Blackshirts

Best thing for Franklin Co. to see Stepp leave. Although he has some close friends on here he is NOT a quality Coach that has been proven with his record against winning teams. He had some good years at Clay but he was getting his W's against the weakest teams in EKY.

He has turn around the programs,

Berea

'98 2-8

'99 8-3 Most wins sense '86

'00 6-5 Back to back winning seasons sense I don't know when so far back.

'01 5-6 First time in history to make the playoffs three years in a row.

Clay Co.

'02 0-10

'03 4-6

'04 8-3 Most wins sense '96.

'05 6-5

'06 7-4

'07 7-5 Most seasons in a row to make the playoffs, a record for Clay Co.

Harrison Co.

'08 6-6

Frankin Co.

'09 1-9

Coach Stepp has turn around two programs he is a good coach, I hope things work out for him.

I guess when you are playing at Watkins field and not being successful then certain people can get upset. Also when kids at a banquet don't get the awards that daddy thinks they should get, then maybe Stepp is better off not being there. I have it on high regards that the same people bashing Stepp are the ones that ran Ledford out of town and then talk about how great Ledford is now. As long as the boosters and parents run the show no coach that does not do what they want then this cycle will not end.

 

To comment to footballhd, nothing personal on my comment, but if we believed everything about what we read from people who hide behind a call name and bash a man on a internet website, come on. This is high school football, these coaches put in tons of hours for peanuts and if my kid does not get what I think they deserve; then I am going to bash the man taking time from his family to spend time with my child. Maybe we should question the motives of those people.

You made some great points on here, I believe when you give the keys to the kingdom to the head man he has the power to do what he thinks is right. I think a lot of parents step in where they are not suppose to be, for the sake of there kid and not for the over all program. Lets face it Coach Stepp has turned around a few programs in to winnners so he is not so rookie coach making every mistake possible to go 1-9, I think a lot of parents have alot of pride in winning in which FCHS was doing over the last five or six seasons before last season and when they where not winning it was not there kids fault, it had to be the new coach's fault after all he is not running the system they had won with in passed. I know the had major problems with the last coach before coach Stepp and now they are have the same kind of problems. I know one thing the parents at FCHS need to get behind there new coach that it may take a few years now to turn it around. FCHS may have a problem getting a big name coach in there,because other coachs around the state see that last two coachs where good coachs didn't fair well with the parents and may come to the conclusion that the parents run the program, I hope not, but I know that when coachs get together they like to talk. FCHS has been a winner so it should attact some really talented coachs.

Stepp just was not the right guy for this job. He was just a bad example for the kids and did not have the best interest for the kids. He did not send out any film for any of the players, which includes the heart and soul of the team in Jeremy Gardner. He did not emphasize academics as is shown in he not reporting the kids GPA to the KHSAA so that they could get academic awards. He had little respect for his staff as shows because none of the staff was coming back next year if he was coming back. He did not have much interaction with the boosters. He just took the fun out of it for the kids and he taught them to use excuses, which should never happen. I hope we get a good one, Ledford and Walker were great for the program so hopefully we can pick their momentum back up. Nick Sheridan, maybe? I wonder if Tracy or Graham will interview again. Good luck Flyers and have a good offseason.

May be going 1-9 had something to do with it as well.

Two Coach's in two years, what is going on at FCHS?

What a great player Caleb was with Corbin and he is going to a great football school.

Maybe I should have said, "It's always fun when you think you are right".:lol:

lol!:lol:

I think this is a fair post. There is no clear cut #2.

 

It is only natural to look at common opponents and we can debate the final outcomes of each game until we go blue in the face. Whether team A was off their game, or Team B was on their game on said night, the bottom line is Hazard played LCA much closer than Mayfield. Maybe Hazard just matched up better.... who knows? That is not a slap in the face to the Cardinals, it is more just an affirmation of how good LCA was.

 

With that said

 

1) LCA

2) Mayfield

3) Hazard

4) Crittenden County

5) Beechwood

You make a good point on this.

Great back, great video!

I hope Coach Schneider comes back stronger then ever before and NCC to have a great year next season.

:thumb: Well said. LCA was clearly the class of 1A this year. There is no debate on that.

I got to say I have had a lot of fun debating the rankings.

That is not exactly the point I am debating. My point is one great game by Hazard or bad game by LCA does not make them the #2 team in the state. I don't think one great game or one bad game suddenly jumps you way up the charts. We all know comparing game scores proves very little. I am not really looking at body of work totally either. I am looking with my own eyes to the talent I see on the field and how I think matchups will play out.

 

2009 Mayfield 42 Crittenden County 7; Mayfield 31 Crittenden County 28.

2008 LCA 42 Hazard 7; Hazard 28 LCA 21

 

Big difference in scores. What does it prove? I say very little. Sometimes a game plays out a certain way on a certain day and it really doesn't tell you how the teams truly match up. A few turnovers here or there. Some penalties that stop a couple drives. A lot of things can go wrong or right on one day on the football field to make a score look a certain way. If that LCA 42-7 win in 2008 had been in the state championship game, would you automatically say Hazard was over rated? Maybe LCA 55 Mayfield 19 tells us as much about those two this year as LCA 42 Hazard 7 told us in 2008. That is the peril in using one game's outcome to decide a team's quality. The fact is LCA's style leads to big scores in games and that score sometimes doesn't tell the whole story.

The point you lack to understand is this, teams get better or worse over the course of the season. The really good teams get better despite who they lose to or how bad actual lost a game, but in many cases like your example LCA beat Hazard 42-7 at the of the regular season Hazard regrouped got better beat LCA 28-21 later in the playoffs in 2008 semi's, This years example would Crittenden Co. getting beat badly 42-7 to Mayfield earlyer in the season. Crittenden Co. as a team leaned form the lose got better so in the Quarterfinals had Mayfield on the ropes in a 31-28 lose. Like Hazard despite who they lose to or when it happen they got better as a team over the course of the season, that is why I have a 9-5 Hazard team as my number #2 team, losing to the champs LCA 35-28. Mayfield with out a doubt had a great year and a great team with some great talent at the skill positions, but as a team they did not play fundamental sound football when it matter most at the end of the season, be title game losing 55-19.

I can buy that somewhat because the recent battles. But LCA this year was totally dominating and the overwhelming favorite to win it all in 1A. Hazard was 9-4 coming into that game including losses to a 7-6 Breathitt County team (who lost to LCA 63-12!!) and a Clay County team that only won 4 games. So regardless of close games the past couple of years, Hazard beating LCA this year would have been a HUGE upset. Come on Bluto...don't sell your Eagles short. Hazard beating LCA this year would have been the biggest upset of the decade in 1A. And if you don't think so, please find me another playoff game this decade you consider more of an upset.

I guess Paducah Tilghman losing to Hopkinsville 3-8 or McLean 5-6 wasn't ready to win a state title at 9-6 lol.

That was a great finishing game to a 9-5 season by Hazard. If they had won that game versus LCA, it would have been one of the biggest upsets of the last few seasons.

I really don't know about that, I think Beechwood would have a lot to say about that.

Hey Blackshirts...UKFan1 is calling you out. I assume you aren't a Hazard fan? Who is your team you follow?

So it comes down to the team I am for, C'mon I been playing and Coaching the game of football a long time and won my share of titles and that is all you need to know. I got to say I love the debate so far it is getting fun.:popcorn:

Hazard can be #2 at your house , nobody really cares

:popcorn::ohbrother::puke:

What does "mountain" have to do with this conversation? Or is this the REAL heart of the discussion by you?

 

Like it or not, that's not a term that did well in the state this year. If you are basing Hazard's success on that, well that demeans their success, wouldn't you think?

 

BTW, the only "mythical" thing is this discussion. It won't change the engraving on the trophies for the 2 teams or really change the issue which is the team that won the state title was the best this year and all else is "cold stove league" diatribe.

 

Speaking of success vs. LCA, how many titles has Hazard won in these great runs?

 

Exactly. :thumb:

This not about how great Hazard program or how great the Mayfield program or how many title's a program has won this about how well they where playing at the end of the year and rank them if it was about tradition and titles then Beechwood would be number #1, it is about how they finish the season, Mayfield played great and had a great run all the way to the title game, Hazard played great all the way to the semi's, with both teams losing to the same team LCA one team got blown out, be if they did it to them selves they lost the game badly, the other team lose a close one, be it for a play or two Hazard would have been playing Mayfield, but it did not happen I understand that and it is not where your form, Mountains or the north or south, west of the state that really matters hereit is how your playing at the season that matters that is why Hazard is number 2.

A myth?

 

No, it isn't ... you're simply choosing to ignore it.

Yes your right I am, it is how a team plays at the end of the season that determine how great they are.:laugh:

Smokin the eastern/Hazard herb is what your doing. Hazard's only stake in this is a close game against the state champ with little or nothing else to stand on. A 9-5 season against a mediocure schedule. LCA likely had a off night. A doubt you have even seen Mayfield play this year (and no I have not seen Hazard, getting there from Mayfield is about as close as taking a trip to Iraq). The title game was not one where they jumped out 55-0, Mayfield even closed the gap enough to make it look like it might get interesting in the 2nd half. Mayfield's turnovers early set the tone, somthing they had not done all year and yes many were unforced. Your jude it all on 1 game theory just does not hold up for me but you are entitled to wear your tinted glasses if you want. Merry Xmas!

HAHA, I have seen both teams and I am sorry that Mayfield pride took a hit losing 55-19 with all that speed and talent getting crushed out there on the turf and those slow mountian boys who never played no one, who so happen to play a better game 35-28, who some how was crushing ever one they where playing the playoffs to that point. Your team can may have great talent at every postion and may look great, but can't play sound fundamentals like houlding on to the football and not turning it over. Hazard plays better team ball that makes for a better team. Merry Christmas to you Toothpick:popcorn:

Not claiming to be the expert here, but as someone who played against the '98 team, and somebody who's been following NKY football for over 20 years, this team was easily better than the '98 team.

I wish I could have this argument about the program I played for LOL.:popcorn: Give me a good reason why this years team was better then the '98 squad. I am not a big fan of Highlands, but that '98 Highlands team was one of the best teams I have ever seen in High school football field in all most 30 years of beening a part of the game football.

You're entitled to your opinion ...

And you to my friend...maybe we can agree to disagree.

If not for a good rally against LCA, we are not even having this discussion. Hazard in my book comes in at #4 or #5. One game in HS, where anything can happen on any given night is not much of a case. Hazard's body of work tells us this much. Be glad Hazard made a great showing but stop kidding yourself, Mayfield hands down was better

Body of work is a myth, it not about how good the team is playing at the begining of the year or what there record is, be it 10-0 or 9-1, it is about how a teams improves over the course of the season, to play there best ball in the playoffs when it counts the most. Good example Paducah Tilghman at 9-6 beating Somerset 14-1 for the 3A state title. Before you say it Mayfield beat PT at the begining of the year not at the end of the year, it is what is a win for Mayfield. Think about this Toothpick Hazard beat LCA each of the last two seasons and almost beat them again this year, not just a good show, but in striking distance of another win. Hazard was on the war path making a great run the playoffs and all most stopped LCA's dream of a state title two years in a row. Hazard is not some lucky to be there team, they where playing there best ball when it counted most at the end of the year. With out a doubt Hazard is #2 because the East was just better this year.:ohbrother:

Mayfield fared poorly at state, but they beat Beechwood 38-0 the previous week ... I would say that was being on top of their game when it counted.

When your last game which is the title game when it all counts for Mayfield and you lose 55-19 to LCA and your tell me they are at the top of there game. Well you just made my point for Hazard beening number #2 my friend.:laugh:

I have tons of respect for the East teams. I said LCA was going to win the title this year way back in the summer and touted them as the clear #1 team in 1A all year long. I know Hazard is a strong, tough hard hitting team. The Fugate kid is a beast. But I think Mayfield is the second best team in the state. I think Sheldon and Murrell are right there with Witt, Hayden and Burdette as the best players in 1A and I think the stars win the big games as long as they have a solid surrounding cast, and Mayfield does. If it makes you feel better, I do think Hazard is #3 over Beechwood. We'll just agree to disagree on this one because neither of us is going to change each other's mind.

Well my friend you right about agreeing to disagree, and I will say Mayfield had a great season at 13-2, but they are still number #3 in my book and Hazard even at 9-5 was at the top of there game when it counted most in the post season. Voice of Reason have a Merry Christmas and a happy New years.:thumb:

I agree with this. So here are your true final standings in 1A:

 

1. LCA

2. Mayfield

3. Beechwood, Hazard

5. Bellevue, Crittenden County, Harlan, Raceland

Wow, that is so fair LCA and Hazard are form the east they can't play in the state title game, but because Mayfield was in the championship form the west that makes them a automatic number number 2 in the state when they losed the title game, please. I have to say it if Hazard was in the west we would not even be talking who is number 2. I hate to tell you all this when LCA and Hazard was playing that was the real state title game, who ever would have won, be it LCA at the time would have beaten Mayfield. You know Voice of Reason it is possible that the two best teams in Class A could have came form the East, I mean in high school football that has happen on more then a few times over the years.

Well, you can tell it is the offseason when old threads start to generate discussion again. But what the heck, I'll put in another two cents.

 

It seems the big debate is whether Mayfield or Hazard is #2. I don't buy the argument by Blackshirts that Hazard was playing better at the end of the year. Mayfield shut out 3 of their playoff opponents including Beechwood. This debate is ongoing because Hazard's game versus LCA was closer than Mayfield's. And let's remember, that championship game score is not reflective of a game that was still close late in the 3rd quarter. LCA racked up the points in Q4 to make that game look much worse than it truly was. Plus, we all know how that common opponent game gets played. Heck look at the scores in Mayfield's two games versus Crittenden County and it is clear how inconclusive comparing scores can be.

 

Big games so often come down to how teams match up, in particular the stars on each team, and you really don't know that till they step on the field against each other. I think the talk about a big line play advantage to Hazard is definitely debateable. After watching the championship game, I don't think LCA's line outplayed Mayfield's line nearly as much as others have stated. Lucas Witt's scrambling and escapability made his line look good. I think Mayfield's line would hold their own versus Hazard. The matchups I want to hear about from those touting Hazard are how would Hazard stop Shelton and Murrell? I think Shelton would be the difference in a matchup against Hazard. He is one of the best players I have seen in 1A in the past few years.

 

I have to go with Mayfield as #2. They are solid all around and with Shelton they have a player who can make the big plays you need in a tough matchup. I would put Hazard #3 and then it's a toss up for me at #4 between Beechwood and Crittenden County.

I really don't see your reason other then you see the Mayfield's program tradition better then that of Hazrad. Hazard had a real shot at beating LCA 35-28 in the 4 quarter of a winable game losing by 7 points. Then you have Mayfield at best in the 3rd quarter was down 16 points to tie the game at 35-19 and by the forth quarter did not have any chance at a win let alone make it repectable 55-19. I sorry Voice of Reason, Mayfield may have the better record 13-2 and better tradition, but when it matter the most in the playoffs Hazard was the better team.:eyeonyou: