Tony Cavalier

The game is still listed on Oscar Smith’s schedule. Hopefully they will reconsider their additional demands after first asking just for transportation and aid in their lodgings when the contract was being hammered out. This game is great for the JC program and community. I agree 100% with ATLCat and Iam4thecats about the long term rewards from lining up against a team like Oscar Smith. No one has ever doubted the benefits over the years that Highlands has gained by playing Louisville Trinity or a GCL school in a scrimmage; same can be said of Lexington Catholic playing Ensworth a few years ago. The pros of playing a team of this magnitude by far outweigh the cons.

Had the same open week, called them up and asked to see if they would do a home and home. They agreed. Sure we would like to have a more localized rival but being a big school in a small pond (EKY) makes it extremely hard to find games in the area. It's not like he lured them in with a carrot on a stick and tricked them to come to JC. JC has done the same with Boyle County, Lexington Catholic, Belfry, etc. Most teams are only interested in 1 year deals at their place that reach out to JC or inquire about dates that have already booked. We prefer 2 year deals so we know how to budget expenses going forward to make things happen. Tough economic times in an impoverished community, to add in the fact that football money funds numerous other non-revenue sports, it's not like we have bundles of money coming in or can cut fat checks to always be on the road. This isn't the first time that JC has reached out to a top tier team either. Earlier this year JC reached out to Youngstown Cardinal Mooney but they weren't interested due to the travel distance, which is another item that JC deals with. A lot of the top tier teams in larger cities have other schools in their own backyard instead of traveling 2-3 hours for a non district game. A few years ago he had the RECC Bowl Committee reach out to Ensworth (TN) but they were only interested in a 1 year deal at their place. It can be done but a lot has to align. Some think that just because you throw a name out that it can happen but it is much more complex. (I can attest from first hand experience as I aided in the search to complete this year's schedule.) Now, teams are making schedules 3-4 years in advance or have diverse contract lengths (1,2,3,4 year deals) which also makes in difficult to find teams with common open dates or rotate weeks with 2 year opponents, ie 2015 Week 1/2016 Week 4. I am very excited about this game even if it may be lopsided. To put this game behind the Lexington Catholic game, JC may have one of the toughest 2 week stretches in the state. We should learn a lot about the team during this period because the players will face adversity and the most important thing is how they will react to those challenging moments. When we get punched in the mouth will we punch back or will we cower in the corner? As long as the players are able to remain relatively healthy going into week 4, we should have plenty of time to fix the holes before Ashland and the start of the playoffs.

Still searching for more information about this year's team but this is last year's preview.

Probably bit off way more than they can chew against this 6A power but it is at least a full 10 game slate. Last year they had a kid go to Florida State and return a QB that has verbally committed to Virginia Tech at QB. Not sure if JC will see another 4A team with the caliber of players that Oscar Smith will bring to Paintsville. I just hope that the Eagles can keep it respectable and OSHS leaves their kennel at home. 2014 Season in Review

Schedule has been finalized. Wk 1- @ Fairland (OH) Wk 2- @ Lexington Catholic Wk 3- Oscar Smith (VA) Wk 4- Harlan County Wk 5- Boyd Co. Wk 6- East Carter Wk 7- @ Greenup Co. Wk 8- Rowan Co. Wk 9- @ Ashland Wk 10- @ Belfry Wk 3 was finalized today but am not sure if it is going to be played on Sept 11 or 12th though.

We approached them, Week 2 was open for both of us and they agreed for a return game in 2016. A solid team like Lexington Catholic is a great measuring stick for us early on and will show us what areas need development as we progress through the year.

Paintsville will be in the hunt once again this season. Outstanding QB/LB Kash Daniel will lead the way. They do return two players next season that were unable to go this past year due to injuries, Matt Miller and Kent Phelps. Phelps will be a player to keep an eye on in Class A. As a freshman he was very productive at the RB position. Many of the linemen returning this season will now be 4 year starters. One thing that may hurt them is depth. Coach Chirico and the rest of the staff have things going in the right direction. They also have an improved schedule in comparison to the ones they played the past two seasons which should be very beneficial come playoff time. A regional title or potentially an even deeper playoff run is not out of the question.

Nothing to my knowledge. With school being out and summer basketball going on it has been rather difficult to catch up with the AD to discuss. A lot of weight was put into trying to get Beechwood recently but was unsuccessful. An ample amount of teams were contacted prior to the Beechwood effort but could we were unable to get a bite. I know NCC was contacted for this particular week but they may have already been in discussions with Belfry prior to because that game was listed on each team's respective schedule not long after. Ironton OH was contacted again but preferred both games being in Ironton. North Laurel, St. Clairsville OH, Morgantown WV and several others were also contacted regarding that opening to no avail. Clinton Massie was entertained but some contractual items could not be realized by both parties. Again, something may currently be in the works but I have not heard.

Joe Chirico was the right guy for the job. His enthusiasm for the game and his upstanding character are the reasons for the 180 at this program. I am thankful to have known Joe for the past 18 years and consider him one of my biggest mentors. I wish him and the Tigers the best of luck going forward. Kash deserves all the praise and accolades that he receives. One of the hardest working and most level headed kids around. Congratulations on the offer, as well as the slew of others. Cherish this moment and when it comes down to signing on the dotted line, do what is best for you both athletically and academically.

Your statement contradicts itself. "...they never pulled their starters but did sub in a lot of players in and out." Unfortunately this game will not be played. Coach Noel Rash was supposedly all for it but it could not clear Suzy Wera's desk, stating that they are limiting the number of larger schools (i.e. Covington Catholic) that they play each year and wished JC well. Best of luck to the Tigers on their quest for another state title.

Beechwood has faired well against Covington Catholic and other larger schools in the past. Why no flack directed in their direction for playing a game against Beechwood? Beechwood is not your typical Class "A" school. They probably dress out more guys than JC, strong teams every year, a greater football tradition hailing from the hot bed of KY Football and most likely don't have the amount of two way players that JC uses as well. Will this game happen? I do not have that answer but it would be a great addition to JC's schedule by adding another solid team in the mix for playoff preparation in addition to their games against Lexington Catholic and Belfry. This would be the first true Class "A" team to face JC in quite some time. Again, teams like Beechwood rarely come to EKY and when they do it trulyis a one of a kind event.

Confirmed. A JC rep contacted Coach Noel Rash on Saturday while he was vacationing in Florida. He was scheduled to return yesterday, where he would then discuss with the AD. JC proposed a 2 year deal, with year 1 at JC for the RECC Bowl and a return trip to Fort Mitchell in 2016. The idea of possibly playing this year's game on Saturday September 12th was also presented to allow the game to be more accessible for Beechwood's fans and prevent the athletes from missing out on an extended amount of time from class. I know we are very hopeful that something can be worked out. A name and program like Beechwood very rarely comes to Eastern Kentucky and it would be a great event and atmosphere for all those involved.

First, I need to correct his stats from his 8th grade year. He picked up the win against Tates Creek making his record 8-0, not 11-0, giving up two hits, one run and picking up 2 K's in the effort. I was going off of what one of his teammates told me the other day when we were talking about the coming season. I should've asked the coach for assurance but nonetheless it was a phenomenal season for the young man. Tate is 15 years old.

Tate Meade-Johnson Central (RHP) 11-0 as an 8th grader in 2014, 2014 2nd Team All-State. Pitched 3 scoreless innings against No. 1 Tates Creek in last season's state tournament. Mid 80's, good command and a decent amount of movement on his fastball but does most of his damage using his off speed stuff.

I have heard that Dalton would be going to Centre for football but not 100% certain because of him still participating in basketball. One thing that I'm going to miss next season, as will the rest of us, is the smile he always carried on his face. It didn't matter if it was practice or a game, he was truly happy doing what he was doing and was a great teammate to all.

Actually Workman had over half of the JC rushing yards, he had 144 by himself in that game, scoring on runs of 70, 30 and 6, and the team combined for 243 yards. Belfry was the team that had around 100 yards rushing. X went out late in the first half with a bad ankle injury but with the exception of their two TEs, Horton and Bentley, numerous people have said the rest of Belfry's O was intact. Had those guys been playing on the defensive side it would've probably helped and been a closer game, not denying that possibility. Regardless of this one, Belfry gained momentum when they got healthy on the defensive side and went on to win their 4th state title. I think any time a team can pick up a game against Belfry it is a great get, such a classy group of fans and a top notch team. Losing Hatfield will hurt, he was a dandy of a player that did so many things well, but they are my pick to be the top team in EKY for at least the next two seasons. Should be an excellent early season game for both teams.

No. They have never scheduled Boone but they did play a two year series with Boyle. In 2009 a fairly young team headed to Boyle and was defeated rather handedly in the first game of the season. They would go on to start the year at 0-4 before being defeated by Highlands in the Regional Championship. Some fans from JC thought the score was run up and some did not. Rumors swirled about the game possibly being cancelled, mainly through internet chatter, but they played the last year of their contract in 2010 at JC in the RECC Bowl. They were 0-2 in the series but gained a lot great experience out of the losses which propelled them to have great years in each of those seasons. In 2009 they ended up beating Belfry for the first time in school history and in 2010 they found themselves on the wrong side of a 21-14 defeat to Highlands.

We have yet to receive any type of official paper work or verbal acknowledgement stating that our game has been cancelled. It may be imminent but as of now it is down on our books to be played.

The only thing I would say to him is to keep things in perspective and try not get bogged down with a lot of the whispers that may swirl around the program. Keep family and faith at the forefront and everything else will take care of itself. Best wishes Coach Eviston as you embark on this new journey.

One could make that argument but some of it was probably due to splitting touches with Long to eliminate the opposition from keying in on one particular player during each of those games. I think the argument does lose a little bit of emphasis due to him playing both ways, at least in the JC game. Either way, I think he is poised for another great individual year. Ashland will be a tough out next season once their QB becomes more seasoned as the year progresses.

Like most independent school systems, at least what is considered the norm in Eastern KY, those that live within the boundaries or elect to pay fees are eligible to attend and participate in all extracurricular activities.

I know we are very thankful to be fortunate enough to have things align the next two seasons to play a quality team like Lexington Catholic. This is a game that will definitely prepare us down the road, exposing a lot of holes early on and give us an ample amount of time to work towards solidifying. With what Lexington Catholic returns we very well could get our doors beat off but at the same time it will be a great learning experience.

Week 1-@ Fairland, OH (Year 2 of 2. Signed after an OVC Championship. Their HC, Cullen Homolka, left for a position following that season at NC State. Cullen Homolka Bio - NC State University Official Athletic Site) Week 2-@ Lexington Catholic (Year 1 of 2) Week 3- In negotiations Week 4- Harlan County (Year 3 of 4. Signed after State-Semi showing) Week 10-@ Belfry (Year 1 of 2 but is now considered an annual game that has been played since 2007) District Week 5- Boyd Co. Week 6- East Carter (Site TBD) Week 7- @ Greenup Co. Week 8- Rowan Co. Week 9- @ Ashland

Jay was a very physical player with a high motor. I really enjoyed watching him play while he was at Mayfield. If he can get that team to bring to the field what he brought between the lines every Friday, they are bound to successful.

I know we have been dealing with this very issue for the past several seasons. I guess it would probably not be out of the realm to expect more schools going this route in the very near future.