Mercers new facilities are very nice. This is exactly why I was in favor of the merger the new athletic facilities and school etc. will pull everyone together in the community and the school will be much stronger as a result. There are obviously some hurdles to overcome however, most everyone I talk to from both schools see the consolidation as a unifying event not as something bad. If you could have seen the Harrodsburg and Mercer boys interact at the Centre Combine you would see how good this will be. All of the young men were very excited about the upcoming season, they were supporting each other and eating together like they had been teammates for years. Can't wait until next season!:dancingpa

 

I don't know that I agree. Most everyone I have talked to (especially the parents, from both schools) is not in favor of the merger. In fact, on the day of the Harrodsburg board vote, 30+ Harrodsburg students walked out of school in protest.

 

Strangely enough though, the majority of the football players that I have spoken to are in favor of the merger. You would think that they would be worried about losing their starting job but they don't seem to be. They like the possibilities, especially this year. There was definitely great support between these young men at the combine.

 

Jaggers has got to be happy. Mercer lost all but 1 person on the O-line. The only person returning is Lewis at tightend. I believe Harrodsburg had 4 returning lineman. He will also have 4 backs that gained 1500 yards each last year. Walker, Ford, Jackson, and Griffith.

 

I don't know how the kids in the other sports feel about it. I have heard a lot of people state concerns about kids who are currently playing sports that won't have the opportunity to play any more. You can only have so many kids on the baseball team, basketball team, etc. This will be a tough obstical. I for one would much prefer to see them playing sports than running around on the streets getting in trouble.

 

As for Burgin. From what I here from the folks there is that they have no desire to merge. Their school is in very good shape financially, and they like things the way they are.

I don't know that I agree. Most everyone I have talked to (especially the parents, from both schools) is not in favor of the merger. In fact, on the day of the Harrodsburg board vote, 30+ Harrodsburg students walked out of school in protest.

 

Strangely enough though, the majority of the football players that I have spoken to are in favor of the merger. You would think that they would be worried about losing their starting job but they don't seem to be. They like the possibilities, especially this year. There was definitely great support between these young men at the combine.

 

Jaggers has got to be happy. Mercer lost all but 1 person on the O-line. The only person returning is Lewis at tightend. I believe Harrodsburg had 4 returning lineman. He will also have 4 backs that gained 1500 yards each last year. Walker, Ford, Jackson, and Griffith.

 

I don't know how the kids in the other sports feel about it. I have heard a lot of people state concerns about kids who are currently playing sports that won't have the opportunity to play any more. You can only have so many kids on the baseball team, basketball team, etc. This will be a tough obstical. I for one would much prefer to see them playing sports than running around on the streets getting in trouble.

 

As for Burgin. From what I here from the folks there is that they have no desire to merge. Their school is in very good shape financially, and they like things the way they are.

 

 

If I remember correctly, Burgin was almost out of money a couple of years ago and had some sort of vote to save the district.

 

You might not have as many playing three sports with the new school, but there should be plenty of opportunities with probably more sports. You can also have JV and freshmen teams.

There are many schools with a larger enrolement that could not win 2A however, because many see Mercerburg as a serious threat next season enrolement is a big issue.

 

Really? Who had LARGER enrollments and couldn't win 2A? (seriously, I am just curious can't think of any) Mercerburg will be in the 950 student range. Not that Mercr is a shoe in, still a lot of games to play.

I don't know that I agree. Most everyone I have talked to (especially the parents, from both schools) is not in favor of the merger. In fact, on the day of the Harrodsburg board vote, 30+ Harrodsburg students walked out of school in protest.

 

Strangely enough though, the majority of the football players that I have spoken to are in favor of the merger. You would think that they would be worried about losing their starting job but they don't seem to be. They like the possibilities, especially this year. There was definitely great support between these young men at the combine.

 

Jaggers has got to be happy. Mercer lost all but 1 person on the O-line. The only person returning is Lewis at tightend. I believe Harrodsburg had 4 returning lineman. He will also have 4 backs that gained 1500 yards each last year. Walker, Ford, Jackson, and Griffith.

 

I don't know how the kids in the other sports feel about it. I have heard a lot of people state concerns about kids who are currently playing sports that won't have the opportunity to play any more. You can only have so many kids on the baseball team, basketball team, etc. This will be a tough obstical. I for one would much prefer to see them playing sports than running around on the streets getting in trouble.

 

As for Burgin. From what I here from the folks there is that they have no desire to merge. Their school is in very good shape financially, and they like things the way they are.

 

 

You are going to find that the biggest stumbing block to any merger are the parents and in particular the alumni. We went through this two years ago in our area when four county high schools were merged into two. All the parents talked about was the violence and fights that would erupt, they spoke of how the kids would be devestated, and they spoke about class sizes and long bus rides.

 

Well 2 years later the merger here has been successful and even the parents who lamented the event have backed off and acknowledged the new offerings in curriculum, new savings in the budgets, and unprecedented success in athletics for these 2 schools.

 

Now the merger was easier because it was "within" the schools system while the city school here remains intact. (If you are counting that's three schools in our county now) A merger of 2 seperate systems might be more delicate.

