District 7:

1.Rock

2.Bell

3.Mad. Southern

4.Clay County

5.Letcher

6.Perry

 

District 8:

1. Johnson Central

2. Ashland

3. Lawrence County

4. Mason County

5. Boyd County

6. Greenup County

 

How does everyone else feel the region will play out next year?

The best 3 teams in the Region resided in District 7 last season. This season, Southern drops off, but Bell and Rock are solid as ever. Johnson Central and Ashland have a shot, but I dont see it happening. Barring an upset, it will be another District 7 Regional Final with Bell and Rock duking it out for the championship.

The best 3 teams in the Region resided in District 7 last season. This season, Southern drops off, but Bell and Rock are solid as ever. Johnson Central and Ashland have a shot, but I dont see it happening. Barring an upset, it will be another District 7 Regional Final with Bell and Rock duking it out for the championship.

I dont see how you get Madison Southern as the #3 team last year, and btw Bell lost to Rock by more than Ashland did. :sssh:

I dont see how you get Madison Southern as the #3 team last year, and btw Bell lost to Rock by more than Ashland did. :sssh:

 

I dont think the fact that Rock beat Bell by 3 more points then they beat Ashland by says anything about a Bell and Ashland comparison, except that Rock was significantly better then both of them. If Ashland had played Rock to within a TD or field goal, and Rock would have killed Bell like they did, then you might have a good argument. But Ashland and Bell both got romped by Rock in the playoffs. I dont think you can argue that because Ashland played Rock 3 points closer then Bell did, that that means Ashland was better then Bell. That's pretty ridiculous to me. Also, dont forget that Bell beat Rockcastle in the regular season. :sssh:

 

I would have loved to had seen Ashland against Bell in the finals, as would most the Bell fans. I think its pretty obvious that Rock holds a mental edge over Bell when it comes to the regional final game, and Bell doesnt like seeing Rock in the finals. However, this isnt true of Ashland. Consider this fact...... the last 3 times Bell has met them in the playoffs Bell has walked away with a victory, two of those wins coming in Putnam Stadium, one of them being for the Regional Title. If Bell and Ashland would have met last season it would have been a repeat of the year before. :sssh:

 

Madison Southern was the 3rd best team in the region IMO. They knocked off Johnson Central (who was the favorite out of District 8). You could say it was a tie between Southern and Ashland for the third best team in the region, but based off what I saw, Id say it goes to Southern. Just my opinion though. No need to get offensive.

 

This region will come down to Bell and Rock again this season IMO. You may not like that opinion but give me some evidence why I shouldnt believe this. Tradition and the results of last season when compared to returning rosters backs my opinion up. :thumb:

What about the 3 years ago when Ashland and Mason met in the finals. Ashland has been in the finals 2 of the past 3 years as well.

What about the 3 years ago when Ashland and Mason met in the finals. Ashland has been in the finals 2 of the past 3 years as well.

 

I know that..... but that fact is a little decieving. The year that Ashland played Mason, Rock and Bell had been hit hard by graduation the year before and Bell was uncharacteristically upset in the 1st round. The year that Ashland played Bell, it was Bell's region to lose after Rock got knocked out.

 

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 Ashland

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. District 7 has not lost to District 8 in the regional championship in this millenium.

 

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, hasnt dominated 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.

Rockcastle is the king of the Region until somebody knocks them off. There are several teams with the potential without a doubt but until it happens it is the Rock's too lose. I think Ashland, Bell, JC, Lawrence and Mason all have a shot. Boyd lost a lot and Clay Co is on the rise. Right now it's Rock then everybody else until somebody beats the Rock.

The whole fact of the matter is, ROCK is #1 in the region untill someone knocks them off in the playoffs in 06! I believe the 2nd best team comes down to Bell, Ashland, and JCHS! Untill one of the three beat them in nov. than they are the best.

