Kingfish Stevens

Good points. However, it all demonstrates why he is so effective.

People should remember that Martin is a partisan commentator and not a reporter. He does not hide the fact that he favors Ashland. He does not pretend to be objective. He isn't objective. He isn't always honest. He is a spinner for his team. His favorite targets seem to be Russell, Boyd County, and Rose Hill. As a result of his slanted tirades against these three schools, he surely should have no friends at any of the three of them. Nonetheless, when you accept the obvious, you still must admit that he is the best, although far from the fairest, announcer on local radio. He is entertaining but sometimes he makes it very easy for a neutral fan to root against Ashland.

I would hope that the Ashland Board of Education has better matters to occupy its time than to worry about the feelings of a former student who now officiates football games. I look forward to hearing Dicky Martin call the game.

As game time nears, I think it should be noted that Russell is Russell. It is not remotely a St. Xavier or a Trinity. If it takes the game lightly, it will be in big trouble. Russell should win. However, it should have won last year. too.

A truer statement has never been made. Grover is right on target. All schools are treated equally it is just that some seem to be considered more equal than do others. You can make many statements about the KHSAA but "consistent applier of the rules" will not be one of them.

I'll answer your challenge and say, using only recent history of course, that the five year period from 1930-1934 produced a better record. Hart is a decent coach, I suppose, but he will not, on or off the field, be confused with Herb Conley or Jake Hallum, among others. I suspect that Ashland had good years the last five years more because of the talent level than because of Hart. If Hart gets credit for the success, then shouldn't he get the blame for the failures? You can't give him one without the other. I don't think Hart has had a lot to do with it either way. I think any reasonably competent coach would have produced pretty much the same numbers. I think it gets down to talent level and the talent level is low and will be for a few years. So the interesting question, assuming there won't be a large influx of "relocated athletes", may be whether Hart stays around during lean times.

Although using a different approach, you are saying the same thing that I said. Russell needs to come in ready to play and not over confident. If so, the outcome will take care of itself.

As is too often the case, the definition of "legitimate" tends to be in the eyes of the beholder and, if the beholder is KHSAA, the definition tends to be "adjusted" in accordance with the school(s) involved.

Talent: definite advantage to Russell Coaching: definite advantage to Russell Homefield: advantage to Russell Tradition in the last quarter of a century: definite advantage to Russell Ashland cannot beat Russell. Russell can only beat themselves.

You are forgetting the Faulkner girls who were forced to sit out a full year. The situation had some similarities to the Mahan matter although, from the real facts, not as blatant. Nonetheless, the result was different. As for the transfer from Ashland to Greenup County, since that "transfer train" usually runs solely in the other direction, it is refreshing to see GC finally get something in return from Ashland for all it has lost to Ashland through the years- past and recent.

Now, wait a minute, happy ol' dad, you are not the "lone ranger" in regard to those who are not overly impressed by Hart. There are others who agree with you.

Regardless of who wins, the game will feature the best Kentucky has to offer against the best Ohio has to offer. Overall, Ohio high school football appears to be far superior to Kentucky high school football. Nonetheless, I sure hope Trinity wins.

A very insightful observation from happy 'ol dad. Therre is a great difference between "young" and "inexperienced". Probably the most true analysis was given by Coach Lutz when he said, "We're not very good, but they are not very good either." When a team struggles with its level of talent, good coaching, like Coach Lutz displayed last night, usually makes a big difference. As for Ashland, Hart, and the rest of his staff, we'll see.

Very true. I am suggesting that observers expect too much of Ashland. While their history is impressive, it should be remembered that many of the other state schools, including some local ones, have significantly closed the gap. Statewide, many have created a gap in the other direction. Ashland is no longer a program in the elite class with X, T, Highlands, Bowling Green, LexCath, and several others. It is unfair of their fans to expect the success of the past because that level of talent isn't there and, from all indications, won't be there in the foreseeable future. While I would think the jury is still out in regard to the other two you mention, I would wholeheartedly agree that Thomas is a quality athlete. He has a proven record. He has earned the spotlight. While I am no Ashland partisan, I do hate to see Thomas in a situation where his skills cannot be completely utilized and appreciated.

Excellent. Next week will be tough.

Would it be out of line to suggest that Ashland doesn't appear to have very many skilled athletes running around its halls? Saying that they are not playing well sends the message that they can play better. Maybe this is just a weak group that can't do much better. Ashland is certainly not immune to that. While some of our better schools (X, T, Highlands, LexCath, Bowling Green, etc.) do seem to merely "reload", an honest analysis indicates that Ashland is not remotely at that level in football (or basketball for that matter). Down years, even way down years, will surface and should be expected. The times, indeed, have changed and the fans need to be aware of it because their rivals are well aware of it.

Happy ol' dad obviously has a lot of ties to Ashland and is in a position to know more than the average observer. Many of the others with the same "ties" seem to be upset because he doesn't sing the constant feel good song that we hear from people with those same "ties". Rather than complaining that he doesn't sing the official song as the rest of you do, why not factually point out where he is wrong? Or, is there actually some validity to his statements?

With the game at Ashland, Ashland should win. However, if it gets down to coaching, I'll take Ironton.

I doubt that Rose Hill is receiving anything from these trips. Bus trips are not cheap with the price of gasoline and a trip to West Liberty will require a meal for the players, etc. Income: 0 Outgo: $300 plus Home games pay the bills. Rose Hill better schedule a few particularly since they are in a position to be a drawing card for the next few years. They certainly owe no favors to their fellow 16th Region schools.

While it is nice to see Rose Hill play in all of these venues to provide an opportunity for fans far and wide to see Euton and Jackson play, it would seem to make more sense for them to schedule some home games so that they can enrich their own coffers rather than the coffers of everyone else. It does take money to operate a program and, since Rose Hill is a private school rather than a government school, it would seem that some fiscal wisdom is needed.

Valid points.

True enough. However, Ashland is not in the same class as Ironton and hasn't been for a goodly number of years. Ashland's ups and downs are not news because Ashland is not seen as a real power as is Ironton. However, for Ironton to be so down that this Ashland team may well beat them is news.

Oooh. Nice reference, twofakind.:thumb:

Amusing thread. It sounds more like an attempt to convince readers that Hart is a good coach than a discussion of what Ashland is going to do. If I haven't learned anything else about Ashland, I have learned that they are young and that Hart is doing his job. Somehow that isn't particularly enlightening and sounds more like excuse-making. If they should beat Ironton on Friday night, it will sure indicate that the Tigers are at an all time low point talentwise and that Ashland is playing at home.

Jordan is an outstanding young man from a fine family and a credit to the Trinity football program. OSU is fortunate to get him. He is also a top notch wrestler and weightlifter. I feel certain that his sister, Courtney, is particularly proud of her "little" brother and, since she is a law student at Chase, she will ably represent Jordan as his agent in the years to come.