[Scotty_Bronson]

Huntington and Raceland have tried to work things out several times. But t didnt work out. I think WV is an option as well. You could also put West Portsmouth, Portsmouth East, and Wheelersburg on the list as well. There are alot of options if you look at Southern Ohio that wouldnt be that far of a drive. Idk if it will ever happen, but if Raceland wants to take the next step, they will get away from Carter Co and Greenup Co. They need to utilize the speed and size of BETTER schools. Not just bigger, bc GC and the Carter Co schools are much bigger schools than Raceland.

[EKUAlum05]

Huntington and Raceland have tried to work things out several times. But t didnt work out. I think WV is an option as well. You could also put West Portsmouth, Portsmouth East, and Wheelersburg on the list as well. There are alot of options if you look at Southern Ohio that wouldnt be that far of a drive. Idk if it will ever happen, but if Raceland wants to take the next step, they will get away from Carter Co and Greenup Co. They need to utilize the speed and size of BETTER schools. Not just bigger, bc GC and the Carter Co schools are much bigger schools than Raceland.

I went on a soap box the other day in the Belfry thread about the topic of talent pool flow. Some of that pertains here.

My theory is that in this modern day/age... District Lines dont have nearly the restraint as in year's past and what governs the strength of smaller programs is how the finite talent pool of a given area flows. In other words... parents and kids want o be part of a program that offers the best opportunities to win, get exposure, and improve the success of the kids. Typically where this comes into play isnt at the HS level, but at the Middle School Level.

In an area like NE KY where you have several programs stacked on top of each other, as well as Southern Ohio and the Huntington, WV Metro area you have a talent pool that collectively exists that will often move around based off momentum and opportunity.

For decades that talent pool flowed to Russell, Ashland, and Ironton. In the past decade there has been a dynamic shift thanks to momentum and Raceland and Fairview (by means of forcing the flow) have seemingly seen some of that talent flow. Meanwhile Ashland, Russell, and Ironton all three have seemingly felt the effects negatively.

The Maynard move to Russell along with McGlone's retirement creates an interesting dynamic.. as does Ashland having a player the caliber of Quentin Baker attracting D-1 attention, as well as the Fairview recruiting debacle. It will be very important for Raceland to toe the line and continue momentum by winning games, making playoff pushes, and keeping the community heavily involved. I predict Russell will definitely see some positive flow... and the attention Baker draws will boost Ashland a bit... my prediction is Fairview falls off hard, Raceland maintains, Russell improves drastically, Ashland improves slightly... and the "Have Not's" of the area (ie Boyd County, Greenup, ) stay down if not get even weaker.

Speaking strictly as an outsider reading the tea leaves. It is very important that Raceland does everything in their power to keep their program fresh, exciting, and buzzworthy. My gut feeling is Russell is about to emerge as a hot product and with their tradition and name it could affect Raceland especially at the Middle School level.

[mysonis55]

You don't hear McCracken Co , Fort Campbell, Marshall Co, Graves Co, Caldwell Co, Paducah Tilghman or Murray complaining about playing Mayfield. If you make it a good game they will not complain.

[EKUAlum05]

You don't hear McCracken Co , Fort Campbell, Marshall Co, Graves Co, Caldwell Co, Paducah Tilghman or Murray complaining about playing Mayfield. If you make it a good game they will not complain.

Mayfield is a Top 15 program in KY regardless of Class with a boatload of tradition. Outside of maybe 6 or 7 teams in the State they can compete with anyone in the Bluegrass on a given year.

They are the exception and not the rule.

[mysonis55]

I think with the past few years of experience the burg and Raceland have had, they should be getting some serious attention and there would be lots of top teams that would be willing to put them on the schedule.

[EKUAlum05]

I think with the past few years of experience the burg and Raceland have had, they should be getting some serious attention and there would be lots of top teams that would be willing to put them on the schedule.

Yes and no.

I think it opens the door for some very quality teams like the ones we have mentioned... but by and large most 1A schools simply can't hang competitively with the truly elite programs on a year-in-year-out basis.

Williamsburg certainly has staked a claim that they are a nice matchup for a Somerset, a big school like a North Laurel, or a Middlesboro... but I don't see them usually matching up very well at all with a Bell County, Harlan County, or Pulaski County.

Pikeville, Raceland, and Hazard all three have proven they are worthy adversaries for Pburg, Lawrence County, or Letcher Central/Perry Central... but against Belfry, Johnson Central, and Ashland... for the most part, not so much. In Raceland's defense, they gave Ashland all they wanted last year.. but that was also a very down Tomcat team fro reasons discussed above.

It's not that these are bad teams by any stretch. But the difference between an elite level 3A team, or a Top 10 level 4A or 5A team is night and day difference to a Top 10 1A team. Everyone with the exception of Mayfield who has decades of program building and tradition that has brought them to that level.

[mysonis55]

Beechwood does it every year as well. They have beaten NCC about as much as NCC has beaten them over past decade. They also play some really good bigger schools tough throughout the year. I think sometimes that people look too much at the class of the school instead of the intangibles. That being the calibre of talent that usually comes from a particular school year after year, the coaching staff, pride , tradition and simply the willingness of a program to succeed.

[EKUAlum05]

Beechwood does it every year as well. They have beaten NCC about as much as NCC has beaten them over past decade. They also play some really good bigger schools tough throughout the year. I think sometimes that people look too much at the class of the school instead of the intangibles. That being the calibre of talent that usually comes from a particular school year after year, the coaching staff, pride , tradition and simply the willingness of a program to succeed.

Beechwood was one of the teams I listed as an exception... but even then...the Beechwood of the past 5 years aren't playing with teams like they used to. They have lost to NewCath in back to back years..suffered some blowouts.. and even lost to teams like Holmes who they would have never lost to 7-8 years ago.

I am not saying this a blind blanket statement.

Over the Past 7-8 years
Raceland plays Ashland every year..with the exception of 2013 they typically are blowouts.
Pikeville plays Belfry every year... with the exception of 2004 it has been a blowout


There is a reason Mayfield is usually 5-6 TD's better than the East team and 2-3 TD's better than Beechwood. They are simply a better team.

The fact remains a #5 ranked 1A team typically can play with and beat a #10 ranked 2A or even 3A team. But just as the #1 1A tema would beat them by 5 TD's... so will the #1 3A.

The #5 1A team can hang around with a middle of the pack 4A or 5A team... but if they play the #8 4A team they will get crushed.

The #5 1A team can play with or beat a bottom tier 6A team... if they play a middle of the pack 6A team they will get beat. It's about talent and depth.



The #1 team in NAIA is not going to be able to beat the #1 team in FCS

The #10 team in FCS is not going to be able to beat the #10 team in FBS.

[mysonis55]

My point is, they can make it a game and they have got to start that to get better. I will explain it like this. My son is a pretty good baseball player. He exceeds most in his age group. The reason for this is because of hard work and the fact that I have literally had him playing over his head. He played, and believe me I am not exaggerating, in the 14-18 year old league on 90 foot bases as a 10 year old. He almost always put the bat on the ball but could not run fast enough to get a hit unless it got past the infield, which at 10 takes a lot. However he was one of the top 3 fielders on his team. This made him sooooo much better than his team mates on his 10 year old team that it wasn't funny. I hope you kind of get the idea. Play way out of your league at first and your boys will eventually catch up. The boys adapt much faster than you may think.

[64SUR]

Theirs a reason Mysonis55 lives in the west.Sun goes down an hour later in the west. :Cheerlead

[EKUAlum05]

I don't discount the point you are making and agree with it. My point is right now there is no incentive for the power house programs to schedule these guys. Unless there literally is not a better option to schedule, for an elite team to schedule a 1A team that they will crush for 3-4 straight years it gives them very little. I have no doubt that it will grow that team on the losing end, but if I am a HC or an AD I am worrying about myself and not trying be a charity case to simply build someone else's program.

