Just remember that Caldwell's loss to Christian County was their first game of the season without being settled on a QB after the loss of Sindelar. That was a proving game for the THREE guys that played that position in that particular game, and after that point Caldwell has been nothing but solid no matter the opponent (winning by an average of 31 ppg, scoring an avg of 47.5 ppg). They lost to Christian on a missed FG without their starting kicker (soccer injury - first game vs. Henderson Co). I am not saying that Caldwell is the team to beat or anything like that, Just saying that because they are in the western part of the state (like Mayfield) they get overlooked. Put that record on any of the other teams we keep talking about, and they are the number 1 team in 3A without question. I kinda like them as the number 4 or 5.

Funny thing: Belfry (836) beating Lawrence (4009) as little as it did HELPED it in the computer polls more than E'town winning at Adair (ranked 5016) or Caldwell (1403) beating Fort Campbell (9157).

 

Lawrence is ninth in 3-A by CalPreps/MaxPreps, FWIW. Not exactly a scrub.

Did anyone go to this game? I think if I remember correctly that Central was up and then just didn't score again and Know won it, but was curious if someone knew more.

 

I wasn't there, but have talked to some who were. Knox Central has a pretty good team, are physical on both sides of the line, but have struggled with pass defense. Teams that rely mostly on the run may struggle against Knox Central. I think Central gained about 35 yards passing and committed 6 turnovers while Knox Central committed 2 turnovers.

...

Louisville Central is District 3 and since they are in an odd (3) district in an odd year (15), they host in first 3 rounds as the top seed, correct?

 

So if so, Central's playoffs looks like this:

Round 1: Home against Western Hills

Round 2: Home against Boyle

Round 3: Home against LexCath

Round 4: ROAD vs. Caldwell/PT/E'town

Round 5: Neutral vs. Belfry

 

That's one true road game out of five. Not sure the traveling (especially since Louisville Central is quite used to going to Bowling Green).

 

Now it is a tough "road" as far as ranked/capable opponents, sure.

 

But only Belfry (expected to win out and stay at home) and Caldwell (would be at home in first four rounds) have more home playoff games than Central (three) would have.

 

Actually Belfry could be on the road in Round 3 against the top-seeded team from District 5 (West Carter or Russell), but that means West Carter or Russell knock off Lawrence County in Round 2. If Lawrence wins in Round 2, that means Lawrence goes to Belfry (instead of Belfry going to West Carter or Russell) and Belfry stays at home until the state final.

 

I think.

I'm not sure I understand this?

 

Don't get me wrong, I understand that beating the Tilghman horse is a popular past time here of late in the last few years.

 

A loss to a then healthy 6A Central Hardin, and correct me if I'm wrong, but this game was tied at the end of three? I'm guessing depth finally took it's toll on Tilghman.

 

A loss to Caldwell County in a game that was very much closer than the score indicated until the final few minutes when Caldwell blew it open. And, didn't Tilghman's QB get injured early in the game?

 

Losing to Mayfield. Enough said.

 

If depth up front and not being able to finish games late is their flaw, then I'd agree. Other than that, I'm not really sure what their flaws are under their new direction?

 

Seems as if beating that Caldwell horse has become just as popular. PT will be tough to handle come playoff time.

Is the round 3 game on the road regardless of who it is?

Is the round 3 game on the road regardless of who it is?

 

Not sure.

 

I THINK if an odd district team advances to the region final, then the odd district hosts the region final.

 

However, if the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds from District 2, District 4, District 6 or District 8 both advance to the region final (round 3), then obviously a District 1, District 3, District 5 or District 7 team will NOT be hosting (when it was their year to host).

 

I also have to check to see if an odd district hosts region final (round 3) NO MATTER the seed (say the 4 seed gets some upsets) or only if it is the higher seed (1 hosting 2) or equal seed (odd 1 would host even 1).

 

That part I'm unsure of and will have to google.

I honestly feel that Belfry pretty much gets a free ride to the title game, but then again (going purely by the score) Lawrence Co gave them all they wanted. If that is truly the case, I think if you put Belfry in the west, they don't make it past the second round. That puts a whole field of teams in front of them. .

 

 

Caldwell fans just simply cannot get over this and keep reaching for that moral victory once their team gets eliminated/

 

 

Belfry got "all they wanted" from Lawrence County because they put the ball on the ground 9 times and lost 7 fumbles . Five of those set Lawrence up inside the Belfry 30 yard line, the other two fumbles were in the Lawrence redzone. Despite that, Belfry held Lawrence to only 16 points off those turnovers. I am not sure any other 3A team besides maybe Central would have the Defense to still survive that and pull out a win.

 

Belfry has a cakewalk forseeable this year, also had one last year, the East is down... no one has said otherwise...but you still have to beat the teams ahead of you. Even still, in order to reach Bowling Green Belfry will have to beat West Carter (Top 12 team), Either Russell (Top 12) or Lawrence (#10) and Corbin #8. Will be interesting to see what the gap is between Corbin and Caldwell in a couple weeks...Corbin led Mayfield in the 4th Quarter on a neutral field. A pretty respectable showing.

 

If Belfry was reaching the Finals all these years and getting stomped you might have a point, but they have proven over and over that it has been Belfry/Central then everyone else when it comes to 3A. Boyle and lexCath have the pedigree to challenge, but Caldwell has done nothing yet to legitimize that they are on the same footing.

 

If you move any team into Region 3 they may not make it out of the 2nd Round... you are talking about 3 of the Top 4 teams in the State.

Is the round 3 game on the road regardless of who it is?

 

No

 

Rounds 1 and 2= Higher Seeds Hosts

 

Round 3 (Regional Finals)= Higher Seed Hosts, if Seeds are the same the Odd District Team Hosts

 

Round 4 (Semis)= Odd Region Hosts Regardless of Seed

Caldwell fans just simply cannot get over this and keep reaching for that moral victory once their team gets eliminated/

 

 

Belfry got "all they wanted" from Lawrence County because they put the ball on the ground 9 times and lost 7 fumbles . Five of those set Lawrence up inside the Belfry 30 yard line, the other two fumbles were in the Lawrence redzone. Despite that, Belfry held Lawrence to only 16 points off those turnovers. I am not sure any other 3A team besides maybe Central would have the Defense to still survive that and pull out a win.

 

Belfry has a cakewalk forseeable this year, also had one last year, the East is down... no one has said otherwise...but you still have to beat the teams ahead of you. Even still, in order to reach Bowling Green Belfry will have to beat West Carter (Top 12 team), Either Russell (Top 12) or Lawrence (#10) and Corbin #8. Will be interesting to see what the gap is between Corbin and Caldwell in a couple weeks...Corbin led Mayfield in the 4th Quarter on a neutral field. A pretty respectable showing.

 

If Belfry was reaching the Finals all these years and getting stomped you might have a point, but they have proven over and over that it has been Belfry/Central then everyone else when it comes to 3A. Boyle and lexCath have the pedigree to challenge, but Caldwell has done nothing yet to legitimize that they are on the same footing.

 

If you move any team into Region 3 they may not make it out of the 2nd Round... you are talking about 3 of the Top 4 teams in the State.

 

#1. I don't think anyone has been eliminated YET.

#2. No need to legitimize a team, they will/won't do that for themselves.

#3. I am guessing that you are insinuating Lawrence Co had nothing to do with causing those fumbles. Last I checked the defense gets a lot of credit for that in most situations.

#4. Belfry deserves a lot of credit for holding them to 16 pts off those turnovers. Would be pretty tough for most any team to do, but I am not up to date on Lawrence Co's efficiency rate in the red zone either. Just by going by their game scores (other than their blow out games) i would be surprised if it was very good.

#5. Belfry is playing in what seems to be a "down" season for the east. As do many other recent seasons in 3A (take away 2011).

#6. Nothing against Belfry. Geographical location is just what it is, but don't knock other teams for the same thing.

#7. I believe their is quite a gap after #5 in 3A. Please remember Mayfield was without Bright vs Corbin. Pretty sure that Caldwell won't be as fortunate. Wasn't that game played in Corbin?

#9. you are correct that ANY team put in with Boyle and Central would be lucky to get out. Again, however, geographical location is what it is.

#10. I believe that Caldwell is in the process of making a pretty good run in their own right. Although, coming from 2A they do have some (not quite as much as you would like, 2A isn't full of slouches either) to prove.

 

All in all, I am not trying to knock Belfry and what they have accomplished. Nor in any way shape or form knocking Central. They have both accomplished great feats. To me, Central coming out of the west 4 of the last 5 years and winning 3 of those is much more impressive because of the level of competition faced to get there. Again, all I am saying is that typically the east is easier to reach the finals than it is in the west. The competition is tougher in regionals and semis in the west than it is in the east.

#5.

Why is this still an issue? 3A West > 3A East. As far as I know, no one is disputing this. Yet, for some reason, it continues to be brought up.

