JoeFan

I like 5 classes, with the top class being a voluntary super class.

That's an interesting idea. Would it be voluntary regardless of enrollment. That would show who has the cahonas.

My vote is for 6 classes. The only downside I see is the lack of any Eastern Ky 6A schools and large geographic districts and long road trips for district games.

Each class would have the same amount, around the high 40's or low to mid 50's schools for each class. It is based on an average of 2 year enrollment at each school.

By my count it would come to 4.5 teams per district, two districts per regions, 4 regions in the state for about 36 teams per class.

It looks like the draw back would be travel time. Has anyone looked at who would have difficult travel in there district. Are there any 6A schools in Eastern Kentucky?

This is a great debate. I've considered it a while before posting and I have finally come down on the side of more classes.

For me the deciding factor is the opportunity for more schools to be competitive. It is very difficult for a small school in a given class to compete with the larger ones, the issue of recruiting not withstanding. Its simply about numbers. If we still want small schools in our state (I believe school consolidation is a major factor in a lot of our educational and social deficiencies - but that is a separate debate), then they should have an opportunity to compete for a championship. Of course there are exceptions. I recall a Danville team in the 80's that won a 1A championship with 22 players (I don't know what the enrollment was then). However, it is unreasonable to expect a school with 300 kids to compete with a school with 599 kids. Year in, year out, it just won't happen.

I don't know what the proposal will do to the playoff format, but I would suggest that it allow for one less playoff week- two instead of 4 teams from each district. Then district games will mean something. With the extra week we could go back to a practice schedule that makes since. The extra time will make the early season games better. This would also eliminate the 1-9 teams that haven't earned the right to be in the playoffs while giving the solid teams a chance to advance and compete for a championship.

I agree with all the suggestions above, but I would add one thing. If you really want to coach, coach. It shouldn't matter where or at what level. If you can't find a local high school program right now, coach middle school for a couple of years. The high school coaches will get to know you and, if you know your stuff, someone will offer you a spot.

One last thing, beware the time commitment. Even with a flexible schedule it can still be tough to find the time required by a high school program. Once you sign on, the team will be counting on you to be there.

Good luck!!!!!!!!:thumb:

With much pain, I have to go with Pikeville. Regarding tradition, which I think is the most important element, Pikeville, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, Paris and Paducah Tilghman are right there together. The championships swing it. Plus, Pikeville always has the administrative support.

You have to give a coach there at least 4 years. There has been no commitment to a football program in almost a decade. Jackie Bush would be a fine coach, as would one of the Combs boys. Still, unless you comit to giving them 4 years and control of the program, they would be foolish to try. Given the local board's lack of support for anything football related in the county, I just don't see it. Its a shame.

Acutally, we are talking about all freshman. It is hard to find a stand out freshman that has not been held back at least one year. My eighth grade year was the first year it was big in Harlan. Unfortunately for me, my mother would not let me hold back. I don't like the rule all that well, mainly because it sends the wrong message to kids. Most kids believe his dream of going to the NFL will definitely come true, but as we all know, the odds are against him. I think parents should instill the value of education into their children's heads instead of the "All-American" football player fable.

Now wait a second. I'm not a fan of holding back whole classes of kids just for a sports advantage. However, I think it should be a parent's choice. There are several reasons why it may be advantageous to a child to have an extra year of prep work, sports is only one of them.

For example, a year of age and maturity makes the adjustment to studying on the next level a bit easier. Not just from elementary to high school but from high school to college. I know I would have benefited my freshman year in college from an extra year of maturity. :dancingpa

An extra year of social maturity wouldn't hurt either. Freshman year is :fire: for many incoming students. Another year would make that transition easier as well.

And by the way, what is wrong with a young man being better prepared for his four years to play high school sports. The possibility of playing at the next level is so remote that it doesn't justify holding a kid back by itself. But why not give a kid who loves his or her game an opportunity to be their best at it. And, if by hard work and good fortune, the extra year helps secure a scholarship, good for them. Don't we want our kids to succeed? Acedemic and sports success aren't mutually exclusive in this issue.

Here is the problem with the SV job from what I've seen. I beleive it was 2000, SV had two great running back (both over 1000 yards rushing going into the 8th or 9th game of the year. P-burg comes in. Playoff implications for both teams and it was senior night. A little cold but dry (none of those mysterious monsoon that hit the football field but leave the baseball field dry). A great night for football. Maybe....MAYBE... 150 fans in the stands. I don't think the senior parents even showed up. It was embarrassing for those kids and I was embarrassed for them. I have never seen SV have good fan support. I'm sure they lose some players to Pville and Belfry, but that's because no one seems to care in their school district. The facilities are great. I'm sure there is a talent base. There is just no support.

Until that changes, I wouldn't recommend the job to an enemy.

Belfry 34

Russell 24

I think Belfrys got a little too much and they are playing their best football, from what I can tell. Admittedly, I haven't seen anything of Russell since early in the season.

LRCW's post had me thinking my computer was on the fritz, and so was he. :laugh:

Congrats on a great year for the Tigers. Also, congratulation to the Briar Jumpers and good luck next week.

I think its Belfry v. OCath in the finals, with Belfry winning again. Their defense has proved they can beat you if you run, they can beat you if you pass. They only think that can derail them is turnovers. If they hang on to the ball, they are the champs.

It was a publicity stunt for the school, and a profitable one. Still, if you watch the show you can see that Butkis and Ray Crockett really care about what they are doing and want the kids to care about it too. They can't understand why they don't. When you hear Butkis talking about the tough inner-city kids in the places he has lived over the years and telling these kids they have to toughen up because they've had it too soft, he means it. If they were just "phoning it in", it would have been terrible and disrespectful to everyone involved, but they aren't.

I thought it was handled in a very respectful fashion. I thought they might have been between coaches. still, if it generates interest in a stagnant program, the regular coach could be a beneficiary in the long run.

You might think, this being a set up deal, that Butkis would just be showing up to make a pep talk, or stand on the sidelines with a clipboard, but he is really into it. You could see that it was just killing him.

Watusi, I thought they built the new stadium so they could have a retirement ceremony and a dedication at the same time.

This is the first reality TV I've ever liked. Did anyone see it?

Call me crazy- I just don't see Ft. Campbell in the State Championship. I have watched them over the years and yes they have some of the best athletes I have seen and that got some studs this year. I'll believe it when I see it. They seem to not win the big game, that is just a fact, maybe the tide will turn this year. Ft. Campbell will be a good representive for the western part of the state, but they have a lot to prove before I believe. It just blows my mind how athletic they are and how everyone every year says they are going to state and they just never quite make it. Anyway Good Luck to Ft.Campbell this year.

You're quite right, but I'd still rather have talent than not. One of these years all that Ft. Campbell talent will gel.

The O-line made leaps and bounds during spring practice. They have mostly worked out their weaknesses and should be very strong. They have also stepped up in the weight room with the projected starters benching as follows:

LT- Jerry Caudill: 365 lbs.

LG- John Horton: 300 lbs.

C- Jared Turner: 265 lbs.

RG- David Smith??: 255 lbs.

RT- still questionable.

They are also very deep at line with at least 3 backups benching over 240 lbs... and they are just sophomores.

That's pretty impressive. What grade are each of the probable starters.

True, but Leslie has to get more consideration now after their showing at UK. A lot of people didn't think they would make it past the 1st round.

I like LC. I posted elsewhere that Morgan is my pick for the best QB in the mountains. The question is defense and whether the O-line can protect. Morgan is great when he has time to set his feet. I think most of the O-line is back. How much have they developed?

Oh yes, my pick. I have a good feeling about my Cats, but I do every year. So, take them out of the equation and I have Fort Campbell over Russell. :devil:

As I recall, P-burg won the Louisville passing tourny a few years ago, defeating the defending state 4A champ (the team that finished as runner up that year) in the process. That was a pretty good team but I doubt they could have handled the size of a 4A power that year. Passing tourneys are for development and to compete. You can't read anything into them.

Thanks for the memories #6. We could all learn a lot from your attitude.