Tony Cavalier

Not disagreeing with your ranking but those three wins were all on the road. The Ashland game at the time was a #2 vs #3, both undefeated, district championship on the line and senior night in a hostile, packed out Putnam Stadium. Scott was a 3.5 hr bus ride for the regional title that required a major comeback after digging themselves in an early hole. Wayne Co. was a 4 hour trip the following week for the State Semis that was a little closer than what I would've liked, 21-7 until a late score was added in the 4th. Then we all know what happened the following week. Accumulating over 1,200 miles in the yellow limo for three games in as many weeks has to be tiring but the end result would not have been any different regardless of where the game was played with the same personnel circumstances. I think we lost to who we should've lost to and won some tossups we had going into the year. I think it is probably safe to say that South Warren and Belfry were Top 5 regardless of class. The loss of Workman really put a damper on the season by limiting the playbook and making the Pass D more susceptible because he could cover a lot of blemishes with his closing speed. When the offense is limited to either A or B gap because he could not get to the edge it took away some of the basic complexities that you hope the other team endures who doesn't typically see that type of offense. Our passing game was also hurt due to the injury being on his plant leg. Belfry hit the homerun ball several times in what would've been Workman's territory in that game and South Warren put the clamps on our rushing game, even ringing up two scoop and score TDs with their outstanding defense. Some people back home would rate the season as an A+ due to the JC program providing a major part of putting two teams in the state semi's, haha, but that is neither here nor there. I think it was a solid year and the only bad thing I will look back on is not losing in the finals to a great South Warren team but wishing Workman would've been able to finish the season 100%.

The Eagles pushed their record up to 16-5 on the season after going 4-1 during the week. They swept district foe Paintsville, winning 10-8 after leading by 9 heading into the bottom of the 5th in the opener, then cruised to an 11-2 win the following night. JC opened up the Tates Creek tournament with a hard fought loss to Scott County in 8. Starting pitcher, sophomore Tate Meade, went the first 7 allowing 2 hits, no runs to go along with 13 Ks. Two errors with the costly one being with 2 out in the 8th allowed the Cardinals to plate the winning run. Saturday they defeated Tates Creek 6-4 and Louisville Butler 8-5, giving up 5 in the bottom of the 7th. 3 of JCs losses have come in extra frames and they have a pretty solid 4 man rotation (Sophs Braxton Kelly and Tate Meade, Sr Josh Hitchcok and Freshman Gabe Ferral who already has thrown a No Hitter) with a nice supporting cast that can keep them in a lot of games unlike previous years. Their other two losses were at Boyd Co 5-2 and a 5-3 decision to Greenup at Vero Beach. If they can keep swinging the sticks and reduce the errors they have a nice shot at making another trip to State this coming season.

I agree. Very strenuous job that welcomes little pay and hardly any respect.

Thank you very much. The young man that pitched against you all down there was really tight with Luke. Luke was on the baseball team but decided to focus full time on working to earn the starting QB spot this season about the week before spring break. The varsity was informed about the tragic incident about two hours before the first pitch Friday. With heavy hearts they just didn't have enough to pull out the win against your solid team. Congratulations on the victory and best of luck to you all the rest of the way.

Allow me to preface my remarks by saying that myself, his family and the Golden Eagle community would greatly appreciate any and all prayers during this dire time. This is such a sad, sad day as I have been in contact with many of our players that have aching hearts. Death is inevitable for each one of us but to take the life of a 15 year old with their best days still ahead is tough to swallow. To say that I'm shocked and very saddened by this information is an understatement. It was an honor and a privilege to coach him during his lone season with us. This young man always had an infectious smile on his face. He always made it a point to attend OTAs even when he had no other means of transportation than to call me up. During our travels we would talk about whatever was on his mind and rarely was it ever about football. When you are able to form trusting relationships with the young men that you coach, you provide them an outlet and become an individual that they can confide in when seeking advice about the wide variety of issues teenagers deal with these days. Coaching is not all about wins and losses. The most rewarding thing that I get, and I'm sure others feel the same way, is the opportunity to make a positive, lasting impact in someone's life. Such a tragedy and my thoughts and prayers will be with this young man's family and his teammates in the coming days. Rest in peace and you will be sorely missed.

I agree with the fielding aspect. JC is hitting the ball much better thanks to the addition of Shane Simpkins as a coach and players maturing from the previous year. They are much deeper with their arms so that keeps them in games when their sticks aren't in sync but booting routine plays has cost them a couple of games thus far. I really like this Greenup Co. team though and if they can correct the fielding miscues it would not surprise me a bit to see them hoist the championship trophy this summer.

Very nice win by Greenup. Greenup plays Johnson Central tomorrow afternoon before rounding out their final game against McDowell, PA on Saturday. McDowell beat beat JC in 8 innings this morning in a mistake ridden game by the Eagles. Not sure who either team will send to the hill since it is being played so late in the tournament. Best of luck to both teams tomorrow.

Congrats to Cole. Run into him from time to time on my way to work at the Double Kwik below Belfry HS. Great young man and deserves any and all recognition heading his way.

It is not very common, one must encompass all the attributes at the highest level of being a student athlete. During my time I only knew of two players that attempted to get an engineering degree and play football. I had two years of Calculus with former RB Anthony Allen before he left for GA Tech and then on to the Baltimore Ravens. Another player was a punter that I shared a C++ computer engineering course with. With all the activities that go on as a member of the football program and the recommended 3 hours of studying per week per hour credit attempted, it is mind boggling that these young men can even pick their head up for some free time. With discipline and dedication, just like in all things, you can achieve whatever you desire. Best of luck to Mr. Robinson.

Congratulations to this young man on being able to further his football career and get a top notch education. I attended the JB Speed School of Engineering before finishing my engineering degree at UK. The curriculum is very demanding, practically a year round program, that allows one to finish with a Masters degree after 4 years of classes over 5 calendar years due being out of the classroom for 3 mandatory co-ops. Lots of great, great companies hire students that complete their education from Speed School. Congratulations again to him for this great achievement and setting his sights on endless opportunities after finishing his playing days.

The staff is currently arranging visits for him following basketball season; Mississippi State, North Carolina, UK and possibly Virginia Tech. Also, USAFA has called several us and Tyler several times but not sure if he is interested in going that route.

Haven't seen Tyler in a while to get a feel on what he is thinking or where he wants to go. Schools that have contacted regarding him during this past season that I can think of off the top of my head are: UK, Louisville, Tennessee, Pitt, Florida, Air Force, North Carolina, West Virginia, Mizzou and Georgia. Some coaching changes occurred at Mizzou and Georgia so I'm not sure if there is still any interest there. Florida has two committed kickers so I would probably remove them as well. UK ran into a member of our coaching staff and said that Tyler was a priority. That comment strikes a nerve in a way because they went out and grabbed a punter from Stoops' backyard in Ohio for a scholarship. If he was a priority then why was he not the recipient of a scholarship? Tyler has the grades and ACT to get most, if not all, of his future expenses paid through academics, maybe that was their line of thinking. This is the 3rd year in a row that UK has asked a kid from JC to come down and work their way towards a scholarship. Quade Ward declined and decided to enroll in their engineering program. Tristen Salyers is currently at UK and from what we've been told he has done everything to earn a scholarship should one open up. Now Tyler. Yes they are the flagship program of the state and almost every young man from our hollers dream of going to play for the Blue and White but on the other hand you still have to have your self respect. I wish Tyler nothing but the best when deciding on what he wants to do, however a part of me wishes that he would go to UofL or another school with a better pedigree.

I'm with you Grant, I'd like to see a game at the Big House. Wish I could've witnessed the 2011 retro game against Notre Dame. They really need to bring that game back, it was great for college football. If you haven't made the trek to South Bend I would highly suggest it as it is a wonderful place to watch a game.

Kash is a natural born leader. I remember umpiring some of his Little League baseball games when he was on the Yankees and the young man had the "it" factor then. From his peewee days, to now and into the future people have/will always look up to him to take them to battle and raise the team's overall level of play. As a graduate of Paintsville and one that is now affiliated with the Johnson Central program, I am extremely happy to see him or anyone else from our small hole in the state succeed on the big stage. Best of luck this weekend and going forward to Kash and the other KY players. You have made us all proud.

From what I have been able to gather, when the contracts get finalized for Weeks 1 and 3, Johnson Central's will be: Pre Season Scrimmage 1-@ Cabell Midland Scrimmage 2- TBD Regular Season *Wk 1- Capital (WV)- 2014 3A State Champs, 2015 3A State Runner Up WK 2- Lexington Catholic (Final year of contract- 3A State Runner Up) *WK 3- George Washington (WV) WK 4- @ Harlan County (Final year of contract) WK 5-@ Boyd County# WK 6- @ East Carter# WK 7- Greenup County# WK 8- @ Rowan County# WK 9- Ashland# WK 10-Belfry (3A State Champion) *-Location TBD #-District

I attended the JC game last night and was at work at 8 am EST this morning in Logan, WV. The change in schedule forced a lot of people to not attend due to having to be at work today. It is what it is though, no complaints because the schedule was out of our hands and both teams faced the same circumstances.

Congratulations to South Warren, they were a very, VERY good team. Last night they continued to do what they have all season, turn defense into offense by putting up 2 TDs off scoop and scores. Huge win for them and their program and I wish them nothing but the best going forward.

Pikeville has a nice QB and some size at all positions. Jarrell at WR is a dangerous deep threat and Pugh is just a mule of a back. I'd say this Pikeville team is about 3 TDs better than the Ironton team Beechwood played earlier in the year. This should be a great game. Best of luck to both teams.

The only opinions of myself that I care about are God's and my families. As a program, respect is earned and not given. At the end of Sunday night's game, we will do as we always do, thank God for the opportunity he has bestowed upon us and give him all the honor that he truly deserves. Regardless of the result, this season has been a commendable effort. Whether one will acknowledge it, that is their own prerogative.

Really wish the poll had a tie button. Truly respect both programs and their fans. Both treated us with class and were very gracious following our visits to their stadiums during the regular season. I think this will be a tight ball game all the way and one play could make the difference. Best of luck to both this coming week.

Difference was that JC was at 100% against LexCath, about 75% going into the Belfry game. After the first quarter, numerous players were swapped in and out to try to motivate the kids to do their jobs. One of those cases that it didn't work and they continued to struggle. I even told one of my coworkers, former Belfry Pirate John Young, my thoughts leading up to the game and that we would struggle mightily without Workman under center on offense and without him playing FS on defense. He is the guy that makes the cogs turn by calling out formations, blocking scheme adjustments and various defensive responsibilities based off the opposition's alignment. If anyone thought that JC would move the ball without him, and especially with a young man under center at QB that had never taken a varsity snap, then they are clueless. In my opinion the outcome would've been the same but the score would've been a little more respectful. As for this game, I think LexCath has the athletes and speed to keep pace with Central. Good luck to the Knights. LC by 5.

My one and only post on this thread. What I do know is that JC is starting to get healthy, still not 100% contrary to earlier reports and really haven't been since the Lexington Catholic game. I also know that Scott is a team that will not quit until the final horn and the playoffs should be enough to prove that. In their first two games they could've easily folded the tents and packed it up but they did not. They kept fighting and were able to pull out the W. If JC thinks they have this in the bag then it will be time to roll out the round balls. No one on that team should expect to just show up and win, despite their current circumstances because the Belfry game is a prime example of not being mentally ready. I fully expect this one to be a nail biter all the way.

Numbers can be manipulated in numerous ways to portray any type of point that an individual wants to make. If someone wanted to do the same to Ashland's offensive effort they could do that with Baker's stats as well. 25 carries for 176 yards were his final numbers according to the paper. Take away the 80 yard run to start the 2nd half as well as his runs of 20 and 16 on their final drive, what would his total now be? 60 yards on 22 carries for an average of 2.7 ypc, almost 9 yards below his season average. Not selling Ashland's defensive effort short by any means. They come out with a scheme JC had never seen before, basically playing O'Bryan as a Hybrid S, allowing him to roam unblocked most of the night and playing Baker over the top closed any alley on the edge very quickly. Ashland had a superb defensive effort against JC. The stats are what they are and the game was a dandy. I look for the Tomcats to win this game by a few scores.

Was 2011 the year that Highlands finished ranked as a Top 10 team in the country as well? JC could have had an All-Star team of players from 2008-10 and the result of the 2011 game at Highlands would've been the same. They were a well oiled machine that year.