There is a difference between growth and an escalation in enrollment from consolidation. Some schools grow from 600+ to 900+, but they do it gradually and over time. In this situation, Mercer County may do it overnight.

 

What is the advantage? I don't know the numbers of returning starters from both teams, but a newly-consolidated Mercer could have a wealth of experience because its players gained such experience while playing on two separate teams.

 

I'm sure that Newport, Lloyd and the rest of their district rivals would love such an infusion of numbers and experience. Essentially, this would be like Mercer getting something like 10 or 15 transfers with significant varsity experience. How do you think that would be received?

Not a different scenario, just different numbers. No matter how you slice, it 900+ students to draw from is an advantage in 2A.

No one but you has used the word "unfair" ...

One big difference. A Mercer-Harrodsburg consolidation would have been 3A from the start. Growth isn't in the equation, as it often is in situations to which you're referring.

 

And no one is placing blame here. I'm simply giving the facts of the situation.

 

 

Oh, Im terribly sorry...you said a "significant edge" in a previous post...the sugar-coated meaning of "unfair". Im sure Im the only one who thinks those two sayings/terms have completely different meanings?! Come on now....

 

..In all seriousness, though, I do apologize if I made it sound like I was saying that you were placing blame. For that, Im sorry. :thumb:

 

And, Im not saying that you will, but I can already see the comments and what people will say, demoralizing any success that Mercer would have next year if this merge happens b/c of their enrollment. If there even would be an "significant edge" in 2A would yet to be determined. There may or may not be, because we all know that there are teams playing in a "higher" class that couldnt even begin to compete with the teams in a class "lower" than them; nobody would be saying anything about them, though..and at the sametime, Im not nieve enough to believe that Mercer wouldnt have an EDGE, not a "significant" or "unfair" one, though...but, every team across the state that will be moving "up" a class in 2007 should, i guess, have an edge in their respective class in 2006, I just dont want Mercer to be singled out, but with any success next year, Im sure the fingers will start getting pointed....and this playing down a class will only be for ONE YEAR, thats what I hope people will realize!!...Which the logical, intelligent, non-naysayers will! (and, Im not saying you arent logical, intelligent or a naysayer, by any means...dont think that)

 

:thumb: :ylsuper:

Oh, Im terribly sorry...you said a "significant edge" in a previous post...the sugar-coated meaning of "unfair". Im sure Im the only one who thinks those two sayings/terms have completely different meanings?! Come on now....

Who said I was "sugar-coating" anything? That's a new accusation for me.

 

Lots of teams have advantages over their competition ... it doesn't mean those advantages are unfair.

And, Im not saying that you will, but I can already see the comments and what people will say, demoralizing any success that Mercer would have next year if this merge happens b/c of their enrollment. If there even would be an "significant edge" in 2A would yet to be determined. There may or may not be, because we all know that there are teams playing in a "higher" class that couldnt even begin to compete with the teams in a class "lower" than them; nobody would be saying anything about them, though..and at the sametime, Im not nieve enough to believe that Mercer wouldnt have an EDGE, not a significant one, though...but, every team across the state that will be moving "up" a class in 2007 should have an edge in their respective class in 2006, I just dont want Mercer to be singled out, but with any success next year, Im sure the fingers will start getting pointed....and this playing down a class will only be for ONE YEAR, thats what I hope people will realize!!...Which the logical, intelligent, non-naysayers will!

I don't have a dog in this hunt. I'm simply making a point, one you seem to be taking personally.

 

Yes, it would be for just one year ... that is all this year's crop of seniors have left.

 

I've made my point as to why this situation is rather unique and entirely different than other teams that will move up next year, and I'll leave it at that.

If a merge does take place between Mercer and Harrodsburg.... Who is going to be the head football coach? Jaggers or Yeast?

Who said I was "sugar-coating" anything? That's a new accusation for me.

 

Lots of teams have advantages over their competition ... it doesn't mean those advantages are unfair.

I don't have a dog in this hunt. I'm simply making a point, one you seem to be taking personally.

 

Yes, it would be for just one year ... that is all this year's crop of seniors have left.

 

I've made my point as to why this situation is rather unique and entirely different than other teams that will move up next year, and I'll leave it at that.

 

You've gone from stating that they would have a "significant edge" to saying that they now it would just be an "advantage". Anybody that can read between the lines of you comments worth a dang could sure as heck tell that you werent talking about how fair or just it would be for next year, thats for sure..But, Ive said my peace and made my points, as well..so, we'll leave it at that..good conversation, Westsider :thumb:

 

..but, back to the real reason of this topic, as someone had mentioned earlier, anyone against this merger is thinking with their hearts and not their heads..whatever needs to be done to get it done, needs to be done!!

