[RunItUpTheGut]

Saragas Did not Graduate. They return Saragas(9), Logan(15), Boggs(63), Jones(76),Overbay(44), Young(2), Williams(26), Atkins(47), Morris(32),Brock(55), Jones(29), Laws(62), Enlow(67).

I see Harlan stepping it up, they had an outstanding team last season, blew a chance of dethrowning hazard in their district match up due to injuries. If Harlan stays healthy, they will be very tough to beat.

Thats a good list of returners.

I got Harlan second to Williamsburg in the district.
I would love to see these two get a second game next year in a region championship.

[Mountain]

Belfry, Bell Co., and Harlan Co. should remain as the top dogs in the mountains. I look for Whitley Co., Knox Central, Harlan Indepedent, and Hazard to also be strong next season.

[breathitt]

Breathitt Oline... LT#59 Devon Rice, LG#56Zach Gross,C#74 Wes Nease, RG#61 Travis Smith,RT#75 Brad Ross......Backfield, QB#15 Ritchard Trent

[harlanfan0987]

Thats a good list of returners.

I got Harlan second to Williamsburg in the district.
I would love to see these two get a second game next year in a region championship.

will be a very close game, the injuries and sickness did hurt harlan in the playoffs against them. Dont get me wrong im not using that as an excuse for their loss, williamsburg came to play, harlan didnt at all. If everyone stays healthy, it will be on heck of a game. Id think harlan will take down hazard in regular season and it'll be a fight between Harlan and Williamsburg to see who goes for it all.

[HDE]

Did Hazard lose so much that they aren't a factor anymore?
I counted 11 seniors. That is quite a few for a Class A team, but they have their quarterback returning, their top two receivers and their second leading rusher.
Williamsburg has to make up 28 points and Harlan has to make up 25. They both have a shot, but I'm guessing Hazard will still be the favorite when the season begins.

[Micro-Brew]

Until someone dethrones Hazard. They are the team to beat in the Mountains in 1A Football.

[harlanfan0987]

Hazard is still yet the team to beat, but having a majority of their play makers gone wont help at all. They wont be near as good this year as years in the past, Harlan and Williamsburg both return many play makers and great athletes. I dont see hazard with another state appearance this year.

[BlueGold1]

Hazard is still yet the team to beat, but having a majority of their play makers gone wont help at all. They wont be near as good this year as years in the past, Harlan and Williamsburg both return many play makers and great athletes. I dont see hazard with another state appearance this year.

Hazard actually returns most of their play makers. Most of their loses, other than Blanton and Combs, are on the O-Line and D-Line. The Bulldogs will be very competitive in 2012. Olinger, Johnson, Jones, Whitaker, Meehan and Higgins all return with some help from the younger guys to make the offense go. Remember, Coach Dixon and staff are still calling the plays!

Harlan and Williamsburg will have fine teams and will also be very competitive, but leave Hazard out of the equation at your own peril!

[harlanfan0987]

I'm not leaving them out of anything, its hazard, they're always good. Yet, they did lose a few of their most outstanding players, and the offensive and defensive line losses wont help them at all. All 3 teams will be watched, and all will be exciting games.

[Noble]

Why do people underestimate the value of the O-Line and D-Line? I have saw a Williamsburg team return Ryan Moses and 3 Starting WRs and go 5-5 in the regular season because they lost so many linemen the year before. You can have the best QB and WRs in the state but if they do not get the time to throw it doesn't matter. The big boy who fight in the trenches just don't get enough love in football.

[mr bojangles 007]

:bell over belfry gotta be the biggest joke ever.at one time bell might have been king of the mountain. but that was then this is now . couldn,t come within 20 points of belfry. and as far as johnson central beating belfry last season. if i recall belfry had key players out cause last game of season trying to heal for playoffs.the way i see it johnson central got a early christmas present.:biglmao:

[RunItUpTheGut]

^
Last time i checked, Bell still hasn't lost to a mountain school in over 5 years.
Belfry has.

[Belfry0304]

Bell/Belfry would be a battle, and I'd make the trip no matter the distance to see it. No clue who would win. As far as the JC game last year, this was a competitive group and never wanted to lose but I'll tell you, they weren't too upset about losing that game and there was a definite step-down from their normal intensity level that night. Doesn't matter though, I think without that loss Breathitt beat us in regional finals. You learn from losing!

[Southeast Bluegrass]

:bell over belfry gotta be the biggest joke ever.at one time bell might have been king of the mountain. but that was then this is now . couldn,t come within 20 points of belfry. and as far as johnson central beating belfry last season. if i recall belfry had key players out cause last game of season trying to heal for playoffs.the way i see it johnson central got a early christmas present.:biglmao:

I don't know if I agree about within 20 points. Bell proved to JC that they were not even in the same league as Bell. And that was just in the last few years. To be beaten by JC proves you'll have to work a little harder. Bell stays fairly consistent year after year. nicker:

[HAT51]

It took three schools to get together to get it done also. And your point is? My point is that HC has put too much into beating Bell you could see it the night they rolled into Log Mtn. We will see you guys on Oct.

That is your opinon. You have no idea what HC puts into each game. Bell is no different that playing any other team as far as preparation. It doesn't really matter what you think anyway.

[Amped 88]

That is your opinon. You have no idea what HC puts into each game. Bell is no different that playing any other team as far as preparation. It doesn't really matter what you think anyway.

I really don't care what you think either. But the proof to what I am talking about goes into what happened last year. Maybe you guys can use those shirts you got printed up for motivation this year in beating Bell County.:flame:

[Patriot]

I'm all about beating bell and wore my shirt to the game and thought the Black Bears were leaving Log Mtn. winners but they didn't and never recovered and it showed at Southwestern! I'll not be one to deny it, beating Bell is a priority! It's a good rivalry that makes the game very fun! That had to be one the better games played in bell county in a while!

