Regional Schedule at the feeder system level... not HS

 

Thanks. I'm not familiar with other programs. Is it common for programs to play a state wide schedule at the grade school through middle school level? From what I've been able to understand FT plays within it's own system with the 7/8 grades also playing teams from the surrounding counties. In the past they strictly played within their own system. Not sure what, if any, effect that has had on development.

Thanks. I'm not familiar with other programs. Is it common for programs to play a state wide schedule at the grade school through middle school level? From what I've been able to understand FT plays within it's own system with the 7/8 grades also playing teams from the surrounding counties. In the past they strictly played within their own system. Not sure what, if any, effect that has had on development.

 

In the past this is the way almost every program did this

 

What you are seeing though is the evolution of programs and some of your current dominant programs have benefited from an increase focus on competition at the feeder school level. There is actually a Middle School State Tournament and State Champion now and IMHO this exposure to competition and added value of winning and pride has really helped push programs like Bowling Green, Belfry, Johnson Central, Pulaski County, Pikeville, Wayne County, and CAL forward and are playing a huge part in why they have improved their pecking order amongst their respective classifications.

In the past this is the way almost every program did this

 

What you are seeing though is the evolution of programs and some of your current dominant programs have benefited from an increase focus on competition at the feeder school level. There is actually a Middle School State Tournament and State Champion now and IMHO this exposure to competition and added value of winning and pride has really helped push programs like Bowling Green, Belfry, Johnson Central, Pulaski County, Pikeville, Wayne County, and CAL forward and are playing a huge part in why they have improved their pecking order amongst their respective classifications.

Agree with this!

The teams you see listed above in this thread as being potential challengers to BG are not on ATL's list except for Pulaski County. And it is because Pulaski County is on this list IMO that helped elevate their program up to go to 3 straight state championships. Of course having Riley Hall as your QB doesn't hurt.

Feeder programs (a plus), Good coaching staff (a plus), Good administration (a plus), good alumnus (a plus), $ in quarterback club (a plus), really good

players (a MUST).

 

Purples are blessed with all of the above but never forget it doesn't hurt to have kids like your Caruthers or Fants walking though the locker rooms. If you don't have the horses, Bear Bryant couldn't help you.

 

People slam these 7on7 tourneys but if you saw the teams that were represented and the athletes they have brought with them, you quickly realize that coaching, support and the likes are of great value but to have quality athletes getting churned out of your program certainly doesn't hurt matters.

 

Coaches would agree. Don't get me wrong - a great coaching staff can make a good team a much better team.

 

That's what makes the BG's, Trinity's and the likes hard to stop. They have a healthy balance of coaching, support, $ but most of all the horses!

Agree with this!

The teams you see listed above in this thread as being potential challengers to BG are not on ATL's list except for Pulaski County. And it is because Pulaski County is on this list IMO that helped elevate their program up to go to 3 straight state championships. Of course having Riley Hall as your QB doesn't hurt.

 

It reminds me of the movie "Big Fish" and his father's speech about the goldfish.

 

When a goldfish lives in a tank it can grow large, but when it moves to a bigger pond it can grow 5-6 times it's maximum size. Until about 5-7 years ago most every program in Kentucky lived in their own tanks.. some tanks bigger than others..and some goldfish grew large.

 

Now with a whole pond open for them to swim about some goldfish are growing larger than ever while the ones in the tank have maxed themselves out and must look out and say "Hey! Why is that goldfish suddenly so much bigger than me?"

Narrowing further, if any team were to do it, my guess would be Owensboro. They just have to get the higher-up pieces figured out. They're one of the very few that are competing on lower levels, and they have proven recently (though not this year) to be able to compete at times on the higher levels.

 

I think that really all Owensboro needs to do is develop a dependable passing game. I'm not saying that they need to abandon the run as they normally do that really well, but they need at least the threat of a passing game.

 

I've not watched any middle school football, but it is my understanding that the Owensboro middle school teams have lost very few games the last couple of years including some wins over Bowling Green. I'd guess (perhaps incorrectly) that at the middle school level passing isn't a big part of any teams offense. That is likely a big reason why the success of the middle school teams at Owensboro doesn't always translate to the high school level.

 

Watching Bowling Green vs. Owensboro last week to me that seemed to the the biggest difference is that Bowling Green can stretch the field. Owensboro can't and it allowed Bowling Green to load up the box which really slowed down their running game.

A population boom

I think that really all Owensboro needs to do is develop a dependable passing game. I'm not saying that they need to abandon the run as they normally do that really well, but they need at least the threat of a passing game.

 

I've not watched any middle school football, but it is my understanding that the Owensboro middle school teams have lost very few games the last couple of years including some wins over Bowling Green. I'd guess (perhaps incorrectly) that at the middle school level passing isn't a big part of any teams offense. That is likely a big reason why the success of the middle school teams at Owensboro doesn't always translate to the high school level.

 

Watching Bowling Green vs. Owensboro last week to me that seemed to the the biggest difference is that Bowling Green can stretch the field. Owensboro can't and it allowed Bowling Green to load up the box which really slowed down their running game.

Cat,

 

You are all over it! Owensboro's run game is as good or better than anyone in 5A with basically 5 300 lbs lineman and Landon Board running behind them. But 8 on 5 isn't a good proposition. It will take time to develop a good passing game, but O has the talent to do it. Nic Locher was a very underrated QB that have good passing savvy for O back a couple years ago.

 

Your middle school teams have defeated BG several times recently and have terrific athletes, but you are right - passing isn't really needed at that level. But the thing that holds O back the most in my opinion is they don't allow their middle school team to participate in the Middle School State Tournament. While O may beat BG on the field. BG wins by going to the that tournament and getting to the finals most years.

Bowling green is definitely one of the best teams in the state..It will take a perfect effort for any 5A team to upset them this year, but I feel it's somewhat possible..

 

I know some people will disagree with me, but don't sleep on graves county outta the west..also, greenwood is much improved..now, I'm not saying their better teams, but as Graves county proved in 2014, the beast doesn't always conquer it's prey!..

Bowling green is definitely one of the best teams in the state..It will take a perfect effort for any 5A team to upset them this year, but I feel it's somewhat possible..

 

I know some people will disagree with me, but don't sleep on graves county outta the west..also, greenwood is much improved..now, I'm not saying their better teams, but as Graves county proved in 2014, the beast doesn't always conquer it's prey!..

Different beast. I hope we see you the the El again!

Different beast. I hope we see you the the El again!

 

Hopefully so, but I must say, I have total respect for the purples..

Hopefully so, but I must say, I have total respect for the purples..

Eagle, I have no problem with you standing up for your team. We NEED a Graves County voice! And you do a good job with it! After that 2014 game, I have a lot of respect for the Eagles. How do you feel about your team in the district?

Eagle, I have no problem with you standing up for your team. We NEED a Graves County voice! And you do a good job with it! After that 2014 game, I have a lot of respect for the Eagles. How do you feel about your team in the district?

 

Well, in all honesty..Graves this year reminds me of the 2014 team..in 2014 we started 0-4 then came together and won 10 straight before losing the championship game..this year, u never know what graves' team will show up..if we play to our potential I honestly think we'll run the table in the district..our hardest opponent looks to be owensboro. But, graves has alot of weaknesses...mainly teams with speed..so, time will tell, but I would sure enjoy a bg-graves rematch with graves playing their best!

I think that really all Owensboro needs to do is develop a dependable passing game. I'm not saying that they need to abandon the run as they normally do that really well, but they need at least the threat of a passing game.

 

I've not watched any middle school football, but it is my understanding that the Owensboro middle school teams have lost very few games the last couple of years including some wins over Bowling Green. I'd guess (perhaps incorrectly) that at the middle school level passing isn't a big part of any teams offense. That is likely a big reason why the success of the middle school teams at Owensboro doesn't always translate to the high school level.

 

Watching Bowling Green vs. Owensboro last week to me that seemed to the the biggest difference is that Bowling Green can stretch the field. Owensboro can't and it allowed Bowling Green to load up the box which really slowed down their running game.

 

I'm defense of the OHS coaches, they've had some really tough breaks when it comes to QB's going back a few years. I'll name a few:

 

Deonte Douglas (Jr) only plays basketball now but played QB in middle school and is a dynamic athlete.

 

Chandler Crite (soph) played qb in middle school and this kid was THE FUTURE. This kid could pass and run (i.e. Mariota). Crite transfers to Daviess County last year and they move him to WR. Now, he's moved to Tennessee and is doing well from what I've heard

 

Nick Belcher (FR) played qb last year in middle school and can make about any pass you need. About 6'0 tall and is a good athlete. Tore his arm up playing summer baseball and is out the whole season. Hopefully will return next year

 

Even Belcher's backups Braxton French who is also a freshman, tore his arm up playing baseball this summer. Kid is a fine athlete as well.

 

I'm short, OHS has had about the worst luck when it comes to QBs as any team could possibly have.

 

Good news is, OHS has an amazing amount of talent coming up. I look for some great things in the coming years. BG is great and they deserve their due. But Wallace knows that OHS has the jimmies and joes to run with the Purps. OHS has to prove they can matchup on the sidelines and pressbox. Jay Fallin is a young coach (2nd season) and I think he'll continue to get better and learn more as he goes along. I feel very confident about the future of OHS football against anyone. I'll go as far as saying that the OHS-BG winner in the west will determine the champ for years to come.

Different beast. I hope we see you the the El again!

 

You are correct sir. This years team would have beaten the 2014 Bowling Green team by 30.