I was talking with guru and thought I would share what has gone on at Lawrence County since about 1989. While they haven't been where they were in the 90's I do think they are moving back in that direction. We just did a camp with old players coming back and had 70+ kids at the camp. In this decade there have been some big obstacles. Coaching changes, LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION especially in paying for coaches, unheard of rash of injuries and monster schedules that include the Ironton's of the world.

 

A little background on LC football and what it has become. Prior too 1990 I think LC had only put one or two teams ever into the playoffs. The old Louisa High School made a run to the final 4 back in the mid to late 70's but Lawrence Co had only been once or twice before 1990. In 1990 LC played out of District and went 11-0. They couldn't play in the playoffs because they weren't in a confrence. The next year we lost 21-18 in the final 4 to Mayfield. The following year was followed up by an undefeated District run and a loss to Pburg in the Regional Championship. LC would go on the next few years to produce some dominant teams. In 1997 I think it was they ended Breathitt's 42 game win streak (3rd longest in the state) and was upset again in the final 4 too Bourbon who went on to win. They went back again to the final 4 in 99 I think it was where they lost to Highlands led by Gududlli and crew. LC had another dominant team in there that was blanked by Lorenzen and Company.

 

The run in the 90's saw LC win around 111 games I think it was putting them around #7 in the state in the 90's. The Ashland Daily did a spill before the new generation that gave grades too all the teams in the area. The only 2 teams around that scored an A+ in the 90's was Ironton Ohio and Lawrence Co KY (that would be the Eastern KY area). The turn of the century saw one of the best 1+2 combos in Eastern KY history in Dontae Writght QB (now OLB at Miami of Ohio) and Mike West at that time one of the top 4 rushers in state history with 3..2,000+ yard seasons. There was a group coming in after that crew that just went through as many injuries as I have ever seen in High School. We then struggled with youth and lack of support. There is a nucleus in place at LC as far as coaches go that have battled the adversity and are getting things back on track. I played for Coach Goldsmith and I would strap up a helmet tonight if I could play one snap for him. I've been all over the state coaching and there is not a better motivator that I have been around when he's on! The only two guys that I have ever had that feeling around are Coach Smith and Coach Yeagle. I also have the pleasure of calling Coach Cecill and Coach Dixon my friends. They have both turned down opportunities to coach at other places but have stayed because their loyalty and love for the LC program. These guys work their tails off and it's not going to be long before the ship gets back on path!

 

Just to give outsiders a taste of what this program has offered to some guys I'm going to throw some names out and show you how it has effected these guys. The family there has touched MANY lives but these are football ties. You have to think that the population of Louisa is only 2,000 yet there are only a couple of programs in this state that could come close to bosting these individual accomplishments.

Since 1989ish the program has probably had somewhere in the neighborhood of 40+ All State players including the honorable mention list. Louisa is quite a ways from Louisville so that is a HUGE number! 27 guys over this span have gone on to play college football which is a really big number considering the publicity kids have gotten in that small town! Here are some names and what they have done:

 

*5 National Championships(playing) and 1 State Championship(coaching) over this span.

*Gerad Parker (UK) coached at UK and is at Raceland now. This guy is without question one of the best young coaches in this state! He is the kind of guy that will probably have college coaching opportunities in his future if he wants to go that route. He will be a head coach one day real soon in High School if he wants too and his wife (Kandi Brown Parker is a legend herself in Eastern KY).

*Jason Michael: (Western) Coaching the New York Jets (soon to be QB coach) was with the Raiders after a couple of years helping at UTenn. 27 years old right now. I honestly think he will end up being an NFL HEAD COACH one day! 4.0 student too! Jason was also the starting QB on the Hilltoppers National Championship team a few years back. He is almost as loved in Bowling Green as he is in Louisa!

*Phil Ratcliff He was a 2 time all american at Marshall. He won a National Championship coaching at James Madison and just got a job coaching at Marshall.

 

*Mike Copley: (Ohio Wesleyn) D-coordinator/conditioning coach at Pikeville.

*Dontae Wright (Miami of Ohio) QB at LC starting OLB this year at Miami of Ohio. Look for him to have a GREAT year this year!!

*Jerrad Hosstetter (UofTenn) Should battle for a staring spot on the DL. He played TE/LB at LC but is about 6'6 315ish now with speed. If he stays healthy then I will be shocked if he isn't drafted.

*Mike West (Marshall and now Campbellsville) He had gotten out of football but just got offered a full ride too C-ville where Brian Short is also playing from LC. Mike was one of the best backs in STATE history!

*Kyle Barnette: Football and baseball at Centre (should start as a slot back this year)

*James Storts: Georgetown RB in High School moved to MLB this year with a chance to start.

* Mike Roberts: walk on at Eastern

*Chris Hamilton: OL at Marshall a few years back

*James Moore: Center at Morehead a few years back

*Mike McCreary RB Georgetown: Natioanl Champ and an accountant in Lex now

*Alan Short: Qbed C-ville and is now offensive coordinator at Adair Co.

*Travis Phelps QB W.V. State Now a college professor and lead singer in a band out in Cali.

*Stuart Cook- Morehead State Anchor on their OL in the 90s!

*J.R. Cook- Morehead State OL had a nice run there too.

