacteristically upset by Boyd, the region crown was automatically Mason's, since Bell was the favorite to win the crown and the only team to be able to take out Mason.

-The only loss Bell as taken to a #1 or #2 seed from District 8 is against Ashland in '00.

-Bell Co. upset the #1 seed, and favorite to win the regional crown, Lawrence Co. in '01

-No Excuses But: '00 Bell was a "down" year for Bell as they finished 6-5.

-Bell has played in the regional championship game the last 4 seasons. They defeated Ashland for the crown in '04 and lost to Rock in "01, '02, '05.

 

-Rock is 11-2 vs. District 8

-2 losses came to Mason (1 seed) in '03 in the regional championship game and Ashland (1 seed) in '04 in the regional semifinals.

-The only losses Rock has taken against a #1 or #2 seed from District 8 is Mason in '03 and Ashland in '04.

-No Excuses But: '03 and '04 were "down" years for Rockcastle as graduation hit them hard in '02 and they fielded young teams the next 2 years.

-Rock has played in 5 regional championship games, including 4 of the last 5. They won the crown in '00 defeating Sheldon Clark, '01 defeating Bell, '02 defeating Bell, and '05 defeating Bell. They lost to Mason in '03.

 

Regional Championship Games:

2000: Rock defeats Sheldon Clark

2001: Rock defeats Bell Co.

2002: Rock defeats Bell Co.

2003: Mason defeats Rock

2004: Bell Co defeats Ashland

2005: Rock defeats Bell Co.

 

Rock and Bell have played in the regional championship a combined 8 times winning 5 of those regional crowns.... District 8 has played in the regional championship a combine 3 times winning one regional crown.

 

The favorite(s) to win the regional crown has come out of District 7 every year. Rock was the favorite in '00, Rock and Lawrence were the favorites in '01, Bell and Rock were the favorites in '02, Bell and Mason were the favorites in '03, Bell was the favorite in '04, Bell and Rock were the favorites in '05.

 

Having seen this "resume"....... how can anyone argue:

#1 that District 7, primarily Rock and Bell, doesnt dominate District 8 and

#2 that Bell isn't right up there on the level with Rock when it comes to regional play. Sure Bell hasnt been able to capture the championship, but Bell is the only team, besides Rock of course, that is consistently in the final battle.

 

Both Bell and Rock return practically their entire rosters from last season, a year in which District 7 dominated District 8 and the 3 best teams in the region came from District 7 (Bell, Rock, and Madison Southern). Having said that....... and considering the recent past...... I dont see how anyone can argue that the favorites to battle for the Region 4 crown in November are Rock and Bell.

 

Hear me loud......I am not saying that Rock and Bell are unbeatable.....upsets do happen...... there are good teams in District 8....... and I could be wrong..... but to say that any team from District 8 has just as much a chance as Bell or Rock to win the region crown is ridiculous. Until a team from District 8 proves it in the playoffs then I wont change that opinion, and anyone who holds a different opinion isnt basing that opinion on facts from the recent past, and therefore it is not a very good opinion! :irked:

I respect your opinion but you are putting Bell in the same category with Rock which they just don't belong. I think Bell has been the second best team in the Region in the 21st century but they aren't in the same category as Rock which is where you keep putting them. The gap between District 8 and Bell isn't very far as far as what has been accomplished. If this argument was about Rock alone then it would be legit because they have been in 5 of the last 6 Regional Championships winning 4 of the last six. That is domination and seperating yourself from the pack. Winning one Regional Championship in 6 years is far from dominating! I think Bell has been the 2nd best team in the Region but I do not think they deserve to be in the same category as Rock when it comes to accomplishments this centruy.

I respect your opinion but you are putting Bell in the same category with Rock which they just don't belong. I think Bell has been the second best team in the Region in the 21st century but they aren't in the same category as Rock which is where you keep putting them. The gap between District 8 and Bell isn't very far as far as what has been accomplished. If this argument was about Rock alone then it would be legit because they have been in 5 of the last 6 Regional Championships winning 4 of the last six. That is domination and seperating yourself from the pack. Winning one Regional Championship in 6 years is far from dominating! I think Bell has been the 2nd best team in the Region but I do not think they deserve to be in the same category as Rock when it comes to accomplishments this centruy.

