I see. Ashland got Ironton back on the schedule, I just assumed that Belfry did too. The Ashland/Ironton game draws our biggest crowd of the year.

 

Although Belfry has a great football tradition - I think Ashland's path to success in our new 5A class leads us west and north. If we're to be competitive in 5A we need to play more non-district 5A and 6A teams, IMO.

 

I agree... but for example this season how many 5A and 6A teams (or for that matter any class) not on Ashland's schedule already can you name within an hour and a half of Ashland or the distance to Belfry of 81 miles that would be a better test? Henry Clay..... and 4A LexCath is all that comes to mind (1hr 45 minutes and 115+ miles). Scott County and Madison Central is debatable and each are at the 2 hour range. NKY is 3 hours away, ditto to the outskirts of Louisville.

Does Ashland split the gate and concessions with Raceland 50/50?

 

I don't know. I bet Ram would know. But even still that can't even out when you have to pay a bus driver, gas, etc. Like I said though it's Raceland's call, but if I were them I would want a home game. While the Tomcat Nation may not agree to it I think Ashland owes them at least one trip to Ram Stadium out of respect. And as the Russell game proved- you can put a lot of people in Raceland's stadium. They brought in extra seats, had plenty of areas to stand, had ample parking, and even ran a shuttle service for anyone that wanted a ride. I am sure they would do the same for the Ashland game.

The Raceland/Ashland game is a lucrative deal for both schools. Raceland does get money for traveling to Putnum Stadium every year. I wouldn't mind Ashland coming to Raceland every other year, and I think that is why this will more then likely be the last year of this rivalry for a while, that and Ashand started scheduling Raceland as what they thought would be a weaker opponent, but Raceland has proven to be strong competition.

 

Greybeard, I don't mean to disagree with you, but I think Ashland gets quite a bit from playing Raceland, and I don't think they would get much more from playing a bigger school. Raceland has proven to be competitive and the match up provides good benefits to both teams. Plus, the game is a local rivalry with great financial benefits for both schools. I, honestly, don't know what situation would be better for Ashland. But, with that said, I expect this to be the last game for a while.

1. The travel cost would be near nothing.

2. It would be a great rivalry.

3. The game would be fun for fans.

4. The game would most likely get a lot of publicity in NKY.

 

Those are just a few that I have. It seems like there could be a few more, but I'd need to think about it a little longer.

 

The kids would love to play each other..:thumb:

Although it doesn’t specifically address not wanting to play a certain school, Lone Oak’s scheduling doesn’t seem to include much competition for a team that made it to the state championship last year. They don’t play a single 5A or 6A team, even though there are several in West Kentucky, and the only 4A teams they play are in their district. Half of their schedule is two or more classes below them and none of the teams traditionally make it deep into the playoffs. The one Tennessee school they play was 1-9 last year, so my question is are they padding the schedule for another undefeated or one loss year?

 

I truly think that the weakness of LO's schedule contributed to their big loss in the state championship game. Now if as a coach you are satisfied just making it there, perhaps that's one thing. But if your goal and the goal of your team is to become the absolutely best football team you can be, and hopefully win state, in my mind that means playing the toughest competition you can. I'll submit as Exhibit A, Louisville Central. Their regular season record last year was something like 5-5 wasn't it? But they played a very tough schedule including X and Highlands, which I think really, really prepared them for the state game. Perhaps, we can't know, if Central had got pasted by X and Highlands, perhaps their psyche had been destroyed, but I don't think so.

 

What really surprises me is that the N. Ky 6A don't play Highlands. Heck, you'd think they'd want to play Highlands to get ready to play the Lex and Lou 6A teams.

What really surprises me is that the N. Ky 6A don't play Highlands. Heck, you'd think they'd want to play Highlands to get ready to play the Lex and Lou 6A teams.

Sometimes a bruised ego is worse then not winning a State Championship. I have found that schools really hate loosing to a smaller school for some reason.

I agree... but for example this season how many 5A and 6A teams (or for that matter any class) not on Ashland's schedule already can you name within an hour and a half of Ashland or the distance to Belfry of 81 miles that would be a better test? Henry Clay..... and 4A LexCath is all that comes to mind (1hr 45 minutes and 115+ miles). Scott County and Madison Central is debatable and each are at the 2 hour range. NKY is 3 hours away, ditto to the outskirts of Louisville.

 

 

There aren’t any 5A or 6A schools that I know of closer than a 2-hour drive from Ashland. But IMO we still need to play them if we want to become competitive in our new class.

 

 

The Raceland/Ashland game is a lucrative deal for both schools. Raceland does get money for traveling to Putnum Stadium every year. I wouldn't mind Ashland coming to Raceland every other year, and I think that is why this will more then likely be the last year of this rivalry for a while, that and Ashand started scheduling Raceland as what they thought would be a weaker opponent, but Raceland has proven to be strong competition.

 

Greybeard, I don't mean to disagree with you, but I think Ashland gets quite a bit from playing Raceland, and I don't think they would get much more from playing a bigger school. Raceland has proven to be competitive and the match up provides good benefits to both teams. Plus, the game is a local rivalry with great financial benefits for both schools. I, honestly, don't know what situation would be better for Ashland. But, with that said, I expect this to be the last game for a while.