 

To the best of my knowledge, not a single Boyle Co., LexCath, Central, PT, or E-Town fan has been on BGP complaining about the geographical breakdown of 3A.

 

If this situation were flipped and the East was loaded while Caldwell Co. had a cakewalk to the finals, you wouldn't hear a peep out of me about it. It doesn't accomplish anything. I'm not interested in making excuses or devaluing the accomplishments of these kids. Like you said, @TIGER1988, the geography is what it is. So why continue bringing it up? The first time it was discussed should have been enough. There's not much left of this dead horse to beat.

#3. I am guessing that you are insinuating Lawrence Co had nothing to do with causing those fumbles. Last I checked the defense gets a lot of credit for that in most situations.

#4. Just by going by their game scores (other than their blow out games) i would be surprised if it was very good.

#5. Belfry is playing in what seems to be a "down" season for the east. As do many other recent seasons in 3A (take away 2011).

 

#6 but don't knock other teams for the same thing.

 

#7. I believe their is quite a gap after #5 in 3A. Please remember Mayfield was without Bright vs Corbin. Pretty sure that Caldwell won't be as fortunate. Wasn't that game played in Corbin?

 

#10. I believe that Caldwell is in the process of making a pretty good run in their own right.

 

All in all, I am not trying to knock Belfry and what they have accomplished. To me, Central coming out of the west 4 of the last 5 years and winning 3 of those is much more impressive because of the level of competition faced to get there. Again, all I am saying is that typically the east is easier to reach the finals than it is in the west. The competition is tougher in regionals and semis in the west than it is in the east.

#5.

 

#3 Lawrence made some nice strips.. in particular the two fumbles Belfry had in the redzone. With that said, if you are not familiar with belfry's offense they run the flexbone and alot of option and several of those fumbles were lost uncharacteristically on the QB/FB exchange and on the Option Pitch.

 

#5 We have went back and forth so we will have to agree to disagree here. We will revisit this later I am sure.

 

#6 I have never knocked a team for their geography. If you find a post of mine otherwise I will gladly eat crow. The only Region in the State of Kentucky that can even be criticized IMHO is Fayette County 6A. Every Region has won a State Title in the past few years outside of Fayette County

 

#7 The game was at Lindsey Wilson College..neutral site. Mayfield was without Bright... Corbin was also missing several starters as well (3-4 each way if I recall including their best Defensive player). Considering that Mayfield fans are bragging about how their backs have performed since Bright's injury I would say it is pretty safe to say both teams played with a pretty equal handicap.

 

I tend to think there is a gap between #5 and the rest of the class as well... but most people (myself fully included) also thought there was a gap between Boyle and LexCath and we saw how that played out.

 

#10 Caldwell may very well make that run. As you said, there seems to be a gap between #5 and the rest of the class and much like Belfry the Tigers will not have one of the Big 5 laying in wait in their region.

 

 

As for your last point what central has done has been ultra impressive, but let's also examine a key point. Central's Region has consisted of Bell County, Corbin, and Wayne County until this year. Now that those teams are on the East Side suddenly they are being discounted as being part of belfry's cakewalk... you can't have it both ways.

 

By saying, "If Belfry was in the West they would probably lose in the Second Round" is a blatant shot at diminishing Belfry's accomplishments and unfounded at that. If Belfry was in Region 1 most would consider them the favorite to advance just as Caldwell will be the favorite. As I pointd out, Belfry may very well lose in the 2nd Round in that bloodbath known as Region 2...but let's also recognize that there is no single team that anyone looks at and says "They will definitely emerge". Belfry, Caldwell, Central, Boyle, LexCath.... it doesn't matter... that is the toughest Region in the entire State of Kentucky pound for pound.

 

Noone disputes that the West is the tougher path..you in particular have posted this same thing essentially 3 or 4 times this season alone and each time I agree with you that Belfry has a favorable draw this year. Region 2 is a beast. Region 4 is by far the weakest overall. Region 1 is nowhere near the gauntlet of Region 2... and though it is tougher for the 1 Seed as opposed to a Region 3.. the gap isn't as much as you would think.

 

Each of those Regions have 4 of the Class' Top 15 teams. Region 1 has the #5, #6, #7, and #15 teams in 3A... Region 3 has the #2, #10, #11, and #13 teams. Still some quality competition there and one of those teams is Russell who has not been healthy since about Week 4. Region 3 though appears a little rougher especially with Etown's emergence.

