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I'm not knocking Russell. He was a great, great high school football player. But, people have to realize that to play at the D-1 level (which includes UK), you have to have the size to compete. If you're undersized, then you typically need insane speed to draw intersest, and even that is no guarantee. That's all I'm getting at with Fugate. Often the best high school players in KY (and particularly EKY) don't have the size to be serious prospects for major colleges. At 6'2 or 3 and 220 pounds (no stretching on those numbers), Fugate had the size. Its inexcusable, IMO, for the University of Kentucky not to make a better effort at a kid like that in their back yard. If they recruit him and he chooses to go elsewhere, I'm fine with that. But, not seriously recruiting him is a bad decision. Maybe Fugate will never see the field in the SEC and UK will get vindicated on this one...but, its not just this one guy. I think UK could improve their football program by keeping the top players in the state. KY isn't a hotbed for football recruits, but they do produce some good ones and UK needs to get those players. Louisville's recent tremendous run was heavily fueled by landing some in-state, and in their case in-city, studs. How good would U of L have been had Brohm and Bush gone elsewhere? Anyway, its over and done with now. I hope Fugate does well at UT. I never thought I'd see a Breathitt County football player get a full ride to a school like Tennessee.

I don't know if Fugate would have chose UK or not, but they'd have had a shot at him if they'd shown some interest. That's what irks me. Sometimes great in-state players simply choose someone else over UK. I can live with that. But, for a guy from EKY to get a scholly at UT and hardly receive interest from UK is crazy. As for his position, he's an athlete with size...UK could have used him somewhere. In any case, glad to see him heading to a school like Tennessee. I hope he does well there. If he keeps the right attitude and work ethic, I think he'll be a good one for them. I hope so anyway.

How big was Russell? He wasn't 6'2 or 6'3 and 220+. That's why UK (or any other major college) didn't take Russell and people who know a lot about college football knew that. As for a guy like Montrell Jones...it happens. Sometimes elite talents don't pan out for whatever reason...that doesn't mean you don't recruit them.

They'll be a contender if they have a couple of guys ready to step in and take some of the load of Knipp. He should be the best player in the region, and I suspect he's better than a lot of people realize because he didn't get to shine with all the good players they had last year. He was capable of more last season, so he'll be able to pick up some of the slack and account for some of what they lost, IMO. They'll be better than a lot of people expect simply because they have the best player. I suspect he'll need some help to win the region. We might have a better idea of what to expect if the Lions had developed the bench and underclassmen a little more in some of their runaway wins over the past couple of years.

Big difference in 7 on 7 vs. the real deal. I doubt many Central fans are alarmed by this. I know I wouldn't be. It's nice to do well, but I wouldn't worry too much if I didn't.

Turner played LB on the first Breathitt County football team to go undefeated through the regular season in 1989. I'm pretty sure that was the first Bobcat team to win a game in Death Valley (Belfry). The Pirates exacted their revenge in the second round of the playoffs as Breathitt County finished 11-1. The Bobcats had one of the top defenses in the state that season. Turner has done a pretty solid job in his various coaching stints at Morgan County.

And he's got possibly the top player in the state to hand the ball to...with defenses being forced to key on Fugate, Haddix and his WR's have a real opportunity for some big plays if they can capitalize. They were solid last season, but I'd love to see them get better and become a more reliable threat in the offense. I don't know who the other top QB's are, but Breathitt County has a good one for the high school level.

I'd say he could be, but I'm not sure about his height for that position. If he doesn't play RB in college, I'd expect to see him on the other side of the ball at LB or S. His potential at those positions would be much better than at TE...

:idunno: Apparently, he shrunk, because there's no way Rivals could be wrong. Seriously, I don't know. Maybe he is just 6'2. Regardless, at 6'2 or 6'3 and somewhere in the 215-225 pound range, he has the one thing that prevents a lot of great high school players from moving on to the D-1 level. Size. Breathitt County has had a few, IMO, with the talent and ability to play at the next level, but they didn't have the size. He has prototypical size.

According to an article in the local paper, Fugate really likes Illinois at this point. He wants a shot at RB and they've told him he'll get it there. Apparently, UK wants him to play elsewhere. From the article, I got the impression that was the case with both UK and U of L...they want him elsewhere and he wants a shot at RB. He didn't say he wouldn't play another position. In the article, he said he'd switch positions if necessary. He just wants the opportunity to play RB. He's definitely got potential to play TE, LB, or S...obviously he'd have to put on some weight or work on speed and quickness depending on the switch. But, he's got the tools you want from a kid that age, IMO. He's 6'3, 220...no fudging those numbers. I don't know about his 40 time, but he's got good speed. He could be faster, but who couldn't use more speed. He's an amazing talent. He's easily the best player and best prospect to ever play for Breathitt County. His numbers from last season were mind boggling. I don't say this to take anything away from the other players on BC's team, because they have some pretty good ones, but without him, this team probably finishes 6-6. He completely took over and dominated two games vs. Harlan County and a game vs. LCC. Against LCC, Haddix got hurt and Fugate simply started taking direct snaps and running the ball on every play and they couldn't stop him. And, he made a lot of big plays against Belfry on both sides of the ball...big tackles and a huge interception in the end zone. He's so good Holcomb runs the ball again. Seriously, if you get a chance to catch a Breathitt County game this season, I'd advise you to do so, because this kid is the real deal and he rarely disappoints. An off night for him is a pretty good game for most backs. I'll be honest, I knew he was great, but he's turned out to be even better than I thought. I'm not sure what his interest is in UK to start with, but if the only thing keeping them from getting him is giving him a shot at RB and they don't agree to it, they're stupid with a capital S. Same goes for U of L, or any other school. If he can't cut it there, I'm confident that he'll accept a move to another position and give you his best there. He's got the physical ability and talent to get on the field somewhere at the D-1 level, IMO. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season. Hopefully, he can get a souvenir to take to college with him...in the form of a State Championship Ring. I like the chances if everyone stays healthy.

