[Hoot Gibson]

But you are making an arguement of what if's. Belfry would certainly have their titles. They were in AA when they won their titles. Highlands was in AAA and JC still would not have beatin Boyle during their run. To say that JC would "almost certainly" have a title or two just because they had to play Highlands is well kinda funny. What if Louisville Central didn't play in AAA the last few years, then Belfry would "almost certainly" have a few more titles. :eyeroll: Makes you roll your eyes a little doesn't it. I'm not even arguing the point of who has the best program and what not because JC most certainly belongs near the top of the list for an Eastern Ky team. But the points you make are invalid.

This thread is about the best team in eastern Kentucky, which in my opinion will be decided when JC travels to Belfry. My point is this - Johnson Central has won 3 of its last 4 meetings with Belfry and last year's very young Golden Eagles team lost by a slim 17-12 margin. Belfry has a great program, but since Matney arrived at JC, the series has been very competitive and there have been few blowouts by either team.

Belfry fans can make the claim that they have the best football program in eastern Kentucky if they want, but the facts do not support the notion that their program is on an entirely different level than Johnson Central's program - and that is exactly the claim that oneijoe made. Whichever team wins in a few weeks, the game between JC and Belfry should be a great one.

As good as Johnson Central's and Belfry's programs are, nobody should take them for granted. Any good program is one bad hire away from mediocrity. When the days come that Matney and Haywood retire, let's hope that both schools choose their successors wisely.