[Leaping Lee]

I suppose so but that hasn't happened yet. Fort Thomas, by size, is actually a 3A school but chooses to play up seeking better competition. If Fort Thomas went to 3A (actually they would easily handle 5A), Covington Catholic (usually) and Lexington Catholic (on occasion) would fill the shoes of the Bluebirds. I did notice that Ashland's district games include, in addition to Johnson Central, Rowan County, Boyd County, and Greenup County who are rated 31st, 32nd, and 33rd respectively out of 38 schools in 4A according to Cantrall. Weak district foes are not the fault of Ashland but it sure doesn't prepare them fr rthe bigtime schools like CovCath and Fort Thomas. Northern Kentucky football is much like Cincinnati football while the eastern schools are more like West Virginia and, therefore, overall, the competition is weaker.

I agree with most everything you have said but what is the solution? Not play local rivals like Russell, Ironton, and Raceland? The scheduling of Sheldon Clark is odd but

Indeed so. Year after year. Just look in the Bluebird trophy case.

And nobody is disputing that yet, you find it necessary to mention it in almost every post you make.