[pjdoug]

To me... the mountains are east of Corbin. I drive from Lexington to Corbin every other day for work. It just isn't Eastern Kentucky, where I was born and raised. It feels more like Richmond or Lexington. To me, the Mountains go as far southeast as Bell County and Middlesboro, stretching through Clay County and up to Breathitt County in the west. Lawrence County in the northern border and everything between that is the mountains.

Belfry beat Johnson Central, but we are never truly going to find out who the better team is during that game because why on Earth would either of them really risk playing the game like it mattered as anything more than a tough game to get you ready for the playoffs? If these two teams were ever in the same district, you would find out the true answer to that.

With that said, a 14 point loss in the State finals has to mean something. Belfry did not even win the region this year, given they was having to pull kids from the Academic Team to fill gaps due to injury. A healthy Belfry, probably goes for number five or at least does not take a beating at the hands of Louisville Central like they did. Belfry was never meant to win it this year, KHSAA meant to for Belfry and Louisville Central to fall short. Call it the antitrust of 3A football.

My final top five are based on what teams were at the end of the year after injuries and such...

1.Johnson Central
2.Belfry
3.Harlan County
4.Pikeville
5.Hazard

I'm glad it ain't left up to you since I see mountains and hollers in Whitley County