[t-cat50]

I have them that high because they DID beat 2A #4 Belfry, and they DID beat 2A #3 Russell. Why would I put them in a tie with two teams that they beat, just because it was close and went into overtime? There was still a winner. If Belfry, or Russell, had beaten Ashland, I'd have them ranked higher. Maybe Ashland won't district, or make it past the second round of the playoffs, but this thread isn't about who will go furthest in the playoffs. It's about the best teams in Eastern Kentucky. If you notice, I have the most likely 2nd round matchup for Ashland at the #1 spot, so I don't see how that even makes much sense on your part to even mention that Ashland won't win district or make it past the 2nd round.

Yes, Ashland did lose to 1A #8 Raceland (6-1), and so has everyone else they've played except for 1A #11 LCA (6-2). Raceland played a better game that night over an injury depleted Ashland team who was missing 3 offensive linemen, QB, and top 2 WR (because one was switched to QB, and the other went out with an injury during the first few snaps of the game) on offense. There was also a DE and FS injuried on defense, and a M playing out of position at FS to cover for injuries, bringing in another non-starter at M. Those are just the injuries I can recall from the Raceland game.

Yes, Ashland did play a close game with a very fast and underrated 3A #13 Mason County team. But Ashland was able to fairly dominate the 2nd half for the come from behind victory. Mason's only losses are to 3A #10 Ashland (6-1) and 4A #7 Lafayette (7-0).

So I wouldn't be considering Raceland or Mason County pushovers. Who has been the stiffest competition for Belfry or Russell this season?

Russell's best opponent for the regular season besides Ashland is either Greenup or Boyd. Not exactly the toughest schedule. I know Russell plays Ashland, Boyd, and Greenup as rivalries and the rest of their schedule is dictated by 7 district games which gives them no flexibility in scheduling, and the fact that their district is very poor talent wise. There is not a single team ranked, or mentioned, on the AP poll, except for Ashland, on Russell's schedule. But the only point I want to make is that Ashland's schedule has been much more demanding, as has Belfry's.

Belfry's schedule is much tougher with games against 1A #11 Newport Central Catholic, 3A #10 Ashland, and 1A #15 Pikeville. Their district is also much stronger than Russell's featuring 2A #11 Sheldon Clark, Prestonsburg, and 2A #13 Shelby Valley. Ashland's schedule is also a bit tougher than Belfry's

Ashland's schedule consists of 1A #8 Raceland, 2A #3 Russell, 2A #4 Belfry, Prestonsburg, 3A #13 Mason County, and 3A #3 Johnson Central.

So, I'll repose the question back to you. Why would you NOT have Ashland that high? They beat Russell (when it was Russell's only game on their entire schedule that they had a real chance of losing), beat Belfry, beat Prestonsburg, beat Mason County, and lost to Raceland while being injury depleted? If anyone has a stink, it should be Raceland.

:Thumbs: