TomLandry

Still would like to know if there is substance to the story? How about it 3 wishes or statsman...????

Sorry, it would be inappropriate to disclose that here.

I understand there is a possibility that Larkey might be leaving the Rockcastle program. 3 wishes....and others do you know anything about this? What is this all about?

I thought they were playing Bell County in a bowl game.

Slusher began classes couple of weeks ago at Auburn. He enrolled early to begin his studies and training via full D-1 scholarship. He never had to sign today since they honored their verbal commitment to him from last year. Different scenario than we have seen from some other schools. Auburn is a class program and Slusher will do great there.

Don't know if you are referring to the T.R incident. If you make accusations then be clear. Greer and others advised a young man in order to maintain his integrity and eligibility. Certainly, it was in Bell's interest to not get involved in seeing a player transfer for football reasons with the encouragement of players and perhaps coaches in another city. Should they advise him to stay certainly. Why would Greer, whose son was TR's competition, ecourage him to stay if not having the best interest of school and athlete at heart. Makes no sense. Sitting out a year would have been a bad situation for TR. Others who try to sit out and comeback in Senior season have a tough road.

Bell County will miss All-State LB/TE Brent Slusher. Slusher is now enrolled at Auburn University and beginning his D-1 career. Nice to see some schools make good on their verbals!

Congratulations to the Pophams! This is truly a family affair! Great choice and great school. It does however, point out the inequities in the recruiting process when it comes to kickers. Few are offered full scholarships outright. Coaches tend to make kickers walk on and prove themselves. With the change in the college game, there are few individual players or positions that become as critical to the outcome of games than the placekicker. Field position is huge as well with strong kickoffs. I believe coaches should reevaluate their process. Perhaps we would not see some of the fiascos in the kicking game that we witnessed down the stretch of the season and the bowl games. I know Bobby Bowden sure understands what the lack of a strong kicker can result in haunting him from the past! It is a "Shane shame" that he did not get full-ride offers from several schools. His national rankings and season record-breaking production deserved such.

One can certainly applaud the "class act" of Tommy T and company at Auburn. Their commitment to Brent Slusher has been unbelievable. Slusher enrolled this week at Auburn and has begun his D-1 career, even before the national day of signing. Slusher was allowed to graduate at mid-year at Bell County. He had high GPA and test scores. Auburn coaches encouraged him to come early to begin workouts, but more importantly they wanted him to begin his engineering academics, so that he would have a good head start and several hours under his belt before the football season next fall. They promised him last summer and delivered on their promise! We look forward to seeing great things from Brent in the future.

Bell started some freshman on line last year. Look for that to happen again. Bell is going to be strong this year, and even stronger in 2008. With the new class alignment, Bell should do well. Bell returns a complete team. Their offense is nearly all back and improving every game. The special teams play was led by sophomores last year. Bell's kicking game and return game were key elements last season. They will only get better in the next two years. Bell's defense will surely miss Slusher, but returns nearly everyone else. They will dominate again as well.

Glad to hear that Leslie has rescheduled Bell. I had thought that the two year "swap" was over and Leslie was off schedule. Looks like this is a "new deal" with Bell returning to Leslie for a second straight year. Unlike Middlesboro and Corbin, Leslie County is never afraid of a larger opponent. Bell/Leslie games are always good contests. I look forward to it!

With Bell returning most of their team from this year, the early meeting on Log Mountain should be a good one. Bell will be hard for Rock to beat in this one. As we saw last year, the first game had huge playoff implications due to the home field advantage. Rock would probably fair better if they had three or four more weeks to mature. Should be great game as always, but Bell's experience coupled with several line prospects coming in as freshman could make them even stronger.

Congratulations to Bobcat Brent Slusher for another well-deserved post-season recognition. Slusher should have a great career at Auburn. Congratulations to all the Kentucky players who were recognized.

You missed my point. Where is the two defensive teams...ala the offense? They are replaced with a non-descript list of 20 defenders....no first or second team defense. I love SportsOvertime, but last year's show was far superior. I do not like lumping the classes together except for major awards. The teams by class was much more fair and representative last year. Several Bell players who were recognized last year were ignored this year. Level of play for 3-A in Mountains is far superior to 1-A. It should be considered if you lump them into one team. Separate them out next year as before. Add the plays, etc. for interest, but keep the teams and positions by class. Honor individuals at the positions, not whole units.

Exactly! Brent Slusher made first team all state on AP and CJ coaches teams.....yet, did NOT make the first two teams on All Mountain. Wrong!!

Any Bell Co. Players this year?

I have it from a good source that the All-Mountain Team of WYMT SportsOvertime will be on this Saturday night, December 23, at 11:15/20 until midnight or a little after.

According to Coach Hilton, Bell is still looking for games, wonder if Belfry has an open date?

You are right! If the INT does not happen at end of the first Bell/Rockcastle game with 2 minutes to go on 10 yard line then Bell wins regular season and the second game would have been on Log Mountain. Might have been different outcome. Also the 3 INT's all in the endzone in the 13-0 loss in District Championship at Rockcastle could easily have swung game the other direction. J. Dozier, key defender with INT in first game, was injured early in first quarter and was out rest of second game, a huge loss for Bell. All in all, Rockcastle had the better team this year, that is for sure. We congratulate them! However, I just wanted to point out how close Bell was even though highly undermanned on the OL and DL to winning both games. Next year Rockcastle should be competitive, but will not be able to manhandle teams, including Bell, as they have for the past two years with that huge line. Next year with the reorganization, Bell has a great chance to win District and Region. Nelson returns as the starting QB for fourth year! Zachary is becoming a great receiver. T.R. Christopher will have a great Senior year. Junior RB Spencer Greer will be a rushing and return force; Junior Kicker, Monte Merrick, was kicking touchbacks nearly every kickoff by mid-year as Sophomore, hit game winning field goal against Corbin, and punted several balls over sixty yards. Looking at another year for these outstanding sophomores to be in weight room getting ready! Bell is looking for two or more years of solid football to come in 2007 and 2008. :dancingpa

Florida, Texas, Ohio???

What a shame!! The Bell-Corbin game this year ended with a last second field goal. What a great game, and an exciting venue to play in. Next year both teams return nearly everyone...and it would have been at Bell for the rematch. Corbin having a real chance to upset Bell next year on Bell's home field. Middlesboro would have given Bell a great game this year, and many think that they would have won. So WHY NOT PLAY!!!??? AAAHHH!! I think that Dudley DID ask (He won't BEG them) until he was blue in the face, and then has moved on. He tried to keep the old SEKC together with teams actually playing each other...but Roark and Jewell have wanted nothing to do with playing Bell. I think it is disgraceful for Southeastern Kentucky football and depriving several programs of needed revenue to compete on a higher level. The communities suffer from ending these rivalries. The programs and the communities should rank higher than a coaches opinion or feelings. If Roark and Jewell are afraid to play Bell.....then the fans and administrations should rise up and make needed change. Either return to the schedules or go with personnel that will reflect the will of the school systems. I believe that Middlesboro tried to do just that and overturn Roark's decision....but whatever happened to that! Things were right back where they were the next week. Coach Hilton has never stopped wanting to play either team, but I believe that he has made all the gestures toward both teams that he will ever do. He would add them back to an open date at any time...BUT...The "football is in/on their court...uuhh field.!!! LOL

It is my understanding that only varsity field goals, TD's, rushing yardage, etc. are counted toward career totals. Freshman and JV do not apply. Was he including those in Popham's career stats?

The new alignment could see three of the top four teams eliminated before they get to semi's. If the district cross play for regionals is changed as I heard on another thread....then the Bell/Rockcastle district winner would have to face the winner of the Lexington Catholic Boyle district...!!

That would mean that possibly three of the top four teams in 4-A next year could be elimated prior to the semi's..Great reorganization KHSAA!!