[Johnny_Ringo]

Why dont they get some decent teams to play in the Pike County Bowl. Those games were laughers. Bring down Ashland to play Belfry, Beechwood/Breathitt or someone to play Pikeville, get Pike Central a decent game. Worst football I have saw in years. Blowouts.eriously:

[jammin' jamey]

$ $ $ $ $ $ = better teams.

[PaytoPlay]

Sure did suck the last couple seasons. Seemed like the crowd was huge Friday night and at $7 a ticket I get the revenue was awesome.

Perhaps people should just stay home until they bring in some good competition. The committee should at least has the sense to pit Shelby Valley/PCC every year.

Pathetic.

[wildcats fan]

Let like Bell County play Belfry

[FBALL]

Invite Russell. We are looking for a good reason not to play at Raceland anyway.

[bucslover68]

Worst PCB yet...Put Pike Central and Pikeville together on Saturday at Pikeville followed by Belfry and Bell, Harlan County, Boyle, etc. and watch the crowds flood in...Rotate the other Pike County schools at different sites on Friday with teams like Sheldon Clark, Paintsville, and Jenkins to play the other county teams...you could not have put an all-star team of the other 7 teams together and come close to beating Belfry...they deserve better competition.

[i know, right?]

I agree that they really need to bring A LOT more talent in. I would like to see a whole lot closer games. More excitement would bring bigger and better crowds!

[PaytoPlay]

FBall,

You know neither Ivan or Haywood would love the idea of playing a potential playoff opponent in week 1, but Russell would be a great opponent for Pikeville IMO. Russell would generally win but it would be a nice competitive game.

I just don't understand this game anymore? What is the thought process? WYMT has been putting the game on TV for the last few years, but can that be expected in upcoming seasons with the silly results of these games?

IT IS EMBARRASING! Fix it, or it is going to become (or continue to be) a joke!

[EKUAlum05]

This "Pike Central vs. Phelps" and "Shelby Valley vs. East Ridge" non-sense is for the birds. Can someone name one positive for either team that comes from Pike Central and Phelps playing?


One Day- None of this two day non-sense at different locations. I am a traditionalist. Belfry has the better facility, but the Pike County Bowl was meant to be played at Pikeville. The Bowl needs to be Saturday only. End of story.

Teams- Belfry and Pikeville alternate the headliner games. The early afternoon (think 3:00) is awarded to the best program from the other county schools the previous years. Everyone else... enjoy your free slice of the pie, but I do not want to see you play football. Phelps go use this week to schedule Big Creek, WV. Shelby Valley go and play Haysi, VA. East Ridge go and play Jackson County.

Game 1- The afternoon game you bring in a regional "equal" opponent that will allow a competitive game and maximize the walk-up crowd. Examples: Pike Central vs. Hazard, Mingo Central, Letcher Central, etc. This does not need to be some blockbuster game with a team from Louisville. Minimize the cost, maximize the gate, and make it a game that makes that team better.

Game 2- Bring in a regional powerhouse. Once again...maximize that gate, minimize the expense. Now when I say "regional" that doesn't just mean EKY.

When Pikeville Plays This Game vs. Raceland, Clintwood, VA, Richlands, VA, Bluefield, WV, Somerset, Corbin

When Belfry Plays This Game vs. Harlan County, Rockcastle County, Mason County, Ashland, Wayne, WV, Portsmouth, OH, Parkersburg, WV

HEADLINER- WYMT will be all over the first two games due to local interest, and as I said, you have maximized your attendance as well. Now, with the added pot you have to work with thanks to these factors and the reduced expenses... you bring in the headline game form out of the region.

When Pikeville plays vs. Beechwood, NewCath, DeSales, Wheeling Central Catholic, WV, Thomasville, NC, etc

When Belfry plays vs. Lexington Catholic, Bowling Green, Christian County, Boyle County, Columbus St. Francis Desales, OH, Dobbyns-Bennet, TN, etc

I'll take it a step further. Make it a festival to further increase your revenue. Have local bands playing on a stage at the baseball field. Have facepainting booths, let street vendors sell funnel cakes, have local businesses running games and promotions, have someone give away a shot at a New Car or 10,000.00 if you are drawn and can complete a 40 yard pass into a target.

[region]

The blame for the PCB being as bad as it is sits at the feet of 2 Pike County Board members - VIRGIL OSBORNE and EARL THACKER.


Their insistence that Pike Central and Shelby Valley be included and even one of them host a game started the down fall. Add to the fact that Chapman at PCC will not play anyone but Phelps and you have to have 2 year contracts and play team that Pikeville can beat = you get the joke that is now the Pike County Bowl.

[HAROLD]

I just wish the teams didn't wear those silly looking PCB practice jerseys. It's usually the first game of the season. Part of the excitement for Game 1 is putting on the uniform. When the teams are wearing those jerseys, it feels like a watered down Grid O Rama.

[Micro-Brew]

I am def not a Chapman fan but I wouldn't put the blame on him for the scheduling. Listen all the area basketball teams don't cry when not invited to say the WYMT tourney, and I know I'm not comparing apples to apples here but my point is the same. It is what it is guys, a couple of the Pike Co teams just struggle to field a team on a yearly basis, another has a decent team once a decade, another has become competetive in recent years, one is not as dominant as it once was, and one is .......well........Belfry. The Pike Co Bowl should be a 1 day deal just like it was from the beginning. I like the idea of a third game early in the day but middle to late Aug on turf is gonna be a real problem with heat issues. Bring in 2 quality opponents for Belfry and Pikeville and be done with it. The bowl has become a laugher. When Rick Bentley writes his yearly article about the Bowl, read what he writes about. Read much about recent years? Nope....Read much about the dynamic matchup between Phelps and PCC or East Ridge and Valley.....Nope. Quit worrying about hurting feelings and do whats best for the Bowl. Bring it back to prominence. A real Eastern Kentucky tradition. Like it was from the beginning ....As it was supposed to be...

[Panther Thunder]

While the competition has been poor, the potential to revive it is definitely there. Almost the first question a fan asks me is who all is in the Pike County Bowl this season? When is the Pike County Bowl? It is still the game all the alumni of Pikeville come back from college to watch. It is still what everyone looks forward to seeing. So, if you can start bringing in some programs that are well-known for a few seasons, it can become a monster again.

I also agree that it needs to go back to a one day event. Or at the very least, Pikeville and Belfry on Saturday night.

[PHSForever]

The blame for the PCB being as bad as it is sits at the feet of 2 Pike County Board members - VIRGIL OSBORNE and EARL THACKER.


Their insistence that Pike Central and Shelby Valley be included and even one of them host a game started the down fall. Add to the fact that Chapman at PCC will not play anyone but Phelps and you have to have 2 year contracts and play team that Pikeville can beat = you get the joke that is now the Pike County Bowl.

I got a problem with a part of your statement. Pikeville ALWAYS tries to play quality opponents. There is no "requirement" or anything that it be a team Pikeville can beat. Go back and look, until we started having to keep all the county schools happy (SV, East Ridge, Phelps, etc), we were playing high quality opponents year after year (Belfry AND Pikeville, I mean). Then, for whatever reason, schools weren't happy with just getting the money, they wanted to host, wanted to play, etc and the quality went down hill. I certainly have ZERO interest in watching Phelps play, for example. Not because I'm hating on them, but simply because they never have a competitive game. Maybe someone could get Piarist or The David School to start a team, then they could be competitive? Still wouldn't want to watch them in the PCB. I go to see teams like Lex. Catholic, Lex Christian, Henry Clay, Beechwood, etc.

Part of the problem, I'm sure, is that OTHER teams don't want to play in it for reasons such as travel, etc. and would rather schedule a game closer to home for their fan base. But I will guarantee you, you bring in Harlan County to play Belfry, and maybe Russell to play Pikeville, you'd get good walkup crowds, great traveling fan bases, and more competitive games. I can remember when Pikeville and Russell played some in scrimmages, and there was a good turnout even for those. Lexington schools are so locked in to the iHigh Frenzy right now (even though they're 0-fer the last 2 years), we would have very little chance of getting one of them to commit to another bowl game.

Having said all of that, the turnout was still outstanding for this year's PCB. Having local teams actually contributes to the problem of turnout though. They never stick around for the other game. I saw maybe 3 East Ridge fans and a handful of Shelby Valley fans, saw the coaches, and a couple of players from each team stick around after their game was over. I paid 7 bucks each for tickets. I'm getting my money's worth and watching BOTH games, painful as at least one may be. So as a result, by the time the second game starts, crowd looks a little thinner and concession sales start to slip. If more people stuck around and got into the games, might be different. When Belfry and Pikeville only played other schools, you couldn't move, people got there early, tailgated, then went in for BOTH games. It was awesome.

Anyway you cut it, although it is not as awesome as it used to be, it's an easy fix, really. One day, MAYBE 3 games, and other schools quit your belly-aching and just take the money you get and be happy with it. It isn't a joke, just some of the schools that try to play are, and they should grow up and realize it.

[Poseidon]

The bowl is good, the match-ups are bad. Same with the Forcht Bank Bowl here in Campbellsville. There should be an option for the bowl committee to put the teams that match up reasonably well together each year. All games but one was a 35+ point game and was over by half. A waste of money and the bowl committee should get better match-ups or the attendance will go down, and should.

[region]

I got a problem with a part of your statement. Pikeville ALWAYS tries to play quality opponents. There is no "requirement" or anything that it be a team Pikeville can beat. Go back and look, until we started having to keep all the county schools happy (SV, East Ridge, Phelps, etc), we were playing high quality opponents year after year (Belfry AND Pikeville, I mean). Then, for whatever reason, schools weren't happy with just getting the money, they wanted to host, wanted to play, etc and the quality went down hill. I certainly have ZERO interest in watching Phelps play, for example. Not because I'm hating on them, but simply because they never have a competitive game. Maybe someone could get Piarist or The David School to start a team, then they could be competitive? Still wouldn't want to watch them in the PCB. I go to see teams like Lex. Catholic, Lex Christian, Henry Clay, Beechwood, etc.

Part of the problem, I'm sure, is that OTHER teams don't want to play in it for reasons such as travel, etc. and would rather schedule a game closer to home for their fan base. But I will guarantee you, you bring in Harlan County to play Belfry, and maybe Russell to play Pikeville, you'd get good walkup crowds, great traveling fan bases, and more competitive games. I can remember when Pikeville and Russell played some in scrimmages, and there was a good turnout even for those. Lexington schools are so locked in to the iHigh Frenzy right now (even though they're 0-fer the last 2 years), we would have very little chance of getting one of them to commit to another bowl game.

Having said all of that, the turnout was still outstanding for this year's PCB. Having local teams actually contributes to the problem of turnout though. They never stick around for the other game. I saw maybe 3 East Ridge fans and a handful of Shelby Valley fans, saw the coaches, and a couple of players from each team stick around after their game was over. I paid 7 bucks each for tickets. I'm getting my money's worth and watching BOTH games, painful as at least one may be. So as a result, by the time the second game starts, crowd looks a little thinner and concession sales start to slip. If more people stuck around and got into the games, might be different. When Belfry and Pikeville only played other schools, you couldn't move, people got there early, tailgated, then went in for BOTH games. It was awesome.

Anyway you cut it, although it is not as awesome as it used to be, it's an easy fix, really. One day, MAYBE 3 games, and other schools quit your belly-aching and just take the money you get and be happy with it. It isn't a joke, just some of the schools that try to play are, and they should grow up and realize it.

I'm not hating on Pikeville at all, but to my understanding is they want a team that can play Belfry one year then Pikeville the next and not completely dominate Pikeville.?

Am I wrong?

If I am I apologize.


Until Mr. Osborne is off the Pike BOE or the bowl committee, things are not going to change.

[Mayfieldsportsfan]

FBall,

You know neither Ivan or Haywood would love the idea of playing a potential playoff opponent in week 1, but Russell would be a great opponent for Pikeville IMO. Russell would generally win but it would be a nice competitive game.

I just don't understand this game anymore? What is the thought process? WYMT has been putting the game on TV for the last few years, but can that be expected in upcoming seasons with the silly results of these games?

IT IS EMBARRASING! Fix it, or it is going to become (or continue to be) a joke!

This "Pike Central vs. Phelps" and "Shelby Valley vs. East Ridge" non-sense is for the birds. Can someone name one positive for either team that comes from Pike Central and Phelps playing?


One Day- None of this two day non-sense at different locations. I am a traditionalist. Belfry has the better facility, but the Pike County Bowl was meant to be played at Pikeville. The Bowl needs to be Saturday only. End of story.

