What does Harlan County need to do to improve in 2015? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

I would say weaken the sched.

I would say weaken the sched.

 

I really think HC's schedule has been a prime example of being "too hard" and it set their program back.

 

Entering the 2013 season HC was on a roll and feeling sky high. Coming off a State Semi-Finals run and returning nearly their entire team most had them pegged as the best team in EKY. They destroyed Madison Central and Clay County and then their schedule hit them smack in the face. Belfry physically handled them on their home field, they rebounded w/ a win over a Knox Central team that was a little down.. then they just simply were outclassed against Johnson Central and Greeneville. Truth be told they were never the same team.

 

Internal turmoil started, the confidence/swagger was gone, and playing those great teams exposed weaknesses and flaws.

 

That Senior Class graduated and then Fred Massey transferred and they simply did not have the weapons to compete against essentially the same schedule again. Now along with the losses to great teams the chirping and turmoil grew stronger and that led to losses against teams like Letcher Central and Whitley County.

 

Harlan County needs to find their identity again and quite the voices. I honestly think the worst thing that happened to them was everyone crowning them "King of the Mountains" and then having Belfry and JC take it to them.

I really think HC's schedule has been a prime example of being "too hard" and it set their program back.

 

Entering the 2013 season HC was on a roll and feeling sky high. Coming off a State Semi-Finals run and returning nearly their entire team most had them pegged as the best team in EKY. They destroyed Madison Central and Clay County and then their schedule hit them smack in the face. Belfry physically handled them on their home field, they rebounded w/ a win over a Knox Central team that was a little down.. then they just simply were outclassed against Johnson Central and Greeneville. Truth be told they were never the same team.

 

Internal turmoil started, the confidence/swagger was gone, and playing those great teams exposed weaknesses and flaws.

 

That Senior Class graduated and then Fred Massey transferred and they simply did not have the weapons to compete against essentially the same schedule again. Now along with the losses to great teams the chirping and turmoil grew stronger and that led to losses against teams like Letcher Central and Whitley County.

 

Harlan County needs to find their identity again and quite the voices. I honestly think the worst thing that happened to them was everyone crowning them "King of the Mountains" and then having Belfry and JC take it to them.

 

Shouldn't a 5A team coming off of a state-semi final appearance be able to compete with a 3A and a 4A team without it wrecking their season? Did they suffer some major injuries in those 2 games?

 

I've heard that with the coal industry flagging that there simply isn't the same talent level in the area anymore. I don't know how accurate that is. Could that be a factor as well?

Shouldn't a 5A team coming off of a state-semi final appearance be able to compete with a 3A and a 4A team without it wrecking their season? Did they suffer some major injuries in those 2 games?

 

I've heard that with the coal industry flagging that there simply isn't the same talent level in the area anymore. I don't know how accurate that is. Could that be a factor as well?

 

Would it be safe to say that the coal industry plays a major part in quite a lot of the mountain schools? To the point that if it collapses, whole towns could as well? I'm not really that well schooled on the eastern part of the state.

What does Harlan County need to do to improve in 2015? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

:idunno:......Hire a coach

I would say weaken the sched.

 

No doubt whatsoever. The one they've had is absolutely brutal. Those Johnson Central and Belfry match ups are what makes everything great about EKY football. Lord knows Coach Larkey wasn't afraid of taking on anybody, never has been...never will be.

 

With the coaching change, you often times hear of changes in the schedule being made..even if it requires buying out contracts; I wonder if that's going to be the case with the new hire? As KY HS football fan, and one of EKY football at that, I'd hate to see it happen.

They weakened it alright, but I sure didnt think they would do it in a way to screw a team over. Maybe not resched after you fulfill the contract, nto stick it to 2 teams this late in year.