[RunItUpTheGut]

If the QB from Tates Creek could get eligible at Madison Southern I think I would give the edge to Whitley for the toughest schedule of all.

Rockcastle, Clay, and Letcher Central aren't that impressive, Madison Southern and Perry Central are serviceable..but Bell, Boyle, Knox Central, Harlan County, and a very stout Morristown West makes Whitley at least equal to Belfry and Harlan County... if Southern adds the QB they bump Whitley to the toughest schedule in the mountains. With the Harris kid already there..the Eagles would suddenly be a very dangerous team.

Ive been impressed with the tough scheduling Whitley has done, but to be quite honest, they havent had the teams to compete with the schedules they hav produced.
Dont get me wrong, im not a fan of a cup cake schedule. No matter if one thinks it helps or hurts, I just dont like seeing a team play bad teams every week and getting big time wins. When playing a difficult schedule, you truly see how good your team really is. Even with a couple of bad losses on the year, it tells you where you need to go and what you need to do to compete. It can evolve a coaches thinking and ways he goes about coaching his team and what style of play he likes to use.
Theyve had two year contracts with Lex Cath, Belfry, Boyle, Russell County (in there best years ever) etc, and ive enjoyed watching good teams play, even if it meant a loss for Whitley. And those games were just over the past 4 or 5 years.

Ive said since the end of last year that this team has potential, but this schedule could be a major buzz kill. Whitley could easily start out 0-3. Morristown West, Madison Southern (with the QB eligible) and Bell County could be a bad way to start a year. BUT, on the other hand, Morristown West will be a good measuring stick to see where were at early. If Whitley doesnt even put up a fight, forget a good year and a challenge to Harlan County. However, if they play well against MW, I think they could start earning a lot of respect.
The Madison Southern and Bell County games are definitely winnable. Madison Southern, without that QB would be all about stopping Harris IMO, and if Whitley gets the defensive kinks worked out, which they didnt do last year, then that game could be a win, and as ive said before Bell County is not going to be the same Bell County this year. That will be a lot of new faces, and it is at home.

After that they will take on Clay and Knox, and Clay will be better. Average team, but always play Whitley tough. Knox just keeps on getting better and that program has got better. First time since the 03 and 04 seasons that these two have played, and if im not mistaken, Whitley outscored them 86-6 in those two years. That will NOT be the case this time, and there a great opponent that i hope continues to stay on the schedule. Its also at Knox.

Then you have the district slate followed by Boyle County on the road which is never easy, no matter who you are.
I would think anything better than 6-4 would have to be considered a good year. Im expecting around 6-4, but if Whitley was to real off 7 or 8 wins that means they have some real qulaity wins.