Many of you may have heard the talk around the end of last season about Middlesboro's Coach Roark deciding not to play long time rival (40+ years) Bell County. This was fresh after Middlesboro had lost to Bell County for about the 13th time of the last 14 games. Believe it or not however, Middlesboro still owns the series. This did not go well with anybody considering they are enter county foes as well as the biggest money-making game of each teams season.

 

However, I heard yesterday that the Middlesboro Board of Education is forcing the Middlesboro football team coaching staff to put Bell County back on their schedule.

 

I think this is awesome!!

 

What does everyone else think?? Is it betraying the coach's best interest or is the school board just trying to do what is best for both programs and for football in the area??

It's an understandable move by the city BOE. The gate $$ is something the school's athletic fund would find hard to replace.

It's an understandable move by the city BOE. The gate $$ is something the school's athletic fund would find hard to replace.

Definitely, I think the game usually draws around 5000 fans.

 

However, I think the move was trying more to maintain tradition than it was for the money.

I Dont think it is the Boards business unless they are funding 100% of the program let the coach and the AD decided who does what

Is it going to happen this year? because the week that game is usually played is the week Lynn Camp and Middlesboro play.

I'm not 100% on that LC99. I know next year for sure. But from what I gather, they are demanding them to make space on the schedule.

Many of you may have heard the talk around the end of last season about Middlesboro's Coach Roark deciding not to play long time rival (40+ years) Bell County. This was fresh after Middlesboro had lost to Bell County for about the 13th time of the last 14 games. Believe it or not however, Middlesboro still owns the series. This did not go well with anybody considering they are enter county foes as well as the biggest money-making game of each teams season.

 

However, I heard yesterday that the Middlesboro Board of Education is forcing the Middlesboro football team coaching staff to put Bell County back on their schedule.

 

I think this is awesome!!

 

What does everyone else think?? Is it betraying the coach's best interest or is the school board just trying to do what is best for both programs and for football in the area??

 

:laugh: LOVE IT! Sorry Jackets, looks like you couldnt hide after all!

:laugh: LOVE IT! Sorry Jackets, looks like you couldnt hide after all!

 

 

In all fairness, I don't think anyone was trying to hide but Kenny Roark. Plain and simple, he can't beat them.

 

Like I said in my first post though, Middlesboro still owns the series. :ylsuper:

If the BOE is "demanding" them to make space on the schedule, I would assume that they would have to buy their way out of a contract, (sounds like you Lynn Camp) but that still might not solve the problem because Bell Co. may have a game scheduled as well. What would the Middlesboro BOE do, buy Bell Co out of their contract too?

 

I am all for rivalry games and believe that tradition rich series such as this are vital to KY HS football, but I think I have a problem with the BOE telling the HC, especially someone as established as Coach Roark, that he is mandated to get out of one game to play another. This could be a tough situation for every one involved if not handled carefully.

Should a AA school be expected to beat a AAA school every year. I think school boards have more important matters than dictating FB schedules.

If the BOE is "demanding" them to make space on the schedule, I would assume that they would have to buy their way out of a contract, (sounds like you Lynn Camp) but that still might not solve the problem because Bell Co. may have a game scheduled as well. What would the Middlesboro BOE do, buy Bell Co out of their contract too?

 

I am all for rivalry games and believe that tradition rich series such as this are vital to KY HS football, but I think I have a problem with the BOE telling the HC, especially someone as established as Coach Roark, that he is mandated to get out of one game to play another. This could be a tough situation for every one involved if not handled carefully.

 

Bell County was very upset when Middlesboro decided not to play. I would imagine they would do whatever they could to get this game back on the schedule as well. The price of buying out an opponent, if that is what they must do, couldn't be near as much as they make on this game.

Should a AA school be expected to beat a AAA school every year. I think school boards have more important matters than dictating FB schedules.

 

If you lived in the area you would know that this controversy is more than just a football game. It is about keeping a tradition that the high school has had for 40+ years.

 

They shouldn't be expected to win every year. However, in my mind, they owe it to the county to play every year.

Bell County was very upset when Middlesboro decided not to play. I would imagine they would do whatever they could to get this game back on the schedule as well. The price of buying out an opponent, if that is what they must do, couldn't be near as much as they make on this game.

 

I understand that and as long as both sides work together, they will easily be able to work something out.

I guess what I was meaning is, If I were head coach of team A, and team B dropped my team off their schedule and I had to go out and sign a contract with another team, THEN, team B's BOE mandated that we play again, It would be a legitimate concern for my school as to why we should pay our way out of a contract that we should not have had to sign to begin with.

 

I have absolutely no dog in this fight other than pure observation. But I do know that $$$$ talks and like you said, the gate from that game would probably override any cost to the respective teams buying out of contracts.

Should a AA school be expected to beat a AAA school every year. I think school boards have more important matters than dictating FB schedules.

 

I agree. Roark and his program should be able to do what they feel is right for their program. Bell and MHS have both been very successfull in their respective classes, I don't think either needs the gate.

It's not all about the gate though. This is one of the oldest rivalries in SE KY. It is about tradition.