A lot of changes in the district this season. New head coaches again are in the district. Who makes the playoffs? What is the forecast for these teams? Here is the order of their finish from 2005.

 

1. Madison Central (lost a lot of great talent, lots of holes to fill)

2. South Laurel (new coach in 2006, lost a lot but still has a ton of solid receivers)

3. GRC (brings back most of their starters)

4. Whitley County (new coach in 2006 but Black will have them right in the hunt with the talent returning)

5. Lincoln County (hopes the Calhoun is 100% from his injury and ready to go. If so, they could be a playoff team in 2006)

6. North Laurel (2nd year head coach who returns most of their better athletes who were healthy at the end of 2005)

7. Montgomery County (2nd year head coach)

 

I think the district will look a lot different this season but again we could see 6 teams fighting for those 4 playoff spots. My predictions are:

 

1. GRC

2. Madison Central

These spots are very speculative at this point.

3-5. North Laurel, Whitley County & South Laurel should battle for these spots

6. Lincoln (but if Calhoun is healthy, they could be as high as #3 this season)

7. Montgomery (improving but still about 1-2 seasons away from competing for a playoff spot IMHO)

 

What are your thoughts on this district for 2006?

I agree with you about yor picks. I know GRC has alot back but I don't know about Madison Ceteral they seem to always come up with good and fast backs.

I just think that this could be a very exciting season, and it may be the last for these teams to all be together in the same district if the KHSAA does come up with an additional 1-2 classes and conducts the restructuring that follows. The schools who could still possibly be in the same district may be:

 

Mad Centrl, GRC, & possibly Montgomery

then

South Laurel, North Laurel, Whitley County

 

It all depends on how many classes and how the districts/regions would lay out, but not sure where Lincoln would fall in with either of these groups.

 

Whatever happens, I hope that all these teams play up to their potential and make it a season to remember. There may be a lot of schedules which don't look anything like they do now if/when the new alignments come out, especially if/when there are 1-2 more classes.

 

You are right that GRC brings a lot back and Mad Cent always seems to find new players to step right in. That is why I couldn't see dropping them any further than 1 spot. However, it still wouldn't surprise me to see them win the district. I remember 2 seasons ago when they were supposed to be young and ripe for the picking and all they did was dominate the district and lose in the regional finals to eventual 4A state runnerup Scott County. With Coach Turner and his staff, I don't think you will see much, if any, of a drop off.

 

The real questions are at South Laurel & Whitley County with new head coaches, but both bring back some solid talent, especially what we are hearing on Whitley and their new coach (Jim Black) is a proven winner. When the kids adapt to his system, they will be a district title contender. If not this season, the next in whatever district they end up in. His success at W-burg will bring even more solid athletes out for football IMHO.

M.C.

G.R.C

SOUTH LAUREL

MONTGOMERY CO.

NORTH LAUREL

WHITLEY CO.

L.C.

M.C.

G.R.C

SOUTH LAUREL

MONTGOMERY CO.

NORTH LAUREL

WHITLEY CO.

L.C.

 

Your first 3 won't shock anyone, but Montgomery at #4 and making the playoffs? That would get Gooch the districts COY if you ask me. He still has a lot of work to do and I could be wrong, but I think they are still 2 seasons away from being a contender. They did show improvement in 2005. I don't see Lincoln finishing last either. The showed improvement and had Madison Central on the ropes in the first half until Calhoun was injured and the Indians came back and got the win. That potential upset could have put Lincoln in the playoffs in their first year in the district. But that's what makes these great, opinions always vary and hope springs eternal!!! :thumb:

Do you think GRC could be good enough to be rated in the preseason top ten?

They bring back most of their running backs and most of their defense . I'm not sure about their oline but I do know that they will have a rookie qb once again.

Do you think GRC could be good enough to be rated in the preseason top ten?

They bring back most of their running backs and most of their defense . I'm not sure about their oline but I do know that they will have a rookie qb once again.

 

I don't think they will rated that highly preseason. They do bring back a lot, but having a rookie QB will impact them a little bit, but primarily it is because this district is not one of the stronger 4A districts by a longshot right now. However, if they are impressive early, they could move up the rankings. I expect that most polls will have Madison Central ranked ahead of everyone in the district preseason based on their history in the district. I just that this could be GRC's year to really step up and bring home the district crown.

Do you think GRC could be good enough to be rated in the preseason top ten?

They bring back most of their running backs and most of their defense . I'm not sure about their oline but I do know that they will have a rookie qb once again.

QB spot as you stated is a rookie. Had to pull Henry Hudson from the backs last year to play QB. I have heard that Dougie Mason would be the QB this year...he did not play football last year. This could be our weak link because of his inexperience, but he is a great athlete and look for him to improve with each game. Early record may not show what kind of team we will be by playoff time.

QB spot as you stated is a rookie. Had to pull Henry Hudson from the backs last year to play QB. I have heard that Dougie Mason would be the QB this year...he did not play football last year. This could be our weak link because of his inexperience, but he is a great athlete and look for him to improve with each game. Early record may not show what kind of team we will be by playoff time.

 

Who does GRC play in nondistrict play?

Who does GRC play in nondistrict play?

I know we always start off with Tates Creek...it will be in Lexington this year.

Looks like they are playing TC, BS, SWP, and Garrard County before opening district play, and the first 3 are on the road. The GRC vs Madison Central game on 10-13 @ GRC could be for the district title this year.

 

Aug 18, '06 Tates Creek @ Tates Creek - 7:30 PM

Aug 25, '06 Bryan Station @ Bryan Station - 7:30 PM

Sep 1, '06 Southwestern @ Southwestern - 7:30 PM

Sep 8, '06 Open -

Sep 15, '06 Garrard County @ George Rogers Clark - 7:30 PM

Sep 22, '06 Montgomery County @ Montgomery County - 7:30 PM

Sep 29, '06 North Laurel @ George Rogers Clark - 7:30 PM

Oct 6, '06 Lincoln County @ Lincoln County - 7:30 PM

Oct 13, '06 Madison Central @ George Rogers Clark - 7:30 PM

Oct 20, '06 Whitley County @ Whitley County - 7:30 PM

Oct 27, '06 South Laurel @ George Rogers Clark - 7:30 PM

Looks like they are playing TC, BS, SWP, and Garrard County before opening district play, and the first 3 are on the road. The GRC vs Madison Central game on 10-13 @ GRC could be for the district title this year.

 

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Agree it could be for the district title....being at home I like our chances. First 3 games on the road will to tuff ones...why I stated that our record may not show the true GRC by playoffs. Breaking in a new QB 3 years in a row , and with no playing experience last year will take some games under his belt to show full potential, and work out mistakes and poor judgement.

Agree it could be for the district title....being at home I like our chances. First 3 games on the road will to tuff ones...why I stated that our record may not show the true GRC by playoffs. Breaking in a new QB 3 years in a row , and with no playing experience last year will take some games under his belt to show full potential, and work out mistakes and poor judgement.

 

The BS game I would not be concerned about, although they could be much improved with their new coach. But the past few seasons, they have really struggled. The TC and SWP games on the road will be tough, but that could really work in GRC's favor towards the end of the season when it is down to crunch time. One thing is for sure, Coach Columbia has to be excited about the possibilities for this team. They showed a lot of character last year in several games including their comeback win over SWP, holding off NL on the final drive to hold onto the win and other games as well. Those experiences will make this team more battle tested for 2006!

 

Of course if I had my druthers, the NL vs SL game would be for the district title, but it is too early in the district season and I am not sure that either can pull off winning the district this season. Possible, but highly unlikely!

Not only is Trent Calhoun back and healthy but Braxton Miller is back and healthy for Lincoln County.

 

For what its worth, this will be Lincoln County's best team, on paper, in the last 6 or 7 years.

 

If they stay healthy, they will be a playoff contender.

Not only is Trent Calhoun back and healthy but Braxton Miller is back and healthy for Lincoln County.

 

For what its worth, this will be Lincoln County's best team, on paper, in the last 6 or 7 years.

 

If they stay healthy, they will be a playoff contender.

 

:thumb: