How was there defense a question last year? There defense only gave up 151 points in 14 games. That's 10.7 points a game which was seventh in the state and second in class 3a. The only game that gave up a lot of yardage was the Cov Cath game with most of that coming in the second half. Please tell me which games did the secondary struggle against. They gave up 204 yards through the air against Cov Cath but who else did they struggle against? There run defense was great all season. I'll agree with you on the defense in the Cov Cath game but you can't base one game on the entire season. I'm sorry but if you thought Johnson Central's defense was a question mark last year you probably shouldn't be commenting in this thread because how many other defenses "struggled" by giving up only 10.7 points a game with over twenty interceptions on the year while having a 1st team all state defense tackle and a second team all state defensive end and not to mention two of the best linebackers in the state last year. Did you even see Johnson Central play last year? :confused:

I like Johnson central a whole lot, and will pull for them in every game this season except for the Belfry game. But, I stand by my assertions.

 

With all due respect, please name me one quality passing team that JC played last season. The only two teams that really were any type of challenge to JC was Ashland and Rockcastle. Rockcastle's passing game was non-existent, and Ashland's only passing game was Mahan to McDavid and the occasional flare to Thomas. It is very easy to say, and I will be shocked if you don't agree, that no other offense JC faced was even remotely as balanced as CCH last season. Therefore (and considering it was the state-semi's when JC was playing full steam ahead) I will say without hesitation I have no problem judging their defense based on one game, because CCH was the only top tier team they faced, and the point of this discussion is if JCHS can reach that level.

 

I do feel Johnson central had a very good run defense last season, but against CovCath they gave up rushing yards in bunches. If CovCath was a one dimensional running team then the Eagles would have trounced them just like everyone else, but those top tier big schools are not one dimensional, and once the Eagles became vulnerable to the passing game those running lanes, in particular off tackle, opened up like at no other time last season. I will concede that if Johnson had not got hurt then it definately would have helped JCHS on both sides of the ball, but the fact remains CovCath got anything they wanted on offense that night.

 

I am a Belfry fan and feel as though my beloved Pirates are going to get beat down, no matter how much our young QB improves. The Louisville Central game should be a really good prep for JCHS as they will see an experienced/talented QB in Leland Banks, as well as alot of athleticism at all the skill positions, this will be a matchup that they could have desperately used last season.

I saw Johnson Central is playing @ Bell County in a scrimmage game this friday. That should be a good measuring stick for their first scrimmage.

As an outside observer, I would have to say that JC is very dangerous to anyone they play. Right now, they have several intangibles. They have confidence, after a successful season. They have pride, in a very nice new facility. They apparently have fan support, and a lot of it. They have school administration support, obviously. They have a hungary coach, who is dying to prove that JC is a football power. And that is not even taking into account that they may have some very good football players. I would say JC will see an increased number of participants over the next two years. Watch and see kids will be transferring to JC from other surrounding schools. I really like Paintsville, but this may be the end of Painsville football, if they do not do something to make themselves attractive to football players.

 

I would say that JC is going to be the most dangerous team in there class this year, I am not saying they will be the best, but the most dangerous.

 

That's interesting. What are the chances of a JC/Paintsville merger similar to what happened with Harrodsburg/Mercer Co.?

I like Johnson central a whole lot, and will pull for them in every game this season except for the Belfry game. But, I stand by my assertions.

 

With all due respect, please name me one quality passing team that JC played last season. The only two teams that really were any type of challenge to JC was Ashland and Rockcastle. Rockcastle's passing game was non-existent, and Ashland's only passing game was Mahan to McDavid and the occasional flare to Thomas. It is very easy to say, and I will be shocked if you don't agree, that no other offense JC faced was even remotely as balanced as CCH last season. Therefore (and considering it was the state-semi's when JC was playing full steam ahead) I will say without hesitation I have no problem judging their defense based on one game, because CCH was the only top tier team they faced, and the point of this discussion is if JCHS can reach that level.

 

I do feel Johnson central had a very good run defense last season, but against CovCath they gave up rushing yards in bunches. If CovCath was a one dimensional running team then the Eagles would have trounced them just like everyone else, but those top tier big schools are not one dimensional, and once the Eagles became vulnerable to the passing game those running lanes, in particular off tackle, opened up like at no other time last season. I will concede that if Johnson had not got hurt then it definately would have helped JCHS on both sides of the ball, but the fact remains CovCath got anything they wanted on offense that night.

 

I am a Belfry fan and feel as though my beloved Pirates are going to get beat down, no matter how much our young QB improves. The Louisville Central game should be a really good prep for JCHS as they will see an experienced/talented QB in Leland Banks, as well as alot of athleticism at all the skill positions, this will be a matchup that they could have desperately used last season.

Hey I'll agree with you on Cov Caths offense they were the best that JC faced last season and I feel that they were the best in the state last season. Heck I would say that no team last season faced an offense better than CC. I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this subject but I stand by my assertions as well. I don't feel that Johnson Central struggled on defense last year and I feel the stats don't lie. CC did get a lot of yards in that game last season but some seem to forget that JC was actually leading this game at the half, so it's not like they dominated JC the whole game.

Johnson Central is a very good football team and will be one of the best in Eastern Kentucky for sure, but I dont see them having what it takes to win the State Championship. In class AAAAA all roads to Louisville lead through Northern Kentucky and coach Jim Matney has never beaten a Northern Kentucky team. Not to mention that there will be a definate speed advantage to the Northern Kentucky teams and a special teams advantage since the Northern Kentucky schools have a definate advantage when it comes to playing the field position game.

 

So the long drawn out answer to this thraed is while JC will be flying high and have a great football team they will most likely end their season in the Northern part of the state. I wish the Eagles luck because in AAAAA you need a little bit of luck to be successful.

That's interesting. What are the chances of a JC/Paintsville merger similar to what happened with Harrodsburg/Mercer Co.?

 

I don't know if consolidation will happen. There are many thing that cause that. People in Johnson County would have to commit on that. IE: finances and enrollment. But, from what has been said on BGP about the number of players that Paintville has been having, I think football may be having trouble at Paintville. Which I do not want to see, Paintsville used to be a good football school.

 

Players leaving JC to play at Paintsville and vise versa has been happening for years. But, if Paintville is already having trouble with numbers this could spell big problems for Painsville.

 

I don't think it is any shock to people about "the build it and they will come philosophy". It is true and it happens. Every time a school builds a new high school, gymnasium, or football stadium enrollment goes up, it is a simple fact. School administrations know that, that is one of the reasons they build new facilities, it increased excitement about the school district. That is why Kentucky Christian University began a football program, they knew their male enrollment was below average, so they started a football program. It will not only cause an increase in male enrollment (the players on the football team) but will also increase excitement about KCU. And thusly affect the male enrollment on a larger scale.

That's interesting. What are the chances of a JC/Paintsville merger similar to what happened with Harrodsburg/Mercer Co.?

I dont look for Johnson Central and Paintsville to ever merge.

Johnson Central has speed, size, depth and talent. JC will win atleast 8 games in the regular season. Depending on how the ball bounces they could and should have another 10-0 season. I look for JC to have another deep play-off run again this season.

 

Jim Matney knows how to win state championships. He has won 2 team state titles in wrestling and has had 20 individual state champs. I also believe he coached a track state championship team.

I know Johnson Central is going to have a football state title sitting in the trophy case. Will it happen this year, I know we have a good a chance as anybody.

Who are the top players returning for JC?

 

RB Shawn Grimm, QB JK Ratliff, LB/DE Nathanial Dials, and S/WR Ian Welch.

After watching some their practice today... JC has alot more overall team speed than last year.

 

And I was really impressed with how (well, I really shouldnt say to much more) :sssh:

Wasn't Welch a stud TB last season, or did he play WR?

Wasn't Welch a stud TB last season, or did he play WR?

 

Welch is a very good running back, but he just saw time at that position until Chase Richardson came back from injury. Welch was a stud on defense last year racking in 13 INT's and making many crucial plays. He will likely see his time on the offensive side of the ball this year from the WR position as Soph. Nathan Dillon looks to complete the backfield with Grimm and Richardson.