I respect your position to disagree. Are the "bad officials" out there? Absolutely.....and I have never watched any sporting event that there weren't atrocious calls. Happens everywhere, every game all the time. I just think painting officials as favoring a certain team with a broad brush is a bit of a reach. I have found that most fans are overly emotional and see the event with "colored glasses"

 

As I said..there could be other factors to lead to it and I dont think there is anything fishy going on... but at the same time there is just something about Putnam that causes controversial and inexplicably questionable calls to go against the visiting team.

 

I think the biggest factor that I eluded to is the fact that usually Ashland plays quality competition and have 3 or 4 big games at home each year it seems that are evenly matched. Ashland also has what seems to be many more rivalries than any other team. When a phantom holding call or missed late hit happens in a 42-14 romp it is water under the bridge.. when it happens in a tight game where it may impact the outcome or happens in a big rivalry game then suddenly it is very easy to take notice. It still doesn't change the fact that there have been the vast majority of similar road games where the Refs were "seen but not heard" yet somehow every game at Putnam will have it's head shaker..but I do think it helps explain the stigma a bit more.

 

What I can say is Putnam has nothing on some of the atrocities I have witnessed at Ironton.

Ironton is a joke. Ashland gets a favorable whistle and I don't think you'll find many who argue that aren't behind the maroon shades. It is what it is. Everyone knows it, and perhaps it adds to the allure of Putnam. Let's ask Johnson Central to get their opinion.

As I said..there could be other factors to lead to it and I dont think there is anything fishy going on... but at the same time there is just something about Putnam that causes controversial and inexplicably questionable calls to go against the visiting team.

 

I think the biggest factor that I eluded to is the fact that usually Ashland plays quality competition and have 3 or 4 big games at home each year it seems that are evenly matched. Ashland also has what seems to be many more rivalries than any other team. When a phantom holding call or missed late hit happens in a 42-14 romp it is water under the bridge.. when it happens in a tight game where it may impact the outcome or happens in a big rivalry game then suddenly it is very easy to take notice. It still doesn't change the fact that there have been the vast majority of similar road games where the Refs were "seen but not heard" yet somehow every game at Putnam will have it's head shaker..but I do think it helps explain the stigma a bit more.

 

What I can say is Putnam has nothing on some of the atrocities I have witnessed at Ironton.

 

All points well taken....I have always set on the visitors side at Putnam(why? because that's where my dad liked to sit in the 60's, the seats are perfect, I go to watch football only and not for social purposes). Over the many years I have observed a lot. Many teams come into Putnam not expecting to win and sit quietly to support their team. Many teams come into Putnam extremely emotional and hoping/expecting to win--these fans can border on the absurd/insane, cursing EVERY possible call. From the first flag(good or bad) it's "here we go, it's Putnam!" It's quite fascinating to watch. I simply chalk it up to mostly emotional, irrational parents and the die hards.

Ironton selects the officials themselves. Ashland's officials are assigned. I would think that the favorable whistle is a part of the home field/court advantage at every venue or at least the mystique thereof. I doubt the outcome of the game will be decided by a fortunate flag or lack of. I would guess that if the Ashland defense plays well then they will win.

Ironton selects the officials themselves. Ashland's officials are assigned. I would think that the favorable whistle is a part of the home field/court advantage at every venue or at least the mystique thereof. I doubt the outcome of the game will be decided by a fortunate flag or lack of. I would guess that if the Ashland defense plays well then they will win.

Agree with all those points. Question, when was the last time an Ashland team had a critical call at home go against them with the game in the balance?

Agree with all those points. Question, when was the last time an Ashland team had a critical call at home go against them with the game in the balance?

 

Not sure there has been one. Dickie Martin is still alive and well...had that happened at home I am sure he would have had an aneurysm.

Not sure I can answer that one. When was the last time any home team had a critical call go against them with the game in the balance?

Agree with all those points. Question, when was the last time an Ashland team had a critical call at home go against them with the game in the balance?

Agree with all those points. Question, when was the last time an Ashland team had a critical call at home go against them with the game in the balance?

 

Obviously, that's a near impossible question to answer. At the same time, when is the last time Ashland had a critical call go in their favor with the game in the balance? Who knows when?-- i sure don't. As someone previously mentioned, apparently officials are assigned at AHS games(I thought about that, but wasn't sure so I didn't go there). I think the bottom line is most non Ashland fans have a strong dislike for AHS(and i fully understand those reasons, but won't elaborate here) and strong desire for AHS to lose anytime. Therefore, they usually don't look at officiating objectively. Most fans see bad calls that go against them, not the ones that go in their favor.

Obviously, that's a near impossible question to answer. At the same time, when is the last time Ashland had a critical call go in their favor with the game in the balance? Who knows when?-- i sure don't. As someone previously mentioned, apparently officials are assigned at AHS games(I thought about that, but wasn't sure so I didn't go there). I think the bottom line is most non Ashland fans have a strong dislike for AHS(and i fully understand those reasons, but won't elaborate here) and strong desire for AHS to lose anytime. Therefore, they usually don't look at officiating objectively. Most fans see bad calls that go against them, not the ones that go in their favor.

No need for the paranoia and defense mechanism. I wish no ill will towards Ashland. I made a generic observation, so take it at face value, and forgive me if I don't fall for the "strong desire for AHS to lose anytime" refrain.

 

As a matter of fact, one of my best friends God has ever blessed me with has a son who plays for Coach Love and the Tomcats this season, so I'm a fan. But I'm also not sporting the maroon glasses.

Poor guy.

 

No need for the paranoia and defense mechanism. I wish no ill will towards Ashland. I made a generic observation, so take it at face value, and forgive me if I don't fall for the "strong desire for AHS to lose anytime" refrain.

 

As a matter of fact, one of my best friends God has ever blessed me with has a son who plays for Coach Love and the Tomcats this season, so I'm a fan. But I'm also not sporting the maroon glasses.

Indeed

Obviously, that's a near impossible question to answer. At the same time, when is the last time Ashland had a critical call go in their favor with the game in the balance? Who knows when?-- i sure don't. As someone previously mentioned, apparently officials are assigned at AHS games(I thought about that, but wasn't sure so I didn't go there). I think the bottom line is most non Ashland fans have a strong dislike for AHS(and i fully understand those reasons, but won't elaborate here) and strong desire for AHS to lose anytime. Therefore, they usually don't look at officiating objectively. Most fans see bad calls that go against them, not the ones that go in their favor.

 

 

Why would anyone dislike Ashland? Who considers them a power? Who have they beat bad? I think of Ashland the same way I do Boyd and Greenup. Just another team down that way.

What time does this one start? I think I'm going to make this one.

 

Game starts at 730. Stadium opening ceromonies start at 630. Granted you may not want to see the ceromonies, I would suggest getting there a little early as parking and tickets will be in high demand.

 

Why would anyone dislike Ashland? Who considers them a power? Who have they beat bad? I think of Ashland the same way I do Boyd and Greenup. Just another team down that way.

 

I don't believe people across the state dislike Ashland, but with the exception of Raceland fans, I don't believe there are many in NEKY that like the Tomcats. They may not be a state power these days, but they are a regional power. With the exception of Jim Matney coached teams they rarely lose to anyone on this side of the state.

I don't believe people across the state dislike Ashland, but with the exception of Raceland fans, I don't believe there are many in NEKY that like the Tomcats. They may not be a state power these days, but they are a regional power. With the exception of Jim Matney coached teams they rarely lose to anyone on this side of the state.

 

 

There is typically a reason for that though. For decades now Ashland has had a bit of a knack for deciding not to renew series when they were down or other teams were up.