 

 

Ram: I agree that the Raceland game has become a good local rivalry game – lots of press and interest and a big gate. The Raceland program certainly deserves respect. But, like you, I don’t think the contract will be renewed. It’s sad, but that’s what I think will happen. If it’s not going to be a local rivalry game; I think it should be a big Kentucky school. I think a lot of confidence can be gained having our boys play big Kentucky schools. When all the non-district games are with smaller schools, I think the team can suffer with self-doubt. But those games probably won’t happen either.

 

What’s more likely IMO is: we schedule Portsmouth (OH) or Wheelersburg (OH) – who we’ve played off and on over the years; or maybe Spring Valley (WV) or Cable Midland (WV) – who we play JV games with. What makes these games more likely is their proximity to Ashland. Not my choice, just my prediction.

Fair enough Graybeard, but I hope we are both wrong and the contract is renewed.

This is the second year of a contract cycle ... that's why they are playing the same schedule.

 

True, but if they go 10-0 or 9-1 in the regular season, I would hope they would schedule a few tougher opponents during the next cycle.

True, but if they go 10-0 or 9-1 in the regular season, I would hope they would schedule a few tougher opponents during the next cycle.

Agreed, starting with the replacement of Fulton City and Todd Central on the schedule.

Actually Buck, this will more than likely be the last year you see the County teams in the Ray Correll Bowl. With Somerset's refusal to play both teams in a given season, the county schools have not renewed the contract. It is a shame, w/ Somerset's deep tradition & the $$$ it would generate, the fans around here are going to miss out on 2 exciting games. With fuel prices the way they are & teams trying to not travel it seems like a slam dunk to play both schools the same year. 2 games without leaving town, & the biggest gate of the year when you get SW or PC @ home. Oh well, lets hope these games actually do take place in the future.

 

Jay Cobb told me a few years ago the reason SHS won't play PC and SW in the same season was because it always left the Jumpers too beat up for the district season after having to play the two bigger schools in short order just before going into district play.

Actually Buck, this will more than likely be the last year you see the County teams in the Ray Correll Bowl. With Somerset's refusal to play both teams in a given season, the county schools have not renewed the contract. It is a shame, w/ Somerset's deep tradition & the $$$ it would generate, the fans around here are going to miss out on 2 exciting games. With fuel prices the way they are & teams trying to not travel it seems like a slam dunk to play both schools the same year. 2 games without leaving town, & the biggest gate of the year when you get SW or PC @ home. Oh well, lets hope these games actually do take place in the future.

I don't understand the reasoning for backing out of the Correll Bowl. It is already the biggest (or close to it) pay day for each of the schools each year. Why would the county schools back out, trying to force Somerset to play them both each year? I have heard that the coaches want to rotate the Correll Bowl between the three schools. First off Ray Correll for whom the bowl is named played at SHS and secondly neither of the county fields could handle the crowd of the Correll Bowl. They don't have enough seating for when they play each other let alone the 4 team bowl. I would think that both Pulaski and Southwestern would like to play schools their own size to prepare for the playoffs rather than playing much smaller Somerset. I hope the Bowl game continues with all three local schools playing the same night with a rotating opponent. Danville and Rockcastle have both served as the rotating teams in the past and seemed to really enjoy the bowl.

Jay Cobb told me a few years ago the reason SHS won't play PC and SW in the same season was because it always left the Jumpers too beat up for the district season after having to play the two bigger schools in short order just before going into district play.

 

Makes sense to me.

I am a Russel fan here and even though it's hard to swallow at times, I would rather Russell lose to Raceland and Fairview and get better than to blow out a 4A or 5A school. Yea it's rough at the water cooler the next morning at work but I believe Raceland or Fairview can help Russell or teams similar in their quest for a trip to the pizza box. The only time I think it may not help is if one team runs a totally different offense than one you might see down the road. I think we shouldn't underestimate all the talent in the area and we should all benefit from it. Most all of us are in different classes so wouldnt it be awesome if we all were driving down to Louisville at the end of the year.

It is already the biggest (or close to it) pay day for each of the schools each year.

Not true. Pulaski made more money from the Wayne Co. home game than they received from the Correll Bowl. They made more money from the Mercer Co. home game than they did in the Correll Bowl. When you start splitting the money between schools, it's not as much money as would think. Moving the Bowl game has nothing to do with it either. By the way, have you seen Pulaski's new stadium? Not only could it host a 4 team bowl game, it will host a 4 team bowl next year, so space is not a problem. Both county schools would just like to have the opportunity to get Somerset on their respective home fields for a change.

As far as playing bigger schools & getting beat up, doesn't Somerset play Harlan Central this year, on the road, no doubt? They don't get much bigger than that as far as school size goes. Somerset plays bigger schools in non conference games every year, so why not play in town, save money on travel & collect a big paycheck?. But the best reason is it would keep 2 great rivalries going in this community. I, for one, would love to see it every year. Somerset's 100 years+ of tradition against the county schools.