Thank You Woody... The rest of you need to sit back and admire the hard work of these brave and courageous young men. They lay their hearts on the line every day to fight an up hill battle. Don't write them off so easily. This year will be rough, but the tide will turn very quickly in their favor. Hard work is always rewarded. "It's not weather you get knocked down, It's weather you get up"...Vince Lombardi.

 

I admire any kids who straps it on every day knowing they are in for a tail kicking. It would be easy to wait to show up until the team has some success but these boys aren't like that.

 

Brave and courageous seems inappropriate and its going to be a while before they have success in 5A or 6A BUT I admire the boys and wish them success - however that is defined.

How is the stadium and field at Cooper? I would think they have pretty good facilities.

How is the stadium and field at Cooper? I would think they have pretty good facilities.

 

Funny you should ask. It was a bit disappointing last night. The game was delayed approximately 45 minutes because the refs did not approve of the condition of the field. Apparently, they found several areas where metal pipes were sticking above the level of the playing surface. There was also quite a bit of standing water near the sidelines. Granted, it was their first game there, so some minor problems were to be expected, but I would have expected the problems to be with issues such as parking, gate, concessions, etc., not the condition of the field. I know they had to put in a huge effort within the past week just to get the stadium ready to open and perhaps it would have been easier to wait another week to ensure there were no major problems. Ryle AD offered numerous times within the past week to allow the game to be moved to Ryle but for Cooper to keep the gate proceeds.

 

All that being said, however, the Cooper stadium/field will eventually be a nice place. It is very similar to Ryle's complex, without the field turf.

How is the stadium and field at Cooper? I would think they have pretty good facilities.

 

The stadium looks a lot like Ryle's. The field looked pretty good for being new and having all of yesterday's rain. What really impressed me was the fan support that the Cooper team had. Even with being down they were supportive and enjoyed the effort that their team was putting forth. I wish the best for this team and their players. I can't wait to see this rivalry build.

Funny you should ask. It was a bit disappointing last night. The game was delayed approximately 45 minutes because the refs did not approve of the condition of the field. Apparently, they found several areas where metal pipes were sticking above the level of the playing surface. There was also quite a bit of standing water near the sidelines. Granted, it was their first game there, so some minor problems were to be expected, but I would have expected the problems to be with issues such as parking, gate, concessions, etc., not the condition of the field. I know they had to put in a huge effort within the past week just to get the stadium ready to open and perhaps it would have been easier to wait another week to ensure there were no major problems. Ryle AD offered numerous times within the past week to allow the game to be moved to Ryle but for Cooper to keep the gate proceeds.

 

All that being said, however, the Cooper stadium/field will eventually be a nice place. It is very similar to Ryle's complex, without the field turf.

 

Pipes sticking out of the field?!? That doesn't sound good. I really hate (for Cooper) that they followed the template of Ryle's complex. It is nice, aesthetically, but it could have been made much better.

Pipes sticking out of the field?!? That doesn't sound good. I really hate (for Cooper) that they followed the template of Ryle's complex. It is nice, aesthetically, but it could have been made much better.

 

How??

How??

 

The stands are too far from the field, for starters. That's my biggest complaint. The rest are more nuanced.

Funny you should ask. It was a bit disappointing last night. The game was delayed approximately 45 minutes because the refs did not approve of the condition of the field. Apparently, they found several areas where metal pipes were sticking above the level of the playing surface. There was also quite a bit of standing water near the sidelines. Granted, it was their first game there, so some minor problems were to be expected, but I would have expected the problems to be with issues such as parking, gate, concessions, etc., not the condition of the field. I know they had to put in a huge effort within the past week just to get the stadium ready to open and perhaps it would have been easier to wait another week to ensure there were no major problems. Ryle AD offered numerous times within the past week to allow the game to be moved to Ryle but for Cooper to keep the gate proceeds.

 

All that being said, however, the Cooper stadium/field will eventually be a nice place. It is very similar to Ryle's complex, without the field turf.

 

Thanks for the update. I guess the field, like the team, will suffer some growing pains. I could see them getting competitive in their 3rd or 4th season. Just don't see it in their first two years.

The stands are too far from the field, for starters. That's my biggest complaint. The rest are more nuanced.

 

I won't disagree about the distance of the stands from the field, but that's pretty commonplace these days with schools having a track that encircles the playing field.