I was wondering how far I needed to scroll before seeing him mentioned. I thought I was going to have to do it.

According to a recent article in Breathitt County's local newspaper, Fugate likes Illinois. It sounded like a big reason is that they're willing to let him play RB. He's not high on UK because they want him to play a different position, but he wants a shot at RB. (I think he said the same about U of L, but I'm not 100% sure about that.) There was a quote from him near the end of the article that sounded like he would change positions if it came to that, but he'd like to get a shot at playing RB in college. FWIW, I think he has the size and athleticism to be a pretty good defensive player at possibly LB (add some weight) or S (work on his speed and quickness). He's definitely the best D-1 football prospect I've seen at Breathitt County. His size is legit at 6'3, 220; I'm not sure about his 40 time. He's got good speed for a high school RB, especially at that size, but that's an area that could use some improvement for the next level. Whoever gets him will be getting a guy with something to offer whether it's at RB or somewhere else. He has the physical gifts to at least be a solid player at the next level, maybe more depending on how hard he works and how much he can improve.

You could probably just post Trinity by each decade... Seriously, have they had a more impressive stretch than the one they're currently on. I do know they have the state's longest win streak at 50. Is there a 10-year stretch that encompasses that streak that can surpass their last 10 years?

Good stuff. Some really impressive runs there...

CentreRocks thread about teams of the decade got me thinking about my home school. Breathitt County had a phenomenal stretch beginning in the mid-'90's. It's similar to the previous thread, but I'm curious to see what each schools best 10-year stretch has been and who has had the best 10-year periods whether they're all in one decade or overlap. Breathitt County (1995-2004) *Overall: 114-18 (.864) *Post-season: 26-6 (.813) *Note: This includes one forfeit win over Prestonsburg that was previously a loss. 3 State Championships 3 Perfect Seasons (15-0) 4 Regional Championships 2 Regional Runner-ups 42-game win streak from '95-97; tied Danville for the second longest in state history at the time; currently third longest I believe I know there have to be some awesome stretches from other schools...Boyle's best 10 years I would imagine are pretty impressive. Also, I recall Danville being on a 69-2 stretch prior to us playing them in the 1995 State Semi-finals.

I think DragonFire pretty much nailed it... Trinity, Highlands, Boyle County, Belfry, Danville and Beechwood You can possibly argue two or three of those, but ultimately anyone you choose to argue falls short of what each of those schools have accomplished, IMO. And, Trinity is the overall champion without question.

FWIW...from 2000 through 2008, here's what I got for CovCath... 60-32 vs. KY (that includes 2 forfeit wins over HHS from '04) 2-19 vs. non-KY 16-7 in the post-season (includes one forfeit win over HHS from '04) So, depending on how you want to look at it, CovCath vs. state competition is either 58-34 or 60-32. In that 9 year span, they have one state title, two regional titles, one region runner-up, 5 second round losses and one first round loss. 60-32 (.652)....58-34 (.630) 2-19 (.095) 16-7 (.696).....15-8 (.652) 62-51 (.549)

Sometimes it's better to walk away...:walk: Or start a new thread? :lol:

I doubt he'll have regrets. He's not going to make a living playing basketball. I dare say it would be more beneficial to go out on top with Elliott County and focus on his education and the rest of his life. If he gets the itch to play ball, there's always an outlet for that.

I don't have a problem with the new system. I didn't mind the old one either. I can live with it either way.

Let's keep it on topic, which is Whitley County, not hold backs.

Isn't Holmes PG coming back? Rico Johnson? Or was he a 2? Or am I just having a brain cramp?

You're right. It was a great accomplishment. I'm a 14th region homer. I knew Hazard had a chance to make it to Saturday morning from the draw. It wouldn't have changed my opinion of how good they were had they got there though.

Agree to disagree then. I think most people saw the top 4 teams in the bracket as a virtual toss-up in which any of the four could have made it to Saturday morning. And, all 4 were definitely in the bottom half of the rankings of the Sweet 16 participants.

Not sure about that...everybody knew the top 4 teams was far and away the weakest part of the bracket. Some underdog team was going to make it to the Final Four no matter what. I don't think anybody would be touting the 14th region had Hazard made it to Saturday morning. It was a good draw. No more or no less.