Frances Bavier

Woof. Frances

Could be Russell and JC both in the Pizza Box. I don't know how Raceland is doing, but I hope they can hang in there. Frances

Neither did I, Fastbreak. It has taken almost 50 years to claw my way to mediocrity.... Frances

I think that what you are seeing here is the natural process that occurs at every school. 35 years ago, it wasn't that unusual for every school to have three or four kids that played all three varsity sports, and do well at them. In this day and age, that is pretty rare, unless the individual is a bluechip athlete, or it is a relatively small school. I said in another thread that Euton (at Rose Hill) had the potential to be an EXCELLENT lineman in football, had he stayed with it. He chose, at a relatively early age, to concentrate on basketball. Looking at where he is right now, it would be hard to argue that decision. As has been stated several times in this thread, three of the boys that aren't playing basketball made that choice before Buddy Biggs was even named as the new coach. I hate to say it, but just yesterday, Li'l Frances (we call him Frank) told me that he decided that he doesn't want to play baseball this year. As much as I'd like to see him stay with it, life will go on. He made this decision so that he could concentrate on improving his speed (such as it is), work on the weights, prepare for HS football as an incoming freshman, and work on basketball. C'est la vie. Whatever decision these kids make, I know that their parents will support them, and that is what really counts in the big picture. For what it's worth, I have it from an excellent source that Biggs stopped one of these young men in the hallway at school, and asked if he was going to come out for basketball. When the young man replied that he simply wanted to work on football, Biggs responded by telling him that he would have liked to see him play, but that he respected his decision, and supported him. That's tough to do, when you are talking to a kid that can have an impact on your program. To handle it as Biggs' did shows that he is every bit as classy as we have been led to believe. Frances

Does anyone know the Boyles' kids Dad's name? I used to work with Duane and Brian Boyles. Frances

Best place to avenge a loss, if you ask me. Frances

There are probably 500 or 600 guys back home that can speak to that one - and I'm sure they would. Of course, the comments wouldn't be pretty, and you'd want to take the kids out of the room before you asked... Frances

Now that is one graphic description. I hope you don't mind, RR, but I'm planning on stealing that one... Plagiaristically, Frances

Come on, Red Blood. Everyone knows that when your team wins, it's a "Whipping". When your team is on the short end of the score, it's a "Squeaker". Either way, I really do wish JC the best of luck. I said this in the Russell/Corbin thread: It would be great to see a conga line going west on I-64, with JC, Russell and Raceland fans all heading to the Pizza Box. Now wouldn't that be a sight? Frances

I'd like to see Russell, JC, and Raceland all get to come to Louisville. It'd be one heckuva conga line, coming west on I-64. In keeping with my prediction record of having never gotten one right, I'll say that Corbin wins in a squeaker: Corbin 24 Russell 21 Frances

I wish I could, Cville, but it just won't happen. I will be traveling (for work) for the next week or so, and a trip back home just isn't in the cards. Best of luck, though, to all of you. I hope that Raceland can pull out a win, and that Russell and JC can do likewise. I don't think it's beyond reason to think that all three of you can make it to the Pizza Box. I know that all three teams still have some very tough opponents to get past, but I honestly think it's possible. At least, I certainly hope it is. For what it's worth, if (or when) I finally do get back to Raceland, I want to see the Palace. I still haven't been back for a basketball game, and everyone from back home says it is the real deal. Frances

I'll call this "Exhibit A". Frances

I know that, through the years, I've seen several people at the games in wheelchairs. I'll go as far as to say that if you let one of the Raceland faithful know in advance, they would do anything in the world to help you get your mother set up in a great spot. Eastern Kentucky has some first class people, and Raceland is no exception. I think one of the things I miss most about being back home is the way people treat each other on that end of the state. We get on BGP and act like we don't know up from down, but when it comes down to it, 95% of the people back home would give you the shirt off their backs. Frances

Classy post by 98 NCC Alum. As Cville said, every school has a handful of people that we wish would just back off a tad. Competition is what makes sports great. Everyone (from all schools) would do well to learn to win with class, lose with dignity, and respect your opponent and the game. Frances

Best of luck to NCC, but I'm going to be pulling for the Rams in this one. It would be nice to see Raceland, Russell, and Johnson Central all three get to play in the Pizza Box on the same weekend. Frances

This is where we get to see how good Russell really is. They will now be giving the ball to Clark for more than just a handful of carries. Time to crank up the offense, and get back to the Pizza Box. :thumb: Frances

Looks like it'll be Rockcastle County making the trip to JC next week. Anyone know anything about Rockcastle this year? I'm sure Matney will have the Eagles prepared, but it'd be nice to know what's around the corner. Frances

Congratulations to the Rams. Keep on rolling. Frances

Dickie is who he is. He doesn't say things like that to belittle anyone. He is merely expressing his opinion. He has been right more often than he has been wrong when he makes such statements, and to his credit, I have heard him eat crow MANY times on air. Everyone on this board - and I do mean EVERYONE - expresses their opinion. We all understand that each school has fans that are realistic, some that are blind to anything remotely resembling reality, and most that are somewhere in between. Dickie doesn't care if his opinion offends you or me - regardless of whether you are a Tomcat supporter or if you follow an opposing school. Believe me when I say that he has offended as many Ashland parents as anyone. That said, he doesn't do it for the sake of running someone down - he does it for the same reason we all do it - he believes what he is saying. If the people on this site were as willing to step up and eat crow as Dickie is, some of these prediction threads would be twice as long as they are - with half the posts coming AFTER the ludicrous claims are exposed to 20/20 hindsight. Frances

Congratulations to JC. Big win for a program on the rise. Good luck next week, and hope to see you in Louisville. Congratulations to Ashland - a team that was predicted by most to take a serious tail whipping tonight. The staff had the kids ready to play, and they stepped up. No shame in losing to a team as talented as JC, on a night that they played as well as they did. Frances

I didn't think it was, Eagle 01. :thumb: Frances

If you don't have access to the internet, PM me with your cell phone number, and I'll call you with voice updates. Frances

I hope that isn't a direct quote. I would like to think that a head coach at the varsity level has a little more class than to say that he HATES everything about an opponent. Frances

As John Lennon sang: ... some people say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one .... Frances

I have to tell you, Graybeard - that is one ugly photograph. I know who it is, and I understand the situation, but man, that color just doesn't look good on him... Frances