 

One of the biggest reasons I like Ryle (and Cooper's ) setup is that there are very few h.s. fields in this area that have the drop-down field in which you enter the stands from the top, rather than entering from the bottom and having to walk up. Makes in more like a college/pro environment.

 

BTW, have you seen Ryle's new field? I can't imagine a better looking h.s. turf field exists in this area. It's one nice-looking field.

The field was not ready, the construction company really dropped the ball on this project. They had PLENTY of time to finish this project and just didn't do it.

The "pipe" in question was a sprinkler head sticking up too high and was quickly fixed. The refs did not hold the game up, Ryle H.C. held the game up, refusing to take the field. Ryle however does deserve a BIG round of applause for not running the score up. This is what good sportsmanship is all about, they had the game well in hand and did not go in for the "over" KILL as Conner did the week before.

The field was not ready, the construction company really dropped the ball on this project. They had PLENTY of time to finish this project and just didn't do it.

The "pipe" in question was a sprinkler head sticking up too high and was quickly fixed. The refs did not hold the game up, Ryle H.C. held the game up, refusing to take the field. Ryle however does deserve a BIG round of applause for not running the score up. This is what good sportsmanship is all about, they had the game well in hand and did not go in for the "over" KILL as Conner did the week before.

 

That's nice to hear that Ryle was a good sport about it. I for one am stating right now that Ryle is a contender. With some experience this year, they will be the team to beat in 6A in NKY.

I won't disagree about the distance of the stands from the field, but that's pretty commonplace these days with schools having a track that encircles the playing field.

 

One of the biggest reasons I like Ryle (and Cooper's ) setup is that there are very few h.s. fields in this area that have the drop-down field in which you enter the stands from the top, rather than entering from the bottom and having to walk up. Makes in more like a college/pro environment.

 

BTW, have you seen Ryle's new field? I can't imagine a better looking h.s. turf field exists in this area. It's one nice-looking field.

 

I agree about the setup. I just think they could have squeezed the stands another 10-15 yards closer to the field. Players are almost on an island out there.

 

The field does look most excellent. I haven't seen it with the artwork on the 50 complete (I heard that was the holdup), but the endzone art was stellar. Though, I wish they would repaint that enormous brick wall a different color.

The field was not ready, the construction company really dropped the ball on this project. They had PLENTY of time to finish this project and just didn't do it.

The "pipe" in question was a sprinkler head sticking up too high and was quickly fixed. The refs did not hold the game up, Ryle H.C. held the game up, refusing to take the field. Ryle however does deserve a BIG round of applause for not running the score up. This is what good sportsmanship is all about, they had the game well in hand and did not go in for the "over" KILL as Conner did the week before.

 

I highly doubt the accuracy of your statement that the Ryle HC held the game up. I know that the refs check out safety issues before a game. My guess is that the refs made the decision. It is possible that the Ryle coach showed the refs some safety problem(s), but I see no way a coach could hold up the start of a game. Perhaps an official could comment on this situation.

In terms of Cooper they are going to struggle but some of the kids on the team really do play hard. Without any weight facility they are really behind the ball. I think that it is ok for them to play at a 6a level. It looks like Coach Borchers will right the ship and with other area schools losing great senior classes last year and at the end of this year. Experience will play a huge part next year. Dont be too surprised if next year the kids from Cooper find a way into the playoffs. They have good talent and skill postions if they can get some big boys on that line NKY 6a schools may want to watch out next year. Experience is huge and by playing at a varsity level for a whole year a lot of these sophmores will be more then capable to fill in role for next season.

The field was not ready, the construction company really dropped the ball on this project. They had PLENTY of time to finish this project and just didn't do it.

The "pipe" in question was a sprinkler head sticking up too high and was quickly fixed. The refs did not hold the game up, Ryle H.C. held the game up, refusing to take the field. Ryle however does deserve a BIG round of applause for not running the score up. This is what good sportsmanship is all about, they had the game well in hand and did not go in for the "over" KILL as Conner did the week before.

 

Actually the "pipe" in question was a piece of rebar, about 10-12 inches in length that was found sticking out of the ground in one of the end zones. I know the kid that found it so I don't think you can blame Ryle for holding the game up. It was a unsafe condition....:thumb: