I will not say that Coach Jewell and Coach Hilton do not get along. That is what all signs point to but I do not know that to say it as a fact. Therefore, I'll refrain from that assumption. I cannot speak for Middlesboro but do know that fear isn't the reason Corbin and Bell do not play. Fear might not be the reason BC and MHS play either but unlike Middlesboro, Corbin and Bell usually alternate wins in the series with an occasional 2 or 3 year win streak for either school. The Corbin vs. Bell rivalry was about as even as one could get.

 

Maybe the Tommy Greer thing could have some merit. I think it really started getting heated and came to a boil when T.R. Christopher moved to Corbin summer before last. Bell went to the state and was able to hold the transfer so he couldn't play at Corbin resulting in T.R. moving back to Bell.

 

 

IMO if the Corbin coaches thought they could beat Bell County they would be playing. Why not want to beat a team or school you don't like. I believe the fans on both sides have a huge desire to continue the series and I am sure the players do to. They need to start back playing!

You may be on to something.

 

I just think that both MHS and Corbin are just sick and tired of getting beat year after year.

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I never said it was fear, and I don't think it is the reason they don't play. BUT those are games not only fans of the schools, but fans across SEKY would love to see played. Certainly there is bad blood between these schools,(that is what makes great rivalries) but what better place to settle differences than on the confines of the football field. Sometimes ADULTS (myself included) get in the way of what it is all about

 

And then sometimes the adults (coaches included) ARE the ones in the way.

Yeah its real cowardly for 2A schools not to want to play 5A.

 

They didn't worry about Bell being bigger when they were beating up on them in the 70s and early 80s.

They didn't worry about Bell being bigger when they were beating up on them in the 70s and early 80s.

 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but for most of the 70's weren't they in the same class? Didn't Kentucky only have 3 classes for the state with Louiville in their own class?

I'm not particularly on the "In" of the Bell County program, just a former student and huge fan, and I know most of the kids involved in the program now, and a number from years back, and I can say, my honest opinion of the whole situation is its horrible. I don't think fear would be the word to use for for the Corbin-Bell rivalry being on hiatus right now, because if you can recall the last game we played Corbin in I'm positive, correct me if I'm wrong, was won on a last second Monte Merrick field goal by Bell. Quite a close call don't you think? Why would anyone have fear after such a classic, and close game? But as to the Middlesboro situation, IMHO, I think the fact they were outscored 112-12, 56-6 blowouts in consecutive years, is a huge reason for this one coming to an abrupt end for now. But also, no disrespect to the Jackets program, I firmly believe with the athletes they've developed in that program, if the Bobcats and Jackets hooked up this year, it could be another one of these "wars" I hear so much about from the past, especially with Hunter Adams back at receiver instead of QB.

Edited August 13, 200818 yr by Ram
Rule 13

From someone who knows the real reason Middlesboro will not play Bell,, Coach Greer has nothing to do with it.:dancingpa

Edited August 13, 200818 yr by Watusi

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All are good programs and should play each other. It is a waste that they don't and cost the kids. They should be able to know what it feels like to play in a rivalry game. You only get 4 chances to play in these games, why waste them!!!!!

Especially with the way gas prices are it makes the situation worse. Bell and Middlesboro are very close together and Corbin is a little more than a half hour drive. Now Bell has to drive longer distances to find someone to play them and it a lot of times it isn't as strong of an opponent as Corbin.

It is a shame that they don't play each other but I do know that Bell County should have plenty of open dates next year so I am sure they would be more thatn willing to put both of them on their schedule. I believe that Bell has 4 open dates next year according to the KHSAA open dates.

Almost everyone has open dates for next year though, it is early in the scheduling season for 2009.

I know that it is early I am just trying to say that Middlesboro and Corbin have the chance if they want to play but that won't happen because they don't want it to.

Correct me if I'm wrong but for most of the 70's weren't they in the same class? Didn't Kentucky only have 3 classes for the state with Louiville in their own class?

 

I think the expansion into four classes was in 1975, so they probably were in the same district for several years.

 

Bell was quite a bit bigger then though, and like I said, nobody complained then.