Once again, they would have been a medium 3A school.

 

It won't be sad for us, believe me, we all have worked too long to be sad about a trip to Louisville.

 

It's my understanding that Mercer has just a few less enrolled than Ashland and Ashland is commonly considered one of the larger 3A schools out there.

In response to the part of your post about what the KHSAA should have done: The school board voted to merge and create one high school with separate campuses and thus, to the best of my knowledge and info, the KHSAA did not have the power or authority to tell them that they had to field two separate teams based on the premerger schools. Had the school boards voted to bring Harrodsburg into Mercer's school district but keep it as a separate high school, then there would have been two teams: one per high school. But that's not what the two school boards voted to do. Its one member high school under the merger agreement, with separate campuses, which means one football team under the KHSAA rules. The Constitution and By laws which govern the KHSAA do not, to the best of my review of those documents, permit the KHSAA to require them to field separate teams; and no, before you ask, neither the staff nor the Board of Control of the KHSAA has the power on their own to amend the Constitution or the By laws. If the member schools of the KHSAA want to vote to amend the Constitution and By laws to state that whenever two high schools merge, the merger for the purpose of determining of athletic teams will not be effective until there is a redistricting, they can do so (although I can envision certain problems with that if the campuses become "shared"), they can do so. But that's not what the governing documents say at this time to the best of my knowledge. And thus your idea of what the KHSAA should have done is illegal currently. And quite honestly you can blame the KHSAA or the member schools for not foreseeing this situation, its so bizarre and unusual.

 

What is interesting about this situation is the concept of Boone County (and other similarly situated county school districts) merging all of its high schools into one high school with one football team, with separate campuses.Think of the power house football teams that would be created throughout the state. Heck Trinity may never win another state championship again. Unfortunately, that would result in a whole lot of kids not getting the opportunity to get on the field on Friday nights and experience high school football, all in the name of creating a powerhouse team. I like the way that Boone County currently does it personally although I MAY think differently if I was the Boone County head football coach :ylsuper:.

 

I realize fully why some logically think its unfair for Mercer to be competing in 2A, but heck if you think about it, it could have been worse. If Mercer had merged into Harrodsburg instead of the other way around (which would have also resolved Harrodsburg's financial problems), they would have been a 1A team this year. While its ugly now, that would have been real ugly I would think (do other people think that the 1A teams would have a better chance at beating Mercerburg than the 2A schools?).

 

The current situation stinks for the seniors in the other 2A schools I agree, but there was nothing the KHSAA could do about it from what I've been told.

 

Very good and informative post if your facts are correct. You know it really does not mater at this point what the situation is. The bottom line is the state of Kentucky who governs sports turned thier back on this unfair advantage. It monitors individual tranfers of students with an iron fist. If it was just money I could care less. It's kids and the future of this state who we as adults have let down. If you were to poll the players, the fans, and even the administrators I would guarantee you the results would be that Mercer has a unfair advantage in Class 2-A.

 

We the state, and the adults governing this state have let all the kids down who compete in class 2-A football.

Fact is Russell who really is a 2a school has to play a school for a state championship who is a 4a school, because " quoting the Mercer fans" We have already merged" Plain and simple. It is sad for both teams. If Mercer comes away with the win Friday ( and I say if, I am still betting on my Red Devils) they can say Hey we won a state championship against a 2a school!!! Kind of like a junior high football team getting beat by the Freshman football team. The KHSAA did drop the ball and it is wrong, regardless. Say what you will!

 

As far as the ball game goes Russell will fight to keep their title. I believe they can! :fire:

 

They would be 3A. Did people complain this much when Mason co. and Maysville merged back in the 90's and stayed in AA that year? I know message boards weren't around then but, they were pretty good and noone seemed to notice. There are so many ways to twist and turn everything. This has been a season long debate. Debating it isn't going to solve anything. I guess it's just somthing to talk about besides that game that has to be played on friday. I know the fellas get tired of hearing about it. But, they take all these negatives and feed off of it. They have for awhile now. They are seeing more of it this week then they have all year. You aren't helping the Devils any.

Very good and informative post if your facts are correct. You know it really does not mater at this point what the situation is. The bottom line is the state of Kentucky who governs sports turned thier back on this unfair advantage. It monitors individual tranfers of students with an iron fist. If it was just money I could care less. It's kids and the future of this state who we as adults have let down. If you were to poll the players, the fans, and even the administrators I would guarantee you the results would be that Mercer has a unfair advantage in Class 2-A.

 

We the state, and the adults governing this state have let all the kids down who compete in class 2-A football.

 

Don't take it so personal. You aren't playing Trinity.

Do you realize the scheduling nightmare that would have occurred if KHSAA had moved Mercer to 3A after the merger? There would have been a domino effect that would have affected a lot of teams.

 

I really am sorry that if Russell loses that some will feel that is was because they were playing a team that is too big. Tell you what. My little 1A team would love to be where Russell is. We will take your place at Papa John's on Friday.

Don't take it so personal. You aren't playing Trinity.

 

Your right we are playing Harrodsburg and Mercer County at the same time.

We need to get over it.

 

:thumb: My thoughts exactly.

Once again, they would have been a medium 3A school.

 

It won't be sad for us, believe me, we all have worked too long to be sad about a trip to Louisville.

 

 

I believe the cutoff for 4A was 1040 students, based on KHSAA's website for next year's alignment Mercer has 515 boys, double that and that is 1030, also there are usually more females than males.

I believe the cutoff for 4A was 1040 students, based on KHSAA's website for next year's alignment Mercer has 515 boys, double that and that is 1030, also there are usually more females than males.

 

I believe that it was stated earlier that Mercer's male student enrollment was about 60% of the student body. They are listed in the 930s somewhere. Which would be a medium to medium large 3A school.

I believe that it was stated earlier that Mercer's male student enrollment was about 60% of the student body. They are listed in the 930s somewhere. Which would be a medium to medium large 3A school.

 

 

Thank you for bringing the facts into the discussion midee1. :thumb:

 

You know it gets old to hear the same stuff over and again. Most posters have noted their feelings (as have I) but some continue to keep slinging "talking points" that have less to do with facts than emotion. (BTW, I guess I'm just as guilty in the caption of continuing to talk. )

 

I know that some feel that what has happened is unfair and that's your right. Mercer did what they had to do and all of it was in the system. Someone posted, "How would A teams feel if they had to play Mercer?" I can't answer for NCC but Danville would not be making this kind of fuss at all. They played them in a scrimmage. They've played Manual and St X in the past, not to mention Highlands every year. Shoot, when they were playing in AA they actually beat the AAAA runnerup in 1993 by 14 or 21 points. As for playoffs they actually won a AAA title when they were closer to A size and won numerous AA titles when they were legitimately A size.

I will say this...Mercer has an advantage (in numbers). I would not call it "unfair." Russell has probably had this same advantage (in numbers) in a few contests this season.

 

In August, I would not have bet $1 on the Mercer team making it to the state championship game, because of the meshing of the 2 programs. That had to be tough. 2 bitter rivals being told over night that they would be playing together? Wow! Just like the movie! I am surprised they made it and I have seen 3 Titan games this season. They are amazing. My hat is tipped to the COACHES, ADMINISTRATION, COMMUNITY, PARENTS, and most of all the young TITAN MEN! There is NO team in the state of KY that has played with so much adversity this season. I'd say this team is the #3 most hated team in the state. If my son had to play against them, I'd cry foul as well...well maybe not, but I wouldn't like it.

I will say this...Mercer has an advantage (in numbers). I would not call it "unfair." Russell has probably had this same advantage (in numbers) in a few contests this season.

 

In August, I would not have bet $1 on the Mercer team making it to the state championship game, because of the meshing of the 2 programs. That had to be tough. 2 bitter rivals being told over night that they would be playing together? Wow! Just like the movie! I am surprised they made it and I have seen 3 Titan games this season. They are amazing. My hat is tipped to the COACHES, ADMINISTRATION, COMMUNITY, PARENTS, and most of all the young TITAN MEN! There is NO team in the state of KY that has played with so much adversity this season. I'd say this team is the #3 most hated team in the state. If my son had to play against them, I'd cry foul as well...well maybe not, but I wouldn't like it.

 

It usually begins with the coaches and admin and the way they handle it with the kids. In our merger in VA one long time rival absorbed the other. For the school that was no longer a HS, they lost their mascot and their name. But the football coaches got together at the end of the season with the kids and told them how special the moment was and what they could build together. The result is that Bassett has won their District for all 3 years since the merger and have advanced to the State AA Group 3 semi-finals for their second straight year. (Best run in the history of the school)

Whats the influence of Harrodsburg? #2 Cory Jackson, 80% of the plays the ball goes into his hands, be it HB Passes, or sweeps, the kid is fast.

25.4% to be exact of ALL plays this year have involved Jackson. You are forgetting 3 other very good running backs (hey one even has over 2000 yards rushing this season... )

And on and on and on the merger talk goes...............................

 

I wonder how much talk there would be about the merger if Mercer's football team hadn't been so successful this year? I'll answer my own question. None. You see ladies and gents, the problem that people have is not with the merger, it's with the success.

I am trying to remain out of this conversation, but from ym personal experiences dealing directly with the administration at Mercer County High School I will say that from my undertsanding this is a false statement.

 

I specifically remember dicussing how good the Titan team will be the day that the Herlad-Leader preview had been released, and jokingly mentioning how Belfry was ranked ahead of them. People knew how good they would be, in fact as good of a common interest story as it was, I am willing to bet it is a large reason why the LHL did such an elaborate article on them and dedicated a full page picture.

 

I will also go on record as saying that in no way does this mean that I think it was an entirely planned move by all parties involved... I honestly feel that sports played a part in the decision, to assume it was the driving force is ignorant for anyone to assume. For such a large undertaking as moving a consolidation a year ahead in planning simply based on a sports team's success would be very unwise, and from ym delaing with the MCHS administration and school board, these are not people who would make stupid decisions. They are very professional and genuinely look for the student's best interest.

 

But for ANY poster to deny that sports played somehwat of a role is biased and turning their face.... but... the merger was a very calculated and wise move on levels beyond sports that DID benefit the kids.

I was just wondering why no one responded to this?