[Hoot Gibson]

In any particular year, cases can be made for different schools of Eastern KY having -the- best team.

BUT as far as a true "Friday Night Lights" type program which will year-after-year field a highly-ranked team, there's now only ONE program which does so. That program is Belfry. They have accomplished coaches, a systematic offensive and defensive style, perennially draw top flight talent from an area much larger than its school district, have a devoted alumni following, and last but not least, strong private-sector corporate backing ($$ does indeed talk).

Johnson Central is on the road to where they may be considered likewise, but haven't done it long enough for their program to be seen as Belfry's equal. Bell Co. was there, I believe, but it's yet to be seen if the Bobcats get their mojo back after their longtime coach left, and the other Bobcats of Breathitt Co. are in the same boat.


:popcorn:

Recent history does not support your claim that Belfry is on a higher level that Johnson Central. It took JC a long time to reach Belfry's level, but they arrived a few years ago. You may make a good argument that Belfry is a better 3A team than JC is a 4A team, but you cannot argue that, regardless of class, Belfry is at the pinnacle of high school football with no peers. Belfry has a great program, but if Highlands had played in 3A the past few years, the Pirates would almost certainly have no state titles. If Highlands had played in 3A, Johnson Central would almost certainly have a state title or two to its credit.

Because of Belfry's state titles, and because of his long career, I would put Haywood at the very top of a list of great eastern Kentucky football coaches, but Jim Matney would not be far down that list. Of coaches who have not yet won a state title, I doubt that there is a better coach in the state than Matney. If Matney and JC do not break that barrier this season, then I think that they will have a great shot at a title in 2014.

Belfry has a great football program and a long tradition of strong football teams, but Johnson Central has more than held its own with Belfry over the past five years. The 2013 edition of the Belfry-JC game should be a great one.