Looking at the map, geographically, Bell would be much better off in 4A. Their travel wouldn't be nearly as much because there are a lot more 4A teams closer to home. They are sort of on an island in 3A with not many other schools near them.

 

If the concern is that they are getting shafted in 3A, then why didn't they petition to play in 4A?

 

H-I-G-H-L-A-N-D-S

If the concern is that they are getting shafted in 3A, then why didn't they petition to play in 4A?

 

Other than the trip to Casey County in district and having to play Louisville-area schools in the playoffs, I don't see a huge shaft. And even though Bell County would be competitive in 4A, I think the advantages of being in 3A (#1 advantage, annual championship contender) far outweigh the negatives of travel.

Bath County was the wildcard; I didn't know they would be playing up. Knowing that now, I would have made it look something like this:

 

District 1 – Fort Campbell, Heath, Paducah Tilghman, Trigg County, Webster County

District 2 – Adair County, Edmonson County, Hart County, Monroe County, South Warren

District 3 – Central, Elizabethtown, Henry County, Larue County, Western Hills

District 4 – Casey County, Garrard County, McCreary Central, Wayne County

District 5 – Bath County, Bourbon County, Fleming County, Lewis County, Mason County

District 6 – East Carter, Lawrence County, Magoffin County, Morgan County, West Carter

District 7 – Bell County, Breathitt County, Corbin, Estill County, Jackson County, Powell County

District 8 – Belfry, East Ridge, Knott County Central, Pike County Central, Sheldon Clark

That would probably pacify Bell and Corbin, but it would create a lot of extra travel for the other teams in D7 vs the proposed alignment. Plus it creates a 6 team district and a 4 team district, but that may not be much of a concern to the BOC if it makes sense geographically.

 

It is good food for thought, and we may see something like this if Bell and Corbin petition for changes.

That would probably pacify Bell and Corbin, but it would create a lot of extra travel for the other teams in D7 vs the proposed alignment.

 

I think that's going to be the problem for teams petitioning. If the KHSAA helps one school out, then by default they will probably be hurting another school in the process. I can see some petitioning and some moving, but I don't believe there will be much.

The west will be predictable at the district level.

Ft Campbell and Tilghman will fight for D1.

Monroe, Central and Bell Co should be a given in the other 3 districts.

 

In the east, Mason will be in the semifinals every single year.

Breathitt can sleepwalk through their district.

D8 will be an absolute war with Belfry, Lawrence, Pike Central and Sheldon Clark.

 

:thumb:Some things never change...:lol:

H-I-G-H-L-A-N-D-S

 

:thumb:

 

I must say, that's a very good reason. The "travel" is a minor inconvenience if you can avoid Highlands en route to a possible title.

I'm just blown away that Corbin and Bell County are in the west. I mean, how does a county that borders Virginia end up in the western sub-state? That sets up a potential semi-final game of Bell County vs. Paducah Tilghman. Imagine that trip, the visitor would have to leave on Wednesday.

Corbin was in the west bracket for a period of time in the old Class 2A alignment ... the Redhounds came out of a weak western field in 2002 and got bombed by Breathitt County in the state championship game.

All this is crazy

Good way for schools who never met throughout Ky football, give them a chance to play different schools who are in different classes

Corbin and Bell should never be in the Western semi-state but I'm tickled to death they are in the same district. Since the rumors of our coaches not getting along, I'm glad the state has virtually forced the rivalry to be renewed!

There is an enormous number of 3A schools in the eastern half of the state. Somebody from this side is going to have to be in D4, and thus, play the "western" schools in the playoffs. I know, nobody wants to do it, but somebody has to.

 

Looking at this breakdown of the districts (very rough, I know) then I don't think they could have arranged them any better, as far as placing teams together.

 

I also understand why they put Bell Co, et al in D4. The other 4 eastern districts are close in proximity and technically more eastern than most of the teams in Bell's new district.

 

But, if they wanted to rearrange it, one thing I think they could do differently is this...

 

Place Bourbon, Bath, Powell, Garrard and Estill in D4, and

Place Bell, Corbin, Casey, Wayne and McCreary in D5, and

Place Breathitt, Jackson, Knott, Morgan and Magoffin in D6, and

Place Mason, Lewis, Fleming, E.Carter and W.Carter in D7

 

In other words, switch D4 with D5; and also switch D6 with D7

 

Here is the current proposed breakdown, how would you have arranged it differently?

Based on your map, I don't really see any alternative. Switching D4 and D5 doesn't seem to help a bit.

When a PT vs Bell or Fort Campbell vs Corbin semi-final game happens maybe they can split the difference and play at WKU?

I remember Lawrence County in 1990 had to travel to Mayfield for a semi-final game. They left the day before the game I believe and stayed in E-town before heading out on west. I remember that was the longest bus ride I have ever been on and not leave the state of KY.