 

I still hope the best for my former town and community.

If I remember correctly, Burgin was almost out of money a couple of years ago and had some sort of vote to save the district.

 

You might not have as many playing three sports with the new school, but there should be plenty of opportunities with probably more sports. You can also have JV and freshmen teams.

 

I'm just going by what I've heard. Burgin has had a significant influx of students over the last couple years.

There are many schools with a larger enrolement that could not win 2A however, because many see Mercerburg as a serious threat next season enrolement is a big issue.

 

Really? Who had LARGER enrollments and couldn't win 2A? (seriously, I am just curious can't think of any) Mercerburg will be in the 950 student range. Not that Mercr is a shoe in, still a lot of games to play.

Using your reasoning, all the big 4A schools like Dunbar and Henderson, should always beat the other 4A schools who have 200 or in alot of cases 700 less students.Ten years ago , 1996,Nelson County won the 4A title and just 2 years before that they were playing 3A football. They had 4A numbers in 94 but they didn't win 3A.How close is your team, Henry County ,to 3 A numbers now?

I was advised that if the merger indeed happens, North Laurel will be playing Louisville Western in the Ft. Harrod Bowl.

 

That is good that they already have an alternative option in place.

 

Did Justin Collins graduate from Western? He had nearly 2,000 yards rushing and scored 37 TD's in 2005 (23 rushing, 11 receiving & 3 other).

Really? Who had LARGER enrollments and couldn't win 2A? (seriously, I am just curious can't think of any) Mercerburg will be in the 950 student range. Not that Mercr is a shoe in, still a lot of games to play.

Using your reasoning, all the big 4A schools like Dunbar and Henderson, should always beat the other 4A schools who have 200 or in alot of cases 700 less students.Ten years ago , 1996,Nelson County won the 4A title and just 2 years before that they were playing 3A football. They had 4A numbers in 94 but they didn't win 3A.How close is your team, Henry County ,to 3 A numbers now?

 

No, that is using your reasoning. I asked a question. If you didn't understand, the question was: who had larger enrollments and couldn't win 2A? This statement was made and I am curious for the answer, as I don't know. I understand that Nelson won 4A when they played 4A, thanks for pointing that out. If you are wondering what the current enrollment numbers are for other 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A schools are, the KHSAA has those posted for your viewing pleasure.

TReally? Who had LARGER enrollments and couldn't win 2A? (seriously, I am just curious can't think of any) Mercerburg will be in the 950 student range. Not that Mercr is a shoe in, still a lot of games to play.

 

 

 

How far back do you want to go with that question?

 

At one time, 950 students was not extremely large for a 2A school.

Not sure. Was curious as to who in 2A, since we've had a 4 class system, has had larger enrollments than 950 and didn't win the title. A blanket statement was made about having so many and I personally couldn't think of any. Was just curious as to whom. No slight meant by it, but when it has occured many times in 2A as previously posted I am sure that many can be named. Just wanted to add to my wealth of useless knowledge in case I make it to Jeopardy one day. Haha.

That is good that they already have an alternative option in place.

 

Did Justin Collins graduate from Western? He had nearly 2,000 yards rushing and scored 37 TD's in 2005 (23 rushing, 11 receiving & 3 other).

 

Collins is back. He ran a 10.83 this year in the 100 and has been timed (hand held) at a 4.38 in the 40. He is weighing around 170. There are some others on the Western team that are in his class as well. Hope this helps. :thumb: :ylsuper: :dancingpa

Well, it is now official. Mercer School Board voted tonight (May 16th) 5 to 0 in favor of a merge. The two schools will merge effective July 1st. There will only be one sports team in the fall. With the athletes from the two schools together on one football team this is going to spell trouble for other 2A schools. I know the football players from Harrodsburg are ready to get it on.

The players will probably be receptive and ready to go. Let's just hope the parents from both sides will feel the same.:dancingpa

Collins is back. He ran a 10.83 this year in the 100 and has been timed (hand held) at a 4.38 in the 40. He is weighing around 170. There are some others on the Western team that are in his class as well. Hope this helps. :thumb: :ylsuper: :dancingpa

 

Thanks. His numbers were impressive last year and he should be ready for a great season in 2006!

cutigerlb26, I think you miss understood me. I was not saying there were schools in 2A that had a larger enrolement I was stating that there are schools in this state with larger enrolements, 3A and 4A that could not win 2A. The fact that Mercerburg will have 900 students is an issue because they MIGHT be a tough team next year if... they were like some other less talented teams in 3A or 4A that did not pose a realistic threat next season there would not be this discussion of enrolement.

The fact that Mercerburg will have 900 students is an issue because they MIGHT be a tough team next year if... they were like some other less talented teams in 3A or 4A that did not pose a realistic threat next season there would not be this discussion of enrolement.

I would have to disagree. I have no idea how good a combined team of Mercer and Harrodsburg will be this fall, and I'm the one that brought it up here. Regardless of how good the team is, Mercer will have an advantage over its district rivals, even if it's for just one year.