Teams- Belfry and Pikeville alternate the headliner games. The early afternoon (think 3:00) is awarded to the best program from the other county schools the previous years. Everyone else... enjoy your free slice of the pie, but I do not want to see you play football. Phelps go use this week to schedule Big Creek, WV. Shelby Valley go and play Haysi, VA. East Ridge go and play Jackson County.

Game 1- The afternoon game you bring in a regional "equal" opponent that will allow a competitive game and maximize the walk-up crowd. Examples: Pike Central vs. Hazard, Mingo Central, Letcher Central, etc. This does not need to be some blockbuster game with a team from Louisville. Minimize the cost, maximize the gate, and make it a game that makes that team better.

Game 2- Bring in a regional powerhouse. Once again...maximize that gate, minimize the expense. Now when I say "regional" that doesn't just mean EKY.

When Pikeville Plays This Game vs. Raceland, Clintwood, VA, Richlands, VA, Bluefield, WV, Somerset, Corbin

When Belfry Plays This Game vs. Harlan County, Rockcastle County, Mason County, Ashland, Wayne, WV, Portsmouth, OH, Parkersburg, WV

HEADLINER- WYMT will be all over the first two games due to local interest, and as I said, you have maximized your attendance as well. Now, with the added pot you have to work with thanks to these factors and the reduced expenses... you bring in the headline game form out of the region.

When Pikeville plays vs. Beechwood, NewCath, DeSales, Wheeling Central Catholic, WV, Thomasville, NC, etc

When Belfry plays vs. Lexington Catholic, Bowling Green, Christian County, Boyle County, Columbus St. Francis Desales, OH, Dobbyns-Bennet, TN, etc

I'll take it a step further. Make it a festival to further increase your revenue. Have local bands playing on a stage at the baseball field. Have facepainting booths, let street vendors sell funnel cakes, have local businesses running games and promotions, have someone give away a shot at a New Car or 10,000.00 if you are drawn and can complete a 40 yard pass into a target.

Mayfield, Marshall County and Graves County started the Alliance Bowl together. One year it was at Mayfield's stadium then Marshall's the next. It really sucked. Three games were played and it wasn't really that good. Now the Alliance Bowl is just Mayfield and Graves hosting the event. That way both team will have a big gate to share and make some good money. The Bowl game was played at Mayfield this year so that means the game between Mayfield and Graves will be at Graves. Two big gates to be split for both teams. They try and bring in good teams for the Bowl game so people will show up to watch.

[Big Five-0-]

The blame for the PCB being as bad as it is sits at the feet of 2 Pike County Board members - VIRGIL OSBORNE and EARL THACKER.


Their insistence that Pike Central and Shelby Valley be included and even one of them host a game started the down fall. Add to the fact that Chapman at PCC will not play anyone but Phelps and you have to have 2 year contracts and play team that Pikeville can beat = you get the joke that is now the Pike County Bowl.

Take exception with Pikeville having an easy opponent. Pikeville has never shyed away from good competition. Got our tails kicked many times by piaying up in competition, but never ran from it.

[lunaticfringe]

FRIDAY at Pikeville
East Ridge vs. Haysi VA
Shelby Valley Vs. Tug Valley WV

Saturday. At Pikeville
Pike Central VS. Mingo Central WV
Pikeville VS Tolsia WV
Belfry Vs Ironton OH

Bring in out of state competition, it helps the WV schools in there rankings. So they should all except.
Belfry renews a rivalry. (once dominated by Ironton). So everyone in the county should be there.

Sorry Phelps, you still get to share the proceeds, rotate years with E.R.

Good matchups, not far drives for out of state schools and big draws at the gates. Bragging rights.

[tebow]

Betsy Layne has tried to get in the PCB for the past three years. They said they would play anybody, but got shut down.

[Panther Thunder]

Betsy Layne has tried to get in the PCB for the past three years. They said they would play anybody, but got shut down.

Good. No offense, but Betsy Layne is neither good competition nor a good draw.

[tebow]

I think Betsy layne would surprise you on draw and overall team. Betsy Layne don't have to be the headliner but why have blowouts. All that does is make people put things on bgr about how bad things is. I heard Shelby valley is dropping out.

[nky]

In today's economic climate are bowl games a dying luxury?

[cuppett777]

i am not there in the area any more, but if i was i would get a petition and get people to sign it, like they do for everything, and maybe have some news paper or maybe wymt, to go and ask why they cant a better product on the field for the PCB,bring some news to there attention, that people want to see some better teams..

[new o]

I know for a fact that the so-called 4 lower Pike County teams want out. They do not want to play at Pikeville or Belfry when they could host a home game and not play each other. Let Pikeville and Belfry rotate sites and be done with it. If not you will continue to hear complaints about how SV,ER and the other schools are not real football. I am sure Trinity,Highlands and St. X would not be happy playing Pikeville in their bowl either.

[Panther Thunder]

I know for a fact that the so-called 4 lower Pike County teams want out. They do not want to play at Pikeville or Belfry when they could host a home game and not play each other. Let Pikeville and Belfry rotate sites and be done with it. If not you will continue to hear complaints about how SV,ER and the other schools are not real football. I am sure Trinity,Highlands and St. X would not be happy playing Pikeville in their bowl either.

Lol don't be so sensitive O. If Valley hosted a holiday basketball tournament, you think Pikeville is on their short-list of teams they want? No. It's nothing to get offended about.

[Witch Doctor]

Several good points have been made on this topic. Money, quality teams, aand fan following. Being a sports administrator (not from Pike county) that has some knowledge of the situation here are some things to ponder. The bowl was watered down by having all Pike County schools play and changing the format. It is not possible to get opponents for every school in Pike county. There are bowls all over the state for teams to choose from now than there used to be. The money part is not reallly the problem. They pay around $2500, two buses, jersey, and other things. In my opinion, the schools other than than Pikeville and Belfry should be on a yearly rotation. The only sites should be PHS and BHS.
The way the KHSAA restricts scheduling has become a problem and will be magnified when they decide to realign again. That might not affect local teams participating, but it does have an affect on quality teams out of the region. You just can't pick up the phone, and call Highlands, as say we want you to play in the Pike county bowl, and they say we'll be there.

[new o]

In no way was I offended. because SV is not a top program but Pikeville is no where near what it was in the 1980's either. They are still a cut above some of the local teams but I was just stating the obvious. Let Pikeville and Belfry do their thing and let the others do the same. The PCB was started out to be a showcase(I attended just to watch great matchups) but over the years, even before the local teams played in it the shine was beginning to wear off. Keep local teams but it does not have to be county teams. You have Johnson Central,LCC,PCC,Clintwood,Bell,Breathitt,etc.... all close enough to fill the stadium and not be to far away.

[#1 Blackcat Fan]

I think Betsy layne would surprise you on draw and overall team. Betsy Layne don't have to be the headliner but why have blowouts. All that does is make people put things on bgr about how bad things is. I heard Shelby valley is dropping out.

Tebow not trying to be an ass or anything, but Betsy Layne wouldn't stand a chance against a Pikeville or Belfry either. It would still be a blow out. They may bring a few fans, but the game wouldnt be worth watching.

Betsy Layne has enjoyed the programs best back to back seasons in probably the history of Betsy Layne Football the last 2 years. Looking back at the schedule of quality opponents for the 2 years (2010 Pikeville 47 Betsy Layne 20, 2011 Prestonsburg 53 Betsy Layne 14, 2011 Somerset 47 Betsy Layne 6). Yes Betsy Layne has come a long way in beating lesser competition that use to be losses each year. Until they start scheduleing a little better competition to get better themselves there still in the bottom tier in the area.

I wish the best for Betsy Layne Football unless there playing my team, but they still have a way to go before they are on the same level as Pikeville, Prestonsburg, Pike Central, and from last years game even Shelby Valley (SV 63 BL 40).

I'll be waiting to here from you Sherriff lol. Everytime i say anything about Betsy Layne Football i hear from you. Guys seriously they are heading in the right direction, but be honest with yourselves. They have a long way to go still before there considered good competition for the upper tier teams in the area.

[Live Maroon]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but as has been mentioned, some great ideas and suggestions have been noted in this thread. I do know for a fact that the PCB Committee members have already begun discussing changes for next year, including possibly going back to a one day event. But I just wanted to note that the other four county schools became involved in the PCB because representatives on the PCB Committee strongly requested those schools be included. So while it may be true those 4 schools are tired of playing each other and could play games on their home field instead, they should also remember that their rep on the PCB Committee is who got them that game scheduled in the first place. If they want out, then change should be easy to accommodate, it sounds like to me.