retired

I would venture to say that all those former Bruins are probably disgruntled players who didn't achieve what they wanted out of the program, and probably were part of any problem the Bruins my have had while they were there. On the other hand...Mark does do an outstanding job with those kids...he is honest and forthright about what a young student-athlete ought to be about...he has also been very consistent wherever he has been...the worst he has done is 6-5(twice)...otherwise he averages 7 to 8 wins a season...most coaches would welcome those numbers...outside Trinity, St. X, and Male...and where do some of you get the idea that Ballard is "loaded" with football talent in the school...I can attest to the fact that is just not true...for example, last season outside the Freshmen he had 6 Varsity linemen...and you might not necessairly agree with him playing Trinity JV/Frosh...a lot of it has nothing to do with Catlett, but administrators...he has no say so as to the schedule...and why throw young kids who is some cases have never played before into a situation where they are outnumbered 10 - 12 to 1 in just sheer numbers...convince me that those young men would get better against those kind of odds....

The best of the best 1. EJ Fields - Frankfort...tremendous athlete with great feet...needs to work on passing game...but that will come...just a great upside to this kid...very dangerous in open field.

2. TJ Pryor...Ballard...big time arm who can also beat you with his feet...though not as fast as Fields...3 sport athlete...Basketball and track as well...plays in a passing offense...throws very well outside the pocket...

3. Matthews...Shelby County...excellent arm strength who is limited by type of offense(wing-t)...pocket passer...given time will give a defense fits...

The big thing is that all three are just great humble kids.

Returning QB @ Ballard is TJ Pryor - #10 and the is Sir Weakley - #28. They both had impressive numbers during their JR. year...Ballard's out of district schedule is indeed tough...St.X, Male, Manual, PRP, Butler, Fern Creek,and a Lex. team...I think they will do better than some think in the opener vs. ST.X:D

Do not overlook Ballard...virtually everybody returns...Catlett does a good job ,and is one of the top offensive minds around...the returning QB is excellent and can flat throw the ball..and a top-notch RB along with the entire OL...defense will change as new DC Gary Wheeler attempts to get the guys to buy into his scheme...tough tough schedule...but Catlett's never had a losing season.

Sir Weakley at Ballard is tough...I hear he has really been working hard in the weight room.

What a great hire for Doss...they are getting a very energetic hard working young coach...Congratulations Coach...

There will be at least one and possibly 2 at Ballard next year...QB TJ Pryor is legit...he can make all the throws with a cannon of an arm...nice size at 6-3...could use 15lbs...but college will take care of that...the other could be Antonio Brown...who will be a 3-year starter in the secondary...he can flat cover..

In good health or not...that was one of the issues with the administration...plus they are looking to go in another "direction"...there is an assistant in the picture, but the job has to be posted first...

Just got word from a very reliable source that coaching change is now in effect...the change is due to continued health issues with current(ex) Head man.

Are there any results from the UK meet held yesterday?:flame:

I agree that the Panthers appear to be loaded...but they need to be very serious about the off-season conditioning program...and tweek the passing game...that QB can be a big-timer and he has wheels...if only he worked on his throwing motion.

Congratulations to a well-deserved athlete...also congratulations to his parents, coaches, and Frankfort community.

Is big #55 or #77 back?

Both are Back...#77 is Ross and #55 is Walker-who is rehabing a leg broken vs. Trinity...they are both very good OL men.

Ballard returns four OL next season with Deshawn Ross being the Sr. He is a 6-2, 280 - All-District selection on both sides last season, with outstanding quickness...WKU, EKU showing interest.

It is gonna take an infusion of "New" Blood to right Holmes...Kids have to have a reason to feel good about themselves...Don't know if any of the old staff can do that as the Head man...but bring in a Young Coach like Acklin...with a few of his guys...throw in some holdovers...and you just might have the ingredients to start something special at Holmes...All I keep hearing are the negatives...academic troubles...lack of discipline...all those things can be corrected...With the right man and approach.

I agree Terp...it is a prime coaching position...but tough because no coaches in the bldg...highest academic standards in the county...and even though there are athletes...they don't all choose to play football...Coach Catlett is constantly talking to athletes in the bldg...the big thing is that all sports programs at Ballard are pretty competitive and successful and the kids feel they will lose an edge if they are not with their "major" sport...i.e. Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse...so the pool is really not that large...even at that Catlett will have the Bruins Competitive...as he is a very "attention to detail" coach. I have long been a fan of his and especially when it comes to offensive football...they have a strong team coming back next season...they need to get over the hump vs. the Shamrocks...which will be very tough...and the Male series has to get back to the way it was 3 years ago...most programs would be happy to go 7-3, 8-2...regular season...not so at Ballard...tremendous pressure there to be successful.

I would cast my lot with Acklin...young...energetic...discipline...can get the kids out...has paid his dues...great experience as DC at Ballard in one heck of a District...and dealing with inner-city athletes...great rapport with administrators...and a tireless worker...familiar with the community as having been there...knows what to expect and what needs to be done.

I'll be there as a spectator...always a good meet to kick the season off...and it's really hard to have an indoor season with so many restrictions...i.e. can't participate against unattatched teams/individuals...at least as a school...and not many places to host indoor meets...in this state anyway...

Beckham is having a super season considering the system doesn't allow for him to put up mega stats...but when Coach Renner turns him loose he is clearly a candidate as witnessed by his LIT play...and if he is not clearly the best player on his team which is very talented then who is?

For Ballard:

Allan Houston, Al Miller, Jerry Eaves, Jeff Lamp, and anyone other than Brandon Bender

Think what you will about Bender...but he finished his career as the #2 scorer and #1 rebounder...hard to beat those stats considering all the great players that play for the Bruins.

Ballard wins by the score of 70-53...They had Doss on the Ropes all night...Beckham - MVP of Tournament...he's starting to dominate...Don't know about "cream" of the State as yet...but they have clearly established themselves as the best of the always tough Jefferson County...obviousle Scott County is very legit...but to win not one but both Tournaments in Louisville in the same year is impressive...KOB/LIT.:fight:

They get the "Best" team in the city tonight when they have to take on the Bruins of Ballard...should be very interesting...Ballard is deep...very deep and capable of taking it to another level...Doss will have try and control tempo...though they like to push it...I like Ballard...they play extremely hard.

Ballard has the majority of their team returning next season...they lose one on the OL...and two Rec's...Defensively they lose 3(LB'ers)...Coach Catlett just goes about doing his job...that of preparing these young men for life...he's not a rah-rah type...not bad though...he's never never had a losing season...his worst year being back to back 6-5 seasons in 2000-01...yet he doesn't get some much deserved credit..just criticism..in a very tough enviroment that is Ballard HS...but he does it the right way.

The highest paid FB in the NFL...Ballard High Alum - Jeremi Johnson - he is also the 1st alternate to the Pro-Bowl...not bad since the NFL only takes one FB per team...