Buffalo Gap

You're right, they did him wrong in not giving him the head job......but, from every source I heard from and from personal experience, Hart was still there in the off season for a little while after Hope was hired (of course, Im sure some of that had to do with not wanting to leave until he FOR SURE had a job elsewhere, which is smart)...either way, Hope and/or EKU messed up royally in letting such a fine man and coach go. That is for sure. I know you all are glad you have him! :thumb:

First of all.....He is a great MAN....that's the first and foremost thing that all of you doubters in Tomcat country need to be concerned about. I was fortunate enough to have played for him 1 year, and unfortunately Danny Hope did him UTTERLY WRONG, bottom line. He is a great person, great family man and a great coach. Don't you dare jump off his ship, or you will be eating a great big crow. Best of luck Coach Hart and to your Tomcats!

Good call on that one.....I was meaning another team, but you're definately right about that one.:lol: :thumb:

...to add to what I posted above. I didn't want that first question of my previous post to sound disrespectful, honest question, yes, disrespectful no. It just seems like a lot of the times, if kids (and even coaches) happen to make mistakes out on the field of play, that some fans make it sound like they think the kid(s) made the mistake intentionally...at least that's the way it comes across. Every coach and every player, in every game, wish that they had a chance for some "do-overs", knowing that they messed up, they don't screw up intentionally.....SOME fans need to realize that, at Mercer County and everywhere else. Thank you for your support.

Have you ever played?! Judging by your question, you haven't or you wouldn't have asked that. Every team, when they are on defense, is taught to try and line a couple/three people or so over the center, to try and knock the complete crap out of him, sometimes even swiping at the ball (even though that is illegal, but so is a facemask, but not all of them get called) to try and cause exactly what happened, when the offense is trying to run the clock out....very seldom does it work, but the other nite, it did. Fortunately enough, the TEAM was still able to get the win. True, I'm sure Lincoln is a lot better now...but, take a wild guess at who else is a lot better now than they were then?!

haha. That would have been a heck of a ball game, but you're right, noway to ever tell. I know what WE can agree on though, is that between Lincoln County and Mercer County, they had 4 RB's between them that might have been the best in the entire state...and I don't think anyone across the state would have wanted to play an 'All-Star' team made up of the two teams!! Staffs included....Jaggers handling the offense and French handling the defense?!?!? Are you serious?! :scared: :thumb:

Let me check. Yes. I was also on the sideline. Were you there?! Do you remember a 40 mph wind that blew constantly, and had so much of a factor that Mercer...1)didn't attempt, but 1 pass, which was a screen that almost ended up your alls side of the stands and 2) Mercer didn't run, but a couple plays of their several differnt "sweep, quick pitch, rocket" type plays (plays that they made a living on up until that game) because when they tried running them in the pregame, the wind actually took the ball and threw it in the ground. Here's what I don't get about some of you Russell fans that still have a chip on your shoulder. By making jabs at Mercer, you in turn, slap your ownselves in the face....which I don't understand. Because, I, for one brag about the type of team you all had and the program you have to anyone that asks me. IMO, with the exceptions of Trinity, I'm not so sure that their was 2 better teams that played that weekend. I'd a taken the two teams that were on the field that extremely windy, cold morning over any two teams that weekend...hands down, no question. Think about the fact that YOU ALL (Russell) might have been just a little bit better, regardless of class, than you and some of your own on here seem to give credit.

Mercer is getting better, much better than they were the 1st half of the year, especially offensively, they've put up 31 and 48 points the last two weeks.. Don't let the South Laurel game fool you, Ricky Bowling, their QB was a freak of nature that nite. He honest to goodness, COULD NOT miss, and he put the ball where either his guys were going to catch them or noone was. It's the single best passing performance I have ever seen.Period. 33/41 459 yards, 6 TD's...at one point he had completed 18 straight and was 21/22 at halftime.

Yes, Mercer is in. Whether they are 3rd or 4th depends on the Rockcastle game this week and if South Laurel wins out their next two weeks. I'll leave it at that for now and get to talking about everything else after what is hopefully a very good game between two teams that eximplify the term "Power Football", and hopefully a win that would be HUGE for Mercer leading into the playoffs.:thumb:

Congratulations on your opinion! :thumb:

Mercer moving up to 5A has nothing to do with it, not getting back into old news, but last years Mercer team could have beaten anybody, with the exceptions of maybe a Trinity, St. X or Male.....hands down, no question. The fact that they lost 24 seniors and have been playing their first year in 5A, with 18 of their 22 starters being juniors, (translation=inexperienced) has been a big part. That's not making excuses, just facts....another fact is, this team is leaps and bounds better than what they were early on, which has the potential to be a very, very scairy thing. Jaggers thought he had the makings of what would could be a very good TEAM (meaning defense and offense...not just one or the other) by this time in the season, and I believe he might just be right...so do the kids.:thumb:

First things first......theres a very well coached, talented, physical, well respected Rockcastle County program/team that is comming to Mercer this week, that is the first thing you need to expect. Secondly, All Im going to tell you is that you can disregard the bad luck(in games) that has seemed to have plagued this bunch of young men this season. It's going to change. If you ask anybody that has been around football long enough and who has real knowledge of the game, I can promise you that there hasn't been too many times, if ever, that they have been around a team as youthful, hardworking, etc. as a bunch like this, who has just so happened to have 5 losses, that have LITERALLY been decided as time has ran out on the clock or at least within the last :30 or 1:00 of the ballgame. I've never seen it happen, and quite honestly, I doubt I ever will. What I do know is that this bunch of young men and coaching staff has been working their tails off, and in a weird, bittersweet kind of way, maybe these losses have been some kind of an awakening for all involved and the provided motivation that might be needed to make a run at this thing....you never know. Early on in the season, Mercer wasn't producing much on the offensive side of the ball, but as the season has gone on, and like Jaggers and staff thought, the offense would be puting up points on the board like the TRUE BELIEVERS knew they could, and you know what, they have (31 v.s Boyle and 48 v.s South Laurel). The defense has played great. The other nite, v.s South Laurel was probably the best quarterback performance that others and myself have EVER witnessed. You could have placed "cornhole" boards out on the field and he would have hit them dead in the circle....those catches by South Laurels WR's were some of the best ones that you will see at any level, any year. So, what can I tell you? I can tell you that IMO, deep down inside, Mercer's luck or lack of this year is about to change, to what extint; unfortunately I have no idea....I missed the boat to be a fortune teller at the Voo-Doo Palace in New Orleans. I can promise you that a Bourbon County team, in 1997, that finished 4th in their district behind Danville, LexCath and Boyle County didn't let a regular season record and seeding stop their goals of winning a state championship.....a 4th place seeding in the playoffs didn't stop Somerset in 1999 in making it all the way to the state semi-finals....an 0-4 start for the 2003 State Champion, Trinity Shamrocks didn't stop their goal towards winning a state championship...a 5-5 regular season record for Newport Catholic didn't stop their plans for winning a state championship in 2006 I think you get my point. Thanks for your support. :thumb:

You know what that .500 record or even a 10-0, 9-1, 8-2, etc. record in the regular season means in what seems to be a relatively wide open, Class 5A the playoffs?! Jack Squat.

If there is one thing for sure, I can promise you that Mercer will not be in for a surprise. There is no team in the state, unless they have been living in a cave for the past 20 years that will be SURPRISED by the type of team Rockcastle has. Big, Strong, Physical, hardnosed kids to go along with a handfull of others that usually have very descent speed. Run, Run, Run, Run and you better respect the pass, b/c they can line up and do that too, if needed. That is Rockcastle County. Great football. Larkey and Jaggers, even though they have never played against one another, have a good, professional, mutual friendship/respect for one another and their teams of past and present. As for the staff and players, I don't think any of them will be in for a surprise when it comes to playing one another. They are both two teams, led by two very good head coaches, who both try to line up and physically wear you down....and, IMO, I don't see it being any different come friday. I think Friday nite will be a match-up of the best 4-4 team (Rock) in the state and the best 4-5 (Mercer) team in the state, by far. I think that you will be surprised, because the best #3 seed in the state is playing the best #4 seed in the state. It should be a great game, and I can't wait! :thumb:

Sounds like Mercer and Rock are alike in a lot of ways.

Mercer has....v.s 4A, Greeneville, TN who is currently 6-2 and in the thick of things in their very tough big school district in East Tennessee, and their class as a whole. (just from what friends of mine that I played college ball, who are from Tennesse, tell me). Im like you, though, I think that Mercer, along with your Rockets are as capable as any teams in their respected classes in making a run at it...but, first things first.:thumb: Im not making predictions on this one, never do for that matter, but I see this game being a lot like the Rock/Lincoln game. Their might not be 14 points scored in the whole thing....then, again, I might be eating crow...but will gladly do so, just as long as it is in Mercer's favor.

One of those, Mercer, has not only had 5 games go in another direction, but 2 of those were decided as time ran out on the clock (Mercer with the ball on the Lincoln 5 yd line, 4th down, with :06 to play and Hoptown, where Mercer misses a 31 yd field goal as time expired) and then this past week with South Laurel scoring the go ahead with :28 to play in the game. Three games decided in the last 00:30-0:00. I have never seen anything like it!!! No doubt in my mind that this weeks game will be a slobber knocker. Hard nosed, power football, the way the game was meant to be played...on display between two very good teams, despite what their records might indicate. Best of luck to both! Go Titans! :thumb:

SPORTS....of some form and fashion have been around for thousands of years as well. The fact of the matter is, fine arts in high school are all fun, to some extent, but they aren't ever going to be as big or bring notoriety to a school or it's community like athletics, in partular football, do. Never have, never will. Fine Arts/Band isn't attractive to most people, if it was, Marching Band competitions would have "College Gamedays" and the spring play at the Univ. of Georgia, Auburn, Florida and Tennessee would be televised for a national audience....but, they aren't. Why?! It's just not that dang exciting.....and it doesn't appeal to the general population like football and basketball.

It's a double edged sword, so to speak. If you don't have very athletic players, or very strong, capable linemen.....then by running the wishbone, power I, wingbone, etc. is an "equalizer" so-to-speak. By running the ball, it keeps the clock running, making the game shorter, etc. For whatever reasons, a lot of teams across Kentucky want to throw it all over the place, and it looks more like they are SHOT PUTING the ball, than they are throwing it....and those throws end up becomming incomplete (stopping the clock) or becomming interceptions....then, those teams usually end up getting the heck beat out of them. On the other hand, if you have big, strong, MOBILE linemen and talented running backs, then you can physically and mentally, beat the crap out of your opponents by running POWER football. All you have to do is look at successfull coaches and teams this state has seen over the years. For example, Dan Haley, Dudley Hilton, Joe Jaggers, The Morris' at Mayfield, Belfry, Sam Harp, Marty Jaggers, etc. ......Im sure I am leavin all kinds of others out, but this is just to name a few! I LOVE POWER FOOTBALL!!!

22 seniors to be exact. They are starting 17 jr's.They are now 4-5 with 5losses by a total of 16 pts. South Laurel scores on 4 th and 6 from the 25 with 33 seconds to go in the game on a fade route.

You, myself and more than we can count....but, a lot of that needs to be credited too South Laurel's QB, Ricky Bowling. That kid was absolutely unreal. He put on one of the greatest single game performance from a QB that I have ever witnessed. At one point, he had completed 18 straight passes, 21-22 at half....ended up being 33-41 for about 460 yards. He is just a heady, football saavy, talented, etc. player. He made passes tonite, including the game winning one with :28 to go in the corner of the endzone, in places where either his guys were going to catch them, or nobody was....unfortunately, for Mercer, his WR's caught them and they just didn't catch them, they went and GOT them, whether if be diving for one, going up at it's highest point and bringing down, etc...they did it. Then if he didn't have anything, he would pull it down and get what he could or throw it away....I can't say enough about that kid. If I had a vote on the All-State team, my QB vote would go to him, and it isn't even close when compared to others this year (and that is NO DISRESPECT whatsoever to other QB's across the state). One thing I would like to question, though, and it's not the reason for giving up 52 points, but I have never seen a team, not even in the NFL, pass the ball over 40 times and NEVER get called for holding (when passing):creepy:. I don't think the Dallas Cowboys could put on a pass blocking clinic like that, even against high school defensive linemen for, 44 plays:rolleyes:. The refs missed several.....yes, yes, I realize a ref can call a hold on every play if they wanted....but, when your Defensive Ends turn the corner on an Offensive Tackle and his hands are all over the DE's back or when and Offensive linemen is laying ontop of a fallen DE/DT and nothing is called (see the 3rd and long before the game winning 4th down pass)....something has to give, even if it is just a couple of dirty, yellow laundry being thrown. Note, that the comments above were not in any way, shape, form or fashion directed towards any members of the South Laurel team in a negative way. You all played a great game. Best of luck in the remaining two weeks and in the playoffs, hopefull we'll get to meet up again?!:thumb:

It's funny how things work out, so it seems, for Mercer this year. Mercer has had 6 of their games this year (Greeneville, TN.., Lincoln County, Pulaski County, Watertown, TN.., Hopkinsville and South Laurel) all come down to the final minute/ seconds before either game was decided...all, but one of them ended in a loss, except for the win over 4A Greeneville, TN, who is now 6-2.....and, that BIG win over them, might just be what is needed for Mercer to be assured a playoff spot. Regardless, Mercer has another shot to take their fate into their own hands by comming out next week, starting MONDAY, and beating Rockcastle County....which would all, but etch in stone, for sure, that Mercer makes it into what seems to be an absolutely wide open Class 5A playoffs, especially within their own district playoffs. (IMO opinion, it seems, HIGHLANDS and BG are the clear-cut favorites...then, everybody else). On a side note, and not trying to look in the past, but Mercer having beat Greeneville, TN...who is in the same district as PERINNEAL Tennesse powers, Morristown East and Morristown West, winning and end the thick of things down there,shows what kind of team, despite a current 4-5 record, that Mercer has. Go out this week, practice and work your tails off for Rockcastle County, beat them, get in the "big dance" and GO GET IT!!:thumb:

I'll be honest with you...I don't think that IGNORING is the case at all, politically correct or not, the fact of the matter is, that the majority of all people, especially the community don't care one bit about a schools fine arts or music programs. Academics, yes. On the topic of academics, theres a lot of schools out there that can pull that 'card', but the truth is, a great deal of these schools have an UNREAL amount of untapped resources(ie: TECHNOLOGY) in their schools that nobody knows about..for whatever reason, but that's a whole 'nother story. Don't get me started on that. Back to fine arts and music, though. I'm all for that stuff, I think it is great, but at the sametime, I'm also not nieve enough to think that those programs can and/or would have a positive effect on a school like a GREAT football, basketball, baseball (or all within the same school) program(s) would and DO have. They just don't...never have and unfortunately, probably never will. So, why dump a ridiculous amount of money into programs that, more than likely, you will never see a profit made from?? Again, not being disrespectful, by any means, just honest...but, 2 weeks ago I happened to be at a band competition that included 20 marching bands from across the state, some of them, the cream of the crop....the stadium they were all at, was relatively small and only held about 2,000 people. Were those 2,000 seats full?! Yes, they were. But, could you imagine if 20 high school football teams from across the state...from the bottom of the barrel teams to the best got together for an all-day football event?!?? You know as well as I do, how many people would be there to watch..and, it's a lot more than 2,000. As for that same school that held the band competition...they're band, in comparison with their football team are both very good programs. Truth be told, their band is probably more successful....but, you wouldn't know it if you looked at the amount of people that come to see them, v.s the crowd the football team gets.

I agree. Considering the size of some of these schools (enrollment wise), the surrounding communities, etc., you would think that a great deal of public schools would do better than they do, statewide, in terms of football.... ...Sad part about it, that happens to fall a HUGE deal on the administration and small town politics at some of these schools. For example, I know for an absolute FACT, that a couple football teams across the state have to almost have an ACT OF CONGRESS to be able to raise any LARGE amount of money without there being some kind of IN DEPTH/FBI like investigation to make sure that everything is "ok". On the other hand, politically correct or not, teams within these same schools like Soccer (girls and boys), Tennis, etc. could go out and raise, say, $3,000 and EVERYBODY (aka Administration) just ends up being, "Well, that is great for you all. That's awesome! Good for you!!" Now, if football was all of the sudden to just to raise that amount, you better believe that things will end up being looked into. This same football program also has to A) Take their money made from football gates and throw it into a pot where it is divided "fairly" and/or B) Football splits the gate with another sport in that particular home game and 1 and/or two other sports get money from the concessions. Now, I would like to know if Colerain, Hoover or any other big time public school football program has to deal with crap like that, to that extent?! My guess is no. I know one thing for sure, originally, when Marty Jaggers took the job at Mercer County (before the merger) in 2005, his football budget was a certain amount, a year later in 2006, after the merger and 30 more players were immediately added...those IN CHARGE decided to only bump up the football budget another $1,000!!??? Now, does everybody out there know what $1,000 could go towards, with helmets costing $100-$200, shoulder pads from $150-$300, etc.?! I think you all can figure out the math and realize how much sense that DOESN'T make. Bottom line is this, the state of Kentucky, as a whole with public schools, want successful football programs...but, talk is cheap. Like you said Guru, Colerain, Hoover, etc. (their administrations) made a decision to build a top knotch football program and look what it has done for both schools as a whole!! Thing is, most of us, as outsiders don't even know half of what it has really done, in a positive sense. It doesn't take a genious to figure out why some of our very respected coaches across the state, over the years have gone out of state, to take on jobs. For example, Maurice Dixon (North Broward Prep, FLA and now at North Gwinnet, GA), Bob Sphire (North Gwinnet, GA), Brett Burnett (leaving E-town for Pelham, AL), Duffer Duffy (Henderson to Fairhope, AL). Tennessee, also seems to make more of a committment to high school football, it seems. Mercer County played Greeneville, TN (4A school in east Tennessee) earlier this year (and won)...their new head coach was just hired back in the spring. They went and got him from North Carolina, where he had previously won a state championship and had other successful teams in the past 10 years, but Greeneville hired him and is paying him $100,000 to coach!! No teaching! Just football! On top of that, the boosters bought him a brand new truck! Those things, I know for a FACT. Not to mention, from what I heard, his assistant coaches are paid like most HS head coaches in this state.

Oh, it can be.....I know of some for sure instances where boosters have bought coaches automobiles for either taking a job when they first got there, and/or for winning a state championship.