I look forward to making the trip to Prestonsburg this year. This will be the first time we have played on their new field. I know it has to be better that their old one. There has always been some good games beetween the two. I look for this to be a high scoring game with the winner commong out with a 10 point or less win.

 

Breathitt 34

Prestonsburg 28

Central, though the largest and best funded program in this region, had quite the history of avoiding the better local teams in the pre-Matney era. These were years the Blackcats struggled to find competitive local non-district games.

 

JC wasn't competitive during those years. If the Blackcats were looking for "competitive local non-district games" then most of those pre-Matney era years JC wouldn't have fit the bill.

 

Bottom line - Central's previous refusals were remembered quite well when denying the Eagles games the last couple of years.

 

WOW! Talk about ancient history. Pre-Matney it wouldn't have even been competitive. Why take vindication on an inferior (then) opponent who has improved and is now good competition? I'm not sure how can you ignore the huge windfall at the gate that game would bring.

JC wasn't competitive during those years. If the Blackcats were looking for "competitive local non-district games" then most of those pre-Matney era years JC wouldn't have fit the bill.

 

Through the period we're discussing, you're probably correct, but Central has always had good individual talent (as should be expected in a school that size), especially in the trenches. Central was about as close as teams came to "competitive" without driving > 1 1/2 hrs. and having to agree to play away EACH year (read: Ashland, Lexington area and NKY teams).

 

 

WOW! Talk about ancient history. Pre-Matney it wouldn't have even been competitive. Why take vindication on an inferior (then) opponent who has improved and is now good competition? I'm not sure how can you ignore the huge windfall at the gate that game would bring.

 

For what ? There was no "vindication" involved in attempting to schedule Central through the 90's and earlier this decade. It wasn't even a big deal, until it kept on and on and ON.

 

So now Central wants to play... They can wait.

 

(Maybe I'm getting old, but I don't consider pre-2005 "ancient history" quite yet. :lol: :lol: )

Oops, wrong word used on my part. I meant "Why be vindictive" towards JC for not scheduling Pburg when they wouldn't have been competitive?

 

We both know Pburg would have walked over JC in all the years prior to the Matney era unless you go all the way back to the Music coached teams. It would have been an extremely one-sided series.

 

Holding a grudge for that seems short-sighted and a bit childish, if that is the real reason Prestonsburg is keeping JC at bay.

Edited September 3, 200818 yr by Watusi

Breathitt-34

 

Prestonsburg-21

 

As for Johnson Central and Prestonsburg goes, if JC was trying to build up the program they may not have wanted to stack the schedule with teams that would have had the jv in before half time. That would have just demoralized the boys, rather than build a team. As a coach you have to do what's right by your team.

Oops, wrong word used on my part. I meant "Why be vindictive" towards JC for not scheduling Pburg when they wouldn't have been competitive?

 

We both know Pburg would have walked over JC in all the years prior to the Matney era unless you go all the way back to the Music coached teams. It would have been an extremely one-sided series.

 

Holding a grudge for that seems short-sighted and a bit childish, if that is the real reason Prestonsburg is keeping JC at bay.

 

I'm not sure you got the gist of my point...

 

P-burg's (and other Floyd Co. school's) extra-curriculars were under limits by the Floyd BOE (minimal travel required). Since the schedule couldn't be made out with "equals" each year, the next tier of teams were put on the schedule as available. That's where Central was at that time (usually not as good as Paintsville, but much better than the also-rans).

 

Anyone can understand a coach not wanting to schedule a game in which his team might be completely outmatched. Understand, though, the two teams were not as big a mismatch as you're implying.

 

Prestonsburg and Central played every season (14 years) from the year JC started their football program until Central bought out the contract in 1985. After that point, the two teams have played 3 times ('89, '90, '92). The scores from those games were 7-0, 14-0, and 28-19 with the Blackcats winning each. Those are NOT "extremely one-sided" scores.

 

I've formed an opinion (after having talked to some in P-burg and Johnson Co. during those years) that the real problem Central had in playing P-burg during that time was in the pressure put on JC's various coaching staffs to put a "winner" on the field (not necessarily a "better team") by its big $ boosters (and some of those were IN administration, also). Central had to play in extremely difficult districts, making in-district wins hard to come by. The coaches therefore used their non-district openings (other than the Apple Bowl, which made $$$) to play teams they thought could be beaten consistantly. Prestonsburg obviously did NOT fit that category.

 

Over many years Prestonsburg needed to fill its schedule, Central was uncooperative. Now Central wants to play. It can wait. (...maybe it is "grudge" :lol: )

 

Please note, this is my personal take. I don't speak for the coaches, team, or the school.

 

 

:bunny:

I thought this was a Breathitt vs Prestonsburg thread, not a thread to discuss weather they should play each other.

I thought this was a Breathitt vs Prestonsburg thread, not a thread to discuss weather they should play each other.

 

It is, and we're wrong for taking it off course. My apologies for my part in that.

Breathitt-34

 

Prestonsburg-21

 

 

I like this score, I'm going with Breathitt by this margin.

I thought this was a Breathitt vs Prestonsburg thread, not a thread to discuss weather they should play each other.

 

You're exactly right. Please accept my apologies, also...

You're exactly right. Please accept my apologies, also...

 

Yes, you started it.

I would like to be able to see this one. Two very well coached teams going at it.

Should be a great game I think BC will win in a close one.

Yes, you started it.

 

DOH !!!

 

:lol:

I'm thinking the single biggest factor in this game will be Breathitt Co.'s ability or inability to patiently drive down the field running out of the spread.

 

When Prestonsburg's defense gets spread out and they only put 3 on the line, there's a LOT of open room for the QB (scrambling) or RB (on delays) to get 5-10 yds a pop. The temptation for the Bobcats, of course, will be to take that a few plays, then want a bigger chunk and throw downfield. IMO, that's a mistake and will result in more P-burg INT's than Breathitt Co. big plays.

 

 

(Breathitt Co. averages > 6 yds./rush while running more than passing)

 

Breathitt Co. 28

Prestonsburg 21

 

 

(Prestonsburg holds Breathitt 2 INT's)

 

Prestonsburg 33

Breathitt Co. 21

 

 

Overall: Prestonsburg by 5