ChiefSmoke

Yes, he did. For a very good team that lost to Boyle in the semis. PT's head coach was Perry Thomas. That same night, Highlands beat us (Mason Co.) in the snow at their place by a TD. Our QB was Dustin Grutza and the Boyle QB was Brandon Smith. Highlands had Jordan Nevels, among others. 4 very good teams with some outstanding players.

We were back inside on Friday.

Snow was in the forecast and it was cold. But, we got better today and the kids had fun playing football.

Mercer County

We had a short 50 play scrimmage today. Trying to save bodies so we can have our Red-Blue Scrimmage next Friday. It was pretty cold and we were rough. But, we have a shot at having some pretty good football players and we had fun today. Hopefully those good football players can become a very good football TEAM. Really good to get outside after two days inside, although we have a great indoor practice facility. Great to be playing football right now!

Danny is calling his last Sweet 16 this week. He is outstanding on the radio and a wonderful person. He does a great job with both football and basketball. Good luck to Danny this week and if you see him at Rupp, congratulate him on a job well done!

1 Walton Verona 1 Campbell Co. 1 Owensboro 1 Trinity 1 CovCath 1 Butler 1 Madisonville NH 1 Warren Central 2 Campbell Co. 2 Trinity 2 CovCath 2 Madisonville NH 3 Campbell Co. 3 CovCath 5 CovCath TB 118

We start spring football practice here on Monday, March 4th. Hope to have our spring scrimmage on 3/15. Go Titans!

Charlie Mayfield running for a Touchdown, early 70's We started this in Mercer County Schools a couple weeks ago and are off to a really good start. Goal: To help form & promote positive attitudes about ethnicity for our youngest students in Mercer County Schools. Action: Every Thursday morning, 2 or 3 football players (and include possible expansion to other student-athletes and potentially all students) will eat breakfast with students at MCES. The high school students that attend the breakfast will be of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The topic of conversation does NOT need to be about ethnicity or “race.” What we want is very simple… friendly conversation and acts of kindness between the elementary students and the football players. Rationale: We want to promote positive interactions and attitudes for our youngest students, before their heads are filled with stereotypes and negative messages regarding people of other ethnicities. The basis of this goes back to my experiences with my Dad’s players when I was 4, 5, 6 & 7 years old. Before my brain was tarnished by prejudice & false information, guys like Charlie Mayfield, Henry Ewing, James Tarrance & James Scruggs taught me the truth through their kindness, friendship and positive words to me at a very young age. If we ever discussed racism or ethnicity, I don’t remember that. But, what I DO remember is how they treated me and that is what has made all the difference! For me, one of the biggest highlights was the reaction of our players. One afternoon I explained to some of our older guys what we wanted to do and why.They immediately began to speak up and volunteer. I am exceptionally proud of their leadership and their willingness to help and serve others. We have much work to do at Mercer County, on and off the field. But, we are working at it and I am blessed to be coaching wonderful young men who want to serve others and make our community better now and in the future!

We have to be 100 % Xenith helmets and shoulder pads in 3 years. We already had a big head start on helmets. We will get the shoulder pads very last because what we have now are in good shape. We want to use those before buying new. We have a few Xenith shoulder pads already.

Good point. 1- As a Xenith Elite football program, we get one helmet free for everyone we purchase. We also do our reconditioning through Xenith. Their work was outstanding and I was very pleased with the returned helmets. 2- I agree we are fortunate to have the support we have. Including next season, for 5 years in a row, every regular season home game has a sponsor. That funding has made a big impact on our program and kids. We still have much to do, but we are making progress and I am thankful for the support we have in Harrodsburg/Mercer County.

Correct.

For what it’s worth, they have the 5 Star rating from Va. Tech AND our kids are really excited about them!

Thought the BGPreps crowd would like this.... here is the new Xenith Shadow helmet for 2019. I've been a fan of Xenith from the beginning. The helmet works with shock absorbers instead of padding. Also, the shock absorbers are in a bonnet that is pulled around your head when you fasten the chinstrap, separating your head from the helmet shell.

The Daniel Hopkins Plan helps with blowouts, travel and adds variety to the postseason.

I still like this idea. Weekend games over weekday games. What do the rest of you think?

2003 at Mason we played defending state champ Breathitt, a Dunbar team within a 1st down of beating Trinity, 2A semifinalist Lloyd & Ashland.... in our first season in old 3A. Dunbar got us in OT. Highlands beat us 1 TD in snow/3A semifinals. Was our only two losses. Will be a big challenge. I agree. But, not looking past ANYONE & focusing on us getting better everyday. Our guys are working their tails off to get ready. Some times being old, having experience is a good thing. I respect all 10 opponents and it will be tough. But, the perspective of being around good HS football for almost 50 years helps to face a schedule this challenging.

Those are two very good players! Ours is very good AND I am biased.... he is a pretty good quarterback under the Friday night lights!

Summer camp season is approaching. Hope this info can help someone.

In the 2019 offseason, what programs are fortunate with outstanding coaches they need to hold on to?

Here are a couple pics that show the replaced turf in the middle. Yesterday we had a couple families and a head football coach from central KY in our complex.They were very complimentary. Like all things... we take it for granted because we are use to it. But, our athletic programs and kids are very fortunate to have this and it gets a bunch of use.

I am biased but really like Mercer. Have been in the region finals last 3 years, winning it in 2016. 2019 12th region POY and potentially the 2020 POY also. I also like the guys around those two. Go Titans!

I really enjoyed watching the Royals Friday night versus Rowan and all that went with honoring Danny Weddle. I am most definitely a football guy, but have to admit, postseason basketball is special in the Fieldhouse. It is never a surprise to see the Royals making a run in March, regardless of the regular season, especially in the Fieldhouse. I am opposite of most Mason County fans... I would tell those kids there ABSOLUTELY is a home court advantage in the Fieldhouse when the Royals take the floor! I believe it and if the Mason County players believe it, great!

I am a big fan of the Red Devils. Jeff Reese is an old friend, son of Randy Reese who won state titles at Paris and Ludlow. Jeff is the OC at OHS and has been a resource for me over the past 25 + years. Outstanding football coach and one of those guys that has forgotten more football than most guys know.

Coach Daniel Barker has done a great job building on Kevin Brown's hard work/excellent job as head coach for so many years. The Comets are in good hands and will continue to build/improve their program!