From what I am told (as I was only 5 years old when those 4 schools consolidated into Laurel County High in 1970), it was a good healthy rivalry, but nothing as bad as the North v South issues. You are right, a few of the adults are the problem more than the kids.

 

I heard an interesting comment from a school administrator recently. He was at a conference and one of the things that stuck out to him was the county's with only 2 schools often have more rivalry problems at many levels beyond athletics than those with 3 or more. The comment was 'My advice to you counties with 2 high schools, ... either add a 3rd school or consolidate into one school and you will lessen many of the problems you have'.

 

I will say this, I am starting to see some movement towards fewer hard feelings as newer parents come into the high school system with their kids and don't have the same animosity towards the other side. I see more and more parents from both sides talking and cutting up after balls games than I have seen in quite some time. Also, the new makeup of the school board seems to have a whole county approach and are visiting all the schools to see what the needs are, not just the one's in their district. They seem to be working together instead of against each other and for the betterment of all the kids instead of just those from their side of the county. I had a friend of mine who has had 2 kids to play football at South tell me today that he actually sees a school board that seems to really want to make things better and get rid of this whole North v South issue as best they can. I am encouraged, but we will have to see how it goes over the next few years.

 

Back to the South job, ... I wish I could go to the spring scrimmage on Friday night at South. I would like to see how Coach Welch and Coach Hays have worked with this team which will be in transition after losing Bowling & several other playmakers as well as their head coach leaving. Should be fun to watch!! I understand that both Welch and Hays have applied for the head job. They both are good guys and I truly believe that if one of them got it, they could still work together. :thumb:

 

 

 

You've not heard the war stories I've heard when Hazel Green would play London .... if the stories are true, then the North/South rivalry is nothing compared to what happened during those days ... and I've had MANY people tell me just what happened back then.:eek::scared:

 

 

As for the comparison getting a head basketball coach for South compared to football, I agree with Jim on this one, Mountain Thunder.

We can't imagine how bad some of the old rivalries were.

I have talked to some of the old guys that played around here when guys came back from WW2 and had eligibility to play. WOW!

Anything today is child's play to what some of the schools did to each other a few decades ago....

Why would South want to hire a coach that didn't even get picked up on the new staff at North?

 

What do you mean by that statement? If it means what I think it does, then maybe you don't understand the situation.

You've not heard the war stories I've heard when Hazel Green would play London .... if the stories are true, then the North/South rivalry is nothing compared to what happened during those days ... and I've had MANY people tell me just what happened back then.:eek::scared:

 

 

As for the comparison getting a head basketball coach for South compared to football, I agree with Jim on this one, Mountain Thunder.

 

My mother was a cheerleader for London High School in the early '60s. Her stories of traveling to Hazel Green and the stuff that went on is unbelievable!

Was the school mascot at Hazel Green known as the 'Eyes'? The Nuts?

What do you mean by that statement? If it means what I think it does, then maybe you don't understand the situation.

 

So your saying it wasn't that he wasn't good enough, he just wasn't wanted? North did give up 34.4 points a game last year...

You've not heard the war stories I've heard when Hazel Green would play London .... if the stories are true, then the North/South rivalry is nothing compared to what happened during those days ... and I've had MANY people tell me just what happened back then.:eek::scared:

 

 

As for the comparison getting a head basketball coach for South compared to football, I agree with Jim on this one, Mountain Thunder.

 

In the past, I think this was true. I don't think it's the case right now. If Steve Wright left South Laurel you would not see them open up the coffers and find 4 jobs for assistant coaches for his replacement. Those jobs just aren't there right now.

 

However, realize that at least 2 of the school board members are football guys, (both originally from L'ville and 1 has a state championship ring). The county AD was the former head football coach at South Laurel & played football at Laurel County. This is the first time we have had this many board members with a true football background on the board. And speaking with them, they are trying to help look, but the teaching jobs just aren't there right now AND hiring for a teaching job is 100% up to the SBD at each school. I wish the jobs were there for more assistants, but if you can find them, let me know. I know of qualified teachers in Laurel County who are substituting just waiting for a full time teaching position to come open.

So your saying it wasn't that he wasn't good enough, he just wasn't wanted? North did give up 34.4 points a game last year...

 

There is apparently more the to situation and it may not be appropriate to discuss this on a public board. I think that this is what FreshStart meant.

There is apparently more the to situation and it may not be appropriate to discuss this on a public board. I think that this is what FreshStart meant.

 

Thanks...I'm not from there so I was just speculating.

Thanks...I'm not from there so I was just speculating.

 

:thumb:

My mother was a cheerleader for London High School in the early '60s. Her stories of traveling to Hazel Green and the stuff that went on is unbelievable!

 

That's what I'm saying - the rivalry between North and South is nothing compared to the days back then.

Was the school mascot at Hazel Green known as the 'Eyes'? The Nuts?

 

They were the Bullfrogs .... Hazel Green Elementary (which is the old high school) is AWESOME. The gym looks like an old replica of the Hoosiers gym. They also have that nice state (and old) champion banner hanging in the gym still.

They were the Bullfrogs .... Hazel Green Elementary (which is the old high school) is AWESOME. The gym looks like an old replica of the Hoosiers gym. They also have that nice state (and old) champion banner hanging in the gym still.

 

I made my high school football debut against the Hazel Green Bullfrogs. We used to joke that the JV team was the Tadpoles. :lol:

They were the Bullfrogs .... Hazel Green Elementary (which is the old high school) is AWESOME. The gym looks like an old replica of the Hoosiers gym. They also have that nice state (and old) champion banner hanging in the gym still.

 

I'll have to agree with that one. Neat place. :thumb:

They were the Bullfrogs .... Hazel Green Elementary (which is the old high school) is AWESOME. The gym looks like an old replica of the Hoosiers gym. They also have that nice state (and old) champion banner hanging in the gym still.

 

It is pretty neat. Wish we did more in Laurel County to preserve the older traditions. From the 4 original high schools to the consolidated Laurel County high, a lot of the tradition has been ignored which caused much of it to be lost or forgotten.