[HSFOOTBALL]

Didnt want to make a prediction thread, just wanted to get an idea of how people feel about this cross-town rivalry ending.

I personally think it is sad and rather cowardly of Paris to end the series based on their reasoning. Everything was good in the early 80s when Paris was beating Bourbon by 40-50 points. Now that the tides have turned, they want to end the series.

Just an FYI, I am a neutral party, I actually really respect the Paris program and their current coach, I just think it is cowardly to end a rivalry separated by less than 2 miles.

[JumperPride1]

Honestly it does the Paris program zero good to play bourbon co. Bourbon is currently leeching talent away from Paris, kentayvus Hopkins was a Paris kid and transferred going into his freshman year. Independents are becoming obsolete, so I honestly see the reasoning on their part. There is no reason a very small 1a should play a top tier 3a until the talent balances out, it does their program no good at all.

[HSFOOTBALL]

Let's be honest, Bourbon is NOT the Trinity or Boyle of 3a. They are a good team this year, but traditionally they are not "Top Tier." Kids have switched between the two programs continuously forever, just as they do everywhere else. Danville was on a skid a few years ago, and Boyle was beating them like a drum, and now just two or three years later the tides have turned. Just like 5 or 6 years ago Bourbon was 0-three seasons, and Paris was beating them by 40-50.

The point is that Paris is not going to benefit from not playing Bourbon, and I highly doubt the Paris kids are happy about not playing Bourbon. If kids are transferring to either school for better opportunities, ending the rivalry is not going to stop it.

I am probably a little more bitter than most as I grew up watching this rivalry throughout the late 70's 80's and 90's, and my parents still live down there. It just sucks to watch the decisions of a few ruin it for an entire community.

[Hatz]

It's one thing to drop a tougher team from you schedule until you can get your program up and running. It's an entirely different situation when you have a city and county school refusing to play one another.

[Fly Like a Duck]

Honestly it does the Paris program zero good to play bourbon co. Bourbon is currently leeching talent away from Paris, kentayvus Hopkins was a Paris kid and transferred going into his freshman year. Independents are becoming obsolete, so I honestly see the reasoning on their part. There is no reason a very small 1a should play a top tier 3a until the talent balances out, it does their program no good at all.

Some might be, but most arent and won't.

Mayfield
Beechwood
Highlands
Bowling Green
Paducah Tilghman
Owensboro
Danville
Somerset
Corbin
Russellville
Glasgow
Ashland
Pikeville
Hazard
Fairview (especially the last few years and this year)

Those are just to name a few and I know I left several who are more than respecatable programs off the list.

Fact of the matter is, your best football programs year in year out are Independent school districts (and, that's not counting Jefferson County, Northern KY and even some Lexington schools; that, I know are "county", but they are about as much "county" as I am skinny). Independents (and, privates) will always be your top programs. Always have been, always will be.

[JumperPride1]

Some might be, but most arent and won't.

Mayfield
Beechwood
Highlands
Bowling Green
Paducah Tilghman
Owensboro
Danville
Somerset
Corbin
Russellville
Glasgow
Ashland
Pikeville
Hazard
Fairview (especially the last few years and this year)

Those are just to name a few and I know I left several who are more than respecatable programs off the list.

Fact of the matter is, your best football programs year in year out are Independent school districts (and, that's not counting Jefferson County, Northern KY and even some Lexington schools; that, I know are "county", but they are about as much "county" as I am skinny). Independents (and, privates) will always be your top programs. Always have been, always will be.

I work in an independent school district, I'm very aware of budgetary issues that small schools face. I was referring to this primarily... Trust me I am an advocate of small schools an the football at this level is often very good (I am a Somerset supporter) but anything can happen to an independent with larger county schools surrounding them... Ask Harrodsburg.

[Professor7]

It's not Bourbon Counties fault that Paris kids want to transfer, IMO it does hurt the Paris kids I'm sure them kids will play anybody you put in front of them, just curious if anybody ever ask the Paris Football Players if they wanted to end the rival with Bourbon County or is it someone who speaks for everybody else?? Swallow your PR1DE and grow a set do whats best for the kids or atleast ask them instead of teaching them when things get tuff It's ok to QUIT/END IT..

[Strikeout King]

Has Bourbon even filled out their schedule for next year?


