Central starts atop first Super 7

Staff report

 

The Independent’s first Super 7 football power rankings of northeastern Kentucky teams has Johnson Central exactly where it spent much of 2007 — on top.

 

1. Johnson Central

2. Russell

3. Raceland

4. Boyd County

5. Ashland

6. Greenup County

7. Fairview

 

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I believe that Ashland should be above Boyd County

I believe that Ashland should be above Boyd County

 

 

 

That's your opinion, and I respect it, but maybe Ashland should prove they can beat a single A team before they are ranked above a Boyd Co. team that is 1-0, and beat a AAA team.

I believe that Ashland should be above Boyd County

Why?

That's your opinion, and I respect it, but maybe Ashland should prove they can beat a single A team before they are ranked above a Boyd Co. team that is 1-0, and beat a AAA team.

I understand what you are saying, but I would like to respond not only to your post, but to several others that I have read over the last several days.

 

I really do not see the size of the school having anything to do with it except in the playoffs. Raceland is not a typical 1A school, and with that being said, I think most fans would be surprised if they started watching an following 1A football around the state. I think 1A is probably the most competitive class in the state. I didn't say the best, so I don't want people responding that way. I said the most competitive.

 

Ask the Ashland players if the 5A teams they play, play harder then the Raceland and Pikeville. Ask any school above 1A if it is easier to play a 1A school then most of the bigger schools on their schedule.

 

It's not the size of the school in the football game, it is the size of the football game in the school.

I understand what you are saying, but I would like to respond not only to your post, but to several others that I have read over the last several days.

 

I really do not see the size of the school having anything to do with it except in the playoffs. Raceland is not a typical 1A school, and with that being said, I think most fans would be surprised if they started watching an following 1A football around the state. I think 1A is probably the most competitive class in the state. I didn't say the best, so I don't want people responding that way. I said the most competitive.

 

Ask the Ashland players if the 5A teams they play, play harder then the Raceland and Pikeville. Ask any school above 1A if it is easier to play a 1A school then most of the bigger schools on their schedule.

 

It's not the size of the school in the football game, it is the size of the football game in the school.

 

While I agree with you somewhat. School size for the most part is a major foactor in how a school's sports program does. Now there are exceptions where the community and the alumni and the players are all very involved in the program from a young age. Depth and competition is the main factor. When you have more kids, it is more likely you will have more kids capable of playing at a good level. Thus creating depth and inner squad competition. If a kid knows he has to work his butt off to play, he is going to be a better overall player, than a kid who knows for sure he'll be playing.

 

If Russell and Raceland were to become one school. 2 schools only 3 miles apart in the same community. The team would immediately become better due to depth. Imagine if most of these players could just play one way.

 

Russell has 9 kids who start both sides of the ball.

 

 

That being said

 

I think Russell should be ahead of JC. However, Russell has yet to proove themselves so I understand the doubt.

I understand what you are saying, but I would like to respond not only to your post, but to several others that I have read over the last several days.

 

I really do not see the size of the school having anything to do with it except in the playoffs. Raceland is not a typical 1A school, and with that being said, I think most fans would be surprised if they started watching an following 1A football around the state. I think 1A is probably the most competitive class in the state. I didn't say the best, so I don't want people responding that way. I said the most competitive.

 

Ask the Ashland players if the 5A teams they play, play harder then the Raceland and Pikeville. Ask any school above 1A if it is easier to play a 1A school then most of the bigger schools on their schedule.

 

It's not the size of the school in the football game, it is the size of the football game in the school.

 

 

 

I also understand your thought process Mr. Ram. I have said that Raceland is a very, very good program. I guess you would have had to been around the block as long as I have to remember just how dominate the Tomcats of yester year used to be. The Tomcats of today no longer put that fear into their opponents that they did when I played. Ashland in the past wouldn't even think of scheduling such a small school, much less losing to them. Again, not a knock on Raceland, or the other small schools. I realize that Ashland Oil moving out, and other jobs leaving this area has had a big impact on the enrollment at Ashland, but I still don't understand such a dramatic fall in the competitiveness of the Ashland programs. I am friends of many Tomcat greats of the past. Believe me, it pains them very much to witness what they have seen the past several years in the decline of the Tomcat football program. Why don't the boys go out anymore? Raceland had as many boys dressed Friday night as Ashland did. That shouldn't be happening. I know I'll catch even more grief with this statement, but I think soccer has also played a huge part in the decline of the Ashland program, as has the one middle school instead of the two jr. high's that Ashland used to have. You simply don't have as many boys playing anymore. It truly is sad to have witnessed such a fall.

I believe that Ashland should be above Boyd County

 

 

I think Fairview should be ranked ahead of Ashland...

 

Early season rankings are all about wins and losses.

 

When Ashland wins a game they could be ranked above Boyd. Until then, they are right where they need to be.

I understand what you are saying, but I would like to respond not only to your post, but to several others that I have read over the last several days.

 

I really do not see the size of the school having anything to do with it except in the playoffs. Raceland is not a typical 1A school, and with that being said, I think most fans would be surprised if they started watching an following 1A football around the state. I think 1A is probably the most competitive class in the state. I didn't say the best, so I don't want people responding that way. I said the most competitive.

 

Ask the Ashland players if the 5A teams they play, play harder then the Raceland and Pikeville. Ask any school above 1A if it is easier to play a 1A school then most of the bigger schools on their schedule.

 

It's not the size of the school in the football game, it is the size of the football game in the school.

 

Very well said Ram.

 

It doesn't matter how many thousands of kids attend your school, it's how many athletes decide to come out and play. Sometimes the numbers just don't match up, which is kind of what I see going on at Ashland right now. It seems that while they have great teams, year in and year out, they just haven't had the ridiculous talent that they are accustom to.

As far as numbers go, and I think footballfan will agree with me, most of the young boys at Raceland and Russell grow up wanting to play football for Raceland and Russell. We don't have to go convince a freshman to play football, he wants to play already. Now, I know that not every boy in Raceland and Russell plays football, but a large number of the overall male enrollment does.

 

I think Ashland used to be more like that, and still is to a certain degree, but the numbers have dropped.

Success breeds success. IMO, a few years of few wins will do nothing but hurt the numbers more. And I think that JC at the top is right on the money.

I think the Super 7 is pretty much right on. I could see a couple teams at the bottom switched and would not disagree, but I think the top three are where they should be.

Johnson Central belongs at the top of this list. I think the list is about right.

 

But, Ashland could be last - or left off of it until we win, as far as I'm concerned. You have to earn respect.

Johnson Central belongs at the top of this list. I think the list is about right.

 

But, Ashland could be last - or left off of it until we win, as far as I'm concerned. You have to earn respect.

 

:thumb:

 

Like I said earlier, until you get a mark in the wins column, you should be placed near the bottom of the poll.

Ashland is ranked where they are imo based on the fact that The Independent is an Ashland paper. If this was a paper in any other city, Ashland would not be ranked above any school with a win. Let's face it, week one rankings are and can only be ranked on wins. Until then, put them behind Boyd Co., Fairview and anyone else in the area with a win. If and when they start picking off some of these teams ahead of them, then and only then, do you rank them in the SUPER 7.