jude

Couldn't have said it better myself!:thumb:

A script even hollywood wouldn't believe is unfolding in Louisa Ky. Our Lawrence County Bulldogs are writing a storybook fantasy about a team that went 0-11 in 2008 and after opening with 7 straight victories in 2009 is now 3 games away from taking a team that was WINLESS last season to UNDEFEATED this regular season. I capitalize that because it just can't be overstated. At a time when our country and for that matter the entire world is recovering from an economic freefall that many believe will take years to recover from, a high school football team is showing it's fans and community that just because you hit rock bottom doesn't mean you have to stay there. Losing a football game can't be compared to losing a job or a home, but every week that they lost a game they had an opportunity to lose something more important, hope and confidence. This team and these coaches didn't lose hope or confidence. What they did lose was any sense that victory can be acheived through anything other than hard work and dedication. I still see the lost jobs and recovering economy in the Appalachia area just like everywhere else in the world, but what I don't see here is anyone hanging their head and feeling sorry for theirself. I see a community of people that are working hard every day to rebuild their lives because we have been given a life lesson by a group of high school kids and we are proud to follow their lead.

I am a Bulldog supporter and have been for life, but last night really impressed me. This team is much better than I thought they were. This game was one that I thought could be a bump in the road to the Winless to Undefeated (regular season) turnaround. I really hadn't had much hope that this team could match up to the likes of Bell and Boyle once we get to the playoffs, but after last nights game I have to say that my hopes of matching up with Bell are much higher. As for Boyle, well let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

I think it was mentioned on here a few times that JC was not as bad as everyone seemed to think. I'm taking nothing away from Ashland, but JC has not fallen as far as the record seems to indicate. Are they on the level they were last year? I don't think so, but remember they have a few young players in key positions. As we all know it takes time for young players to really step up and fill the roles they are given. They will be ready by playoff time to make a run. Will they win the district? I still think they could stumble a little in the remaining district games but they should either win the district or finish 2nd in the district. JMO

With the 6 class system schools would seem to me to be on the "borderline" of moving up or down in class more often then in a 4 class system, so help me understand the criteria. 1. Is it just male enrollment that counts? 2. If your school is 10-12 grades instead of 9-12 does that affect the numbers? 3. Are there any differences at all for private schools? 4. Can a school opt to stay in a certain class or move up in class even if their enrollment is low?

This may be better suited for it's own thread, but is Highlands really better then X and T if Bardo is hurt? hockentucky said it as a joke but he's probably not far off. I know the bird fans are going to tear me apart for this one, but I just don't see how you can say that it's an absolute fact that they should be #1 right now when the information I have is that Bardo is injured. If I'm not mistaking even most HHS fans will agree that that will not be the same without him. Polls should reflect what kind of team can take the field right now, not what they had before an injury. Before you start typing I FULLY understand that the Lit ratings are based on this data and that data, but I'm just asking about Polls and who is really the best as of today? Now I'll crawl back into my hole and wait for the chewing I'm about to get.

JC by 10. I guess I'm just a little hard-headed?

As is usually the case I could have just PM'd RAM and got my answer. Well said RAM. After reading that my wife even agreed with you. Trust me it's rare that she lets me win an argument, so I really owe you for that one!

When you are referring to the program or team that you are a fan of is the term "we" appropriate in your opinion? I was listening to a comedian make fun of fans that refer to their chosen team with the phrase "we", as in, "we won the state title last year". As if they actually suited up and played the game. I know I do this on this site but I've never really paid attention to who does or doesn't do this. Do you think it's appropriate or disrespectful to the players and coaches that are actually playing. My wife thinks it's appropriate only if you actually played for that team in the past? What do you think?

Thanks for all the research everyone.. I tried to be very specific in saying regular season, because I just don't think any team could go from winless to state title. With that being said I also don't think Lawrence County can go undefeated in the regular season. Don't get me wrong, I love my team and would love to see it happen, but there are at least 3 teams on the remaining schedule that I think will give the bulldogs all they can handle. I know we'll make the playoffs (all of the district does) and that means that we will probably run into Bell county. Once again I love the Bulldogs, but I've got enough respect for Bell to know that we've got allot more work before we are on that level again. Even if we pulled off a MIRACLE and beat Bell we'd have to probably play Boyle after that and that program is in a league of it's own right now. So with all that being said I was still just thinking that even with a couple of losses at the end of the regular season (assuming we only have a couple losses) Lawrence could potentially be one of the biggest turn arounds ever in KY high school football.

Has any team ever gone from a winless season to an undefeated regular season in KY?

I bet coach Matney went on vacation to some tropical island this summer and he baked in the sun so long that he truly forgot everything he knows about football and that's why they are losing this year. :idunno: I say that the JC faithful get together and ban sunny vacations for JC coaches. When you play the top teams in the state while your a little down you get beat. They aren't as bad as everyone seems to think and they will turn it around. Young o-lines need time to gel. They will get there.

Don't worry Ram, Leatherneck is on the other side of the tree standing on the edge of his limb, and I've managed to climb right out there with him. So whichever limb gets cut off someone is hitting the ground.

This is one of the other things I love about this site. RAM posts a funny ribbing comment to Leatherneck pointing out something Leatherneck could "possibly" be proven wrong on then a bunch of people (me included) join the conversation and suddenly RAM (who is rarely wrong) is saying he is wrong and backing off of what was supposed to be just a fun ribbing comment. LOL I love this site!!!!

There are not many opinions on here that I respect more than Rams, but you might be making a mistake by calling this arguement over before it gets started. YES JC lost to two of the best teams in the state by large margins, but they haven't lost a district game yet. I will go against the grain here and say that I agree with Leatherneck. I think when everything shakes out in the end JC will recover from this early season lesson and yes even win the district. There I said it and I ain't backing down. LOL WOW. One think I love/hate about this site is that once you hit the post button you can't take it back, so after I hit the post button I'll go buy some barbecue sauce just in case I have to eat some crow in a few weeks, but at least Leatherneck will be dining with me...

WHAT A GAME!!!! Lawrence County beats the #2 (I think:confused:) 3A team. Loved every second of it. It was back and forth all night. Lawrence County has a team that really could win this district this year. It's so nice to see these kids and these coaches reap the benefits of all the hard work they've put in. Congratulations again on a great upset of a really solid team.:dancingpa

Here are the Week #2 games: 5 - Boone County 5pt super game 3 - Paducah Tilghman 3 - Montgomery County 1 - Ludlow 1 - St. Xavier 1 - Madison Central 1 - Prestonsburg 1 - John Hardin 1 - Crittenden County 1 - Garrard County Tiebreaker 52

Does anyone besides me think that Lawrence County has a chance in this one? I know that last years record doesn't give allot of reason to believe in this program and a win over Paintsville isn't exactly a statement that we are back, but I believe this team is better than most people think. I watched practice on Tuesday and I really liked what I saw. Are they as good as SC? Unfortunately I may be overly optimistic if I make that claim, but I can comfortably say that we are a better team than we have been in a long time. This coaching staff and these players have kept their heads up after a dissapointing season and have started to rebuild what was once a dominating program. I am a little disappointed that the fans (including myself) haven't been as vocally supportive during the losing as we were during the winning. This site used to have LOADS of bulldogs fans. Now it's Friday at noon at I'm starting our game thread? Sorry, I'll stop ranting :deadhorse:(lunch is over anyway) and I'll see ya at the game. GO DAWGS!!!!:thumb:

I haven't been very good with predictions this year, but I just have the feeling that JC playing on their home turf with the speed that they have will be just enough to pull out what I would consider an upset.

I guess I look at this a little differently. I think that coaches need to understand that players learn more than x's and o's from their coaches. They learn how to handle situations in sport and life. In life if you come up short in a situation you can talk about and concentrate on what you need to do better or you can concentrate and talk about how life is unfair and it's someone elses fault. The simple fact is that you scheduled a team that whipped your butt. So you either learn as a coach that you mis-judged your teams ability to play against this team or you failed to prepare them for this team. Either way you are responsible and need to set the example and "MAN-UP" instead of whining.

Good question Kypride? I guess he will be a senior?:confused: I was really upset that things didn't work out for him at Lawrence County.:idunno:

Being from Lawrence County I'm always amazed by the consistent ability of such a small school to turn out great athletes. Raceland has always been able to deliver quality athletic teams in everything from track and cross country to football and weight lifting. I think that is a testament to their faculty, coaching staff and fan base. Congratulations even though I can't say I'm surprised!

I believe our line will be much improved so hopefully that will allow for more consistent play from the QB and also the RB's. I believe that last years team was not as bad as the record showed. The kids played with heart for most of the year and only at the end did they (in my opinion) start to give up. I hope that a win or two early in the season will help them build some confidence. Does anyone have the schedule yet?

I believe that they one of the deepest backfields in the area. At RB the first 3 are as good as you'll find in Eastern KY. All are fast and strong.

I was at the game and I remember it being the largest crowd I've seen at a Lawrence County game. My memory is a little vague but I thought that the last touchdown was a hook and ladder to Parker? I may be getting that mixed up with another game though? I do clearly remember cheering so much and so loud that I couldn't talk for two days. It was by far the most exciting game I have EVER attended. Also someone mentioned Chuke Williams. I was recently told that he lived in or near Paintsville and was having some health problems that prevented him from coaching. Can someone that has better information please provide some details on that? I do have to say that in my very humble opinion the 99 team was our most talented group of starters although 97 is a VERY close second. It's hard to argue that a top 3 WR of all time in the state combined with a top 5 RB of all time in the state along with Dontae at QB is not one of the best trios ever in not just a LC backfield but any KY backfield.