McPressbox

So are they playing 9-on-11 or does the other team sit two players?

I see what you're saying. I would credit the coaching staff at the time, Jack Haskins and Co., who discovered Robinson, who was an average wide receiver before Jack's son, Billy Jack Haskins, saw Robinson throwing the ball at practice and tipped off his dad that he should get a look at quarterback. And a star was born.

Spot on. Taking Mayfield as an example (grew up and live nearby), if they never had a football program and started up now, they probably wouldn't be very good. Instead, we see what years and years of tradition and a stable coaching staff can do for you. So how can you expect ANY newer school -- 6A, 5A, whatever -- to compete with what they've built over many years? Yes, I'm a McCracken fan and consider the fact that the Mustangs have two wins and two very close losses in five meetings pretty impressive no matter that 6A McCracken has MANY more students to pick from. I'm sure it's the same elsewhere. So, yes, we need to cease with the notion that 6As should beat 2As (or 3As, 4As, etc.) everytime they play. Not all 2As (or 6As) are equal.

I've agreed with practically everything in this thread so far except the notion that Lone Oak's success "mainly stemmed from a once in a lifetime QB," who I presume is meant to be Corey Robinson. Robinson graduated in 2007 and Lone Oak was good up until consolidation, making the 4A state finals in 2009, two years after Robinson graduated. Otherwise, I agree with the premise that McCracken, as some have mentioned elsewhere, is a 6A school with 4A football numbers. McCracken should always be solid in football, but that's not the only sport that succeeds there. McCracken's other sports have been better than its football program -- baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, etc. -- no doubt aided by the enrollment advantage in the region. Perhaps the talent is too spread out for football to become one of the "big boys," unlike at schools where football is No. 1. JMHO, but I don't see football ever becoming THE dominant sport at McCracken.

This is why I credit McCracken for playing Mayfield. Some bigger schools around here won't. When McCracken wins it's "Well, you're a 6A, you SHOULD win. When Mayfield wins, it's "How could you lose to a 2A?" Can't win either way with some people.

Really tired of the "Willie Nelson just died" joke by the Graves County PA guy. I've been there twice in four years and he's done it both times. I guess that's an every game thing. Not funny and unnecessary.

No, McCracken backup RB scored twice in last 3 minutes on Graves' reserves. Many of McCracken's reserves were in the game from the beginning. (Not saying that Graves wouldn't have won anyway. At least it would have been a closer game, probably a tossup.) Gonna be tough against Mayfield. The Cards are rightly heavily favored.

Tilghman's speed is always a concern. Does McCracken still have the playmakers to keep up? Looking forward to the new styles on both sides.

Per Eric Walker on Twitter, they are on sale at MHS for $30, which I'd say is a bargain.

Yes, I am a McCracken fan (never said I wasn't) but the 6A topic was about ALL non-Louisville 6A's. (I feel like I've had to explain this about five times. I'd help if you'd carefully read what you're responding to.) Never said anything about just west Kentucky 6As. You're the first (again) to introduce that. You must be talking to different McCracken fans than I see. The overwhelming majority of Mustangs fans have nothing but respect for Mayfield football and all it has accomplished. Sorry you've run into a different segment.

Right, make Mayfield a 6A school by adding a Jackson Purchase All-Star team to what the Cardinals already have and THEN you could see winning 6A state ... maybe. McCracken's signature win? Probably Southaven, Mississippi, a couple of years ago. McCracken is 2-2 against Mayfield, which is probably better than anyone else on this end of the state.

Good god, man, you seem to have quite the fixation on McCracken. NOT ONCE did I say McCracken had EVER BEEN the top-5 team in the state. I was talking hypotheticals, about ANY 6A school outside Louisville. I guess you were confused that this started as a McCracken thread. Sorry for hijacking but you are arguing with yourself on this.

Whatever. I was actually responding to cols and his "welcome to 6A" remark (Post 19). My point had nothing to do with Mayfield and really nothing to do with McCracken except that they play in 6A.

Also quoted in Post #24, the one you responded to. Clearly says 1A ... twice. wth?

Huh? Post #20, clear as day. Not sure what you're trying to stir up.

Really like Mayfield's schedule. Hoptown, McCracken and Corbin ought to be interesting games. Honestly, I don't see the Cardinals being challenged in their district.

This has nothing to do with Mayfield. They are a 2A school, anyway. And it really has only a little to do with McCracken (thread hijack, sorry) I don't care if you're McCracken, Scott County or even PRP, whoever in 6A, it has to suck knowing you are a top 5 team and then have to face a top 3 team in the first round of the playoffs. I never said McCracken had ever achieved that level yet.

Ha ha, well, if you give the 1As and 2As more players then they are not 1As and 2As anymore! No, I'm saying would you rather be a 6A and go 10-0 and lose to Trinity, Male or St. X early in the playoffs, knowing you are probably one of the top 5 teams in the state, or would you rather be a 1A that goes 8-2 and wins the 1A championship? I think a lot of people, maybe a high majority, would take the latter. If so, then perhaps 6A is broken.

Goes back to the old debate about whether it's better to win a state title in Class 1A or go regular-season unbeaten in 6A and lose to one of the Louisville powers early the playoffs. You know the 6A is a far better team, but in 1A you have hardware.

Yep, I would imagine any transfers would be quite a bit behind those "home grown" anyway. Anyone who has been in the Mayfield area for awhile knows that kids in the system start early, and the football tradition is emphasized early in the school system. This goes back to at least the 1970s, probably earlier, before I was born. Not many schools do that and the results show on the field.

Well, McCracken has struggled to post "upsets," though I suppose anytime you beat Mayfield, I guess that's an upset, no matter the school classification. Anytime you start the season with a new quarterback, you never know. I can see McCracken going 9-1 in the regular season or things could get rocky and maybe 6-4. Not sure what the out-of-state foes on the schedule will bring.

According to the Paducah Sun, Coach Clark is installing a new offensive scheme. Probably what he ran at Hoptown but there will be a learning curve as I believe McCracken has run a version of the Tony Franklin offense (or at least a spread offense) going back to the Lone Oak days. Also, according to the report, junior Max Howard and soph Elijah Wheat are the front runners to start at QB. Howard was the primary backup last season and did well in limited action, so it'll be interesting to see who emerges.

Too many counties in this state.

Hugh loss to the community and by all accounts a great person and ambassador. I remember watching him in the early '70s playing wide receiver for Mayfield and on the receiving end of passes from future pro David Fowler. And of course remembering him playing basketball at Vanderbilt.

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