Jason Frakes

The thing about the class-by-class Player of the Year awards is that they're voted on by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association, which is a whole other ball of wax. I'm almost certain you have to be a paid member of the KFCA for your players and coaches to be considered for those awards. I've seen some VERY curious selections for those awards over the years. I understand that it can be confusing for fans. You've got the KFCA putting out awards, the Courier-Journal, the Herald-Leader, the Associated Press and more. And there's never a consensus. How can a guy be the KFCA Class 6-A Player of the Year and not be a nominee for Mr. Football? Because the people making those choices have nothing to do with each other. If you think these awards are bad or ill-conceived, I encourage you to study the all-district teams from the Louisville area. Those never make any sense.

Seven of The Courier-Journal's 24 first-teamers were from Western Kentucky. I've found Northern Kentucky gets ignored in these things far more than any other area of the state.

I find a lot of people want All-State awards to reflect statistical rankings and polls to reflect standings. If you want that vindication, simply look at the stats and the standings. But All-State awards and polls - for better or worse - primarily are based on opinions.

OK, I'll try. Is he better than any of these seven guys? If not, that's why he was honorable mention: Dante Hendrix, Cooper Jake Johnson, Pulaski County Keyron Catlett, Christian County Milton Wright, Christian Academy C.J. Hayes, South Warren Jordan Gunter, Ballard DeAngelo Wilson, Bowling Green

This is not true. There is no limit to the nominees. I can nominate 25 people if I want, and so, too, can any of the other voters. There are literally ZERO parameters to this thing. Like I said before: I nominated the four guys I thought were more deserving. Only four other people were nominated around the state.

I nominated the guys I thought were most deserving. I can't speak for anyone else.

The need to totally dismiss the award because someone who was NEVER GOING TO WIN IT wasn't nominated is what's sad. The award boils down to Carothers, Wood, Johnson and Blackburn. I don't think there's any arguing that. All four were nominated, and all four would be worthy winners. The rest is just ego. Also, two of those four haven't even committed to colleges, so don't tell me it has "more to do with where they are going to play at the next level."

Hiser steps down as PRP football coach

As for the "Can a junior win the award?" question: Yes, a junior can win the award. With the way the AP now does the voting (with no set criteria), juniors can be nominated for Mr. Football and win it. However, as someone who was brought up with the notion that Mr. Football is a senior-only award, I'll never vote for or even nominate an underclassman. I believe the original spirit of the award was that it was for seniors only, and I will continue that tradition despite the AP no longer placing that restriction on the voting.

I agree with you on all counts. I can tell you this: A few years ago, some Courier-Journal guys met with some Associated Press guys to see if The C-J could take over the award with the hopes of making it a more clear and open process. We were told "no." Now, that doesn't mean The C-J (or anyone else) couldn't start their own Mr. Football award, but that would probably be overkill and very confusing as long as the AP continues to name its Mr. Football.

Here are the eight nominees: Eight players nominated for Kentucky's Mr. Football award

Simply put, the All-State teams and Mr. Football are not a priority for The Associated Press. They get them done when they get them done.

I'm not sure where the South Warren thing is coming from, though I've probably had even more silly thoughts than that before. I just looked it up and my first top 5 of the season was Trinity, St. X, Lafayette, BG and Male. I don't recall putting one together in the preseason.

I certainly didn't mean any disrespect to Johnson Central or Belfry, as I was very impressed with both this weekend. But as someone who primarily covers 6-A football, you'd better have something more than a great rushing attack to compete with the best in 6-A. You have to have some balance on offense, or those 6-A defenses will eat you alive. Again, not a knock on Belfry or Johnson Central. They can rely almost solely on the run - be really, really good at it - and that's all they need offensively to win their classes.

I think you all are seriously underestimating the depth and athlete advantages the second-tier 6-A schools (Lafayette, Scott County, PRP, Simon Kenton, Ryle, etc.) would have over schools like Johnson Central and Belfry.

You all might be interested in this discussion I had with Julian Tackett about this issue: Could state football finals move to UK or U of L? | | USA Today High School Sports

Higher-numbered district (4-Trinity over 2-Central Hardin) in even-numbered year (2016).

It may not carry the weight of "Mr. Football," but the Kentucky Football Coaches Association does name a Player of the Year for all six classes during the state finals. I guess no one pays attention.

Think you could reference the link instead of just copying my story word for word?

Don't forget Taywan Taylor (PRP) at WKU. From his bio: Taylor had the single greatest season by a wide receiver in Hilltopper Football history in 2015, becoming just the second 1,000-yard receiver in program history and setting single-season records for receiving yards (1,467), receptions (86) and touchdown catches (17) while also setting the career record for receiving yards (2,504), 100-yard receiving games (9) and touchdown catches (24). Taylor's 1,467 yards are the second-most in C-USA history while his 17 touchdown receptions are fourth-most.

Nope ... he's that good NOW.

Always love the feedback on this one: Top 5

It's the old chicken-egg argument: Is there less coverage because people no longer care, or do people no longer care because there's less coverage?

I'm almost certain The Courier-Journal never was a sponsor of this game. I do know the Lions Club and Lions Eye Foundation has been the primary sponsor on the Kentucky side back to the 1960s. EDIT: Bob White confirms The C-J never sponsored the event. So, don't go blaming it on us!!! :jump:

Thought you all would be interested in this: Field Set For 2016 King of the Bluegrass State champion Paul Dunbar, state runner-up Doss and three other boys basketball teams that won regional titles last season highlight the field that’s been announced for the 2016 Forcht Bank King of the Bluegrass Holiday Classic. The 36th annual tournament is set for Dec. 16-21 at Fairdale High School. Paul Dunbar and Doss reached the state final last March, with the Bulldogs prevailing 61-52. Defending regional champions Christian County (Second), Bowling Green (Fourth) and Trinity (Seventh) also are in the field. Rounding out the field of Kentucky squads are Ballard, Cooper, Covington Catholic, Fairdale, Fern Creek, Franklin-Simpson and North Hardin. The four out-of-state teams will be Ackworth (Ga.) Allatoona, Lilburn (Ga.) Berkmar, Huntsville (Ala.) Lee and Chicago St. Rita. Berkmar features 6-foot-4 guard Al Durham, a member of the Class of 2017 who has committed to Indiana University. The tournament also will include several of the top players in Kentucky’s Class of 2017, including Ballard’s David Sloan and Jamil Wilson, Bowling Green’s Terry Taylor, Christian County’s Jaylen Sebree, Cooper’s Sean McNeil, Covington Catholic’s Cole VonHandorf, Doss’ Jaylon Hall, Franklin-Simpson’s Tavin Lovan, North Hardin’s Tony Jackson, Paul Dunbar’s Taveion Hollingsworth and Trinity’s Jacob King.