I know that..... but that fact is a little decieving. The year that Ashland played Mason, Rock and Bell had been hit hard by graduation the year before and Bell was uncharacteristically upset in the 1st round. The year that Ashland played Bell, it was Bell's region to lose after Rock got knocked out.

 

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 Ashland

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. District 7 has not lost to District 8 in the regional championship in this millenium.

 

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, hasnt ted 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 ted 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.

Good post and nice research as well. Im not disagreeing with you here, i think that Rock and then Bell should be the pre-season favorites in our region. IM just saying that the region doesnt ALWAYS come down to Rock or Bell but it does occur more often than not.

If i were ranking the region right now id put it like this:

1. Rock

2. Bell

3. Johnson Central

4. Ashland

5. Madison Southern

I dont think the fact that Rock beat Bell by 3 more points then they beat Ashland by says anything about a Bell and Ashland comparison, except that Rock was significantly better then both of them. If Ashland had played Rock to within a TD or field goal, and Rock would have killed Bell like they did, then you might have a good argument. But Ashland and Bell both got romped by Rock in the playoffs. I dont think you can argue that because Ashland played Rock 3 points closer then Bell did, that that means Ashland was better then Bell. That's pretty ridiculous to me. Also, dont forget that Bell beat Rockcastle in the regular season. :sssh:

 

I would have loved to had seen Ashland against Bell in the finals, as would most the Bell fans. I think its pretty obvious that Rock holds a mental edge over Bell when it comes to the regional final game, and Bell doesnt like seeing Rock in the finals. However, this isnt true of Ashland. Consider this fact...... the last 3 times Bell has met them in the playoffs Bell has walked away with a victory, two of those wins coming in Putnam Stadium, one of them being for the Regional Title. If Bell and Ashland would have met last season it would have been a repeat of the year before. :sssh:

 

Madison Southern was the 3rd best team in the region IMO. They knocked off Johnson Central (who was the favorite out of District 8). You could say it was a tie between Southern and Ashland for the third best team in the region, but based off what I saw, Id say it goes to Southern. Just my opinion though. No need to get offensive.

 

This region will come down to Bell and Rock again this season IMO. You may not like that opinion but give me some evidence why I shouldnt believe this. Tradition and the results of last season when compared to returning rosters backs my opinion up. :thumb:

 

I disagree. Ashland played one of there worst games against Rock. Not saying Ashland should have won, but had they played up to par the game WOULD have been different. And I dont know if you have seen the film of the Rock/Bell game from the regular season but Bell's last Touchdown was extremely controversial. And I personally dont think it was good. And Rock didnt play their top game that night either. But as a Ashland fan, I would have much rather played Bell County instead of Rock to get to Region Championship. Ashland was capable of beating both teams, but in high school football you play better on some nights. Ask Johnson Central, I bet they will agree with me when I say that Ashland played MUCH better against them than what they played against Rock.

Good post and nice research as well. Im not disagreeing with you here, i think that Rock and then Bell should be the pre-season favorites in our region. IM just saying that the region doesnt ALWAYS come down to Rock or Bell but it does occur more often than not.

If i were ranking the region right now id put it like this:

1. Rock

2. Bell

3. Johnson Central

4. Ashland

5. Madison Southern

 

Id agree

The whole fact of the matter is, ROCK is #1 in the region untill someone knocks them off in the playoffs in 06! I believe the 2nd best team comes down to Bell, Ashland, and JCHS! Untill one of the three beat them in nov. than they are the best.

 

The 2nd best team doesnt come down to anyone but Bell. Ashland and JCHS have a shot..... I agree. But last seasons region champion and last seasons region runnerup both return nearly their entire roster, with Ashland and JCHS losing some big time players. I dont see how anything changes this season, unless Bell or Rock disappoint.

 

The fact remains that Rock or Bell has been in the region championship every year except in '03. 3 of those regional championships was a Bell vs Rock matchup. Bell only plays little brother to Rock in this region, and hopefully they can change that trend this season. It will be a tall order though with Rock returning so much.