 

I can totally agree with you on this point. However this wasnt the point you were arguing earlier. You were arguing earlier that Bell and all the teams in District 8 are on equal footing compared to Rock and that the #2 spot in this region could go to any various number of teams (Bell, Ashland, Madison Southern, Johnson Central, etc.) It seemed you were trying to say that in the new millenium Region 4 has played out like this:

 

Rock

-

-

-

-

Bell, Ashland, etc etc etc

 

This isnt the case though. The region has played out like this.

 

Rock

-

Bell

-

-

-

Ashland, etc etc etc

 

The only thing keeping Bell from taking that next step and being on the level Rock is, is that they havent been able to win the region crown against Rock. However, Bell has still played in the last 4 regional championships and the only team that has beat them out of the regional crown has been the Rock. You refuse to recognize this, and instead you water down what you were previously arguing and concede that Bell is #2, just so you dont have to face the facts of the "resume" I posted.

 

Rock IS #1 and Bell IS #2 (way to state the obvious)........ BUT the gap between Bell and the teams in District 8 IS wide......and just like Bell Co is looking up to Rock right now..... all the rest of the teams are looking up to Rock and Bell.

 

This may change this season, but I doubt it.

Let's all not keep blinders on.

 

It is a great accomplishment to win the region, but how many state championships have been won by these teams in the last 5 years or the last 10 or 15. The accomplishments of a program over the long haul will determine who is the cream of the crop in this old timers mind.

We just see things different as far as that Region goes. People don't always agee on things. I see it as:

 

Rock

-

-

Bell

Ashland, Lawrence, Mason, Central

-

Boyd, Madison Southern

Clay

This Region thing is getting old, let's get back to the state! I think Rockcastle has enough back to make the Sectional game a tough one this year if they make it that far.

How about that Bullit East team what do they have coming back, will they have enough to keep Boyle and Bowling green at home.

I really believe that this could be the year Hoptown makes it to the carpet this year. Hoptown returns their entire backfield and will get back Brandon Ethridge at the slot receiver spot. Brandon was starting uptill he broke his foot a week before their first game. As a sophmore he was two steps faster then Pulley in the forty. The only forty time was around 4.45 range that was two years ago. Hoptown also returns their best receiver Antwain Loving who broke team rules and kicked-off after the male game last season. Loving is a big receiver who can really step. They will miss Levar Weston on the O-Line but will be alot bigger upfront with the addition of a couple of transfers from Tenn. Coach Jones is telling people that his defense will be more athletic and deeper this up- coming year.

I really believe that this could be the year Hoptown makes it to the carpet this year. Hoptown returns their entire backfield and will get back Brandon Ethridge at the slot receiver spot. Brandon was starting uptill he broke his foot a week before their first game. As a sophmore he was two steps faster then Pulley in the forty. The only forty time was around 4.45 range that was two years ago. Hoptown also returns their best receiver Antwain Loving who broke team rules and kicked-off after the male game last season. Loving is a big receiver who can really step. They will miss Levar Weston on the O-Line but will be alot bigger upfront with the addition of a couple of transfers from Tenn. Coach Jones is telling people that his defense will be more athletic and deeper this up- coming year.

I respect your opinion Tiger, but do the Hoptown insiders really think they'll be better than they were in '05? They lost a lot of good experienced players.

I respect your opinion Tiger, but do the Hoptown insiders really think they'll be better than they were in '05? They lost a lot of good experienced players.

 

This will be the fastest Hoptown team since the 1995 team. They will have more depth on the O-Line. They will also have their biggest O-Line since the 1999 squad. Throw in Chad Brown at 6'4 250 playing TE 4.8 forty time (Cleans 270) and size won't be a problem. With younger kids developing quickly and the additions of 2 transfer Linemen along with this teams work ethic in the weightroom has the Coaches excited about next season.

 

The O-Line COULD look like this:

 

T/ Reggie Killebrew (6'2 250) Junior--Descent athlete benches 250 could turn out to be the D-Linemen on the team.

 

G/ Will Beville (6'1 220) Senior--Started last year and was the 2nd best linemen on the team. Good technique and physical player.

 

C/ Caleb Johnson ( 6'0 190) Junior--Started a couple of games last year and played in several more. OR Jason Denton (6'0 195) Sophomore could get the Center spot. Top prospect in the Line in a Freshmen class that is good at the skill positions.