Why is this still an issue? 3A West > 3A East. As far as I know, no one is disputing this. Yet, for some reason, it continues to be brought

To the best of my knowledge, not a single Boyle Co., LexCath, Central, PT, or E-Town fan has been on BGP complaining about the geographical breakdown of 3A.

 

If this situation were flipped and the East was loaded while Caldwell Co. had a cakewalk to the finals, you wouldn't hear a peep out of me about it. It doesn't accomplish anything. I'm not interested in making excuses or devaluing the accomplishments of these kids. Like you said, @TIGER1988, the geography is what it is. So why continue bringing it up? The first time it was discussed should have been enough. There's not much left of this dead horse to beat.

I don't mean to sound complaining about the divisions. Heck, I think it is great to see such quality and be able to play such teams. I also see the need to establish a better method that encourages those type of games, especially when you are talking state championship playoffs. At least to the best of the ability of all involved. Such a system would better solidify how the rest of the country sees KY football and the talent contained here. Isn't that what we all would like to see. It's about exposure plain and simple. The kind of exposure reserved for games where quality competition face off. It's not about devaluing any accomplishments. It's about placing a higher value on future accomplishments.

For the record, as I and ATLCat have said before, it's not bout 3A it is prevalent in every class, almost every year. There are few times in recent history that both sides were even remotely equal.

Found an archive of the Final Regular Season AP Polls

 

2007 (Belfry State Runner-Up to Central):

1. Central

2. Belfry

3. Russell

5. Somerset

6. Breathitt County

7. Sheldon Clark

8. Mason County

 

Belfry defeated the the#5, 6, and 7 ranked teams and played #1. 6 of the Top 8 were in the East.

 

 

2008 (Belfry lost to Breathitt in the Semi's):

1. Belfry

2. Breathitt County

3. Estill County

4. Central

5. Mason County

8. Sheldon Clark

11. Russell

5 of the Top 8 in the East. Belfry played #2, #8, and #11

 

2009 (Belfry Lost in 2nd Round to Sheldon Clark):

1. Mason County

2. Somerset

3. Central

4. Belfry

8. Breathitt County

9. Russell

10. Sheldon Clark

 

The East had 6 of the Top 10 teams. Worst belfry team in 15 years though.

 

2010 (Belfry Runner-Up to Central)

1. Somerset

2. Mason County

4. Pike Central

6. Central

7. Breathitt County

8. Sheldon Clark

9. Belfry

 

Belfry beat #1, #2, and #4 and played #6. The East had 6 of the Top 10. One of the most impressive playoff runs I have seen.. over achieving Belfry team.

 

2011 (Belfry Runner-Up to Central):

2. Central

3. Breathitt County

4. Belfry

7. Garrard County

10. Pike Central

 

Belfry beat #3, #7, and #10. They played #2. The East had 4 of the Top 10 and Belfry played all three others.

 

 

2012 (Belfry Runner-Up to Central):

1. Breathitt County

2. Central

3. Bourbon County

5. Belfry

10. Bath County

 

Belfry beat #1 and #3. They also beat #12 Pike Central. They played #2. The East had 4 of the Top 10.

 

2013 (Belfry beat Wayne County for Championship):

1. Wayne County

2. Belfry

3. Bourbon County

6. Mason County

 

Belfry beat #3 Bourbon County and #14 Lawrence County. The East had 3 of the Top 6... but it was not a difficult path except for the Semi-Finals. Belfry did defeat #1 though for the Title.

 

2014 (Belfry defeated Central for Championship):

4. Belfry

5. Central

7. Russell

7. Garrard County

9. Bourbon County

 

As discussed this was a cakewalk.. the East did have 4 of the Top 10 but no powerhouse aside from Belfry. With that said Belfry defeated #5 and #7.

 

 

AP Polls are what they are... wish I had all the BGP rankings... but the fact is this shows Belfry had to do some serious work since 2007.

 

No other 3A team in Kentucky had a more difficult post season than Belfry did in 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Even though they didn't reach the Finals in 2008 and 2009 the East was entered the post season as the stronger bracket. Belfry's region just became weaker in 2013 and 2014.. alot of that having to do with the sudden drop off of Sheldon Clark and Breathitt County and Pike Central regressing. Even then, Belfry defeated the two other Top Teams in 2013 and took down Central in 14 who won that brutal West.

 

Can we put this to rest now?

 

The East was down in 2014 and in 2015. Belfry has a fortunate draw as such. Outside of those years, they have earned everything they have achieved in 3A and according to the AP Poll (once again FWIW) the east has NOT been down for years as you insist