The 2nd best team doesnt come down to anyone but Bell. Ashland and JCHS have a shot..... I agree. But the region champion and the region runnerup both return nearly their entire roster, with Ashland and JCHS losing some big time players. I dont see how anything changes this season, unless Bell or Rock disappoint.

 

The fact remains that Rock or Bell has been in the region championship every year except in '03. 3 of those regional championships was a Bell vs Rock matchup. Bell only plays little brother to Rock in this region, and hopefully they can change that trend this season. It will be a tall order though with Rock returning so much.

 

You keep bringing up past things... who cares. Ashland has 11 or so State Championships, that doesnt get us any new ones. I think this will continue to be a ver competitive Region and not just one District. The Region is up for grabs, Rock, Ashland, Bell, Johnsone Central, Mason, Lawrence, Southern, any one of those teams could be crowned champion.

You keep bringing up past things... who cares. Ashland has 11 or so State Championships, that doesnt get us any new ones. I think this will continue to be a ver competitive Region and not just one District. The Region is up for grabs, Rock, Ashland, Bell, Johnsone Central, Mason, Lawrence, Southern, any one of those teams could be crowned champion.

 

I am not "bringing up past things" that dont apply to this conversation...... I am bringing up the RECENT PAST and a trend that is obvious to anyone that will see it!!! And YES, that does play a factor in this discussion. You cant deny that what I am talking about doesnt apply to this discussion. It may not be what you like to hear or accept, but I am talking FACTS.

 

Besides that, I am also talking the HERE AND NOW, as in last season and this upcoming season. Last seasons regional champ and regional runnerup return practically their entire roster, and Ashland and JCHS lost some BIG TIME players. That doesnt bode well for District 8 if they want to get to the championship game, let alone win it.

 

Dont get so upset..... all I am talking is FACTS. If those bother you then maybe you should go somewhere else. While we are on this tiopic, here is some more facts.

 

Since '00: Distict 7

Rock has 4 region championship trophys (Rock, when they have made it to the championship game, hasnt lost in the championship game)

Bell has 1 region championship trophy and 3 region runnerup trophys (the only team Bell has lost to in the championship game is Rock)

 

Since '00: District 8

Mason has 1 region championship trophy (Beat Mason)

Sheldon Clark has 1 regional runnerup trophy (Loss to Rock)

Ashland has 2 regional runnerup trophys (1 loss to Mason, one to Bell)

 

Region Championship Games since '00:

'00 District 7 (Rock) vs District 8 (Sheldon Clark) - winner = District 7 (Rock)

'01 District 7 (Rock) vs District 7 (Bell) - winner = District 7 (Rock)

'02 District 7 (Rock) vs District 7 (Bell) - winner = District 7 (Rock)

'03 District 8 (Mason) vs District 8 (Ashland) - winner = District 8 (Mason)

'04 District 7 (Bell) vs District 8 (Ashland) - winner = District 7 (Bell)

'05 District 7 (Rock) vs District 7 (Rock) - winner = District 7 (Rock)

Rockcastle is the king of the Region until somebody knocks them off. There are several teams with the potential without a doubt but until it happens it is the Rock's too lose. I think Ashland, Bell, JC, Lawrence and Mason all have a shot. Boyd lost a lot and Clay Co is on the rise. Right now it's Rock then everybody else until somebody beats the Rock.

 

You are correct....... but considering the abudance of FACTS I have posted, I think it's safe to say that the team with the BEST CHANCE of doing this is Bell Co.

 

Also, considering the abudance of FACTS I have posted, I think its safe to say that the region TRADITIONALLY looks like this.

 

Rock (4 region championships)

-

-

Bell (1 region championship, 3 region runnerups all to Rock)

-

-

Mason (1 region championship) , Ashland (2 region runnerups), Sheldon Clark (1 regional runnerup)

-

Madison Southern, JCHS, Lawrence etc etc etc

 

Next season I'd say the region looks similar:

 

Rock

-

Bell

-

-

Ashland, JCHS

-

all the rest