There are many states with similar populations that have just as many classes.

 

Indiana has about 50% more schools and only 5 classes. Ohio has 6 classes/divisions with over 700 schools. 4 classes would be somewhat in line with these, 5 would be pushing it. 6....

 

BTW, these states have the same 'domination' characteristics as in Kentucky, but they do not keep trying to 'fix' it.

There are many states with similar populations that have just as many classes.

 

Not that anything is going to change but no where around here is there states with as few schools as Kentucky with 6 classes.

 

WV 132 schools 3 classes

Indiana 280 schools 5 classes

VA 308 schools 3 classes

TN 375 schools 3 classes but I believe they hand out 6 Titles

MO 580 schools 6 classes

PA 598 schools 4 classes

IL 760 schools 8 classes

MI 768 schools 4 classes but 8 titles

OH 820 schools 6 classes

Maybe each school could have their own class so everyone gets a state championship. Or let's not crown state championships and just give everyone a participation ribbon. You have the same elite schools in their respective class. Let's face it, there is about 5 schools in each class that have a legitimate chance at a state championship every year.

 

First, the participation ribbon line is tired. Second, name the 5 schools in 6A that have a legit shot at winning the title every year. I'll save you the trouble, you can't because there aren't 5. There's 2. And from the sound of it for the next 2 years there will be really only 1.

Not that anything is going to change but no where around here is there states with as few schools as Kentucky with 6 classes.

 

WV 132 schools 3 classes

Indiana 280 schools 5 classes

VA 308 schools 3 classes

TN 375 schools 3 classes but I believe they hand out 6 Titles

MO 580 schools 6 classes

PA 598 schools 4 classes

IL 760 schools 8 classes

MI 768 schools 4 classes but 8 titles

OH 820 schools 6 classes

 

How many schools does Kentucky have?

First, the participation ribbon line is tired. Second, name the 5 schools in 6A that have a legit shot at winning the title every year. I'll save you the trouble, you can't because there aren't 5. There's 2. And from the sound of it for the next 2 years there will be really only 1.

 

I guess you were probably complaining when Single A Pikeville was on their streak in the 80's and then Beechwood in the 90's or when Danville repeated. Or in 2a when Fort Campbell won 3 in a row recently or Belfry or Breathitt County. Or in 3A when Cov Cath ruled it, then Highlands, and then Boyle County. You can go on and on. Trinity had the record for most consecutive wins in the late 80's winning 3 state titles in a row. I am sure everyone complained then they couldn't compete with T and how unfair it was. Guess what, they won 1 title in the next 10 years. Did their recruiting budget go down? Teams are going to go through their ups and downs. Very good programs try to keep their winning times going and limit their down times. Trinity very well may win 2 or 3 or 5 more in a row. Then again, maybe Ryle keeps improving and starts competing with them. Maybe Henderson County gets a dynamic coach and all the athletes they have come out for football and goes on a run.

 

And talk about getting tired, the "we can't compete with Trinity because they have more students, better athletes, better looking girfriends, and drive better cars than us" is getting old.

How many schools does Kentucky have?

 

Around 221 according to 2008. Didn't look at this years number

There are many states with similar populations that have just as many classes.

Name them ...

The only argument for this would be the large disparity in male population that these two schools have over their counterparts ...

That is exactly the argument made in my original post.

I agree that five or four classes would be better from a competitive standpoint, but I don’t think placing St. X and Trinity in a class by themselves does anything except punish them for being good. Should Highlands also be punished? What about Boyle? I agree with BF, where does it stop?

Highlands and Boyle don't have a huge enrollment advantage over every other school in their class. The comparison isn't valid.

Kentucky needs no more than three classes in football. Being the best of 30+ teams and being declared a "state champion" is a joke IMO.

Highlands and Boyle don't have a huge enrollment advantage over every other school in their class. The comparison isn't valid.

 

West, what difference does it make whether the differential between certain teams is numbers, better jimmys & joes, better coaching, work harder, better parental and community support, better feeder programs, prettier uniforms....whatever? Year after year you have certain teams (St. X., Highlands, Boyle County, Mayfield, Beechwood, Bell County, Trinity, Newport Central Catholic, etc.) that are going out and kicking everyone else's rear end. By using the numbers, you have successfully segregated St. X. and Trinity out of the mix, but you will still have the rest of the teams mentioned (all of whom have found the secret winning football elixar) ruling the roost in Kentucky. How are you proposing to resolve this dilemma? :popcorn:

West, what difference does it make whether the differential between certain teams is numbers, better jimmys & joes, better coaching, work harder, better parental and community support, better feeder programs, prettier uniforms....whatever? Year after year you have certain teams (St. X., Highlands, Boyle County, Mayfield, Beechwood, Bell County, Trinity, Newport Central Catholic, etc.) that are going out and kicking everyone else's rear end. By using the numbers, you have successfully segregated St. X. and Trinity out of the mix, but you will still have the rest of the teams mentioned (all of whom have found the secret winning football elixar) ruling the roost in Kentucky. How are you proposing to resolve this dilemma? :popcorn:

I don't see most of the programs you mention as a "dilemma" ...

In the last 25 years, Trinity has won 12 state titles in the state's largest-enrollment class, and St. Xavier has won seven. They have combined to win 10 consecutive titles. Trinity hasn't lost in the postseason to a school other than St. Xavier since 2004. The Tigers haven't lost to a program other than Trinity in the postseason since 2002.

 

We can debate all the issues if we want, and we have in this forum. No one denies that Trinity and St. Xavier have good coaching and work hard to maintain their excellent programs. No one denies that both schools offer fine educational opportunities and are attractive options for students for a myriad of reasons other than football.

 

But it's very clear, painfully clear, that the two programs have some sort of inherent advantages. I think one of them is the enrollment disparity between those schools and the rest of their 4A/6A brethren. And frankly, I think their dominance has become almost self-perpetuating in Louisville. In this age of open enrollment in Jefferson County, I wonder how many prospective football players that are considering Trinity and/or St. Xavier as well as some public schools choose one of the Catholic schools because they know it gives them the best chance to play fo r a state championship.

 

I am well aware of the accomplishments of programs such as Highlands, Boyle County, Beechwood, Danville, Newport Catholic, Mayfield, Fort Campbell and others ... but there is one huge difference. None of those programs enjoy the enrollment advantages over the rest of the teams in their respective classes that Trinity and St. Xavier do, and that is an indisputable fact.

I bet they are. Much easier to defend your coaching abilities when you advance farther in the playoffs/win district/have a winning record etc.

 

That could be their motivation; I don't know. But that doesn't change my point. It's not going to change. I understand that since we've gone to 6 classes, almost a 1,000 more young men are participating in football and more schools have started football teams. Those are good things. I think the 6 class system has had a hand in those good things happening.

That could be their motivation; I don't know. But that doesn't change my point. It's not going to change. I understand that since we've gone to 6 classes, almost a 1,000 more young men are participating in football and more schools have started football teams. Those are good things. I think the 6 class system has had a hand in those good things happening.

What schools have started football since the decision was made to go to six classes?