JC does have plenty of parking and local restaurants in close proximity. The lot located at the gate can be used as the festival area with various business booths and inflatables for the kids. I think it is a great idea but probably wouldn't be able to get something firm until 2017 after the current two year scheduling period ends. I am in agreement that 4 local schools in the area from each class should be represented but would prefer the A and 2A schools commit to, like you said, 2 year deals. It wouldn't be hard to create a board that has a representative from each school participate to help secure capital and scheduling commitments. Each game would have their own sponsor with several sub-sponsors placing their name behind it as well. With the numerous hotels located within a 45 mile radius, lodging for visiting teams wouldn't be an issue. Allow each local school to run the concessions during one of the other games and throw in a percentage of the gate for the game they produce. That would make a nice pay day for each school while still allowing them to watch their respective team play. 30% of the gate and 50% of the concessions that are sold is a good number. The remaining can go back to the board to pay for team shirts, stipends for the traveling teams, entertainment and to help secure future opponents. If this thing is really going to get off the ground, interest and commitments from the locals should start immediately. It would make a for a great event and hopefully some people can sit down at a table and start hammering this idea out until fruition.

The "noone else can pull it off" is not intended as a knock... just me speaking frank.

 

There are only a handful of EKY programs who traditionally are strong enough year in and year out to even be considered among the Top 25-30 teams in the State every year. (I am not including Pulaski as they are to me not a true EKY team)

 

Historically:

Belfry

Johnson Central

Bell County

Ashland

Breathitt County

Corbin

 

Of those you can eliminate Breathitt who has fallen on hard times.

 

With that said, right now Belfry is the preeminent program in EKY and have the resume that would lure teams potential Nationally strong teams to play. 4 Titles in 12 years and 8 Championship appearances.... with respect to the other EKY programs they are the "bait" to help lure big names right now because simply put Champions want to play Champions. In addition, Belfry's sophomore class will probably produce a couple legit D-1 players and maybe a few small college athletes as well.

 

ESPNU didn't broadcast Pulaski vs. MadSouthern because of Pulaski County... they did it because Harris played for MadSouth. You need recruited players to lure TV audiences.

 

To me JC is the logical partner to pair up. They have arguably been the better team for the better part of 7 years and check boxes for being a bigger school. It also is the only team that geographically makes sense to pair up with Belfry. They also have a great facility that makes sense geographically for the scenario I outlined.

 

I have no doubt Bell County and Corbin could partner and do something similar... two great programs... but for the scenario above I don't see the best teams in WV driving 4.5 hours for 4 years.

 

It would be fun to see Bell, Corbin, Middlebsoro, and Harlan County do a similar spin off and bring in some great TN teams.

 

 

 

I agree that JC would be one of the few EKY teams that could pull it off and honestly I would love to see it happen. Who would be the primary sponsor is one question mark though. Another would be lodging, I don't know enough about that area to know what is available, but bringing in teams from long distances, plus their fans, would require plenty of rooms available. Like I said, I dont really know that area that well, but I don't think people are going to want to stay very far away from the event or activities. Lodging is usually the primary reason things like this usually happen in more populated areas.

 

Again, I think its a great idea, but in the end I believe lodging and sponsorship would be the determining factors, more than anything else.

I agree that JC would be one of the few EKY teams that could pull it off and honestly I would love to see it happen. Who would be the primary sponsor is one question mark though. Another would be lodging, I don't know enough about that area to know what is available, but bringing in teams from long distances, plus their fans, would require plenty of rooms available. Like I said, I dont really know that area that well, but I don't think people are going to want to stay very far away from the event or activities. Lodging is usually the primary reason things like this usually happen in more populated areas.

 

Again, I think its a great idea, but in the end I believe lodging and sponsorship would be the determining factors, more than anything else.

 

Sponsorship wise I think you would have to target a company that would have a cross effect for the entire region in both states.

 

Coal Corporations used to be the wise play... but with that economy rapidly dying I am not sure it would work.

 

My first thought would be target a semi-local corporation like Food City Grocery Stores. Norfolk-Southern Railroad would make the most sense as they are a major jobforce presence in the area. A bank like BB&T would be another option who has a major presence in both states.

 

I think you also work with a News-Paper and Television sponsor. Give exclusive rights to broadcast to say a News Station out of Charleston and allow the Huntington Paper to have some exclusive rights. Obviously the local papers for the teams can still cover and the local radio stations, but when it came to interviews for the previews and post game interviews the flagship paper had all the best pictures and full interview questions.

 

Lodging would be a concern, but that's why it is nice to do it between WV and KY. The East KY teams would not require lodging and in most years neither would probably all but two of the WV teams. A Morgantown, Bridgeport, or a team from the far panhandle of WV near Maryland would probably require it if they were playing in the latest game or the earliest game. I would think between Paintsville and Prestonnsburg there would be enough rooms to accommodate.

Now that we have daydreamed and pontificated now we just need someone to pick up the ball and make it happen

Now that we have daydreamed and pontificated now we just need someone to pick up the ball and make it happen

 

Sounds like a great idea to me.

How good will Johnson Central be the next couple of years?

Contact Cov Cath I am sure you would be welcome in Park Hills if the date is open.

Edited December 31, 201411 yr by BlueColonel87
typo

Contact Cov Cath I am sure you would be welcome in Park Hills if the date is open.

 

CCH is full from everything that I can gather that has been posted. They probably play one of the toughest, if not the toughest, schedule in the state next season. The only open week that I ever saw Coach Wirth post and inquire about was I believe Week 5 and that was a while ago, conflicting with when our district begins. I really did enjoy the games with CCH, minus 2012 and 2013's drubbings. Maybe something can be worked out starting in 2017. I would really enjoy the chance to see all the improvements that their football program's facilities are getting ready to undergo.

Edited January 1, 201511 yr by Tony Cavalier

How good will Johnson Central be the next couple of years?

 

Ed,

 

This past season was what many had predicted it to be, a rebuilding year. After having to replace the entire offensive backfield, half the offensive line, the entire LB corp, two defensive linemen and two guys in the secondary from the 2013 team the outlook going in was bleak and rightfully so. Both sides of the ball this past season were littered with Juniors and Sophomores in the starting line up. Next season we will return 17 starters from our base packages, 18 if we are able to insert our nickel player into a fulltime role in the secondary. We had several Freshmen step up this past season that saw a considerable amount of PT throughout the season, one started the CB position for us in all 12 games. That group, if they remain intact, to go along with another quality group 8th graders should provide a considerable amount of depth going forward. The Freshmen class from this season was heavily line players and next years class will be primarily filled with skill position guys. How those kids develop physically and mentally to the HS game over the next few years will determine the overall success of the program going forward.

^^^

 

JC will be right in the thick of the 4A Title picture the next 3-4 years.

 

They will be extremely stout up front on offense and the Defense will be excellent as well. They have an excellent Fullback in Gunner Slone. They also will have depth at nearly every position.

 

The only question I have with JC the next few years is if a playmaker with breakaway speed develops. Workman was the only JC player this past year who had the home run capability IMHO and that hurt them. They have plenty of young talent at HB though to develop and if they can have a couple backs with big play ability to join along with Slone they will be very, very good.