samham1967

No I did not miss the point. I respect the fact that they have great programs. Kentucky has a great basketball program but they are not ranked in the top 5 every year due to past performances and if they lose they drop just like everyone else. We are discussing rankings of this years team not tradition or past championships. Rockcastle, Mercer, JC and a host of other schools have never won state championships. Does that mean they should be ranked at the bottom every year? I don't think so. This year has nothing to do with past championships. To me rankings are not important but to the kids on those teams that may never win a state championship it is the memory that they will hold dear the rest of their life. They work just as hard all season long as HHS and CCH do and deserve respect as well.

There is no doubt that Highlands and Covington Catholic are good teams but I agree with much of what you say here. Equate these rankings to college football. In most cases in the college ranks no matter how good you are, the rule is if you lose you drop. This is no different. I also hear every year how great these two teams are and even though they have great traditions they are not locks to be state champs. I heard this a few years back and if I am not mistaken the last time either one of them played Rockcastle they went home and the Rock moved on to the state championship. And as far has how many state championships you have won means nothing. Each year we start with an 0-0 record. Champions do make plays instead of excuses but champions also know how to be gracious winners and not arrogant. I have a lot of respect for both programs. I also happen to live in NKY, but I will always be a Rocket fan.

There are at least 15 teams in the state that Mercer could not play close. They are a really good 2A team but 4a and even some 3a teams just have too much strength, speed and talent. IMO I do think they have a shot at their first 2A title this year, better get it while you can.

I agree this one could get real ugly real fast. Miller for another big night and an early exit.

Why do we keep getting Kramer in this thread? It is about AAA Region 4. No disrespect to NKY since I live here, but not every star player has to come from here. I am not going to debate which kid is the best because there is no way to tell at this point in the season. There are no common opponents or anything else to compare the two kids. I guess if both teams make it far enough in the playoffs to have a Rock vs Highlands Round III then we will know the answer.

You may be right, but unfortunately this is reality for most. JC will never get the respect they deserve until they beat Highlands or Cov Catholic, or even worse they may have to beat both. I hate to keep using Rockcastle as an example, but JC is in the same boat they were a number of years ago. The first round went to NKY with Highlands beating the Rock bad on their own field. Round two went to Rockcastle by beating Cov Catholic in one of the hardest fought games I have ever witnessed on both sides of the field. But it took round three with the Rock handing Highlands their biggest playoff loses in history to gain the respect they deserved. You may not measure success this way but unfortunately most everyone else does. Again I beleive that JC is a legit team in 3A but I even question whether this is the year they will beat Bell or Rock to even get the chance to prove themselves against Highlands or Cov Catholic.

Unfortunately for the JC fans the critics will not shut up even if JC wins the next two games but it sure would be a step in the right direction. They are going to have to make a pretty deep run into the playoffs to get people's attention. Best of luck the next two weeks. I went to the Rock before they were any good so I feel your frustration.

Your post just confirmed the point most people on this board have been making, no one has said that JC is not a good team but they have to prove it. After they are tested then we will all know if they are for real, but until then they're still a giant question mark. I wish them the best and hope to see them vs the Rock in Round 3.

This is a bold statement with the new playoff format, considering there is a large possibility that they will be the higher seed in their first game.

The "Obvious" is obvious in your first statement. They in fact play a very weak schedule. I am not saying they don't have a very good team but the "obvious" is not so obvious in your second statement. The changing of the guard??? Their path in the playoffs will most likely include Ashland, Rock or Bell, Highlands or Cov Catholic, and potentially Bowling Green. Even if they have a good run this season I would not consider that the changing of the guard. It takes season after season of success to earn respect. I am not on either side of this continued discussion of NKY vs. JC, and I said this a couple of weeks ago. If the JC fans on this board want respect then they are just going to have to bide their time and let their talking be done on the field each Friday night for the next 6-7 weeks. I personally hope to see a JC vs. Rock matchup since I am a Rock alum, but both teams have a lot of business to tend to before that can happen. JC fans be patient and time will tell.

Madison Southern has a chance to win this game just like any of the Rock's opponents, but the Rock's Offensive line is made up of some pretty big athletes and they have a running back coming off of two consecutive games of nearly 300 yards. I think if Madison Southern plays hard and makes every play count they are the one that has a chance to win. Otherwise the Rock rolls to an impressive victory and extends the streak. Rock - 42 MS - 20

You know the Rock might have something to say about Bell & Lex. Catholic in 4A. Just my opinion

You need to understand I am not a general football fan. I am a graduate of Rockcastle Co and we have played both of these teams over the last few years as most people know. Highlands beat us the first time but we returned the favor. If you can't beat the best you don't deserve to be state champs. IMO

The assumption that is made in a class system is the more students you have to pick from the better your team should be. Based on that assumption moving up in class should never be an issue. It's kind of like the biggest guy in class complaining to the teacher that the smallest kid is picking on him. I understand that these assumptions are not always true but no system is perfect. I would much rather see a team of Highlands and Covington Catholic's quality move up than stay in a lower class and potentially dominate that division year after year. Just my Opinion.

I agree Clay is a much better team and this kid is for real. My only point was the stats quoted didn't support the argument. I am a Rock grad but I am usually pretty objective when it comes to their program. This game will not be a blowout on either side. It will be a hard fought game on both sides. Clay may even put up some good offensive numbers but the Rock has a way of keeping people out of the end zone and that's what wins ball games. My prediction: Rock 21 Clay 14

I am not going to disagree with the fact that Clay is better this year than last but your numbers don't really show that. 1. Lost 2 more games in 2005 than 2004. 2. Scored 32 points combined against Bell and Rockcastle in 2005 vs 42 in 2004. 3. Scored less points in playoff game in 2005 than in 2004. 4. Lost by a wider margin in playoff game in 2005 than in 2004. The only stat in your favor is the fact that the Rock and Bell scored less points in 2005 than in 2004. This might indicate that the Clay defense has improved but they still need to prove they can put up the big offensive numbers against quality opponents. That task starts tomorrow night.

I thought this little quote was funny since the Rock will be all over Clay this weekend IMO! :laugh:

Thanks for the series info. Unfortunately I was there during the three loses in a row so I guess it just seemed like we never beat them. lol

My point was not about whether or not JC could compete with the top 3 at this point, it was that you don't promise victories over the three top ranked teams in the state when you haven't even beat any top ranked teams at this point. IMO JC will have to go thru a tuff playoff schedule and there is a good chance that they will not even get that far. The Rock and Bell will be much tougher and better in November and they cannot be overlooked. As a Rockcastle fan living in NKY, I have experienced the hype of NKY football. My only point to the NKY fans was sometimes you are better off just not responding to overzealous comments. As an objective outsider looking in, it sounded like a bunch of little kids squabbling. It was very entertaining.

Does anyone know the series record between these two teams? I went to the Rock and know that before the Larkey era that Clay pretty much dominated the series prior to Larkey.

I just had to get into this NKY vs. JC discussion because you guys sound so silly. I have read this board for the last few years and never post but I could not pass this one up. I live in NKY for over 10 years but went to Rockcastle Co. First to the overzealous JC fans. Just because you have a good team and start winning each season doesn't make you great. It also doesn't mean you are automatically going to gain respect for just having a winning season or two. Use the Rock as an example, I kept stats for the Rock during Larkey's first year. The program started turning around and now they have had around 20 winning seasons in a row. Time makes greatness and earns respect. People in NKY take the Rock seriously now but it has only been in the last few years that they have earned that respect. Absurd statements promising three wins against the 3 top rated programs in the state makes you look silly. Remember David only killed one Goliath not three. Now for the NKY few that promised 100 point victories, you sound about as silly. First of all there is a mercy rule that makes it nearly impossible to score 100 points much less win by 100. Secondly I remember a few years back Highlands handing the Rock a large loss and you guys calling them over rated and not at the same level as NKY football. The next year the Rock came to NKY and beat CCH on their own field and then the next year giving Highlands the largest lose in their storied playoff history. Greatness is achieved over time, but times do change. JC has a right to be happy with their new found success but great programs let their play do their talking. As for the bets I will take both your bets cause JC cannot beat all 3 teams and Highlands and CCS could not both beat JC by 100 points. Not to mention the fact that the Rock, Bell, and Lexington Catholic have spoiled both NKY and JC's fun several times over the last few years. That is what makes HS football so great.

There should be no delay of game penalty in this situation. Correct call is to place the ball back on the tee. If it happens a second time then there must be a holder. The rule stated above only applies to snapping the football in plays from scrimmage or kicking situations where a players action or inaction causes the delay. The main reason for footballs falling off of tees during kickoffs is wind in bad weather. That is out of a players control. This was a bad call in my opinion.