I'll say that I think some people are obviously either afraid or jealous of the powerhouse that will be in Harrodsburg with consolidation. Also, there is no reason to even compare who would be head coach if they merge. But, if you must; compare the two head coaches resume's and wins and losses and then decide who is the head coach or make it simple and give it to who has the best head to head record against the other. I don't think there will be any animosity between the two coaches due to the fact that they already get along very well. If the guy that becomes head coach is smart he will want the other head coach on his staff to help with the transition. This is like Remember the Titans. Could a state title be right around the corner in Mercer County?? I hope it all goes smoothly for both sides. Maybe Bourbon County and Paris will see this and figure out they should be merging also imo.

You've gone from stating that they would have a "significant edge" to saying that they now it would just be an "advantage". Anybody that can read between the lines of you comments worth a dang could sure as heck tell that you werent talking about how fair or just it would be for next year, thats for sure..But, Ive said my peace and made my points, as well..so, we'll leave it at that..

Once again, you're the one that's brought up the words "fair" and "unfair"... no one else has.

 

Significant edge, advantage ... isn't it all the same thing?

If a merge does take place between Mercer and Harrodsburg.... Who is going to be the head football coach? Jaggers or Yeast?

 

Jaggers would remain head coach... though Yeast would be an incredible asset to the success of the merger and football program!:thumb:

 

Regarding 'edge' and/or 'advantage'... Mercer staying in 2A next year is an opportunity they must capitalize on... that is their best shot at a state title before moving up to 3A or even 4A, depending on how the classes are decided by KHSAA. No doubt about it, Mercer will have all the firing power they need to get it done if the 2 schools do indeed merge. Question is, 'will they be able to?' Jaggers will have to work his magic to put it all together. It'll be fun watching and hopefully, the best is just around the corner for these young athletes!:dancingpa

Jaggers would remain head coach... though Yeast would be an incredible asset to the success of the merger and football program!:thumb:

 

Regarding 'edge' and/or 'advantage'... Mercer staying in 2A next year is an opportunity they must capitalize on... that is their best shot at a state title before moving up to 3A or even 4A, depending on how the classes are decided by KHSAA. No doubt about it, Mercer will have all the firing power they need to get it done if the 2 schools do indeed merge. Question is, 'will they be able to?' Jaggers will have to work his magic to put it all together. It'll be fun watching and hopefully, the best is just around the corner for these young athletes!:dancingpa

 

They would be 3A I would think, being a school right around 900 students give or take?! And, its not like they would be the outright, given state champs...people like Glasgow, O'Cath, Russell, Ft.Campbell, E-town etc. will have the same amount of talent, whether people choose to believe that or not....Im sure Jaggers and Co. will have a great amount of pressure on them to win the state championship just because of the merger...and if this merger does take place, it's not like it's going to be a 'cakewalk'...bringing the parents together, the players, etc. will take something nothing short of extraordinary for it to succeed up to the 'outsiders' expectations (meaning a state championship). Jaggers wont be the only one neededing to work his magic, it would take his entire staff, players and the whole Mercer/Harrodsburg community to get this program to where everyone will expect it to be. Best of luck to them!! :thumb:

Glasgow and Elizabethtown were down last season. Fort Campbell certainly won't be anywhere nearly as talented as they were in 2005.

 

I'm not saying that Mercer should be ranked #1, but some of your contenders will be anything but.

 

On the eastern side alone, Russell, Belfry and Newport will be hard to handle.

Glasgow and Elizabethtown were down last season. Fort Campbell certainly won't be anywhere nearly as talented as they were in 2005.

 

I'm not saying that Mercer should be ranked #1, but some of your contenders will be anything but.

 

On the eastern side alone, Russell, Belfry and Newport will be hard to handle.

 

E-town was down last year, true, LAST YEAR. They have everybody back off of a very, very young team. Im not saying that they are a given state title contender...but year in, year out they have just as much talent as anybody in AA, and two of the past three years they have had probably more talent than anybody in AA. Glasgow was young too, werent they??

 

..Whatever the case, I was just throwing the first few teams out there that came to my mind...

How many games did Virgie and Dorton win in football before Shelby Valley opened?

Dorton never had a team and Virgie did OK but not great.

E-town was down last year, true, LAST YEAR. They have everybody back off of a very, very young team. Im not saying that they are a given state title contender...but year in, year out they have just as much talent as anybody in AA, and two of the past three years they have had probably more talent than anybody in AA. Glasgow was young too, werent they??

Elizabethtown was as talented as anyone in 2A, or more so, for two seasons. Most of the time, in recent years, they weren't much of a factor statewide.

 

Glasgow was very down by their standards last season, probably due in large part to a talent drain and a coaching change.

Dorton never had a team and Virgie did OK but not great.

 

 

I don't remember Virgie in the playoffs.

 

How can you consider the kids in Shelby Valley's football program as worse off than before consolidation when neither program did anything before consolidation?

From what I am hearing the Harrodsburg / Mercer County merger is going to happen this summer.

From what I am hearing the Harrodsburg / Mercer County merger is going to happen this summer.

 

 

That should leave some teams scrambling for some games---wonder when this will go down?