[EKUAlum05]

Well pal, eastern Kentucky football isn't near what it used to be. I don't know what's happened but it has slowly tapered off. Hazard, Belfry, and Bell County are about the only teams that show they're capable to compete for state titles in their respective classes in the last few years.

Prestonsburg made a run in 2009 to the final four but couldn't get past Louisville DeSales. Breathitt County beats up on teams from the Mountains but can't ever get over the hump of beating Belfry. Johnson Central had some teams that could've competed if they weren't in a class with Highlands.

That Middlesboro team was special, though. One of the best teams I have ever seen from the Mountains. Since that team, Middlesboro hasn't had a whole lot.

Mayfield always is a contender. I will give you that. I'm sure they'll be ready to repeat next season.

Middlesboro had a very good team in 2003...they just ran into a buzzsaw from Belfry. The Yellowjackets had a solid defense that year with two very good LB's. Due to talent pool and issues on the staff that was really the last very good Mboro team.

Pburg had some very strong teams in the early 2000's... they just had the misfortune of having unstoppable forces in their way (Boyle County, Bardstown, Belfry). The Blackcats have been a Top 5-Top 10 2A team ever since..but the talent pool has been a bit down. They are extremely young though so better days are ahead.

Sheldon Clark, Rockcastle County, Lawrence County, and Pikeville are the primary noticable drops that have hurt EKY.

SC was very strong under Matney and have had a handful of very good teams under Hager, but in the past couple seasons they have been way down.

Rockcastle has not bounced back from Larkey leaving... in the early 2000's they were on par with some of the state's elite teams.

Lawrence County made a huge rise under Chuke Williams, but in the wake of coaching turnover and a down talent pool the Bulldogs have fallen off.... their future is looking brighter though.

Pikeville is the most noticeable, for years they were in elite company with Beechwood, NewCath, and Mayfield. The Panthers are on the road to regaining form as now that Coach McNamee is a fixture their feeder program is back humming along.