Nobody gave Madisonville a chance going into that game 2 years ago. It wasn't until after the game was over that people started talking about the BG soft schedule. Madisonville controlled the game throughout and should have scored more if not for turnovers. BG made a rally but for the most part was like a fish out of water with no success running the "Vear & Quick Pitch" their bread and butter in my opinion. I was predicting a BG win but thought Madisonville would play them close because of the Madisonville defense and the teams confidence at that time. But not many people outside of Madisonville if any gave them a chance and thought it would get ugly.

 

Why would it been HUGE if Dixie would have pulled off the upset this year against BG? Hoptown was the home team, Hoptown was playing their best ball of the year, and BG was only better then Hoptown in a couple of positions LB where Hoptown was average, I'll give BG the advantage up front where they was bigger and stronger and Hoptown was solid, & the kicking game which was the difference. Other then that Hoptown matched up well with BG. Dixie's defense held their own. Now Rusty Goble's offense might of choked but missed a couple of opportunities on the opening series and then in the 2nd quarter fumbled at the BG 4. After that BG hit a stretch of series where they had the field position but couldn't capitalize. Offensively Hoptown was a little conservative when the field position was like it was.

 

As for the Hopkinsville fans/turnout at games. I've heard A.D. Rick Roberts say a few times since he's been here that he's been pleased with the gate turnout of the home fans. The home side is big seats 3,000. Usually the 2middle sections have a good turnout with 2 ends being left empty. In some games when your playing a weaker team then some fans tend to not show up but for the most part Hopkinsville has a solid rowdy crowd. Plus there is a school across town that has their own fans that follow them so Hoptown can't have them all at their games. As for the Christian Co. fans turning out. I only see them once a year maybe twice and their crowd is sparingly. But for years going back to old Walnut Stree Stadium a lot of people only come out for the Hoptown Christian Co. game.

 

Opposing fans/coaches have complained about Hopkinsville rolling out the speakers on the field and playing the pregame music and if their not complaining about that then their questioning the fans support.

Nobody gave Madisonville a chance going into that game 2 years ago. It wasn't until after the game was over that people started talking about the BG soft schedule.

 

But not many people outside of Madisonville if any gave them a chance and thought it would get ugly.

Some of us were talking about BG's soft schedule long before that game. And I don't remember anyone saying the game would be a blowout. Everyone knew that BG was untested and that Madisonville had a fine team led by some very good talent.

Why would it been HUGE if Dixie would have pulled off the upset this year against BG?

Because Bowling Green was clearly the better team.

 

As for the fan support at Hoptown ... I've been to a lot of big games at the Stadium of Champions over the years, and I'm often disappointed at the size of the crowd.

Which one is it? Beat Bowling Green and its a huge upset. Lose to BG and the thought process is that it wouldn't have been an upset. The fact is it really wasn't a big upset (mild) when Madisonville won in '04, but it would have been a huge upset if Hoptown had won in '05. Also, turnovers or not, Dixie Jones coached teams have scored exactly 1 offensive TD in 2 games against BG. His teams do play sound defense, but he did inherit a very experienced group his one year at Madisonville and a very seasoned group his first season at Hopkinsville. Hoptown should be the favorite to win Region 1 in '06 with all the speed, huge line, and a good nucleus of experienced players that includes Mr. Football candidate Emmanual Taylor and QB Chris Thomas. Maybe the Purples will be able to pull the upset as the underdog for a change.

Tigertalker

 

I heard Jay Buckley, former Graves & Tilghman Head Coach, has taken a job at Hoptown, will he have any involvement with the Football Tigers?

 

I think he is principal at Clark Elem. in Paducah presently

Buckley will be Hoptown's new principal. He is currently the assistant principal at Clark.

Tigertalker

 

I heard Jay Buckley, former Graves & Tilghman Head Coach, has taken a job at Hoptown, will he have any involvement with the Football Tigers?

 

I think he is principal at Clark Elem. in Paducah presently

 

 

Involvement as far as attending games and scheduling events. Buckley is close with former Hoptown coaches Craig Clayton and Steve Lovelace. Not knowing him personally I don't know how he will be with athletics. I know he was a solid football coach. I played against his 93 Graves team that school's best ever.

Buckley is a good PR guy and should be a fine principal but I found his coaching skills to be lacking so I hope he reamins out of coaching. With him being the principal then he will not coaching. That 93 team was a heck of a team

If what Bowling Green did to Trigg last year is any indication of the type of game it would be against a top west KY 3A team, i'm not sure its a good idea for either program.

 

I don't follow. 2A teams get criticized for failing to schedule up to bigger classes, yet Trigg wanting to schedule Hopkinsville is a mistake? Based on what I've seen of both programs, this would be the biggest gate of the year for either team whether the game is played in Cadiz or the SOC. That could be a reason for considering the game.

Every year we read on here how Hopkinsville is going to host a bowl game and every year it never happens. I just don't see how a 3A and 4A school with the resouces both Hopkinsville and Christian County have with the best facilities in the western part of the state can't pull this off. They can run one of the best softball tournaments in the state but can't put together a bowl game. It boggles the mind.

It's a shame the schools can't create a bowl game at the SOC. It seems like a waste of great facilities when Franklin-Simpson and their 127-year old stadium hosts a doubleheader every year.

I don't follow. 2A teams get criticized for failing to schedule up to bigger classes, yet Trigg wanting to schedule Hopkinsville is a mistake? Based on what I've seen of both programs, this would be the biggest gate of the year for either team whether the game is played in Cadiz or the SOC. That could be a reason for considering the game.

I wouldn't say that scheduling Hopkinsville would be a mistake, but the game probably wouldn't be very competitive in most years.

Every year we read on here how Hopkinsville is going to host a bowl game and every year it never happens. I just don't see how a 3A and 4A school with the resouces both Hopkinsville and Christian County have with the best facilities in the western part of the state can't pull this off. They can run one of the best softball tournaments in the state but can't put together a bowl game. It boggles the mind.

Tigertalker has repeatedly maintained that Christian County, for whatever reason, has no interest in such a venture. If true, that certainly isn't Hopkinsville's fault.

Why couldn't Hopkinsville do like Trigg County does? Hoptown play someone like a Highlands/LexingtonCatholic/Warren Central and have the other game be a nice regional with teams with large followings like Caldwell County vs Murray or Glasgow vs. Madisonville?

It takes money, local money, to sponsor and properly run a bowl game. I'm not sure Hoptown has the necessary interest and support in the community, judging from their sometimes sparse crowds ... especially if Christian County wants no part of it.

Hoptown's not lacking for the "money" fans. Mike Whitaker (Christian Co.) has often made remarks to local media about that. 2002 Hoptown took 4 pep busses to Boyle Co. students only had to pay $1.00 and that covered their bus ride, ticket, and pizza before leaving. 2 local businessmen coverd the rest out of their own pockets. That drew some comments from some around town and over at County. New weightroom equipment, shirts, and uniforms being bought has drawn their share of remarks from certain locals.

 

Someone said earlier that Rusty Goble's offense has scored 1 TD in 2 games against BG. True but the BG offense has only scored 2 TD's in those 2 games as well. Since 2001 Jones & Goble have a pretty good track record against a quality program like Bowling Green. Dixie did inherrit some good tallent at Madisonville. BUT the previous staff had no success with that same tallent. Last year Dixie inherrited another good group that was use to winning and the program didn't fall off even though when he was hired there was people on here calling for a possible 5-5 season. Was BG better then Hoptown last year? Obviously!! there was no disputing that fact heck BG was said to be the best team in 3A and have their best team since the 95 squad. But Hoptown wasn't the scrub team that people wanna believe.

 

Hoptown could have put together a bowl for next year BUT the 4th team was a less then average team looking for a pay day (NO Problem with that). But it would not have been a setup of 2 good games. So Hoptown kept their home game with Male for week 2. Why won't Christian Co. join in on getting a bowl at the SOC? You have to ask them. Maybe it's the same reason they wanted no part of the scrimmage jamboree that was said to happen 3-4 years ago. FYI Christian Co. has already asked Hoptown if the Tigers would be interested playing in a bowl next year put on by Christian Co. I could see the Tigers giving that a strong possibility.

 

Toothpick: As long as Buckley comes in and does the right thing then he will be OK in my book. But if he comes in and does the things to keep his friends happy then I would have issues. The current Principal as taken her share of shady treatment from the local media and some of it was unfair to her.

 

I'm just happy a thread about something in Western, Ky got this many replies. WESTSIDER: In my opionion the "Best One" on the board. Give us something new to discuss because I am burnt out on this one.

Since 2001 Jones & Goble have a pretty good track record against a quality program like Bowling Green.

 

What? Jones has only been a head coach for 2 years since leaving Trigg after the 1998 season. How does that translate into a track record since 2001?

 

I'm just happy a thread about something in Western, Ky got this many replies.

 

I agree 100% with you on this one.