just 4 fun

Lone Oak is a growing area of Paducah. Several newer subdivisions in that area and alot of folks are moving out of the inner city and into these areas. Plus, I believe, but, i'm not 100% sure, the Paducah/McCracken Co school board went to an open enrollment policy where kids have the choice of Heath, Reidland, Tilghman and Lone Oak to choose from. Westsider may can explain that one better. But, if thats the case, with the success of the program now, an established and well known Head Coach in Jack Haskins and a few other factors, I could see Lone Oak becoming a powerhouse program in the next few years...

Singin to the choir, PB.. All year long, the people around WKy have hammered Lone Oak on there schedule. Supporters of the Mayfields, Tilghmans, Marshall Cos, etc, who typically play tough schedules have downplayed Lone Oaks accomplishments because of it. However, they have played good competition in the playoffs and just keep on ticking. One thing about Lone Oak, they aren't your typical powerhouse program who could compete yr in yr out with the better programs and in normal yrs no one would notice this type of schedule, but, it just so happens they have one of those special teams this year. In most years, PTilghman, Mayfield, Ft Campbell, marshall co, Graves Co, etc. wouldn't even schedule Lone Oak because they would be looking for a tougher game to challenge them more, so, it's not all lone Oaks fault for the weak schedule. With that said, they are still a very, very solid team THIS year and thats really all that matters...

Then you have way too many already...Go Purples!

God forbid someone make a comment thats not in Highlands favor. Who do they think they are? Not everyone on this site is wearing the Bluebird glasses or drinking the Bluebird water. No question, Highlands is a tremendous program and a great challenge to whoever they play, but, they aren't invinsible. BGreen has the talent to win this game. Theres no question in my mind about that. Many posters on here just don't see it and thats fine, but, regardless, it's a fact.

So what you're saying is, you would rather win the Herby than a state championship? If i'm wrong, please correct me, but, that's the impression I get from you're post...

Not trying to get under anyones skin. Didn't think I said anything out of line at all. And, no, I'm not a BG fan, rather, a West Ky fan who'll be rootin on the Purples. Just like NKy fans, West Ky fans stick together. You're 100% correct about BG handling pressure the last 2 years and if you'll read my prior posts, I've said the same. As far as Highlands eating pressure for breakfast, well, obviously they didn't handle it too well the last couple of years either or they would have been there instead of who was, so, if you're going to use the last 2 years as a measuring stick for BG, then you have to do the same with Highlands. Both teams were knocked out by the same teams. Highlands was more competitive in those games, but, lost just the same. This year is a different year and only time will tell how the outcome will be.. Go Purples...Bring home that trophy where it belongs...

Good points. I know all about the Herby and the Trotwood game, but, heres my take on that. That was early, early in the season. There's pressure to win, sure, but, if you lose, you live to play another day and it has no bearing on the big picture. I find it hard to believe that game has the same impact and pressure as a state championship game. Just don't see it. As far as playing against Lex Cath in 06 and CC in 06, BG did the same and although both teams lost, I've got to say that the stage those games were played on gives BG an advantage. You may be right about the added pressure on BG and that bit of doubt in the back of there minds and the monkey on there back. An early turnover or a Highlands big play early could even enhance that monkey or it could make them that much more determined and motivated to prove they belong. I believe they know they were alot better than they showed the last 2 yrs, maybe still would have lost with there best effort, but, certainly not as bad as they got beat. I trully don't think you'll see a meltdown with this bunch, but, it'll definately be interesting to see. On the other hand, if BG starts out strong and jumps on them early, I think that monkey goes away and you'll see the real BG team that everyones been raving about all year. Should be a very good game to see thats for sure.

I definately think the 05 version was much stronger than the 06 team. I'd say the 07 team is somewhere in the middle..

Lone Oak will score at least 3-4 times, probably 5 or 6, there offense is that good, but, the problem is they'll probably give up 6-7, maybe 8 or 9...

Yeah, I heard BGs fat and out of shape kids decided to skip a few practices, a couple were fighting with there gfriends, a couple more said they were just happy to be there and there coach was too busy christmas shopping to put a game plan in so decided to just wing it this week. :sssh:

I tend to agree with you 100%... Truthfully, I'm not sure it's even going to be that close a game...Ft Campbell 34 NCC 14

I guess the other 8 playoff games leading up to the state weren't big games, huh.. I don't disagree that BG didn't play well vs Lex Cath in 05 and CC in 06, but, it happens and each year there are different kids on the field, especially from 2 yrs ago. Even as bad as BG played last year and it was bad, they didn't get beat all that bad by CC..I think CC beat Highlands twice last year, so, does that mean they fail to win big games too. IMO, the last 2 years the schedules hurt them. Same can't be said for this year as imo, they have had a much tougher road to travel than Highlands has. I think the tough games with Owensboro, JHardin will help them along with the fact that these returning players from the last 2 yrs have state championship experience, something FTH can't say.. Yes, Coach Mueller has been there before, but, the kids haven't and you never know how they are going to react when they're on the big stage. I'm sure all Highlands fans will say they'll be just fine and they may be, but, in truth, you really just don't know. I think the experience factor could be in Bgreens favor this year.

Take notice of above...I didn't start the Trinity conversation, just replied to someone elses who stated they would beat Trinity which I don't think so.

Ok then : Trinity 42 Hughlands 21...I'll give em their due; but do you really believe Highlands would beat Trinity?

Trinity 48 FT Highlands 14

I HIGHLY doubt that....I think they would have competed with them but just like BG did, wear out in the 4th qtr...

I'm from the west, but, I don't usually root for the east. Usually, the team that knocks out my team, is who I root for or other west teams. I would say thats the way it is in most areas. There must be either an inferior complex or a superior complex in NKy, for some reason. As far as the golden triangle is concerned, considering that about 2/3s of the states population resides in this area, I think it's fair to say there should be a large contingent of state championships from that area. I believe it has more to do with numbers than anything else, that plus a few select premier programs from these areas.

Personally, it's no different anywhere. People from the west root for the other teams from the west, people in the east do the same. NKy, Louisville area, Lex area all do the same. Where does this, "You wouldn't understand" come from? Its not like NKy started the trend or anything..

What 4 would that be? I can only think of Highlands and Beechwood with NCC emerging as one...Surely to goodness, you aren't talking about Cov Catholic, are you. They are a solid program, but, a dynasty, hardly...

The polls may not reflect it, but, I think the Highlands/BGreen and NCC/Ft Campbell games will both be very competitive. I think Beechwood and Belfry should take care of business pretty handily and I'm still up in the air on the Lex Cath/Lone Oak game. My mind wants to say blowout LC, but, something else tells me Lone Oaks offense will give LC fits, so, I'm still up in the air on that one...

Rankings can be skewed sometimes and in this case, I think it is.. Ask Bell Co, Green Co and Hazard how that ranking worked out for them...I think NCC is a fine team, but, I also think Ft Campbell will be the more athletic team of the 2and should pull it out barring turnovers, penalties and such being equal.. This is no knock on NCC at all, just an opinion..

Who's recruiting Stein?

To me, yes it would. Have you seen Ft Campbell play this year?

If NCC comes out as flat as they have been in the 1st few rounds, they'll be in big trouble. I truely believe Ft Campbell is the most talented team in 2a and they'll be extremely tough to turn it on against. If NCC plays 4 qtrs, like they're capable of, they have a good chance to pull it off, but, imo, it would be an upset..

I agree with your assessment about there confidence. They never get rattled and it's like okay, you scored, now, its our turn and they methodically go about there business and do it. You just don't see any panic in them at all and a confident team with some swagger can be a deadly combination. If Lex Cath thinks it's going to be a picnic in the park, they could very well get it handed to them and in a big way.