cut block

Just let me say that Green County would have honored to have had the opportunity to play Hazard or Harlan County the first game. It is my understanding that Green had a home bowl in which Evarts played in last year but when the new Harlan County was offered they would only play Caverna, but the coaching staff at Caverna did not feel that the had the numbers to compete with a school that would dress 100 players When Harlan decided to look elsewhere Green was left without a team and Green was invited to Lexington to play the outstanding Hazard team. However the rumor was that Harlan would play Lexington Catholic. This would have been great for High School Football.

They will play Lexington Catholic in the Bluegrass Bowl to Kick off the season. I think in the first game it is Green County vs. Hazard. That is the what I have been told.

I have watched this very closely and I will say that the superintendent has done an outstanding job of keeping his people together and buying into this idea that when we come together as an entire community when can do something special (I believe this is going to happen). I have said it before in earlier post there are some great coaches at Evarts, Cumberland, and Cawood. They to believe that something special is going to happen. At this point a Head Coach can either bring them together and move them forward, or with lack of maturity hold them back, because I will only play the 11 best players all the time. It looks to me that numbers will not be a problem, and the right person is willing to coach it like a college program. (I say look out Eastern Kentucky and good luck). Also I would like say good luck to all the Black Bears.)

It is my understanding that Harlan County will open up on the road in the KickOff Classic at Green County on the 29th of August. Not for sure whom the oppoent will be but to my understanding that Hazard as well as Anderson were originaly slated to play Green but for some reason decided back out of verbal agreements. So I am not sure If Harlan will play Green or someone else. I would just like to see some great football and I know this bowl has had some teams that could play in the last few years. Evarts played there last year and were a very impressive team. Not for sure who the other teams are but just heard today that Harlan will play someone at Green.

It will be very hard to replace Coach French or any coach that puts the time in that coaches have to do today. I think things have to change within the program like in school conditioning, but hiring the right fit will be tough. Why not go back through the season and look at programs that we faced and see if there are coaches out there that competed very tough like French coached teams. I have to tell you I was at the scrimmage with Green County and I was suprised by what I saw out of the school, not only the size of the AA but the level in which they competed or out competed our team. There were others but it seems to me that coaches in schools that size might be looking for a bigger school.

Have not seen Eric coach or his team play but John and Ovie have proven they have the ability to coach football. Saw video of Cawood and felt that he was playing alot of young players and was only dressing around 30. This is not a negative about him I just think the others do a great job and have earned some respect North of 75, and have taken their teams on the road in some tough situations. I have all the respect in the world for Eric's brother and have coached against him many times. With that being said time is the best teacher. Whoever takes the lead in Harlan County one thing is for sure the coaches their will do whatever it takes to make them a great program.

Why was it locked. Someone was getting to close to the chain on Log Mountain. You men in Harlan have got great football players, coaches, community, and superintendent that has a tremendous understanding of your needs. Never sell yourself or your capabilities short and stay the course whatever it may be. (Reynolds at Cumberland)(Canady at Evarts) are the both talented coaches that continually instill pride and winning in your young people. (Bell County has dressed around 30-35 players year in year out). There are many more than 30 that are capeable of playing on a championship team than 30. Once again do not sell yourseleves short. (From the outside looking in)

I do not feel that anyone has given enough credit to the fact when consolidation takes place the Superintendent if faced with many great task this being know exception. (To all non believers) It is going to happen, remember this superintendent has built football programs from the ground up so he is taking his time and will not put someone in that cannot make the best decisions for the school system or the football program from K-12 aspect. Again the mountains are full of great football players, the kind that are tough and can Win champoinships. (Just an ole coach looking in) Again buckle up your chin straps and stay positive.

I think AA is the toughest class or the most equal class of all if you do not bring your A game you lose. With that being said all the teams mentioned have a chance to be very solid. Central Kentucky will again be interesting but I think Green was a team that two platooned and from my understanding they only lost 3 starters or players on defense and 3 on the offensive side of the ball plus their kicker. Quarterback and Tailback are back for sure. Again Green could a team that should be watched from 2-28 to 17-5 in the last two years. Changes have been made that is evident and the players have responded.

Coach Smith was a diamond in the rough coach that found the perfect fit and did not make any excuses at any program that he was with prior to Boyle. He knew how and why you developed players in the off season. Anyone that knew the of the great talent at Boyle would have developed and won with them before. He built a great program, staff and players played as one. I would say that they had minimal talent as compared to the schools that recruit like X,T, and Catholic.

You have to remember even though consolidation is taking place it does not mean that their players have never been coached or the players have never played before. As a coach myself I have been very impressed over the years at all the teams and coaches in that area Reynolds at Cumberland, Canady at Evarts, and even Perry in his first year at Cawood. I see great things out of those mountains if they all come together, so I would shut-up and buckle my chin strap. Good Luck Black Bears

This will be the communities football program and I feel sure that the man in Superintendents office is quite aware of how a football program needs to be built. He was an outstanding coach and realizes that this is something that will have great impact on the entire community. I feel sure that he will get input from many before making a decision. I do feel this will be an outstanding opportunity for both the community and a coaching staff.