Bourbon should rip Paris up one side and down the other

[Fly Like a Duck]

I work in an independent school district, I'm very aware of budgetary issues that small schools face. I was referring to this primarily... Trust me I am an advocate of small schools an the football at this level is often very good (I am a Somerset supporter) but anything can happen to an independent with larger county schools surrounding them... Ask Harrodsburg.

Right you are.

I know that scenario very well. That was a case of enrollment dropping over 10% in the last 10 years before the merger, academic scores were dropping and their athletic programs (football included) were either at the very bottom or close to it. It just so happened Mercer County was building a brand new Taj Mahal of a school along with other athletic facilities, and H'burg saw the writing on the wall.

There are some independent schools who have had this happen (Providence HS merging into Webster County a few years back is another one), but I dont see the likes of the schools I mentioned ever closing down anytime soon. At least not in our lifetime, especially Somerset

Now, if there total enrollment numbers ever drop to below 200 like Harrodsburg and Providence both had happen + having a thriving "county" school in the same town, then that definately spells trouble for the Indy.

Idependent school guy here, too.

[HSFOOTBALL]

Has Bourbon even filled out their schedule for next year?


Bourbon should rip Paris up one side and down the other

Given the talk I have heard around the town, Bourbon's Athletic Department, and football program in particular are very upset with the cancellation of the series. Given the heated rivalry this is anyway, I would suspect that Bourbon will try to beat Paris as bad as time will allow.

The really bad thing about the whole situation is that Paris will be a really good team in 2-3 years, as they start 6-8 freshmen on both sides of the ball. Those kids will never get another shot at Bourbon, unless the administration wants to renew in 2 years.

[NoworLater]

Being a Paris alum(Benedict Arnold to a Bourbon County Fan) I can say Paris put themselves in the situation they are in. Paris hasn't done anything in years to revamp their athletic programs or the so called "Paris Pride" I grew up with. Paris is treading water in my opinion. I would assume even more Paris kids will jump ship in the coming years. I love the school, but Bourbon County has nice facilities, and superior athletics. Just like me there are more so called "greyhounds" coming to Bourbon County. It's sad it's ending, but the greyhounds are leaving with tails between their legs...

[rebel 4 life]

Some might be, but most arent and won't.

Mayfield
Beechwood
Highlands
Bowling Green
Paducah Tilghman
Owensboro
Danville
Somerset
Corbin
Russellville
Glasgow
Ashland
Pikeville
Hazard
Fairview (especially the last few years and this year)

Those are just to name a few and I know I left several who are more than respecatable programs off the list.

Fact of the matter is, your best football programs year in year out are Independent school districts (and, that's not counting Jefferson County, Northern KY and even some Lexington schools; that, I know are "county", but they are about as much "county" as I am skinny). Independents (and, privates) will always be your top programs. Always have been, always will be.

frankfort

[fanofpoe]

Harlan Green Dragons

[Grid Iron Warrior]

THis match up does nothing for Bourbon going into the playoffs.
But with that being said people in administatraition are getting their feelings are hurt because people are transferring for a better opportunity at education and exposure in sports. Football is not the only sport this is happening.

Fact of the matter is, a hometown rivalry should stay. This is like like Kentucky dropping Louisville because they are far better prepared to beatthe crapout of Kentucky.:lame:

[Diogenes]

Same deal with Paintsville and Johnson Central. Played for a quarter century, and it was hunky dory as long as Paintsville was winning. Tide turned in a big way the first year of Matney's tenure, and not long after a few Central routs, Paintsville called an end to it.

Sad to see an end to it; these were always the most anticipated games of my football season, especially when Central won. I agree with earlier posts about the days of the smaller independent school football programs being numbered. I believe what you're going to see is as fewer and fewer kids choose physical activity over the PS3 and Facebook, numbers in general are going to get smaller and smaller. The kids who just play for the fun of it are slowly disappering, and more and more, it's all kids who either think they're going pro or (more commonly) Daddy thinks they're going pro. Obviously, those kids will gravitate toward bigger programs for more "exposure". I think you'll see it first at the smallest schools, but eventually, you're going to reach a point where only the larger and stronger programs will be able to field football teams due to numbers, and the smaller teams will be forced to fold.