[Scotty_Bronson]

We know they picked up Cody McPeek which should be a hug asset to their line and Baker returns, but what all does Ashland return next season? What can we expect out of them within their district competition? Do they have enoufh to compete with Matney and Co?

[mightydog]

Can't wait to see how much Dicky M. badmouths any transfers since that is something he does to others that play against the kitty cats

[Club17]

I cant believe this has been so quiet. They finally got the group of underachieving Seniors out of the door and they can let the young guys flourish, you can bet theyre hungry too. Linebacker O'Bryan returns and Broughton should step in as the other backer. The d-line is an unknown but they had to big kids out there during some jv games. The secondary is mostly back and they gained cornerback Long from Ironton who will be big next year and theres some rumors of the King kid enrolling. O-line is a question mark but the entire backfield comes back and there was a really athletic freshman last year that could come in and be a good target at wide receiver.

I cant believe there hasn't been more attention on this team, last year was an 8-4 team which many teams would kill for but is a down year at Ashland. With that program down years don't last long, itll be exciting to see what Coach Love does next season.

[Scotty_Bronson]

In many eyes, Ashland over achieved last year. Many expected a 5-5/6-4 team. I for one, did not. Next year I expect a better Ashland team, bugger wins over Raceland(will striggle early in the season), Russell, and Ironton. Toss up game for them will be GEorge Washington. But, until realignmet, this district and region will play out the same. I expect Johnson Central to win the district and Ashland to be forced into playing Cov Cath or Highlands after beating Holmes. Predict a regular season finish of 8-2, losses to G.W. and J.C.

[Club17]

The only major concern I have is the offensive line. I think Prince will be better and I believe the defense will be top notch. Baker is a monster and hopefully Long can balance out the offense so defenses cant just key on Baker. Prince has got to throw the ball more as well. Ill be curious to see what the offense looks like next year after the disaster it was this past year.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Will McPeek be at Ashland next season? Heard through the grape vine that Ashland was just a stop along the way to avoid transfer issues.

[foxbatone]

I think I like there chances against JC in 2014, it will be a fun game to watch.

[Scotty_Bronson]

After Belcher's transfer to Paintsville, there is alot of talk that many may follow suit. Eligability becomes a factor, of course. But, if this is the case, and kids want to compete for a state title, not having to deal with Cov Cath and Highlands, it seems like it is not out of the rhelm of possibility. JC always has good numbers though, so even if many decide to leave, I think they will always be in the thick of things as far as the district though. The last few years, Ashland has been young. I think that starting this year, with what they accomplished with that young tallent, they will be a very tough out for anyone until the 2nd or 3rd round of the playoffs.

Looking at the area as a whole, I think with what Ashland, Raceland, Russell, have coming into the system, that its not too far fetched to think that in the next 3-5 years we could see all three of them competing for state titles. Wonder how that would make the NKY/WKY people feel? Especially with the realignment, I think this very well could happen.

[PBR]

How does Ashland rank in their region this coming season ?

[Talon]

Will McPeek be at Ashland next season? Heard through the grape vine that Ashland was just a stop along the way to avoid transfer issues.

If Ashland is lucky he will move on . Cody is very overrated , extremely lazy , & somewhat a head case . Good luck to whoever has him on their roster next season . Roark was by far and away the better lineman who didnt garner the attn he fully deserved .

[russellpride]

If Ashland is lucky he will move on . Cody is very overrated , extremely lazy , & somewhat a head case . Good luck to whoever has him on their roster next season . Roark was by far and away the better lineman who didnt garner the attn he fully deserved .

.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Roark was the far better lineman. Much more mobile. McPeeks's name and and size garnered him much more attention than his abilities. Watch the Raceland film, you'll see.

[russellpride]

Roark was the far better lineman. Much more mobile. McPeeks's name and and size garnered him much more attention than his abilities. Watch the Raceland film, you'll see.

:hilarious::biglmao::biglmao:

[Scotty_Bronson]

Laugh all u want. Comparing them right now and not looking at "potential" or "upside", etc, the best line Fairview faced all year was Raceland's. Fairview's only success running theball was behind Roark. McPeek got blown off the ball almost every play by Risner. Roark was more fundamentally sound and impressed me far more than McPeek.

