02Ram54

It's not that crazy. When Manual became an academic magnet-only high school, the athletic talent pool was suddenly very dry. I wasn't around then, but I was told that all the talent transferred under the incorrect impression that they wouldn't be allowed to stay. Then you've got a completely bare cupboard and once a program hits rock-bottom in a county with literally dozens of choices of where to play football (compounded by the fact that no one ends up at Manual without explicitly choosing to go there) it's tough to climb back out. Manual didn't even beat Male again until 2001.

Not sure how I missed your post, but obviously I agree with you.

1988, I'm 99% sure. They lost to Trinity in the finals.

Strong has more pride than that. This is the same Florida that didn't want him before, allegedly for some pretty stupid reasons. He might end up Florida's coach, but to characterize him as willing to crawl on his knees for the job is flat wrong.

I'm not disputing that Florida could, in theory, afford to pay that much for Strong. I'm disputing that they'll want to. The cost to acquire Strong exceeds his market value.

Right now, at this very moment, Louisville pays Charlie Strong a lot more than Florida pays Muschamp. If you factor in the retention bonuses, Charlie Strong is making $4.6 million dollars a year through 2016 at Louisville (the actual contract is longer, but the retention bonuses make that the effective term. If he's still here it will be redone before then). Muschamp is making about $3 million per year through 2017. When you factor in Strong's $5 million dollar buyout, the cost to Florida just to match Louisville's money goes up to $5.9 million dollars a year--Nick Saban only costs Alabama $5.5 million a year. So right off the bat, we're talking about doubling the cost of compensation to the head coach, and we aren't even considering what it costs to make Muschamp go away. That's what I mean when I say that Charlie will cost too much. Could Florida pay that much to get him, if they somehow considered it life or death? Probably. But it's not likely that they'll feel like it's necessary.

Don't worry, you'll get your wish.

Let me clarify- I don't think Charlie would be available at a price they would find palatable or reasonable. For example, even with Muschamp's raise and contract extension last year (yes, that happened) Strong's compensation is significantly more. I don't think Florida can reasonably match it, as well as pay a $5 million buyout, as well as pay off Muschamp.

I'll go on record as saying that while I would prefer a Manual victory, I think the intangibles--playoff experience/defending champs and home-field advantage--make Trinity the favorite here.

I don't think he gets the axe this year, but I would prefer it for completely selfish reasons: Charlie Strong's buyout this year is $5 million, not to mention the loss of all retention bonuses which, through 2016 total $3.25 million- $1.25 million in cash and two separate million dollar annuities. In short, I don't think Florida can afford him this year.

Ballard & Seneca are just as close to being inside the Watterson as Male. Why doesn't that enter in to it?

While Butler is actually INSIDE of the Watterson...:walk:

Again, this has been beaten to death, but Trinity clearly belongs in the district with Oldham County, Eastern and Ballard. Geographically, Trinity is closer to all three of those opponents than Fern Creek. I think this should end the argument, especially as OC is going to be the school furthest from all their opponents everything should be done to reduce the size of that district. Socially, Fern Creek is closer to Southern, Seneca and Male than the East End areas of town. Historically, Trinity has been district partners with Eastern and Ballard, while Fern Creek has traditionally played Southern and Seneca. This is the current alignment: Red: PRP, Butler, Southern, Seneca Green: Manual, StX, Male, Trinity Blue: Fern Creek, Ballard, Butler, Oldham County This is the alternative: Red: PRP, Butler, Manual, X Green: Southern, Male, Seneca, Fern Creek Blue: Trinity, Ballard, Eastern, Oldham County Again, I know that this is a retread of a years old discussion, but I really feel like the visual aid demonstrates how clearly gerrymandered the super district is.

It's not what makes sense historically or geographically in Jefferson County, but that's a horse that's been beaten into paste.

And that's not even a fair accounting, as Male, Manual, X & T each knocked off a Louisville team to advance.

My two cents: No combination of results between these four teams would surprise me on Friday night. That said, if the pairings were different, I would expect Male and St. X to both advance, as I think they're 1 and 1A in 6A with Trinity and Manual right behind. If the winner of the Male-X game is healthy, I think they're the favorite to advance.

I only started the thread...:idunno:

Trinity had the #3 team in the other district. Manual played the #1 seed.

Kentucky is going to be very, very good... but if you own stock in a company selling 40-0 shirts, now is the time to sell.

Super District 164, Opposition 16 X, Male & Manual all post shut-outs.

Final

According to twitter, Male is up 35-0. #SuperDistrictSweep.

All 4 TDs through the air. Last one was about 40 yards.

27-0, 2nd quarter.

19-0 Manual, btw.