[bear claw]

I love the respect that the fans have shown toward each other up to this point...This game should be a good one and I am going to take the Bears 21-20. Good luck to Bell in the playoffs and hope that this game is injury free.

[Do-double-gg]

Does HC have a passing attack? I don't see anyone without some kind of passing threat beating us. Lex Cath and Bryan Station are the only teams to go over 20 on bell this year, both with some pretty darn good athletes and darn good passing attacks. everyone else has struggled, and struggled bad with a one dimensional offense vs. this Bell defense. I don't think HC scored more than Lex Cath or Bryan Station. I can maybe see 21, maybe. My opinion is, Bell is capable of busting this one wide open, Just depends on what HC defense shows up. If it's the one that showed up for Knox/Whitley..could be a darn good game. If they repeat the GRC or Tates Creek performance..eh...Good luck to both teams making it out injury free.

I think you are forgetting about Whitley Co. Whitley gave this Bell team all they wanted and I think that game was up for grabs to the end. I don't ever put a lot of stock in looking at common opponents, but with the fact of how you play with Whitley and then what Harlan did with Whitley I don't see how you would think Bell could bust this one wide open. You are acting like if Harlan has no passing attack they have no chance but if I'm not mistaken Whitley don't exactly bomb it down the field all night either.

[64SUR]

harlan co 28 bell co 21 go bears from 64surmoke:

[Blitz]

Bell County

[BellCoFaithful]

I think you are forgetting about Whitley Co. Whitley gave this Bell team all they wanted and I think that game was up for grabs to the end. I don't ever put a lot of stock in looking at common opponents, but with the fact of how you play with Whitley and then what Harlan did with Whitley I don't see how you would think Bell could bust this one wide open. You are acting like if Harlan has no passing attack they have no chance but if I'm not mistaken Whitley don't exactly bomb it down the field all night either.

I didn't forget Whitley, trust me. I said no one other than Lex Cath & Bryan Station has scored more than 20 on Bell, including Whitley. That was mainly in response to seeing a bunch of folks picking Harlan in the high 20's lower 30's, I just don't see that happening. I also said no one has beat Bell without having a passing attack, Including Whitley. Did they come close? yeah they did, but they didn't finish. Now, I just don't agree with comparing opponents. It was a tough game between Bell and Whitley, with like a lot of people said, VERY questionable play calling on both sides. Whitley may have just had a completely off night vs. HC, no one knows for sure. HC won more impressively than Bell did, I give you that. Bell does have the ability to bust it wide open, and I wont back down from that statement. HC has shown to have a vulnerable defense at times, Bell has shown the ability to put a lot of points up in a hurry. I think Bell's defense is better, and I think the Bell offense has more weapons for the HC defense to worry about. That's just my opinion, we'll see Friday though, best of luck to both teams and prayers for an injury free game so close to playoffs.

[Joker's Wild]

I would expect the Bell County game to be played on the old field. The playoff games will be played on the new field.

[Joker's Wild]

Nevermind...just got the announcment. The Bell County game will be played on the new field at Coal Miner's Memorial Stadium.

[Granny Bear]

^^
Yep; got it too.

It's official.....Friday night's game will be at the new stadium.

[Daddycat27]

Some body better get back to work!! OH I got it too!

[Daddycat27]

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

[Granny Bear]

Hey! I AM working!!!
:Shaking:

[Mama Bear]

^^
Yep; got it too.

It's official.....Friday night's game will be at the new stadium.

I bet the kids will be tickled.

[Axel Foley]

I think the Bobcats eke out the win, 20-19.

[footballfever]

What a great atmosphere it will be.!!! I wonder if Paul Pietrowski can be PERSUADED to send the Creech, Bates, Allen crew which is Don Whites crew but he PROBABLY won't call since he is employed by Harlan Co. school system. If they are allowed to call look for a Harlan Co. victory. If not I look for an awesome game with Bell pulling it out in the final seconds!!!

[Joker's Wild]

I had actually heard a couple of weeks ago that the crew with Terry Nelson would be calling the game. If so, that's bad news for HC.

[Yogibear]

What a great atmosphere it will be.!!! I wonder if Paul Pietrowski can be PERSUADED to send the Creech, Bates, Allen crew which is Don Whites crew but he PROBABLY won't call since he is employed by Harlan Co. school system. If they are allowed to call look for a Harlan Co. victory. If not I look for an awesome game with Bell pulling it out in the final seconds!!!

That is not White's crew. Bates has his own crew.

[Amped 88]

What a great atmosphere it will be.!!! I wonder if Paul Pietrowski can be PERSUADED to send the Creech, Bates, Allen crew which is Don Whites crew but he PROBABLY won't call since he is employed by Harlan Co. school system. If they are allowed to call look for a Harlan Co. victory. If not I look for an awesome game with Bell pulling it out in the final seconds!!!

There is no way that Bates crew will be allowed to do that game. They called the Whitley game and IMO they shouldn't have.

[Yogibear]

It should not matter who refs a high school game. They are all fair, right? And I'd say you're right. Bates won't be doing it. There is also another crew who sure won't be doing it.

[Amped 88]

It should not matter who refs a high school game. They are all fair, right? And I'd say you're right. Bates won't be doing it. There is also another crew who sure won't be doing it.

Wrong quote sorry.

[Yogibear]

Wrong quote sorry.

I edited what you replied to. Should not have put that.

[Amped 88]

I edited what you replied to. Should not have put that.

That is okay sorry. It will be a great atmosphere Friday no matter where the game is played at?

[Harlan County Bears]

A new era will begin Friday when the much anticipated Coal Miners Memorial Stadium opens with two of the top football programs in eastern Kentucky meeting as Harlan County plays host to Bell County.

Harlan County Schools Supt. Mike Howard announced Monday morning in an e-mail to Harlan Count School District employees that the Bell County game would be played at the new field on the campus of Harlan County High School.

“We are proud to announce we will be playing Bell County at Harlan County Coal Miners Memorial Stadium,” said Howard. “We certainly understand the excitement in the community about the field. This is a big game for our program and we hope the community turns out to support us on Friday.”

Harlan County High School Principal Bob Howard announced the decision to HCHS students over the public address system a few minutes later.

“I think this will bring another dimension to our program here,” Bob Howard said. “It comes at a great time because we have the possibility of having five straight games on the new field.”

Harlan County clinched the District 8 title of 5A with a 55-20 win Friday at Perry Central, meaning the Bears have the homefield advantage through the Region 4 playoffs. Harlan County would also host the state semifinal game on Thanksgiving weekend against the winner of Region 3 if the Bears can capture the Region 4 title.

“We’re in planning to make sure we’re ready Friday with ticket sales, parking, where to dress teams. We have a full week of work ahead of us. We just ask everybody to be patient with us. We have a lot to cover,” said the HCHS principal.

Howard said maintenance of the field will be a priority, noting that fans and parents won’t be allowed on the field before or after games.

“There will be field passes and certain areas have to be secure,” Bob Howard said. “I don’t think parking will be a problem. We have a lot more parking space than we do at Cawood High School. We’re real proud to have a rival like Bell County coming in for the game. I also believe WYMT is covering the game to give us regional exposure.”

Bob Howard said Coal Miners Memorial Stadium and Needham Saylor Field were the final pieces of a five-year project to make Harlan County High School one of the finest schools and campuses in Kentucky.

“It opens up a whole new dimension for this school,” he said. “Now we can utilize the field and track surface for daily activities and school activities with clubs and groups. We have it all here now. This was the last piece of the puzzle, and I’m glad I was here to see it. I’m real excited for the students and people of Harlan County.”

Senior Night activities will be held prior to the game.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

The official ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening will be held later.

Click HERE to view a number of recent photos.

[Amped 88]

A new era will begin Friday when the much anticipated Coal Miners Memorial Stadium opens with two of the top football programs in eastern Kentucky meeting as Harlan County plays host to Bell County.

Harlan County Schools Supt. Mike Howard announced Monday morning in an e-mail to Harlan Count School District employees that the Bell County game would be played at the new field on the campus of Harlan County High School.

“We are proud to announce we will be playing Bell County at Harlan County Coal Miners Memorial Stadium,” said Howard. “We certainly understand the excitement in the community about the field. This is a big game for our program and we hope the community turns out to support us on Friday.”

Harlan County High School Principal Bob Howard announced the decision to HCHS students over the public address system a few minutes later.

“I think this will bring another dimension to our program here,” Bob Howard said. “It comes at a great time because we have the possibility of having five straight games on the new field.”

Harlan County clinched the District 8 title of 5A with a 55-20 win Friday at Perry Central, meaning the Bears have the homefield advantage through the Region 4 playoffs. Harlan County would also host the state semifinal game on Thanksgiving weekend against the winner of Region 3 if the Bears can capture the Region 4 title.

“We’re in planning to make sure we’re ready Friday with ticket sales, parking, where to dress teams. We have a full week of work ahead of us. We just ask everybody to be patient with us. We have a lot to cover,” said the HCHS principal.

Howard said maintenance of the field will be a priority, noting that fans and parents won’t be allowed on the field before or after games.

“There will be field passes and certain areas have to be secure,” Bob Howard said. “I don’t think parking will be a problem. We have a lot more parking space than we do at Cawood High School. We’re real proud to have a rival like Bell County coming in for the game. I also believe WYMT is covering the game to give us regional exposure.”

Bob Howard said Coal Miners Memorial Stadium and Needham Saylor Field were the final pieces of a five-year project to make Harlan County High School one of the finest schools and campuses in Kentucky.

“It opens up a whole new dimension for this school,” he said. “Now we can utilize the field and track surface for daily activities and school activities with clubs and groups. We have it all here now. This was the last piece of the puzzle, and I’m glad I was here to see it. I’m real excited for the students and people of Harlan County.”

Senior Night activities will be held prior to the game.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

The official ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening will be held later.

Click HERE to view a number of recent photos.

Well I guess that makes it official.

[Granny Bear]

It should not matter who refs a high school game. They are all fair, right? And I'd say you're right. Bates won't be doing it. There is also another crew who sure won't be doing it.

Hmmmm.....wonder who those might be???
nicker:

I believe it might have been the crew that nearly made me bust a gut a few weeks ago!!!! After that night, I encouraged the whole Black Bear Nation to make a few homemade yellow flags, so that we could throw them in the stands every time that crew reached in their pockets!!!!!!

At least we'd be kept busy.

[McCameraMan]

I bet that new Stadium will be rockin'. Gonna be a wild atmosphere.

[Granny Bear]

^^
It'll be unbelievable...every red neck (including me) from every holler will be there!!

[McCameraMan]

^ LOLOLOLOLOL, I don't doubt that!

[whitepantherking]

My goodness I wish the teams and fans in Central Kentucky had you guys passion. I love it, be proud of it. I will never have my team on Harlan County's schedule but I plan on making a special trip in the near future to see your stadium. I drove by Bell's stadium on my way to Middlesboro a couple of years ago, I got goosebumps. Don't care who wins I'm jealuos of both fan bases.

[bear claw]

I am hearing even more GREAT news could be coming for the football complex!!!!!!!

[BHS78]

Bell County