[Strikeout King]

1. Belfry
2. Bell County

3. Breathitt County
4. Harlan County
5. Johnson Central
6. Hazard
7. Whitley County

8. Rockcastle County
9. Perry Central
10. Knox Central

That looks about right.

How about listing teams of each class in the mountains that have legitimate shots at district and regional titles and go from there....

1A
Hazard
Williamsburg
Pikeville
Harlan

2A
Somerset
Pburg
Leslie County

3A
Bell
Belfry
Breathitt
Powell

4A
Johnson Central
Rockcastle
Knox Central

5A
Harlan County
Whitley County
Pulaski County

Who else would you put on the list as true contenders or who would you take off the list?

I don't think Powell will have the season this year as they did last year. They lost too much. Here's everyone they lost (Position Wise)

1 - Kicker
2 - TE (Conner and Tarver)
2 - RB (D. Taulbee and Dennis)
2 - FB (Lane and Trent)
2 - WR (R. Goodwin and Johnson)
6 - OL (Joslin, Rose, Sheffield, F. Spencer, Lu. Spencer, A. Taulbee)


Here's the other defense positions:

2 - DE (Conner and Tarver)
2 - LB (D. Taulbee and Trent)
2 - S (Dennis and R. Goodwin)
1 - CB (Johnson)
7 - DL (Joslin, Rose, Sheffield, F. Spencer, Lu. Spencer, A. Taulbee, Lane)
1 - Punter

Total - 16 (All those players played both Off and Deff.) (Including the Transfer to Pike Central)

Powell County also lost their starting QB to Pike Central.

2012 will hit the Pirates even harder as they lose 17 more seniors

[Amped 88]

I'm all about beating bell and wore my shirt to the game and thought the Black Bears were leaving Log Mtn. winners but they didn't and never recovered and it showed at Southwestern! I'll not be one to deny it, beating Bell is a priority! It's a good rivalry that makes the game very fun! That had to be one the better games played in bell county in a while!

You are right Patriot. I knew that there are some HC fans who saw what I saw. I don't know what game Hat51 saw that night. It was one of the best games Bell has had on Log Mtn. It will be great coming to your new field this season can't wait.

[HAT51]

You are right Patriot. I knew that there are some HC fans who saw what I saw. I don't know what game Hat51 saw that night. It was one of the best games Bell has had on Log Mtn. It will be great coming to your new field this season can't wait.

you are a bunch of barber shop coaches.

[Amped 88]

you are a bunch of barber shop coaches.

Sorry that you can't handle the truth.:please:

[footballallday123]

Pulaski should not be in the top 10 one of their best players in Tyler Goins has been kicked off of the team which eleminates any chance of a decent running game and they will most likely have a freshman at qb in Riley Hall who will eventually be good but is to small to do much his first year at the next level. In my opinion Pulaski should be out and Whitley should take their 10 spot you gave them way too much credit and all they did last year was a win in a controversial game over a Somerset team who had not
yet found their niche. How is that deserving of a 5 spot?

[Cellking]

Somerset will be one of the best 2A Teams in the State. They play Breathitt, Hazard, Whitley Co., Perry Central and Glassglow out of District. In my Openio the are a top 5 team in the Mtns. this year. They lost very few kids from last year team.

[Coach Booth]

:bell over belfry gotta be the biggest joke ever.at one time bell might have been king of the mountain. but that was then this is now . couldn,t come within 20 points of belfry. and as far as johnson central beating belfry last season. if i recall belfry had key players out cause last game of season trying to heal for playoffs.the way i see it johnson central got a early christmas present.:biglmao:

What players were out? What's been the excuse the previous two seasons?

[Belfry0304]

What players were out? What's been the excuse the previous two seasons?

Starting corner Zach Thacker, DT James May, and HB Justin Johnson. The last 3 years though, JC has been the better team. Now that JJ is gone, I think Belfry should get the W this year but ANYTHING can happen.

[GetChili]

Pulaski should not be in the top 10 one of their best players in Tyler Goins has been kicked off of the team which eleminates any chance of a decent running game and they will most likely have a freshman at qb in Riley Hall who will eventually be good but is to small to do much his first year at the next level. In my opinion Pulaski should be out and Whitley should take their 10 spot you gave them way too much credit and all they did last year was a win in a controversial game over a Somerset team who had not
yet found their niche. How is that deserving of a 5 spot?

Pulaski County will be down this year, even more down if they lose Tyler Goins, which I've heard is true. I've heard that Aaron Smith will be the starter once again, mainly because I don't think Riley Hall is big enough or ready to handle varsity football. I think, this season, the district (Class 5A, District 7) runs through Madison Southern.

[mr.charlie hustle]

One thing that will be interesting this year will be the qb decision at Paintsville. With last year's qb having knee surgery, the Tigers will most likely be relying on a freshman to direct the offense and not the one that held the position in middle school. After watching BMR coach for years one thing I know is that he will put the people in place that gives them the best chance to win. Sure to ruffel Tiger fur when he names a linebacker from middle school to qb if last year's starter cannot go. BMR knows the edge and toughness the kid brings. Of course this is rumor now but we will see.

I have absolutely no dog in this one. I do have an opinion however and it is that the QB for The tigers should be the best kid for the job. Absolutely could care less who that is. This should be a complete and accurate coaching decision and in no way whatsoever a Political one in any way form or fashion. The Tigers have not made such a decision in several years at the high school level. This would be a good time to begin a new program. I have seen half ***** decisions made in that program for too long. There are many ways to pay for stupid blunders. With this good crop of kids none such should be made.