HolmesBend

Highlands will. Along with Central. Maybe even Ft. Campbell or at the least, a rematch b/t them and NewCath. Beechwood will. I'm going to take a wild guess that Trinity will as well, who'd a thunk such a thing? You get the idea----a 3 peat used to mean more. Highlands would probably have won the last two years whether it was the old 3A or new 5A, or in the least, played in the finals. But, if it stays 6 classes, accomplishments like this are not going to mean near as much as they used too

Nice edit for my post. :ylsuper:

I'm fine with having 4 teams in. It's not this way with most playoff games, but a good deal of the time you have 4's that "upset" 1's and 3's beating 2's isn't all that uncommon. I think 5 Classes would be the best bet and all the other intangibles would work themselves out.

5 Classes. 6 is a joke. I think if this 6 classes continues, then you are going to see a lot of teams repeats like the last couple years or at the least, those teams will be playing in the finals on a regular basis. For example, Beechwood in 1A, NewCath and even Ft. Campbell in 2A and Central will be playing in the 3A final until they just get tired of it. 4A is the most "balanced" in my opinion with the West part being wide open on a yearly basis. In 4A East, it's going to be Bell, Boyle or LexCath---that's a given. In 5A it's going to be Highlands or CovCath when they have their years. 5A West, take a pick between Christian Co., Hoptown, Owensboro, John Hardin, BG, Warren Central, etc. on any given year. 6A----take a wild guess. Personally, I think it's going to get boring having 6 classes. It's going to get old quick. I thought what we all saw by witnessing Boyle County reel off 5 straight in the old classification would be something that none of us would ever see again, but if something isn't done about 6 classes, then get used to that kind of run (which is still the greatest high school athletic accomplishment I've ever seen over a few year span).

Not going to say I told you so, but--------I told a lot of you on here that this game wouldn't be a blow out or even close to one. At the same time, even I didn't think it would be a two point game that wasn't decided until :10 ticks left on the clock. I was expecting a 2 TD difference or so. That game was a dogfight until the very end. Bell won and that's all that matters in the end, but I believe Bullitt East just earned a great deal of respect as well as the the 4A west. A lot on here thought this would be LexCath/Lone Oak pt. II. Not quite. Congrats to Coach Hilton on his 3rd, his son and the rest of the Bobcats. May the same be handed out to Doug Preston and his very gutsy bunch.

I could be wrong, but something tells me that this game is going to be a little bit tougher than most expect. I'll eat crow all day long if that turns out not to be the case. Ever since Preston took over the offense the week of the 1st Marion County match-up it looks like the Chargers have been on an absolute role or at least getting better each week. I keep looking at the match up between them and Manual in the last week of the season. Bullitt East lost to them by 1 point and it took 2 OT's. That's the same Manual team that went 10-3 this year, losing to St. X twice and a Louisville Eastern team that went 11-2 with both of their loses comming to Trinity. I think it would be sweet to see Coach Hilton win his 3rd title, but I just have a gut feeling that this one might be a little bit tighter than some expect and if Bell happens to have the turnover bug hit them like Boyle did last week, then who knows?

I'm like some others on here. While I want to think that Bell County would win somewhat handily, something tells me that this Bullitt East team has enough about them to maybe pull off the upset or at the least, keep the game interesting. Looking at Bell's schedule and who they have played, I think that Bullitt East would most likely compare to Rockcastle County and possibly a little bit better offensively? In a game like this with two run heavy type offenses and the clock running, all it takes is a couple defensive stands and a turnover or two for the game to take a swing in the other direction . If Bullitt East can do that, then who knows?

Call me crazy, but I'm sticking to my guns and won't be shocked a bit if East wins this one by 3 or more TD's.

I've heard a lot about this young man, but haven't gotten the chance to see him. Hasn't Breathitt always had a Fugate on their team since Holcomb has been their the last 20 years, or close to it? Any relation to them or is he a different set of Fugate's?