*Brent Cook- Morehead State OL keep it in the family right!

*Howard Adams- Georgetown University Is now a minister down in Ala.

*Keith Best- Thomas Moore One of the more underrated leaders in LC history.

*John Daniels-Georgetown U

*Hikeo Adams-Morehead State Now a doctor in Louisville or Shelbyville.

*John Caudill- Morehead State Now coaching at LC.

*Webb Roberts- Morehead State 1 of the most versitile backs in Eastern KY history.

*Tater McKenzie-Marshall University Broker in Jacksonville now and played WR with Randy Moss at Marshall.

*Will Hatten?

 

I could go on and on but I'm getting carpel tunnell!:irked: For a town with the population 2,000 it was like Friday Night Lights when things were on a roll. There are only a handfull of schools in the state with a resume like that over that span and I doubt any from a town that small. Unfortunatly our fans have gotten a little spoiled and we lost a great football guy out of the board office when Eddie Wayne Micheal left. I do think that LC is starting to turn the corner again with a group of kids that care about each other and a passionate staff.

 

I am very proud to be a BULLDOG! I love it when Louisa shuts down on Friday nights to support the team! The guys that have walked that sidewalk to get to the field will never forget that feeling of the cleats clicking on "the walk", the kids stopping their little game they are playing in awe of the Dogs coming toward the field and last but not least that roar of the crowd when they get their first glance of the team making their appearence! I wanted to share a little bit of info about arguably the best programs to never win it all and the success that I don't think many realize we have had over the past 15 or so years especially for a team that had only been to the playoffs once or twice in history. LC has fallen to some great programs like Mayfield, Highlands, Rockcastle, Bell etc. While the dogs do have some young guys this year, I do think that they are starting to play for each other and I can't wait for the day that the momentum starts rolling again. All it takes is one BIG win and the SNOWBALL EFFECT takes place in Louisa!:fight:

Amen brother!!! Keep preaching the truth, I remember when I was younger and going to home games and just being in awe of a Bulldog football player at any grade or position. LC is headed back in the right direction and I am doing what I can to make sure it stays that way. Kind makes you realize what kind of great program we have here in Louisa and once the SNOWBALL EFFECT takes hold again then everyone will remember why LAWRECE COUNTY is a name to remember and respect.:thumb: :dancingpa

Great post stick!!!! LC has always been a great program. I played against those teams in the 70's and they were tough to beat. The Bulldogs always amaze me with the talent level they have turned out over the years. The Pride that you speak of shows in your post and to me is what high school football is all about. You have the right to be proud of your Bulldog tradition and I give you a big (:thumb:) thumbs up for letting us be a small part of it.

PS. If it's ok we will keep Gerad & Kandi here in Ramland for a long time. They both are great and are a big plus for the Raceland athletic program. If everyone has the Pride in the program that you express LC is in for a great year!! NICE JOB!!!!

I was so proud to watch the LC team today in just a scrimmage because for the first time in a long time they played like a TEAM. TOTAL TEAM effort and everyone was on the same page and busting their hind parts for every teammate on the field and even for the ones on the sidelines. Now thats Lawrence County football.

I forgot to mention that I had so much respect for LC that I married one of their graduates!!:ylsuper: She has the Bulldog fight but she bleeds Orange:eek:

I forgot to mention that I had so much respect for LC that I married one of their graduates!!:ylsuper: She has the Bulldog fight but she bleeds Orange:eek:

 

As long as she still has the fight I think we can deal with that. LOL By the way, any girl from LC is a great catch.:thumb:

By the way I think I have read this post like 6 times already and I get chills everytime I do. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!

Great post on LCHS football - They have always has a very tough team. Raceland has had some real battles with you guys through the years. The last two or three were all LC but most were pretty evenly matched. Talent that LC has had takes a back seat to no one as far as I am concerened. I tried to make your playoff games and some others when I could. (When my Rams weren't playng). LCHS has a long standing and great tradition there that deserves respect from anyone. I also agree 100% with cville in keeping G. Parker here in Raceland. Gerad and his wife have made a very positive impact on Raceland athletics and I personally hope that they are down here for many years to come.

Dont forget Mr Bulldog Dougie Vanhoose.

If anyone thinks that the LC football program is just another football school on the river is sadly mistaken. A lot of pride go into the sweat and effort that the players put out everyday and the town and community notices this. GO DAWGS!! When the bark and bite comes back around to LC then LOOK OUT, this town will be buzzing and so will the football team.

Dont forget Mr Bulldog Dougie Vanhoose.

 

Biggest Lawrence County fan I have ever met.:ylsuper:

Dont forget Mr Bulldog Dougie Vanhoose.

:thumb:

To hear how good the alumni from LC is doing is a great thing to hear. Really proud of all of them and hope the continue all of their success.

As long as she still has the fight I think we can deal with that. LOL By the way, any girl from LC is a great catch.:thumb:

Believe me it never leaves!! When you cross a Ram with a Bulldog you get a pretty good football bloodline. :laugh:

Believe me it never leaves!! When you cross a Ram with a Bulldog you get a pretty good football bloodline. :laugh:

 

I think thats the funniest thing I have heard in a long time.:lol: :lol: