TomLandry

WKU has just made the transition to FBS Division (Formerly D-1). They have been an independent with Notre Dame, Army, and Navy the past couple of years. The 2009 season will be their first full Sunbelt Conference season. They are eligible for conference championship this year and bowl eligible. They have become the 120th D-1 school. They open their season on Sept. 5 against Coach Kiffen and Company in Knoxville! Also have inked a four year deal to play Kentucky in 2010-2013. WKU home games in series will be at the Titan's stadium in Nashville to accommodate the expected crowds.

I hear Bryan Station has a dynamite RB, small but mighty and runs like the wind. His name is Harrington, I believe. Anyone know anything about him?

Bell 3-Middlesboro-1 FINAL!

Bell returns eight starters and someone said that Clay Co. only lost one starter to graduations as well. Both teams had good offense....not necessarily poor pitching. Early in season...and don't expect Bell pitchers to be on their A-game so early. Football season went long and hard. Look for Bell to get stronger every week.

I believe that all three Bell players selected play baseball, but not basketball. Everyone has had a few days off for holidays....and to recover somewhat from a fifteen game season. Should be a lot of fun to watch. Some great talent coming in. The East-West Game is in the summer. Many top players that are selected in past have not played due to college commitments in summer, or coaches that will not let them play after signing. Border Bowl is not having to compete against that and will put up a better team against Eastern Tennessee team.

Must be nice to deal with such a problem EVERY year....not every seventeen!

More time between games. Bell County did not get a normal warmup time, and I think it hurts play in early game. Also they were trying to celebrate and the officials were "come on let's go.....we got to clear the field...." to the players. Hardly any time to savor the moment for the kids. Boys came a long way, and a long season to get hurried off the field by security guards!!

I believe that he will continue to get better. He has the size and frame to put on weight and strength. If I am not mistaken Merrick has won the "Most Improved Player" given out by Coach Hilton at the Bobcat banquet for two straight years....because coach said he was always trying to improve his game. I wouldn't think that would stop just because he is kicking on Saturdays.

Merrick had a 94% kickoff ratio this season on over 80 kickoffs. His hangtimes were 4.0 second range and his average distance on full-kickoffs was 71 yds. Most of his kickoffs landed out of the back of the endzone. Merrick kicks...he does not coach....he knows...but Coach Hilton calls the shots.

We at Log Mountain agree. Also remember that he MADE a FG in fourth quarter as well against Boyle that forced the two point attempt at end of game.

Several factors: had to kick the Walmart Special...Rawlings Footballs...worst kicking balls in country! Little or no warm up time compared to normal game...had to kick on first posession; Wide receiver that dropped pass and forced field goal...was the longsnapper...had to be in all the FG units head; 20 mph swirling gusts of wind and on most kickoffs....Hilton did not allow him to kick away...they were trying to line drive the kicks to avoid a Winston Guy late season runback that had eliminated Bell in 2007. Also two of those kicks on the game film were run out of the endzone....not allowed in high school!! Don't forget that his 50 yd. punt set up the winning margin safety in second half. Merrick had three FG's in the previous two games providing the winning margin in each sending Bell on to Louisville. He had well over fifty varsity starts....cannot judge from one game.

Word out of Bell County was that Ortmayer wanted Merrick. He came to visit his home on Tuesday and informed him of Brooks decision. No scholarship for kicker at this time...maybe later. Or offered to let him walk-on and "maybe" get Sieber's scholarship next year. Merrick offered to grey-shirt and look at any options. Ortmayer said they would get back with him by Friday. When they did not, he honored his commitment to Coach Elson and the Hilltopper staff. KY knew he had a deadline with Western this weekend and did nothing.

I believe that Nelson used it a time or two last year....but I don't believe that Zachary has thrown it all season.....until Papa John's!!

Bell County has had a rollercoaster week of emotions with the great victory over Boyle County, followed a little over 12 hours later with the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 3 Bell County JROTC students and one 2007 graduate....in uniform on their way to represent Bell HS in the Middlesboro Christmas parade. Now on the day of departure....NO SCHOOL! SNOW!!....and now no rally, but just the send off that is always special at BCHS. Coach Hilton will have the Bobcats focused as usual. It will be all business now...closing the deal. Go Bobcats! Bring the Title Back to Log Mountain!

Going to Louisville!! Saturday!! See Bell Co. Bobcats finish the quest!

Kicker Monte Merrick was All-State his sophomore and junior year as well. Congratulations to the Bell County players who made the team: Merrick, Matt Simpson; Billy Lawson; and Jacob King!...and those who were deserving.....but did not make the list. Bell is truly a "team" approach to football this year.

Don't mean to intrude...but Congratulations on a great season from the Bobcats. Probably the best high school football game I have ever seen....and I have seen a lot of them over the years. Classy bunch of young men on and off the field. They were truly disappointed, but still loss with grace, an uncommon trait in this day and age. The Bobcat crew are an awesome bunch of kids...and with Senior leadership....they have been on a special mission since day one of 2008. Our only regret is that someone had to lose this great game, and that it wasn't on the carpet....instead of the ice!! LOL! Good Luck next year....and look forward to a long rivalry and great football.

Thanks, Rebel. I was tough to see the tears flowing on the field from the Rebels after the loss. Too bad one team had to lose. I thought both teams played with class and sportmanship tonight. Hard fought game. One of the best I have ever seen at the high school level. Last year the Bobcats....mostly the same team were the ones in tears knowing that their regional loss was to the eventual state champion to be. This year should be no exception....and that's what makes it so hard for the loser. The 4-A Title game is next week....but 4-A's two best, I believe, met on Log Mountain tonight. Perhaps Aumiller and Merrick will both be in Blue and White and on the same team next year on Saturdays!

Wow! Thanks. Cfield Go Corbin...back at you!!

The issue has never been about any team....but somone in early post commented that Boyle was better coached. I believe the comparision of the head-to-head battles of the coaches at their respective schools through the years is fair game when such a comment is made.

Special teams have been a big part of Bell's success this season. Merrick has not had to punt but six times this season until playoffs. He has had nearly that many in the last two playoff games! Pinned Rock on the 4,6, and 8 yd. line on punts. Had several good punts against Knox Central and 2/3 field goals. His only miss came on a 47 yd. attempt that was backed up five more yards....due to "false start" on line. The six field goal points contributed significantly to the Bell win. Bell and Knox each had two td's. How does Boyle County match up in this important area.....especially when two defenses and offenses are well-matched?

Keep in mind that Dudley and the Bobcats took it to his great Lincoln Co. team before you whisked Coach French away! Hilton certainly wasn't outcoached that night at the Death Valley Bowl 2007.

Snow was supposed to come in the a.m. and moved in suddenly on the mountains the night before before tarp was deployed! Coach Hilton and several others hand shoveled the field between the hash marks.

Where all number two seeds should play.......by the fireplace.....at home.:thumb:

Actually, the REAL game every week on Log Mountain is in the back of the endzone with a rock-filled cup as the football!! Those guys are tough!! LOL!!:banana: