Calico Jack

Stoney & them ADS!!!!!

Let’s goooooooooo Lakers!!!!!

Or...those next 8? That 12th game is a 'Bowl' type game. 5-6 teams got a chance at a 6-6 year, 6-5 potentially to 7-5, etc.

Which is precisely why I wish districts would just be done away with. 11 game regular season. Schedule as necessary. Ie: For the non 'usual suspects' (which there are much more of than not)? Have a group coming through that could make a run? Schedule a little tougher. Have a group, like most years, where .500 would be a 'Super Bowl' type seasons for a 2 year cycle? Do that. AND, the 11th game would appease the 'deserve a playoff game crowd'. Except this way? It'd mean likely be a competitive game, for both, instead of getting boat raced in the 1st half. Bring back, establish area "Conferences" if need be of 7-8 teams. If you're a "P4" type program and that conference is "weak"? Ok. So schedule the other few games vs. other "P4's". RPI/CalPreps, whichever, the Top 8 in each class make the playoffs. I don't know why it's so hard to be honest with ourselves in regards to THAT being the MAX of programs in each class, each year, that have a legit shot in making/winning the finals as is. And, if we are being REALLY honest with ourselves, it's about HALF of that or less...every year, every class, before Week 1 even kicks off. 1st round of the playoffs begin at what now is the week of the region title (which that would be, as it was years ago when just the district champs went). Because the way it is now? In many of our districts, across all classes? Just imagine..... if , Ohio State was in a 4-6 team district with Maryland, Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo & Kent State. (and, for some districts, replace Maryland with Penn State). Now, imagine if you're the 5 other schools NOT in Columbus, O-H-I-O, vying for the 3 other playoff spots, knowing that IF YOU make the playoffs? It's inevitable that you are playing Tennessee and/or Georgia in the 1st or 2nd round at max. ...actually, correction, Tennessee or Georgia are having a "practice" against you. You're just the scout team. That'd be a lot of fun to watch, wouldn't it? A lot of guess work would be needed there each year to figure out whose coming out of that every fall for sure. ?

I wish there was some sort of “tune in live” options on this site where guys like you could get on a grease board with people that actually know football - not as a “last guy with the marker wins”, but to show how much you (and, others like you) really and truly ‘don’t know what you don’t know’. However, when you surround yourself with others that are in the same boat as you? It’s easy to get a false sense of security thinking you know more than what you actually know. ”After talking with several player parents” ???

DUDES. They talked about the number of SEC/ACC transfers over the last two seasons & they weren't kidding. They looked the part and then backed it up- genetic mismatches practically everywhere on the field.

2024 Boise State "We are more than just Ashton Jeanty. Yes, he's a difference maker, but one person doesn't make the team. The Team makes the TEAM." 2025 Boise State "Hold my drink." It's amazing what PLAYER(S) can do. See Boise State, see the Patriots post Brady, while still having Bill. Heck, see the majority of high school football programs that have a flash type season(s). Why we overcomplicate this key component, I have no idea. ?

Two VERY YOUNG teams trading blows. Sounded like every bit of the game that the score indicates. The more things change, the more things stay the same for these two programs. It takes having speed/playmakers & they got’em, and this latest crop for “The Towns” of the 5th Region area aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

Yes! It's maybe the best documentary I've ever seen. I finished it in two nights & I'm the furthest thing from a "Netflix Binger" that there is (unless it's certain types of documentaries). ....I take the first statement back, it is the best sports documentary I've ever seen. Hands down. I never thought I'd say that after "The Last Dance" (Bulls) & even more so the fact that not only am I NOT A FAN of the Cowboys, but if they were playing North Korea? Go North Korea. ?

Needs to played at LW every year- makes too much sense.

It was going before Covid to be honest, especially in some other states, but here, too. However I’m sure that played a part in its growth, as well. I think it makes all the sense in the world + puts a whole different vibe to “Senior Night” for all involved. Here are the real questions of this game, though: 1) Is Holmes still rocking the Georgia look from head to toe? 2) Will Boone County ever sport the gray helmets w/ “Rebels” on the side + the gray pants & navy/carolina stripes, again?

More common than you think. Makes sense to me for all the reasons. Guaranteed better crowd for the first home game with better weather + the excitement of a new season. Warmer weather = more of those elderly family members more likely to come out than when it's all things late October, early November. Takes away the risk from those awkward hand shakes/hugs from coach to parent(s) of senior(s) that haven't played as much and/or the position(s) that Mommy & Daddy think Johnny should have been out. That's what's always been weird to me. Never understood why more don't do it the "college" way. Senior player announced, runs through tunnel of teammates where head coach/coaches are there to have their moment & then senior runs out to meet parents where they make their walk & have THEIR moment, as a family.

Three things in life for certain : 1- Death 2- Taxes …and… 3- panic buttons being hit as though the end of the football world is immanent towards the ‘loser’ of a Week 1 Battle of KYHSFB Powerhouses

"The generation that has been created isn’t soft in my opinion" As someone who admittedly who once thought they were (in my 20's, just finished playing in college, just started coaching), I couldn't agree more with this. There has never been a time in all of youth sports where MORE is demanded from them across the board, top to bottom (ages) & IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE., In regards just to football? Offseason weightlifting programs weren't even the NORM until the 80's. Summer/7v7 workouts? 90's. Spring practice reintroduced? Late 90's (spring of '98 to be exact). Spring forward to the start of this century - present day? Travel/All Star teams for the "feeder system(s)" age groups where some play up until the start of a new year (Jan 1), AAU 7v7 type leagues in the spring and even a middle school aged group(s) that play in the summer- during (part) dead period at that. (Newsflash, sorry to be a dream killer...but, THOSE aren't the reason your son ended up being a good high school player & going to college to do the same). To add onto what it already feels like "it never stops"? The school year(s) for the vast majority across the state begin within the 1st two weeks of August, and many of those are, as we speak, completing their FIRST FULL WEEK of the new school year TODAY, August 13th. While we're at it? 1st Day of Practice? July 10th (stupid) First scrimmage? Played roughly a week ago (stupid) Yet, talk to many, many coaches across the state and what's the #1 issue going into a season? Numbers/Depth of roster. Freshman teams on the yearly regular? Used to be a norm. JV teams as well within the same program? Same. Now? "Frosh-more", with a heavy emphasis on the "Frosh" for many & that's not yet counting the slew of "looking for a JV game due to a cancellation" emails that will start flooding the list serve here in a couple weeks. Seemingly & sadly, growing in numbers week by week. I haven't even hit on what it's like for those playing football who are multiple sport athletes, but no need. So, to those playing football in "this generation"? You're not soft. You're different, you're special. You're a RARE BREED, maybe more now than ever- I don't care what your 30 year old uncle, who was an 8th grade all star, but quit playing after his freshman year b/c he "didn't like the coach" or your 55 year old uncle who played all through high school, yet didn't full experience the 'year round' demand(s) say.

100% spot on...with all.

No doubt on all. Agreed. These were my concerns before giving the Digital/Online route a solid test run, but I just didn't know what I didn't know. Because you could still do the face to face (if allowed in your local community) and even added bonus? The boys got to show those who struggle with technology how to use them. Funny story....actually, there are a few of them. But one in particular was a player had knocked on an elderly woman's house (great grandmother I believe) and not only did they show them how to do the cards, but he showed her how to set up an Instagram account. Conversation went something like "My granddaughter doesn't use facebook much anymore, but she uses Insta (something) for pictures of my great grands and I don't know how to set it up."

From my experience, that's usually been the complaint with these- be it the handheld ones or digital cards. Next on the digital card list is the "get off my lawn" type crowd, to which I always responded with, "Have your debit/credit card(s) on your phone?" Often times that answer was a "Yes". Ended that contradictory conversation real quick. We always had success with the cards, though, either old school or new school. Specifically, Jeff Durham, who is from Southern Indiana and has been a long time assistant football coach himself. Even though he's from Southern IN? He's done business and still does it with many programs across Kentucky (not just along the Southwest Kentuckiana region). Now, as far as those who didn't use Apple Pay/Wallet already? Ok, fair enough. IMVO opinion? You only need four a year & ranking them I think depends on your community/school: 1) Card Sales & if your local laws permit doing a "blitz" where the kids get to go door to door (obviously with coach/parent supervision). Target population? Local. 2) Advertising Signs (and, in some cases, they'd rather do an order or T-shirts with their logo/information on the back. That worked out even better, for them and us ?. Scattered, walking advertisement for them & swag for the boys). To make advertising signs even better with less hassle? Find a parent(s) that not only wants to do it while their son(s) are coming up and going through, but if you're lucky enough? They'll handle it after theirs is done playing as well. Target population? Local & Coast to Coast (ex: Uncle Bubba, who lives and has a thriving business in North Carolina, but WORE the uniform back in the day? Yeah, he wants to 1- Support & 2- Wants his business on the back of the 50 spirit pack t's. 3- Puts the pressure on his other former teammates to do the same (as it's said, "Never stop competing" ?- well they'll still keep doing that) 3) Kickoff Banquet/Dinner/Auction (silent or live) Target Population? Local, but you'll get an auction item or two donated from somebody's Mother's Brother Sister Uncle 4) Donation program (tie into Lift-a-thon if beneficial)- be it online and/or hand written. I've never had an issue with "not getting something" in return. I'd rather donate and the kid/program get 100% of what I donated (or close, online platform takes a VERY VERY small %) than the cookie dough company get 40% of it, the player/program get 60% and me 100% get something I don't need in the first place. ? Target population? THIS one, to avoid "hitting up the same people" (never wanted to do), where you expand the horizon. Of course you're going to get the "closest" of family members and friends, both in distance and relationship with them, but EXPAND THIS ONE. Best part about the "online" platform? You can reach the masses more b/c you can add those closest to you as "helpers" Last thing, but these four are even better doing them in a SINGLE WEEKEND ?(I can't claim that idea, got it from a current coach I still look up to and can call anytime, with anything). "I love fundraising. Asking for money. Doing one seemingly every time I turn around. Nickel and diming. Taking up a few weekends throughout the year (ie: Car Wash this Saturday, Card Blitz that Saturday, Lift-A-Thon on another Friday evening, Kickoff Banquet on another Sunday"- Said nobody ever. Ok, cool. Neither do I- on either, especially anything on the weekends when it's nice out. So....one weekend, all hands on deck, scheduled the same time/weekend every year.

What I love the best, especially with it being a small, rural-county school? Is that the soccer lines on the turf are green. ? IYKYK

Every superhero has a villian. When you look at successful "county" schools (either "county" in its name, directional + county, etc.)? The vast majority of them share their community loyalties with an Independent school that was, for decades, and/or still is, "Superman". One eventually gets tired of always being "the little brother named 'Nail'" Something else they have in common? College town, a football playing college at that. I'm going to go West-East here, because, that's just how my brain works- listing the Independent school, county school(s) & college/university (if appropriate). There won't be any need to elaborate on the decades or even Century plus tradition and title rich programs these Indy's are (or even some of the 'County'/'Other' for that matter, who, in some cases have more titles now than Indy). Whether the "County" or "Other" (private or DoDEA) have passed up the Independent or not? Doesn't matter. The Independent was the original. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Paducah Tilghman/McCracken County (formerly Lone Oak, Heath, Reidland) - it took Lone Oak a while, ironically, the few years right before the school closed it's doors, but they sure made it fun while it lasted. Heath won the '85 Class A title. Mayfield/Graves County Murray/Calloway County> Murray State University Owensboro/Daviess/Apollo or probably a better example? Owensboro Catholic > Kentucky Wesleyan College. Bowling Green/Warren Central and then Warren East/Greenwood/South Warren > Western Kentucky University Glasgow/Barren County Elizabethtown/ Ft. Knox (DoDEA schools are their own thing)/North Hardin/Central Hardin (formerly East and West Hardin) and then John Hardin. Bardstown/Nelson County Campbellsville/Taylor County > Campbellsville University. Speaking of which, Campbellsville College (at the time) started playing football in '87. Isn't it ironic that both Cville HS & Taylor County have both seen their best years, collectively since football started getting played at the college/university? Obviously it effects the pulse of the community, but even moreso? John Doe college football player from wherever, meets co-ed (athlete or not) from Campbellsville or John Doe athlete from there meets Jane Doe from wherever? They settle down in Campbellsville & voila, not only is football mattering more to the community, but their DNA pool coming up through the school system(s) also improves. Danville/Boyle County > Centre College Somerset/Pulaski County, Southwestern Corbin & Williamsburg/South Laurel, North Laurel, Whitely County, Knox Central, Lynn Camp> University of the Cumberlands & all that is the Tri-County Area 20 mile stretch of I-75. See Campbellsville University effect? See Cumberland's. Obviously Corbin was powerhouse before UC started playing football, but you know it's helped the last 40 years in all things mentioned above. Middlesboro, Pineville/ Bell County Harlan IND/Harlan County (via Cawood, Cumberland and either Evarts or Elkhorn City-forgive me) Hazard/Perry County Central Paintsville/Johnson Central Pikeville/ Belfry, Pike Central, Shelby Valley, East Ridge, Phelps> UPike Ashland, Fairview/Boyd County Raceland, Russell/Greenup County In NKY? Highlands, Lloyd Memorial, Ludlow, Beechwood, Bellevue, Dayton, Holmes? @Colonels_Wear_Blue can take it from here in pecking order of who reached the mountain tops first after the Independents (oh, and can't forget about Thomas More College). But before it was the "county" schools and privates? It was those Independents. They set the initial high bar (and, some still have a firm grip on it, despite the growth/success of said 'county' system school(s) ).

Jim Wendler should run the world. @Honey Badger, I can’t add anything that @barrel hasn’t already said, except that I’m biased towards Wendler’s methods not just for how his approach is for young athletes, but also in my personal training & have been for many, many years (I’m not a personal trainer, I meant that as in for my own self). Feed The Cats approach towards speed and performance is very good, too. Some programs across the state use Wendler’s stuff, some don’t. I’ll be honest…some don’t because it’s not flashy enough and/or don’t think they are doing “enough”. Which, whatever.….probably has something to do with the fact that he isn’t one of these, as he has quoted himself saying, “You’re going to die if you don’t power clean!” types. He’s a HUGE believer in starting “too light” (in terms of training maxes %’s used, progressing slow, bar speed/controlling the weight, technique perfectionist & isn’t a big 1 Rep Max guy when it comes to training, but especially not for HS athletes. They 1RM, but it’s rare.) (the HS football program he coaches at now- handles their S&C- they don’t power clean. He’s had some of their more advanced kids over the years do it, but it’s not remotely a staple in his variations for building power/explosiveness. Wendler & his methods are largely influenced from the late Louie Simmons/Westside Barbell, and that tree)

Precisely. For example, go to Mayfield at a little after 2:00 on any M-TH in the fall when school is back in session. Drive by Mayfield HS and you’ll see them already practicing during their Athletic Period on any given day(s). Three miles away? You won’t see that at Graves County. Now, they have In School weights throughout the day, and the majority of their players are in one of the classes offered, but they aren’t all in one class like the Cardinal birds.

Yes they were! Others soon followed in the 90’s that were the same way, like Somerset, Danville, Mayfield & they are all, obviously, Independent Schools. (Now, @ChiefSmoke @barrel and others on here know what I’m alluding to by that last statement, but before anybody that doesn’t starts seeing “red” by that comment….NO, I’m not saying that Independent schools aren’t public schools) So, if independent schools, who RARELY face any travel/transportation hardships on students and/or their families are doing this? Then why weren’t all schools that end in “County”? The questions & popular answers are never ending when it comes to building high(er) numbers/successful program(s) across so many places in this state? If your school has “County” in its name? Start with that & see if things don’t start to change, especially in numbers within your program.

…sounds like one of, unfortunately, many high schools in our state that are interested in having a football TEAM & not a football PROGRAM.

Bingo on that last part. @Honey Badger…you go further south into Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina & Texas is an obvious one, but if you go to almost ANY school in that state? It’s a given. Not just a given, but the majority of them have it where it’s set up for each team has their own period of the day. For football? Even further than that…each CLASS within the program has their own period of the day and/or set up by groups. For example….Frosh/JV= 1st period/block & Varsity= Last Period/Block. Also….they can start practice during that period as well or in some cases, finish up practice during that period as well (if practice before school, which is MORE than common practice in AL, GA, TX) In Georgia? For Middle School aged student athletes? Their PE semester of Health/PE is IN SCHOOL weights.

Corbin, Bowling Green, Graves County, McCracken County, Tilghman,Taylor County, Campbellsville, Mercer County, John Hardin, Elizabethtown, Nelson County, Thomas Nelson, Central Hardin, North Hardin Bardstown, Scott County, Belfry, Pulaski County, Southwestern, South Warren, Warren East, Warren Central, on and on and on. Now, some treat it as a hodge podge of kids, some treat it for student athletes only, some do it where specific sports have certain periods, some only do it for part of the day & some do it where it’s a mix of all the above. But all of those schools and plenty more, have it in some form or fashion.