Belfry is a great team and is solidly in the top 3 contenders in 3A, but what happened in past years is irrelevant and should have ZERO impact on this years rankings.

 

I'll say:

1-Boyle Co

1A - Belfry

3 - Central

4 - LexCath

 

 

 

 

 

5-PT/Caldwell winner

 

I wont go as far as to say 1A... Boyle has earned the #1 spot to themselves with a bunch of impressive wins and with all but Central Hardin being of the blowout variety.

I still would not say the PT/Caldwell winner would top 3. I think a convincing win either way could very well put them in the argument for the 4 spot, but not top 3 at this point.

My point being look what those top 3 have doing for many years in a row-

 

Many have claimed for years that 3A is "weak", and now with a few new very good teams in the mix, many are taking note of how good a class it is.

 

My point is that if you look at the top of the 3A , the top 2-4 teams have been doing well for years, and have been able to play with anybody in the state.

These facts are what I would base the top 3 rankings on, in addition to what they have done so far this season.

Therefore, I still would stick with the top 3 as is regardless of the PT/Caldwell game. Like I said previously, a convincing win might argue the winner a 4 spot, but also would shake up the 5-8 spots.

That is quietly a HUGE game.

 

Most likely that will be the District Championship in Region 3, District 5.

 

You win and you get Home Field Throughout the playoffs. You lose and you go to Belfry in Round 2. Lot on the line for a game this early in the season.

 

We've had this discussion on our radio show regarding Pendleton County. Winning 2 district games gets you in the playoffs, but it means a trip to Pond Creek Nation. Not much of a reward.

I still would not say the PT/Caldwell winner would top 3. I think a convincing win either way could very well put them in the argument for the 4 spot, but not top 3 at this point.

My point being look what those top 3 have doing for many years in a row-

 

Many have claimed for years that 3A is "weak", and now with a few new very good teams in the mix, many are taking note of how good a class it is.

 

My point is that if you look at the top of the 3A , the top 2-4 teams have been doing well for years, and have been able to play with anybody in the state.

These facts are what I would base the top 3 rankings on, in addition to what they have done so far this season.

Therefore, I still would stick with the top 3 as is regardless of the PT/Caldwell game. Like I said previously, a convincing win might argue the winner a 4 spot, but also would shake up the 5-8 spots.

 

Exactly

 

I think it locks in that team as a Title Threat and puts them in position to move up if teams ahead have surprise losses... but neither PT or Caldwell has proven they have the pedigree of the Top 3 as of now.

 

I also think LexCath has a chance to make a statement this week vs. Cooper as well.

I believe the CC/PT winner would be 4th

Exactly

 

I think it locks in that team as a Title Threat and puts them in position to move up if teams ahead have surprise losses... but neither PT or Caldwell has proven they have the pedigree of the Top 3 as of now.

 

I also think LexCath has a chance to make a statement this week vs. Cooper as well.

 

LexCath can make a huge statement with a victory this week. If they lose I don't think anyone will be surprised though. Cooper is no slouch but if LexCath plans to make it to the region finals or at least have people believe they can make the region finals then they need to win this game.

Belfry should again be in the semis in 3A. Let me see if I can be clearer on my point. The west side of the bracket is MUCH deeper, with a very heavy topside. For a PT, Caldwell, Central, or Boyle to reach the semis, they have already played one of the top 4 teams in 3A. The east side of the bracket will not, and usually does not work this way.That is why I am for seeding the layoffs and doing away with the east/west garbage. The easier path to the semis and therefore the title game is in the east bracket.

Belfry should again be in the semis in 3A. Let me see if I can be clearer on my point. The west side of the bracket is MUCH deeper, with a very heavy topside. For a PT, Caldwell, Central, or Boyle to reach the semis, they have already played one of the top 4 teams in 3A. The east side of the bracket will not, and usually does not work this way.That is why I am for seeding the layoffs and doing away with the east/west garbage. The easier path to the semis and therefore the title game is in the east bracket.

 

Right now it is and last year it was... but just like everything in smaller school football it is cyclical.

 

Just three years ago Belfry had the hardest path to the Finals when they had an "Up" Breathitt and and "Up" Bourbon County. On paper entering the year the East looked to be stronger than years' past when Bell County and Corbin moved over but they are now just two more teams in that 8-12 range.

 

Who is to say the East won't be considerably tougher in 2016? Russell will be better, Corbin should be much better, Bell should be better as well.

 

At the end of the day you have to beat the teams in front of you. End of story. Belfry has beat the teams in front of them.. whether it be a year that the East is stout like 2010 and 2013..or a year that it is down like 2014.

 

Caldwell is the last team to complain about easy paths to the Semi's... imagine what they used to have in 2A where your best teams in their region were Murray or OCath. I am not sure either team would be Top 8 in 3A this year. Even in this new alignment they don't have a Murderer's Row of a region. Tilghman has been the most schizophrenic 3A team in the State and until thiis year Etown has spent the past decade struggling to reach .500

 

If you asked Lawrence County or Russell they would trade spots with anyone in that Region.

If Belfry was some mediocre team reaching he Finals every year and getting smashed by the West Representative you may have an argument. The fact is that with the exception of the 2010 team (come back to that in a second) when Belfry has reached the Finals they have either proven themselves the best team or proven themselves as the true runner-up. The Belfry/Central Finals have became "Must See TV" because each time they play you are guaranteed to see a high level of football and a game that will not be decided until the horn sounds.

 

The 2010 team also is a perfect example of the irony of what you want. That was the 2nd weakest Belfry team of the past 12 years. Despite that, they actually had one of the toughest paths of all and beat three teams that they were an underdog against. Central had a very easy path that year with only Tilghman being a real threat. In the Finals though Central (who took I think 4 or 5 regular season losses) DESTROYED Belfry..the only game in the series that was lopsided.

 

Though Belfry "earned" their spot by their playoff path, there was little doubt they were not in the same league.

 

Bowling Green had a walk in the park last year and slipped up to a Graves County team who may have been the weakest team at Championship Weekend.

 

You still have to win the games.

I understand you are a big Belfry supporter, and I am glad of it. I am, obviously, a fan of Caldwell County. The most glaring difference between us is our outlook on other teams, and their true ability. I am positive that anyone on here would disagree with your assessment of 2A the past few years. CAL, Desales, Caldwell, Murray, and OCath would all be considered in the top two of the east in 2A for the past few years if not #1 . NCC being the lone holdout in the east of 2A.

 

Now moving to 3A, I see much of the same in this class as we seen in 2A. The west is loaded, while the East not so much. With the likes of Boyle, Central, and PT heading that side. There is no comparison between east and west. West is heavier hands down. This is exactly the reason I would like to see seeded playoffs. This would be a mute discussion, and the playoffs would be much tougher in every division. Of course those getting the benefits of the cake walks don't see it that way.

I understand you are a big Belfry supporter, and I am glad of it. I am, obviously, a fan of Caldwell County. The most glaring difference between us is our outlook on other teams, and their true ability. I am positive that anyone on here would disagree with your assessment of 2A the past few years. CAL, Desales, Caldwell, Murray, and OCath would all be considered in the top two of the east in 2A for the past few years if not #1 . NCC being the lone holdout in the east of 2A.

 

Now moving to 3A, I see much of the same in this class as we seen in 2A. The west is loaded, while the East not so much. With the likes of Boyle, Central, and PT heading that side. There is no comparison between east and west. West is heavier hands down. This is exactly the reason I would like to see seeded playoffs. This would be a mute discussion, and the playoffs would be much tougher in every division. Of course those getting the benefits of the cake walks don't see it that way.

 

I would love a seeded playoff as well but considering Caldwell and Belfry are almost 6 hours away it is not going to happen any time soon.

 

As for the bolded... we are simply going to have to disagree with the exception of CAL and DeSales who I think would have played with anyone Class 1A, 2A, 3A, or 5A the past couple years. I also do not argue with 2014 being a cake walk.. every Belfry fan on here has said as much.

 

 

Per Calpreps the Top 5 rated teams back to 2010

 

 

2013:

DeSales

Belfry

Bourbon County

CAL

Caldwell

 

2012:

Belfry

Bourbon County

Caldwell

Breathitt Co

Murray

 

2011:

Belfry

Glasgow

Breathitt

Garrard

OCath

 

2010:

OCath

Belfry

Somerset

Murray

Mason Co

 

As you can see 3A East holds up pretty well to the claim of your laundry list of teams would be 2nd, if not #1 ....

Just noticed I mis-read where you were actually comparing to 2A East... what I posted still has it's merit for sake of comparative argument:

 

In terms of the Top 10 being 2A East vs. 2A West

2014:

6 of the Top 10 were 2A West (All the Top 5)

 

2013:

8 of 10 were 2A West (Somerset and NewCath the lone hold outs)

 

2012:

7 of 10 were 2A West (NewCath, Somerset, and Danville the lone hold outs)

 

2011:

5 of 10 were 2A West

 

2010:

6 of 10 were 2A West

I see know that you are starting to come around. This is exiting.

I see know that you are starting to come around. This is exiting.

 

I think we are at two different places... I dont disagree with you and never have that Belfry didn't have an easy draw in 2014... and it looks like it is favorable in 2015 as well though lots of football left to play before the dust settles.

 

With that said, Belfry is very deserving of their ranking based on what they have done in 3A, what they have back, and who and how they have beat quality teams this season. Caldwell needs a win Friday to validate themselves as a contender. As of now their resume is founded on one good loss and several "decent" wins. A win over Tilghman proves they belong in the Top 5.. but doesn't signify they are deserving to be in that Top 3 with three proven commodities.

 

If you can get a playoff approved and Neutral Sites established I will be the first to sign the petition.

I think we are at two different places... I dont disagree with you and never have that Belfry didn't have an easy draw in 2014... and it looks like it is favorable in 2015 as well though lots of football left to play before the dust settles.

 

With that said, Belfry is very deserving of their ranking based on what they have done in 3A, what they have back, and who and how they have beat quality teams this season. Caldwell needs a win Friday to validate themselves as a contender. As of now their resume is founded on one good loss and several "decent" wins. A win over Tilghman proves they belong in the Top 5.. but doesn't signify they are deserving to be in that Top 3 with three proven commodities.

 

If you can get a playoff approved and Neutral Sites established I will be the first to sign the petition.

 

If I may add something. I realize that travel constraints make true seeding near impossible. However, we could seed four regions (West, West Central, East Central, and East just as hypothetical examples) and mix them across the brackets.

 

The Northwest bracket would have the #1 West Team play the #8 West Central at the top and so on down to #2 West Central Team playing the #7 West. In the Northeast bracket the top would be the #1 West Central Team against the #8 West Team, and #2 West vs #7 WC at the bottom. The same thing with East and East Central in the Southern quarter brackets. Travel costs and distances should be about the same until the semi finals when non-adjacent regions play each other and this would ensure a more even dispersal of teams throughout the tournament.

 

Tangential I realize, but when possible play-off changes are discussed I like to bring up the idea.