 

G/ Antonio Tolliver (6'0 205)---Physically one of the strongest guys on the team. Benches 300 and runs a 4.6 forty.

 

T/ One of the TRANSFERS from Tennessee (6'1 250)--Big strong kid that looks the part and gets it done in the weightroom. OR T.J. Shepperd (6'3 230) Junior Could get this spot.

 

Other players in the mix include Kasey Hall (6'1 230), Jacob Johnson (6'0 195) was in last years rotation, &reston Bush ( 5'11 195). Hoptown could have 10 more more legit kids that will compete for playing time in the Line.

 

QB/CB Chris Thomas (4.5 speed) has added 10 pounds of muscle and is benching 240. Last year he wasn't physically strong enough to break tackles conistently like he will be next year.

 

RB Emanuel Taylor 6'0 205 (low 4.6 speed) runs with power and speed. Most explosive runner since Brandon Hayes and Artose Pinner.

 

FB Cardell McGregor (6'0 185) Junior will give the offense an explosion at the FB spot that wasn't there last year. Runs a 4.7 forty last year the FB didn't get the ball because they were 5.2 or more.

 

WR/DB Brandon Ethridge (4.4 speed) Big Hitter on defense with a little above average hands at WR.

 

WR/DB Antwain Loving (4.5 speed) Best athlete in the school who has all the tools to be special and now has the attitude to be a big time playmaker for the Tigers. Not afraid to go over the middle to get to the ball.

 

WR/DB Michael Atkinson (4.5 speed) Good hands and runs good routes. A good deep threat and Jet Sweep type of guy.

 

WR/DB Eric Colemen (4.7 speed) Came on last year and got a lot of playing time. Has a good attitude and works hard. Simular type of player as DeAnthony Daise was for Hoptown in 2003.

 

WR/TE/DB Adam Briggs ( 4.6 speed) Good athlete that will provide depth for the Tigers on offense and defense. Missed last year after a shoulder injury in the Warren Central scrimmage.

 

Offensively Hoptown will run more offense next year then they did last year. Injuries and other reasons took away some of the offenses best weapons. But the Tigers offense still averaged 38 points a game. Next year look for the Tigers to open up the "Pistol Offense" Like Nevada runs and give Chris Thomas more options. The Offensive staff is flying down to Nevada this summer to meet with the Nevada Coaching staff to learn more about their offense.

 

 

Defensively The Tigers will be deeper and more athletic. Coach Dixie Jones is a good defensive Coach. His defenses get better as the year goes as he adjust to what he's got.

 

Cardel McGregor (Junior) (4.7 guy) big hitter started last year at FS.

 

Emanuel Taylor, Antonio Tolliver, Max Arnold (started last year), and a Transfer from Logan Co., Joe Harris a real tallented sophmore are all possbilities for the Tigers at ILB.

 

The secondary will be athletic and hard hitting and cover well with man to man. Could be simular to the 2002 secondary.

 

CB/ Chris Thomas started last year

CB/ Brandon Ethridge

SS/ Adam Briggs

FS/ Antwain Loving

 

Michael Atkinson, Alex Harvey, & A.J Murray will provide depth and playing experience for the secondary.

 

 

On a side note Hoptown will also have arguably their most tallented Freshmen player since Miguel Merritt or Deontey Kenner. In a 6'4 190 kid. Moved here from Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Physically ready can play WR/TE or MAYBE even turn out to be a QB. On defense he looks to be a DE/MLB. Good all around athlete from size, speed, and attitude.

 

There is rumors rumbleing about a couple of more transfers that could land in Hopkinsville.

 

The current Coaching staff at Hotown believes in no shortcuts. They all work well with the kids and the kids have a good relationship with each Coach from Coach Jones down to the lowest level Assistant. When Coach Dixie Jones was hired the word around Western, KY was he was the wrong man for the job. BUT from people inside the program he was the right man for the job. Last year the player numbers increased. They had 75 players from Varsity down to Freshmen playing football. The previous staff only had around 50-55 each year. Their offseason workouts have been more consistent since Coach Jones arrived.

I'll just answer the thread question instead of giving all the long drawn out reasoning............Highlands