As far as the Ironton game goes, was there anything in particular about the loss that impacted the Tomcats, or have they just plain and simple "not been the same" since then?

 

I agree with Ram. Ashland had too much talent this year to simply chalk up their downfall to "playing better teams". Albeit in smaller divisions, 3 of the first 4 teams they played are still alive in the playoffs, so it wasn't that the schedule was TOTALLY frontloaded with cupcakes. They even dismantled Mason County in a preseason scrimmage. It's as if they were breezing by on pure talent early on, Ironton showed up with some serious will to win and destroyed them, and Ashland never found whatever they had again. I have no idea, but it sure seems something had to have gone wrong in their heads or behind the scenes for them to perform the way they did after that game. Maybe beating the local rivals is enough for them and the prospect of ending up losing to a Northern Kentucky team every year in the playoffs is getting them down? The good news is that they'll return a boatload of talent for the next 3 years. As a fan of Northeastern Kentucky area football, I think it will be a shame if they can't come up with wins over (a) Johnson Central and (b) a top Northern Kentucky team over this time span.

I was really impressed by some of their d-lineman. They rushed the passer as well as anyone CovCath has faced this year. I think heading into the game CovCath had given up a total of 6 or 7 sacks on the year. Ashland was able to get 4 on Saturday. Fans, coaches and players were all very gracious and classy individuals. I will for now on be a fan of the Ashland program, and hope they have success on and off the field (except for when they play the Colonels).

I was really impressed by some of their d-lineman. They rushed the passer as well as anyone CovCath has faced this year. I think heading into the game CovCath had given up a total of 6 or 7 sacks on the year. Ashland was able to get 4 on Saturday. Fans, coaches and players were all very gracious and classy individuals. I will for now on be a fan of the Ashland program, and hope they have success on and off the field (except for when they play the Colonels).

 

I've always had a lot of respect for the Ashland program. We played them twice in my years on the Cov Cath football team - and I remember even as a player - thinking that they all handled themselves with class and respect.

 

On a relatively unrelated note, I don't remember if it was the '97 or '98 season, but Ashland had a defensive back with an arm that was missing below the elbow. I don't know his name, but he still stands out as one of the best high school DB's I've ever seen play. His coverage was flawless and he broke up several very well placed passes. I distinctly remember our receivers shaking their heads in disbelief at half time. Watching him play was an inspiring experience in my life that still sticks out in my mind.

Here's Ray Schaefer's article from the Daily Independent giving his recap of the game. Gotta give Logan Hunter props for his comments following a season-ending loss. I know as a 16 or 17 year old, I wouldn't have had the poise and maturity to speak without some frustration or negative emotion coming out.

 

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