[Wildcat1]

Laugh all u want. Comparing them right now and not looking at "potential" or "upside", etc, the best line Fairview faced all year was Raceland's. Fairview's only success running theball was behind Roark. McPeek got blown off the ball almost every play by Risner. Roark was more fundamentally sound and impressed me far more than McPeek.

Good to see this....I thought it was just me - I noticed the same thing...McPeek got abused...

[Ramcat77]

I have to agree with the assessment about McPeek. Granted, this is based on watching one game last year and that was against Raceland. He was continuously blown off the line of scrimmage and looked extremely gassed towards the end of the game. He garnered a lot of attention last summer and turned a lot of heads, but I think all the noise from those experiences kind of blew his head up a bit. Just my opinion.

[russellpride]

:biglmao::biglmao:

[Lynch47]

:biglmao::biglmao:

No wait, I have one even better. Did you hear about the coach, assistant coach and superintendent at a program in Westwood getting caught cheating by the KHSAA and having to vacate the entire 2012 season? Now that is funny.:hilarious::hilarious:

[russellpride]

No wait, I have one even better. Did you hear about the coach, assistant coach and superintendent at a program in Westwood getting caught cheating by the KHSAA and having to vacate the entire 2012 season? Now that is funny.:hilarious::hilarious:

Yes sir you have fun in :devilflam:devilflam

[GOREDDEVILS]

It looks like Cody will not be playing at Ashland after all. Garry Mcpeek took a job in Georgia as offensive coordinator. Not sure of the school name but I think the mascot is the Rebels.

[DevilWatcher]

I knew Gary was headed back to Georgia but I thought I had heard (for reasons I don't know) his son was going to remain here?

[Club17]

He left with his dad if I'm not mistaken. That's a big blow for the Cats, Baker needs someone to open up some holes for him or its going to be another long season.

[PaytoPlay]

Wasn't Ashland kind of small up front last season? Any size on the line this coming year?

[Club17]

They weren't very big or good upfront to be honest. It seemed like they didn't have a plan offensively and didn't throw the ball enough at all in my opinion. It was all Q right, Q left. That's how Russell about beat them. I think they might be a little bigger but from what I am hearing they are going to be inexperienced again. I think the Broughton kid will be okay and I heard they had a really big kid transfer in but I never saw an overly big kid upfront during the season.

[strawberryshakeman]

The first game of the year against NCC will be the tell tale. Baker is a tremendous talent, if they can find a way to block for him, Ashland will be successful. I say this because NCC's defense should be very good and if Baker can run against them, look out mountain teams.

[FBALL]

Ashland Blazer is not in the mountains and the don't play many teams that are.

[Club17]

Any new info regarding the cats? I'm hearing all this Raceland/ Russell talk and nothing about the Tomcats. Are teams over looking them this year? If so that would be great!

[Scotty_Bronson]

No one in Raceland will over look them. In the last 10 years they have traded 3 game win streaks. Last year was 3 in a row over Raceland. We get a good idea of where we stand each year in either the 1st or 2nd week of the season against the Tomcats. Last year, we showed our weakness inside the 20 and turnovers. We worked on that and all was well with the exclusion of te Lawrece County hickup and the egg laying in Williamsburg. Ashland will always be a top team in NEKY. Good coaching, good fundamentals, all around good program. No one, atleast from this area should ever over look them.

[Club17]

Raceland is always a good game, fans travel well and it's always passion filled. It seems to be one of the more respectful games Ashland plays, most teams around here have a pretty fair amount of disdain for the Tomcats.
Anyone in the know have any info on the oline or offense this year? Last year both were pretty underwhelming.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Last years Tomcat sr class were always dubbed "under-achievers". I dont like that terms. Teams are what they are. Last year they exceeded my expectations. Many of us expected losses. As many or more than victories. They managed to beat a very good Raceland team early on. This season should be good, with next year looking even better. I think Coach Love will eventually get Ashland over the JC/Highlands hump. Yes I said it. I think a year or two down the road it will happen. The future is bright in Ashland. I for one, am very much looking foward to this season for the tomcats. Especially week 2! Should be another great game between the Rams and Tomkittens!