[Elm street]

Some Ashland fans seem to be under the illusion that Ashland is much improved over last year's team and that the Tomcats will play a Johnson Central team that is stuck in 2014. Ashland had a passing attack last season and they had Jake Long. The final score of that game was 42-7.

This year's Ashland team may be better than last year's team was and Baker is a year older, stronger, and more experienced, but Johnson Central is a much better team than it was a year ago. The Golden Eagles were pretty good last year but that is not the team that Ashland will be playing on Friday.

I completely understand this, but looking over Jc's scheldule, and the lack of a winning opponents they have demolished. I find a strain of hope. I guess until Friday that can call their "signature win" Lexington Catholic which isn't near as impressive as it would have been in previous years. I know strength of schedule means nothing, I'm not ignorant. But beating teams like Fairland OH and Harlan county to a pulp in typical Matney "run this score up" fashion doesn't impress me. I know Ashland is no Fairland, no Rowan or Greenup. Just let me hold onto this little string of hope, and maybe one day Ashland will be strong enough that their fan base including myself will have a valid argument against the 0 time state champion tradition rich state jaggurnaut that wipes the field with any opposing teams jersey. I know JC is going to win, they probably already have the trophy in their cabinet. But there is hope.........