If Johnson Central played Hazard for example this year the Eagles would have a running clock and see their starters maybe only see 2 Quarters of action. The best case scenario is they play bad and Hazard exposes a few things that they work on before they assert their will and revert back to simply physically manhandling them. Which brings us back to the point... Would you rather have that or schedule a bigger school who actually creates physical mismatches? Then you also have the worst case where what happens if by some chance you lose? It could be bad for a coach's health.

What you do see though is these larger powerhouses "tossing them a bone". Belfry scrimmages Hazard every year and does 7 on 7. The Pirates sub liberally throughout the scrimmage and specifically work on very definitive things. Hazard is able to run their varsity most of the scrimmage and get valuable reps. In this case it is usually a very advantageous scrimmage that mutually benefits both teams.

[mysonis55]

If that's the case go out of state. Not to a team that wins 4 games in 4 years. Which seems to be what the burg does. We use to go to St Louis or to Evansville or into Tn. There are good teams in other states that will play them until they prove themselves. The point is, do what you have to do but boost that schedule.

[64SUR]

If that's the case go out of state. Not to a team that wins 4 games in 4 years. Which seems to be what the burg does. We use to go to St Louis or to Evansville or into Tn. There are good teams in other states that will play them until they prove themselves. The point is, do what you have to do but boost that schedule.

St.Louis and Evansville when was this and why are you not playing them anymore.....:HitWall:

[64SUR]

If that's the case go out of state. Not to a team that wins 4 games in 4 years. Which seems to be what the burg does. We use to go to St Louis or to Evansville or into Tn. There are good teams in other states that will play them until they prove themselves. The point is, do what you have to do but boost that schedule.

You guys play Evansville in 2011 and beat the ship$$t out of them 59-14 and Hazard beat the ship$$t out of mayfield 24-06. Why did y'all play Evansville in 2011. Just curious. :pondering:

[Scotty_Bronson]

Yes and no.

I think it opens the door for some very quality teams like the ones we have mentioned... but by and large most 1A schools simply can't hang competitively with the truly elite programs on a year-in-year-out basis.

Williamsburg certainly has staked a claim that they are a nice matchup for a Somerset, a big school like a North Laurel, or a Middlesboro... but I don't see them usually matching up very well at all with a Bell County, Harlan County, or Pulaski County.

Pikeville, Raceland, and Hazard all three have proven they are worthy adversaries for Pburg, Lawrence County, or Letcher Central/Perry Central... but against Belfry, Johnson Central, and Ashland... for the most part, not so much. In Raceland's defense, they gave Ashland all they wanted last year.. but that was also a very down Tomcat team fro reasons discussed above.

It's not that these are bad teams by any stretch. But the difference between an elite level 3A team, or a Top 10 level 4A or 5A team is night and day difference to a Top 10 1A team. Everyone with the exception of Mayfield who has decades of program building and tradition that has brought them to that level.

In actuality the Raceland/Ashland rivalry hasbeen fairl competitive over the last few years.

[EKUAlum05]

In actuality the Raceland/Ashland rivalry hasbeen fairl competitive over the last few years.

Not really:

2013 obviously was close... but as for the previous 4 years:

2012 42-19
2011 58-12
2010 44-7
2009 31-0

175-38

Average Final Score of 44-10

[Scotty_Bronson]

^^^im sorry u r correct. I didnt realize how long itd been since Raceland won. 3 kids has let time slip away from me. In my mind im just a year or so removed from HS instead of almost a decade removed(8years) from the time I was a senior until 3 years after I graduated, Raceland held a 3 game win streak, leading up to my senior year, Ashland had blasted us several times and about ever 2 or 3 years we could give them a full 4 quarters. Last year's gsme went down to the wire, and ever 5 or 6 years, we make a run and beat them a few times. I agree that a descent 5A school should be able to handle a good 1A school. But in regards to specifically the Raceland/Ashland series, it is rarely a blowout from the get go. The first half is usually pretty close. But as u mentioned, depth comes into play in the 2nd half. Hard to beat a team when u r gassed and they send out fresh legs. But, I think Raceland and Ashland both beneft from the game. Its a good gate, but more importantly, both teams are tops in the area. Healthy rival and both teams get to see where they stand early on in the season.

Id rather take a 2-4 TD loss (which 2011 and 2012 were 1 or 2 td games at half time), twice a year if it prepares us for teams like Wburg, Pikeville, and Hazard on our side and the Beechwoods and Mayfields if we make it that far.

Injuries play a part in scheduling as well though. Mayfield has alot more depth than say a Wburg or Raceland. Hazard has a bit more depth. So you have to take that ito account as well when schedulig rough and tough teams in the higher classes. My biggest issue with the Boyd Co, Carter Co, and Greenup Co games, is redundance. They all run nearly the same offense and are all about the same size. They are bigger programs, but there are 2 and 3A schools far better than them that Raceland should be playing. Ironton and Russell are good games, as is Ashland. Your district is your district, but they have to find some better competition for 2 or 3 games.

[Scotty_Bronson]

In order to keep numbers up, winning games is important, but if Raceland plans to continue to grow into the path they have been on the last 7 or 8 years, playing better teams has to start at some point. They need to schedule some speed primarily.

[EKUAlum05]

In order to keep numbers up, winning games is important, but if Raceland plans to continue to grow into the path they have been on the last 7 or 8 years, playing better teams has to start at some point. They need to schedule some speed primarily.

That's tough though. Not a lot of speed without making a long drive.

The options that would work, but won't happen are:

Scott County- Not going to happen

Lexington Public Schools- Don't see any of these 6A schools agreeing to play a 1A though I think Dunbar and Tates Creek would be reasonable matchups.

LexCath- Not going to happen.



Teams That Would Take Some Arm-Twisting, But Makes a Ton of Sense:

Bourbon County- IMHO, the smartest option if Raceland can get them on board. Raceland is a lot better competition than a Harrison County or Paris if they are willing to drop rivalries to advance their program.

Danville- A bit of a long trip... Danville also prefers "playing up", but you would definitely get some speed and a competitive matchup for both.

Holmes- Most athletic team in NKY but usually not very strong, but typically their schedule is full with fellow NKY teams wanting to see their speed. Raceland would have to pay up my guess to catch their attention.



One Team That Would Be a No-Brainer:
Mason County- Always good athletes, speed, and well coached. Solid line play..spread offense... and a very reasonable drive.

[64SUR]

Take williamsburg after this year know way should they play wayne co, Pike county Central,Harrison County,Knoxville Halls, South Laurel or North Laurel...Because they will lose 16 or 17 starter.Going to be a big drop off in player in williamsburg after this year....Need to look at schedule someone like paintsville,LCA,Leslie Co,McCreary Co,and maybe some big gate money team like a whitley Co,Rockcastle Co,Knox Central and Jackson Co next couple of years...Williamsburg has a pretty good feeder system i guess we will see in the future. Corbin pipeline will be cut off to williamsburg with Haddix now being the coach at Corbin....eriously:

[Scotty_Bronson]

You cant schedule games on a basis of "how good will we be". The biggest difference in Williamsburg and Raceland, AS PROGRAMS, is that Raceland seems to be building wit a mentality of "Slow and steady wins the race" or "fast in means a quicker exit". Williamsburg is looking more and more like a 2 year flash i the frying pan. Because of Lynn Camps drastic drop off, Williamsburg has been the too dog in their district, the influx of Corbin kids helped them out as well. Now everyone seems to be waiving the white flag after this season. What gives? You get some nay sayers and a few that abandon ship in down years, just like any program. But down or not, you wont see many Raceland guys saying "no way we should play this team or that team". If you are wanting to be a mainstay program, one who is always in the thick of things, you cant take an off year, simply because the tallet isnt there.

[Scotty_Bronson]

I say win or lose, play the best competition possible. Thats what builds chsmpionship caliber teams. I think Raceland is a good example of that over the last 20 years.

