[DevilsWin]

While I personally think this stinks and is unfair,I know if it comes down to it The Belfry Boys will say "Bring it on".These boys would relish the challenge.

That's what Russell thought last year.

[jb05]

Who cares how many boys you have to choose from it's not your fault that khsaa ruled that way. For the reason why mercer is average this year is because they gradurated 3 running backs who ran atleast 4.4's. So it doesnt matter how many kids you can choose from it only matters which 11 show up to play on the field.

[EkyLb]

Who cares how many boys you have to choose from it's not your fault that khsaa ruled that way. For the reason why mercer is average this year is because they gradurated 3 running backs who ran atleast 4.4's. So it doesnt matter how many kids you can choose from it only matters which 11 show up to play on the field.

And like I said before then why do we even have classes based on enrollment? Because it makes a difference, if you are telling me you could randomly select 700 kids from a city, and Ill select 300. It will hugely be in your favor to have much better talent. Mercer did not have 3 running backs run 4.4's, sorry I watched them play they were not that good. They are just average because they are playing bigger schools now. And thats where they will stay, average. Lex Cath last yr the 3A champ would have beaten Mercer by 40 pts if they had played in their proper class.

Also, I feel that the teams should have to sit out of the playoffs next yr, it might be unfair for those kids, but its their schools that are doing it to them, by consolidating. You shouldnt punish the rest of the kids at all the other schools. I dont know if Harlan will even be any good, they might lose every game, but it doesnt matter this is ridiculous.

[DEVILOLOGIST]

You cant punish the kids for any reason.. and making them sit out on the playoffs would not be fair either.
HEY !! Everybody has an OFF-Week,, right.. ???? plug the team into the the other teams off week in the correct division and class and let them play where they need to be. Yea it makes other teams have to play 11 but when you get the gate money why should it matter. You only need to add the new team to the district they are in since that is how they will be seeded inthe playoffs. If they fill their other games congrats. if they dont the kids still get to play and will not be punished. Yea they may only play 5 games but they are where they need to be-playing inthe right class and will eligible for the playoofs. The team could play JV teams inthe place of the other games they could not schedule. That way the team could have a possible 10 games.

[Benchwarmer]

Why didn't the KHSAA let them play Cumberland's schedule?

[BlackcatAlum]

Why didn't the KHSAA let them play Cumberland's schedule?

I hope you are being sarcastic. If not, imagine Johnson Central playing in Class A, they're would probley be one or two schools that could hang around with them for awhile.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

If your good enough then it shouldn't matter. If belfry and and breathitt are as good as they are suppose to be then they will beat harlan co. It doesnt matter how many numbers you have it only matters on the 11 that are on the field and the coaching staff behind them. Smaller schools beat bigger schools all the time it's just an excuse for people to make if they get beat by a school thats a bigger. Let it go mercer was a great team and really they only added 5 people to their roster from harrodsburg that didnt play and even if they didnt combine those 5 players were going to transfer any way. So thats one of the reasons why they did combine because they were losing all of their athletes to mercer ne way.

This is laughable.

[DEVILOLOGIST]

The difference between the Mercer team and the Russell in enrollment was the exact number of kids in Raceland. So you can tell me that the numbers dont make a difference.

[E-ROCK]

Another Mercer injustice waiting to happen....

[jb05]

They did too they have Brandon Ford 4.3 kid then they had a kid corey jackson 4.3 kid both played at harrodsburg then transfered to mercer. Then they had a kid named nate griffin ran a 4.46. Was hurt most of the year and then came back for the playoffs. He was mercer's leading running back the year before. Mercer ran the bone and ran a lot of zone blocking all the backs had to do were get to the edge to much speed to stop that. They could of played with anybody's offensive in the state last year would they of won state last year in 4a probably not because nobody is going to beat male, trinity or st. x but they could of had a shot to win it in any other class.

[jb05]

I can make it even better if yall want to argue this point 1987 was a 2a school played up to 3a. They had 22 kids on the team and went on to beat highlands at state that year. There are 1a schools who dont win a game and suck year in year out that have more numbers then that. So you tell me just beat a team thats better then you. You can't punish kids because their schools decided to join and say hey you all can't play in district this year. Get over it beat em thats all you can do. Does it really matter only one school's going to win it in class 2a anyway and all of you all are getting mad but you all know that some of you all's team don't have a chance to win state all you all are doing is trying to figure out a way to bash khsaa. Stop hatin and let them kids play.

[jb05]

Plus all the fans from russell i was for you all last yr in the state game but you all couldn't throw the ball. If last years quarterback could of completed a ball down the field you all win because mercer were stacking 8 and 9 in the box.

[DEVILOLOGIST]

Kids dont make the calls and we as fans could not figure out why you pass the ball when the defense could not stop the power-I. As arm chair coaches we will never know. But I love my Devils and the coaches, cant figure them out sometimes but would not trade them for the world.

[EkyLb]

Well the 40mph gusts of wind made the passing game pretty much useless, you know its bad when the ball keeps rolling away before the snap.

[jb05]

Now your making excuses. Mercer beat russell fair and square there's no need to worry about it now. Mercer's wearing the rings and Russell is trying to find another way to try and win one this year.

[DEVILOLOGIST]

jb05- First welcome to the site. SECOND- Fair and square I will argue.

[Codeman]

They are not going to beat Breathitt. Breathitt is loaded with young talent. So they need not think anything like that. The East is too powerful, if they want to make it in the playoffs they should try the West. Before everyone starts mouthing, go to KHSAA.org and see who has won the most championships in the last 10 or so years from A to 4a. It is the East.

Thats true the east is a BEAST look at Belfry, Breathitt, P-burg pikeville i mean the list goes on. my point is dont mess with the east.

[bluegrassballa]

jb05- First welcome to the site. SECOND- Fair and square I will argue.

I like your second point.

[Midee1]

Now your making excuses. Mercer beat russell fair and square there's no need to worry about it now. Mercer's wearing the rings and Russell is trying to find another way to try and win one this year.

The wind comment was not making excuses. The wind was horrid that day and anyone that was there can attest to that fact.

What I take pride in is the way the Devils played against the Titans. The Titans had cleaned house all year with everyone they played, out scoring their opponents 53.21-9.14 in the previous 14 games leading up to the championship, then all they could manage was a 15-12 win. That is saying something for the Devils in my book.

[bluegrassballa]

The wind comment was not making excuses. The wind was horrid that day and anyone that was there can attest to that fact.

What I take pride in is the way the Devils played against the Titans. The Titans had cleaned house all year with everyone they played, out scoring their opponents 53.21-9.14 in the previous 14 games leading up to the championship, then all they could manage was a 15-12 win. That is saying something for the Devils in my book.

The wind was pretty horrible that day. And I was impresses with Russell's defense. They held Mercer to only 15 points. Thats pretty good.

[DEVILOLOGIST]

They actually held Mercer to 7 points. The first score did not cross the goal ine, you cant advance the fumble into the endzone,,, AND the whistle blew while the kid was on the 1 YARD LINE. NOW that is the truth about that score. Was it handed to Mercer absolutely.. I am not whining or making excuses. This is the facts and that all it is - THE FACTS !!!
Yes I am pleased with the play of the Devils on that day and they played hard.
...............................................RHS...........................MCHS
FIRST DOWNS............................14..............................7
RUSHES-YARDS (NET)...........44-161..........................41-202
PASSING YDS (NET)..................145...............................0
Passes Att-Comp-Int....................19-9-3.........................1-0-0
TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS.... 63-306 ...................... 42-202

[EkyLb]

Now your making excuses. Mercer beat Russell fair and square there's no need to worry about it now. Mercer's wearing the rings and Russell is trying to find another way to try and win one this year.

I wasn't making excuses, someone mentioned something about the passing game, the coaches went to it, because it was a main factor in what got us there, I was just stating why it didn't work out as well

[EkyLb]

I hope you are being sarcastic. If not, imagine Johnson Central playing in Class A, they're would probley be one or two schools that could hang around with them for awhile.

Well according to a lot of people, school size doesn't matter, its just the 11 kids on the field, so let them play in w/e class they want. The KHSAA only has one job, and that is to ensure fair play, and enforce the rules that guarantee that fair play. Obviously they fail at this every chance they get.

[Midee1]

Now your making excuses. Mercer beat russell fair and square there's no need to worry about it now. Mercer's wearing the rings and Russell is trying to find another way to try and win one this year.

True but Mercer is wearing last years rings and starting basketball season. Russell is still in the hunt to make it again this year. They are not a one hit wonders.

Mercer is a 5-6 5A team this year based on enrollment. Russell is a 10-1 team this year based on enrollment.

[DEVILOLOGIST]

Cha-ching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We Dun Gotta A Ring, Played Dair Twice,reloading Is So Nice,,,but I Hope You Know,,, We Want To At Least Play 3 In A Row.....

[DevilsWin]

Cha-ching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We Dun Gotta A Ring,

And No One Questions the manner in which Russell got their Rings. That's "Rings" as in 2. 1978 and 2005.

Mercer Co will never see another snap at Papa Johns.

[red_devils_rule]

And No One Questions the manner in which Russell got their Rings. That's "Rings" as in 2. 1978 and 2005.

Mercer Co will never see another snap at Papa Johns.

Not unless they get invited toWatch Louisville or they other 12 teams playing

[jb05]

So your saying that mercer will never see another trip up there but your forgetting they have one of the best coaches in the state and million dollar practice facilites. The only reason they werent that good this year is because they gradurated everybody and their are some problems in the program right now. Who cares Russell win state this year and then you all can talk. Plus you can to advance a fumble in to the endzone as long as the whistle has not blown. Mercer beat you all fair and square deal with it and try to win state this year.

[Midee1]

This one has long since quit discussing the Harlan County Black Bears.

If anyone would like to discuss the team feel free to start another thread and keep it about them.