I'm as confused as you are about it, but it just seems as though it's true for most teams. Teams are usually much better at defending what they do offensively, their offense that they see in the 6-8 weeks of practice before their first game. It works both ways, though. I'm sure Bullitt East is much better at stopping the double tight run attack more so than they are the spread game. With that being said, Calloway, like most spread teams who are pass heavy will get their big plays and yards. They have to be a good team or else they wouldn't have made it this far. However, I also think that they will committ a few turnovers, Bullitt East might as well, who knows. Calloway is going to make some big plays, but they'll make a couple more turnovers than East and the ground heavy wishbone attack. East converts on Calloway's miscues. Something along the lines of of 42-21, 42-28 East.

Exactly the point. Every facet in life has its exceptions and every facet has its rule

Didn't mean to stir any pots here, but since you wondered---yes, I know all of my high school coaches and college coaches, most of them I still keep in contact with them. So, yes, I know for sure. I know exactly who Coverdale is, don't know him personally. This isn't a knock towards him, he's an oddity to the profession---just like a few others out there. You have a few that are exception to the rules like Bowden ( I don't know for sure, but will take your word on it) and a small handful of others that you mentioned. Like anything in life though, you will always have a few exceptions to the general rules. You are right, players respect knowledge. Even moreso, I think players respect experience. I think they both go hand in hand, though. One improves the other and vice-versa---for the most part. I think most players find comfort in knowing that their coach(es) have been through the exact same instances that they, themselves are going through. You couldn't be more correct on the fact that coaching and playing are opposites. I completely agree that just because you played doesn't necissarily mean you can coach well. However, if you haven't played, it limits you in coaching ability for two reasons 1) Knowledge 2) Experience--both working hand, in hand. Well, let me rephrase that--it may not limit as much as it does keeping you from being in the upper tier. (Again, for most cases) Ill bet that if you research most successful high school and college head coaches, that the vast, vast majority of those played the game (through high school) or were at least apart of the team, puting in work everyday except gameday. Again, I know there are those who are exceptions to that rule. May a big congratulations go to them. I don't know about you, but I'm in the process of getting a house built and I sure didn't go with the guys who might have worked a couple summers around construction sites and who have loaded up on self-help construction books from Barnes and Noble, avid watchers of "This old House" with Bob Vila and "Extreme Home Makeover". I went with the guys who had been there, done that, been around the block and then some---- who also happen to be "students" of construction.

In all of my 8 years of playing high school and college, I don't think I played for anybody that didn't play through high school and that went for assistant coaches as well. Personally, as a player, I would have had a hard time playing for somebody who hadn't gone through the same things I was going through. The rigors of fall camp is a good example. I'm not so sure how I or any of my teammates would have responded to someone being critical, pushing us, etc. when it was 95 degrees under a shade tree when in fact they hadn't even been through it themselves. As far as those who were apart of teams but didn't star or even play for that matter, yet were out there everday busting their humps--those individuals probably deserve the most respect in my opinion. I don't think it's a matter of whether you actually "played" or not, but whether or not you were apart of something and more importantly, stuck with it---at least in high school. Now, I know there are specific instances that might have caused one not to play in high school at one point in time and I understand that---I'm speaking in general here.

There's just a difference. Very seldom do you see the shotgun, four wide teams have the ability to stop the double tight wishbone, wing-t, flexbone and other 3 backfield type offenses. I'm curious as to how many of those types of teams Calloway has faced?Now, the great teams do. It will be interesting to see the outcome of the game.

Most of the teams that go to the gun and air it out all over the place usually have a hard time stopping a heavy run oriented attack like Bullitt East. I'm guessing Bullitt East gets a few stops whereas Calloway doesn't. Something along the lines of 42-21 in favor of East. While Bell/Boyle will be the heavy favorites, I think East will make for the better match-up. If nothing else because they will try to control the clock in order to keep the other off the field. Calloway wins, then Bell/Boyle in a blowout. East wins, then it will definately be a better game and quite possibly make for a very interesting match up. From what I have heard and seen on the scoreboard, East is on a roll. Their last loss was a 24-23 defeat that ended in 2OT's to Louisville Manual team that onlylost 3 games, two of them at the hands of St. X. This same Manual team beat Lou. Central, Manual, Ballard, Shelby County, PRP, etc. this year. Just an outsiders take, but to whoever the winner of the Boyle/Bell game is then I wouldn't count my chickens too soon--that is if East is to win.

No feathers ruffled whatsoever. You mention Mercer County, Jaggers and company winning the state title with Ford and Jackson who were great talents. However, I think many in Mercer County and former Harrodsburg will agree that no matter how good those two were, they were far from the talents of Jason Dunn, Craig Yeast, Dennis Johnson, Adrian Patton, Derek Johnson, Jay Parks, Julius Yeast, Patrick Bugg, Mark Dunn's etc. All of those were very legitimate Division 1 football players, some even having good careers in the NFL. They all proved themselves to some extent at the highest level of college football. Brandon Ford and Cory Jackson were good, but they weren't of the caliber that those that came before, and that's no slap to them in any means. Mercer County didn't inherit the talent that those around the state had been accustomed to Harrodsburg having. I've always found it funny how Ford and Jackson went from good to great in their transition from Harrodsburg to Mercer. Was it because they, individually, got that much better from their junior year to their senior year? I don't think so. Somehow, someway they went from being around 1,000 yard rushers or less, to both being over or close to 2,000 yard rushers in less than a year. Why is that?? My guess is coaching. Was more expected? Were they pushed more? Were they given the ball more? All of those questions will be forever questioned unless those around them were asked. Tony Franklin, as good as a coach he was, went 1-9 in his one year at Mercer. Jaggers went 10-2 with a team that had just lost the previous years (2005) Class AA player of the year in Andrew McCloud. He was able to take a team to new heights with far less than any team that the program had seen since the late 1980's. Mercer County, along with any other program in the state of Kentucky will be much bigger than their previous head coach. I completely agree with you on that. It doesn't matter whether or not it is Trinity or some 'Sisters of the Poor'. The program's) will go on. At the sametime, and I will forever hold my opinion, those who deny that this program isn't in much better shape than before he took over are living in complete and utter denial. Like you, I'm and outsider of Mercer Co. and their football program. I have just always found it funny how some on here were so quick to praise Mercer County, Jaggers, etc. one minute, then as soon as they fall on harder times, judge them in a completely opposite fashion (not saying you do). I don't have necessarily an underlying loyalty to Jaggers' as much as I do to any other head coach across the state of KY. I've always wondered how Jaggers' perception would have been if he had resigned after the 2005, 2006 seasons? You know..after he had helped build a program to better than it had ever seen before, then to it's pinnacle the year after that. You know, the days of 2005 when he helped lead the school to its first playoff win in almost 20 years and the best record in school history. Then only to win a state championship the following year with the pressure from a whole entire state looking down on you. Not just to win it, but to go through the year in very convincing fashion with exception to the last game. Chuck Smith, Larry French, etc. are all GREAT coaches. Chuck Smith and his success story at Boyle might be one of the best, if not the best in the entire state of KY football history, and he deserves all the credit he deserves and then some.. But, I wonder how these people would have felt if Smith had stayed at Boyle after their Glory years. You know, the years after he left and they went around .500, might that have been more because of talent, or lack of it? Or was is because of coaching ability? Also, how those and others in the area would have felt towards French if he had stayed at Lincoln this year. Mike Settles, the current LC coach, has proven himself as a head coach at places like Ohio County, who has never had a real tradition. He then went onto Bullitt East, a place where he carried on the tradition. Nobody wants to say it, but French knew what Lincoln had comming up and more power to him, he left for a better opportunity. Anybody can say want they want, and I'm sure I will get blasted for this, but most do when speaking the truth, but I find it hard to believe that Chris Pardue and Mike Settles are much lesser coaches than Chuck Smith (formerly of Boyle) and Larry French (formerly). I've always heard from successful head coaches in private, clinics, etc. all in the same form or fashion, "If you are ever wanting to leave for a better opportunity, strike while the Irons still HOT." Basically, if you go to a place that hasn't done well for a while and think that you might want to move on, get that place you are currently at, to the top, as much as you can, then get out. If in fact you want to go somewhere else. Going back to my point, I wonder how Jaggers would have been perceived at Mercer and across the state if he had left Mercer after a two year record of 25-2, which include Pre Merger and Post Merger records. I wonder?? I wonder how Chuck Smith would be perceived if he had stayed at Boyle after their dominant run, when they clearly fell on bad times, in my opinion, due to lack of talent than they had previously had, I wonder? I wonder how Larry French would be perceived at Lincoln County and across the state if he hadn't have left for Boyle this year? Lincoln, from everything I have heard clearly didn't have the talent that they had in French's last and best two years at Lincoln, or even close. I think Jaggers should be commended on staying and making the best of the jump to 5A, more than he is talked down of the last two years. Theres no doubt in my mind that he had other opportunities after his first two years at Mercer, instead, he stayed for a 2007 season that had nowhere near the talent that was fielded in 2006, Class 2A or Class 5A. I saw them play both years. The talent level was night and day. As for this year, flip a coin. Mercer, Letcher Central and from what I have seen of Whitley County are all on the same level. Mercer just ended up on the short side of the stick. Whoever the coach to be, whether Jaggers goes onto bigger and better endeavors, best of luck to all. And, I mean every team, every coach that was brought up in this discussion. Boyle County and their rise to fame under Smith is a story in it's own. French should be highly commended as well for helping re-establish it. Mercer County, in my opinion is and will forever be on the map in KY high school football. French is a winner. Smith is a winner. Jaggers is a winner. Let the chips from here on out fall where they may.

No feathers ruffled whatsoever. You mention Mercer County, Jaggers and company winning the state title with Ford and Jackson who were great talents. However, I think many in Mercer County and former Harrodsburg will agree that no matter how good those two were, they were far from the talents of Jason Dunn, Craig Yeast, Dennis Johnson, Adrian Patton, Derek Johnson, Jay Parks, Julius Yeast, Mark Dunn's etc. All of those were very legitimate Division 1 football players, some even having good careers in the NFL. Brandon Ford and Cory Jackson were good, but they werent of the calibar that those that came before, and that's no slap to them in any means. Mercer County didnt inherit the talent that those around the state had been accustomed to Harrodsburg having. I've always found it funny how Ford and Jackson went from good to great in their transition from Harrodsburg to Mercer. Was it because they, individuallly, got that much better from their junior year to their senior year? I don't think so. Somehow, someway they went from being around 1,000 yard rushers or less, to both being over or close to 2,000 yard rushers in less than a year. Why is that?? My guess is coaching. Was more expected? Were they pushed more? Were they given the ball more? All of those questions will be forever questioned unless those around them were asked. Tony Franklin, as good as a coach he was, went 1-9 in his one year at Mercer. Jaggers went 10-2 with a team that had just lost the previous years (2005) Class AA player of the year in Andrew McCloud. He was able to take a team to new heights with far less than any team that the program had seen since the late 1980's. Mercer County, along with any other program in the state of Kentucky will be much bigger than their previous head coach. I completely agree with you on that. It doesnt matter whether or not it is Trinity or some 'Sisters of the Poor'. The program(s) will go on. At the sametime, and I will forever hold my opinion, those who deny that this program isn't in much better shape than before he took over are living in complete and utter denial. Like you, I'm and outsider of Mercer Co. and their football program. I have just always found it funny how some on here were so quick to praise Mercer County, Jaggers, etc. one minute, then as soon as they fall on harder times, judge them in a completely opposite fashion (not saying you do). Whoever the coach to be, whether Jaggers goes onto bigger and better endeavors, best to luck to all involved.

I heard Lou Holtz make a statement that was originally said by another man at some point in time, and I cant remember the name. The saying went something along the lines of, " Winning has a hundred fathers, but losing is an orphan." I've read a lot on here that I never have posted about, both as a member and non member, but that saying seems to fit what has happened at Mercer in regards to Jaggers. If anyone is foolish enough to believe that this program isn't much better than it was before Jaggers got to Mercer, merger or not, then they are living in Peter Pan's Never Never Land. They can't see the forrest for the trees. Mercer used to place 3rd and 4th on a continuous basis to teams much lesser than them. Wishing for great seasons to result in 4-6, 5-5 records against lesser opponents. Mercer Co was one of the smallest 5A teams in the state the past two years. He won the district this year and the fact that he was even able to make the playoffs with his 2007 is nothing short of remarkable when you consider that he lost starters from the previous 2006 season in practically every position. Jaggers has proven that the school could win. He has done that. You can't dispute that. From reading these posts there seems to be a select couple, few from Mercer that are extremely disgruntled for whatever reasons. More than likely they are parents or at least relatives of players that they felt were done 'wrong'. Marty Jaggers has won everywhere he has ever been. He's a winner. Bottom line. You either like him or you don't and that is ok. I've never met a highly successful individual in whatever their profession that wasn't viewed in those same regards. A couple of you want to make remarks towards him not trading films with Boyle County this year due to one of the films not being adequate enough. To you I say, get over it. That type of situation has happened all over the state. It's not uncommon for coaches to come to agreement on 2 quality games, not just the previous two. All I can say to those who are against Jaggers' is-----be careful what you wish for. Whatever he decides to do. You have had the best coach in the entire history of your program, bar none. Nobody has accomplished what he has in the span of four straight years, permerger or post merger.

Marty Jaggers has been in contact with Lindsey Wilson and President Lucky, and they have been in contact with him. That has come from those at LW. Now they have probably been in contact with several others too. I wouldn't be shocked if LW picked Jaggers or other successful HS coaches from the state that can retire or have proven themselves. MartyJaggers,Sam Harp, Mark Peach(currently at Anderson, former Cville Univ head man), Leon Hart (Ashland HC, longtime EKU off. coordinator), Mark Brown (formerly Nelson County, current HC at John Hardin, etc. I mentioned on a post before that I don't understand why some at Mercer are upset or have seemed constantly unhappy with Jaggers and what he has helped build at Mercer. He's done more in the past four year span at that school than anybody has, ever, premerger and post merger combined.

Correct. Even better than I thought! Pay no attention to me.:laugh:

The only reason I mentioned Jaggers is because he's the head of the program. And normally, when judging or looking at a program, in this case, the football program (despite whether or not you say that's what was being talked about) everything normally falls back onto who the head man is, whether it's right or wrong to do so. As far as to "chill". Didn't know that sounded moody? My blood pressure is fine. Getting heated over posts on anonymous message boards are the last thing I'm concerned with.I'm not from Mercer County, don't live there and have no ties whatsoever to the program. I do know Jaggers, have talked football with him many times and is a pure genius when it comes to the game. Just my opionions on the topic at hand is all.

It's being done now over Jaggers tenure moreso than it ever has. Merger or not. Best record in school history in 2005, before the merger. 2005 also meant the first playoff win in almost 20 years, correct? 2006 State Championship. Those can gripe, complain, play it (state championship) down and whatever else they want-it is what it is. They had no more of an "edge" than any private school has and probably a less of one. This 2008 season, in 5A, District Champs and a playoff win. In Jaggers tenure since 2005, from looking at the KHSAA site. Mercer has accomplished: 1) 31-13 overall record (pre-merger and merger) 2) 7 Total Playoff victories (" " " ") 3) 1 State Championship (merger) 4) 1 District Runners-Up (Pre-Merger) 5) 2 District Championships (Merger- one in 2A, one in 5A) 6) 1 Regional Championship (Merger- 2A) For a program that was nowhere near known for football prestige, I'd say the "building of a program" as you call it, is well in place. How many times was any of that done in the entire history of the school, much less in a four year consecutive span? My guess is going to be (jeapordy music) never or even remotely close.

He has the ability to be a very special player, I hope he makes a full recovery and is ready to roll next season.

Is he physically able to play?

Did Chandler Shepard play? I looked at the scoring line in the Lexington paper and did not see his name.