[64SUR]

You cant schedule games on a basis of "how good will we be". The biggest difference in Williamsburg and Raceland, AS PROGRAMS, is that Raceland seems to be building wit a mentality of "Slow and steady wins the race" or "fast in means a quicker exit". Williamsburg is looking more and more like a 2 year flash i the frying pan. Because of Lynn Camps drastic drop off, Williamsburg has been the too dog in their district, the influx of Corbin kids helped them out as well. Now everyone seems to be waiving the white flag after this season. What gives? You get some nay sayers and a few that abandon ship in down years, just like any program. But down or not, you wont see many Raceland guys saying "no way we should play this team or that team". If you are wanting to be a mainstay program, one who is always in the thick of things, you cant take an off year, simply because the tallet isnt there.

Scotty_ Bronson untill lastyear i didn't even know where Raceland was from. Untill i started following williamsburg. I was supporting hazard in 1A the other years in 1A ( Shock Fever ) and thats the truth.An i will still be supporting williamsburg football this year.I don't play football i go and watch good football games on friday nights.I have jump off more ship than i can count.I have one team that i have never jump off leslie county.( well ) Except when i watch a certain head coach bring leslie county down to its knees.Now i'm back on board with the 1A Williamsburg 2A Leslie County 3A Corbin ( sorry Belfry) 4A Knox Central and 5A Harlan County Blackbears...In my lifetime certain years. I have follower Clay co,prestonsburg,Breathitt co.Belfry( A killer drive for me ),bell,somerset,north laurel, Rockcastle Co,south laurel,middlesboro,Pikeville and Hazard.I go with the flow wherever good ballgames are being play except western kentucky. And know of no one from williamsburg is waiving the white flag i promise. I live in london kentucky. An i can choose what ever team i want on any given year. :truestory:

[64SUR]

In order to keep numbers up, winning games is important, but if Raceland plans to continue to grow into the path they have been on the last 7 or 8 years, playing better teams has to start at some point. They need to schedule some speed primarily.

winning games are important Scotty_B :blabbermo

[Killer in the Sun]

Mayfield is in a different class than 99% of the other 1A schools and those other schools can't follow Mayfield's way of playing other schools because it just will not work for them. Blowouts and injuries will wreck these schools seasons. Mayfield will be gone shortly and Beechwood can get back to being the dominate school in 1A again.

[64SUR]

Mayfield is in a different class than 99% of the other 1A schools and those other schools can't follow Mayfield's way of playing other schools because it just will not work for them. Blowouts and injuries will wreck these schools seasons. Mayfield will be gone shortly and Beechwood can get back to being the dominate school in 1A again.

Mayfield should be in another class the last several years killer. :thanks:

[Scotty_Bronson]

Never called u out 64...just stated that alot of ppl seem to be already making excuses for Williamsburgs fall from the too of the mountain. Im all for their success. We need teams like that in the east. Wburg, Pikeville, Hazard, and Raceland need to be as good as possibke year in and year out. Those 4 are the only ones that seem to be in a position to prepare eachother for what the west will put on the field. Id love to see an alstar game with Daylin Beach and Chase Hall at RB. Dalton Sizemoore at QB with Messer, Estep and Griffith at Wide Out and a combo of Raceland/Williamsburg OL. That would be a frightening offense. Sad thing is...thats just about what Mayfield has year in and year out lol

[Killer in the Sun]

Mayfield should be in another class the last several years killer. :thanks:

Mayfield was in their correct class for their school size but they play a higher level of ball than most in 1A and always have. Mayfield has been in class A for 18 years and they have won 6 titles and 3 runner up ,with one more season to go. The dilution of class 1A when they went to 6 classes made it much easier for Beechwood and Mayfield but when there was Danville and NCC in there , it was a much harder class. Williamsburg, Fairview would have never made it to the finals in the old days.

[Scotty_Bronson]

^^^have to agree.

[64SUR]

Mayfield was in their correct class for their school size but they play a higher level of ball than most in 1A and always have. Mayfield has been in class A for 18 years and they have won 6 titles and 3 runner up ,with one more season to go. The dilution of class 1A when they went to 6 classes made it much easier for Beechwood and Mayfield but when there was Danville and NCC in there , it was a much harder class. Williamsburg, Fairview would have never made it to the finals in the old days.

Just curious will mayfeild play any 1A school in state or out of state team next year. :popcorn: