ChiefSmoke

I got the old program and counted. In 2005, their were 8 Tennessee signees. There were also signees to Memphis(4), Alabama (2), South Carolina, Louisville, Wake Forest, Mississippi State, Vandy(2), Ole Miss, and others. For sure, in 2005, Tennessee did not have a "makeshift" roster. It was very good.

Congratulations to both squads and staffs on a well played game- especially on the defensive side of the ball. Tom Posey has done a great job building this all star game. It is well attended, organized, etc. The Montgomery County facilities looked great. Extras like the landscaping around the bleachers, the seniors names on the lockerroom, the entrance into the stadium from the parking lot, and the press box were exceptional.

In 2005, the Tennessee roster was very strong, with 8 UT signees among other D1 players. ( I could be wrong on the exact number). KY still won by 2 TD's, and were close to scoring at the end of the game. The Ky roster doesn't always have all the good players in our state, but has still been successful over the past 7 years. I hope it continues in June. The KY kids have the same issues with reporting, injuries, etc. Let each state get their best 40 and play. I would think the game would become more interesting and better now that it is not so one-sided.

Thanks for the kind words about the head coach and our staff. Our assistant coaches are fine men, and very good coaches as well. As good as they are with their football, their best characteristic is that they love kids. We enjoy working together and the kids we coach. It is also a great environment- its not uncommon to come to practice and have a pastor present, or Steele Harmon with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Guys like Tom Duncan, Sparky McDowell, Butch Chain, Danny Weddle or John Denham also come by practice frequently and take an interest in our kids. The teaching salaries are very good, but have no bearing on our assistants coaching salaries. Money is absolutely no factor in why our guys coach football at Mason County. I was hesitant to get into this thread after the college rumor thread. I like how theguru handled that thread, as he does in managing BGPreps as a whole. You are correct in thinking that several of our coaches would make outstanding head football coaches. I agree, and I am thankful that they coach football at Mason County.

Congratulations to Coach Thompson. Paris HS football is very special. The Hounds and Blanton Collier Stadium will always have a special place in my heart. We will be pulling for the Hounds every week, beginning with week 2!

The Homeless Camel is welcome in Maysville. Thanks for following the Royals! We had 70 kids at our Boys Club Camp today, grades K-5. Biggest turn out ever. Thank you- ChiefSmoke

The reasons for classifying are obvious- you have a better chance of getting 5-8 great players if you have 2000 students as opposed to 200. It might be more fair and give more kids an opportunity to compete and win, comparable to weight classification in wrestling- maybe. You would not expect the 103 guy to be able to defeat the guys in the heaviest weight classes at the state finals. But, the tradition is strong, and basketball is NOT a numbers game- like football is without a doubt. You could not play 3 football games in 24 hours, like they do in basketball at the state tournament. Also, in basketball, it is not uncommon for a team to win the title that has never won it before. In football that is rare. Mason County won the state title basically with 8 kids that played- 2 were sophomores. Two of the juniors were division 1 athletes and of those, one was one of the greatest shooters ever to come out of the state. In 93 and 94 at Paris, we had 5 or 6 kids that could have played for anyone in football. If there had been such a thing as 5 man football, for 2 seasons, we could have played with anyone in the state. In football the difference is when one team has 5 great players, and 5 good players. Your opponent may have 3 great players, but 25 good players. The one with the 25 will probably win in the 2nd half, and exploit the weaker links on the other team. I've been there more than once. Again, football is a big time numbers game unlike any other sport. Classifying basketball might be the route to go, but the need to do so is not near as great as is required in football. And, there has been debate about the state of HS basketball in KY as of late. The premier athletic event in KY remains the Sweet 16. I am not sure how wise it would be to screw up the best thing going. Being a Mason County fan, I know it is easy for me to say this because our school is one of the smaller schools that can win a title. I recognize that bias. If I were some where else, I might feel differently. And, I hope that the All A fills that void to some extent for the schools that are smaller. You can tell its March Madness- a football coaches' thoughts on basketball classification. If I told you about the conversation in the football coaches' office last spring about the 10th region tournaments, you really wouldn't believe that one! :sssh:

Congratulations to Fields. He is an outstanding player. I speak from experience, he reads very well from his inside linebacker position. Good luck!

Darius Miller told us today that he will not play football next season. We will miss him as both a player and person, but we support him in doing what he believes is the best thing for him. He is a fine young man and it has been a wonderful experience to coach him. I speak for our entire staff when I say we are very proud of him, and wish him the best in the future! Our first two days of spring ball have gone very well. We are excited about our team next season. We have alot of work to do, like always. But our attitude is good, and we had alot of fun today. Weather could not have been better! Tentatively, our spring game is scheduled for March 23rd, Friday. The exact time has not been set yet. Also, congratulations to the Royals and Lady Royals on outstanding basketball seasons. We came within a handful of points of sending 2 teams to the state tournament. Both squads really played well all season and especially in the tournaments.

It's an old cliche, but I would say that the committee tries to pick the 40 that will make the best team, as opposed to strictly the best 40 players in the state. I was fortunate to be part of the committee twice, and their goal was to find the best team to beat Tennessee. Because of position needs, etc. that is the way to approach it. Otherwise, if your top 5 players in the state are qbs, you have 5 qbs. It use to be that way, and they changed it. Good Luck KY!:thumb:

Chris O'Hearn at Mason County gets my vote. I've been around some of the best football, basketball, and baseball coaches over the past 40 years, growing up with a coach as a dad, etc. He ranks with the best. Chris knows his basketball, does a great job with teaching the game and organization, and has the people skills it takes to keep it all together. He's also great to work with on the kids playing more than one sport. As the football coach, I especially appreciate that about him.

I have no idea, but I find that hard to believe. 3wishes- what did you think of the clinic?

Lanie Fomas, Paris 1986 and Joseph Jefferson, Logan County, 1997. Jefferson went on to play for the Colts. Both played college football at Western.

Congratulations to Coach Buser and the Lady Royals on a great win.:thumb:

Congratulations Coach Biggs!

Congratulations Josh! You were a tough competitor, and a nice young man the few times we got to talk. I know your dad and Coach Foley are very proud! Best wishes for continued success.:thumb:

Best of luck to the Panthers. They have been tough the last two years, and with 8 starters back, they might be something special in 2007.

Bruce is a good man and worked very hard for the kids. He and I coached together at Paris a long time ago. I am proud of his effort, and he will do well in the future. Best of luck to Coach Jones. ChiefSmoke

The football and basketball coaches across the state and in many high schools are working together more than in the past. Look for more cooperation from both sides in the future. We are fortunate at Mason County to work with Chris O'Hearn as our head basketball coach. Chris and his staff care about kids and support them if they choose to play other sports. Coach O'Hearn is an outstanding coach and our basketball team is one of the best in the state. We are very proud of him, our kids, and team. I am still hopeful and believe kids will play multiple sports. If Chris Lofton had chosen not to play football, we would not have been near as successful. Considering he is the top shooting guard in the country, I think it is safe to say playing football didn't hinder his development! In fact, I would argue that football and the weightroom give him an edge in toughness and strength that helps to make him a special player. From the basketball perspective, had Dustin Grutza decided to focus on football, I doubt if a state basketball championship banner would be hanging in the fieldhouse. If Harry Lewis had also chosen to focus on football, our basketball team would not have been as successful. There are several of these guys over the past 11 years that have had a great experience and made more than one team successful. I had a young man speak to me today about not being sure about continuing another sport. I told him we would support him in playing any sport he chooses to do. If playing that sport was fun, he should play it. I reminded him that I(the coach) was there for him. Not the other way around. The school board hires the coach to coach the kids. The kids don't "work" for us. If coaches will operate like that, the kids will know they care about them as people, and in the long run, everyone will be more successful. Historically, football coaches have been very strong in supporting our kids to play several sports. Without a doubt, football has improved by leaps and bounds in KY, and football coaches could probably begin to push the one sport mentality for football. But, that would not be good for kids. It would also be wrong. I also believe that in the long run it would hurt football in this state. Hopefully our football coaches will continue to support our kids in playing other sports. If you ever get the chance, read some of Bobby Dodd's thoughts on football as being a "game." I am as guilty as anyone in making football life or death. But, Coach Dodd had the right perspective and is one of the greatest coaches of all time. His thoughts would apply to all sports, not just football. Sorry for the long post. I guess the offseason gives me too much time, especially on a Friday afternoon without a football game to prepare for. But, I am looking forward to watching the basketball Royals in the MCIT the next two nights. :thumb: ChiefSmoke

Can you find a spot on there for Steele Harmon? He was telling us some good stories today about his HS coach!:sssh:

Buchanan became head coach in 1969, and his record that year was 9-1-1. 68 was Greer, and they were 0-10. Thanks

I found the playbook, with a schedule from 1965, and scouting reports on Danville, Garrard, and Glasgow. But, I couldn't find the records. I also found my dad's practice schedules from 1969. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. PaulDean or RebelRev might be able to help us out.

I believe the name of the coach from the early 60's is Dennis Sexton. I have a copy of his playbook. I have also seen a document that included scores and records for every Boyle season. I am not sure where I saw it, or if I have it. Maybe it was in an old program a long time ago- I am not sure. I will look for this stuff today. Hanging in my office, I have 3 old Boyle pictures. One is of Buchanan and Robert Allen Yankey on the sideline together the night they beat Danville in 1969, 8-6. The other two pictures are of Charlie Mayfield running the ball. One of those pics has him scoring a TD, running toward the old scoreboard, when the clock was still a dial as opposed to the digits we see today. You have to be old to have stuff that good! :sssh:

Congratulations to DeSarae & Lacey! :thumb:

Not sure on exact numbers, but something like this: Buchanan (69-73): 22-32-1 or 21-33-1 ?? Jim Greer (67-68): 0-20/ 0-22 ?? I believe Boyle started playing football in 60 or 61, and had some good teams early. Not sure if the new school played football the first year. But, Perryville had some great teams- I believe won state titles in 8 man football. Hope this helps. http://www.bluegrasspreps.com/showthread.php?p=1987955#post1987955 ChiefSmoke