[I Rule The World]

New Harlan choice not to play the next round due to travel on a week night. They withdrew from the playoffs (New Harlan choice). Was told that since they did not read the script and get a sponsor that was the infraction. Have a copy of the e-mail to prove it.

Those were the minor infractions... The major one was using officials not agreed upon by the opposing team and requested by the KYMSFA not to use them.. And yes, they made a direct impact on the game... Drive killing penalty after drive killing penalty and they all came from the New Harlan sideline.. If you have ever played over there as an opposing team, you know exactly what I am talking about..

Leslie had the option to advance due to this disqualification, but couldn't justify advancing (even if they did get it laid to them) by losing.. So we will support our remaining Big Sandy League Teams throughout the rest of the State Playoffs.. Good Luck Johnson co. 7th and 8th and Adams..

[bowden]

Those were the minor infractions... The major one was using officials not agreed upon by the opposing team and requested by the KYMSFA not to use them.. And yes, they made a direct impact on the game... Drive killing penalty after drive killing penalty and they all came from the New Harlan sideline.. If you have ever played over there as an opposing team, you know exactly what I am talking about..

Leslie had the option to advance due to this disqualification, but couldn't justify advancing (even if they did get it laid to them) by losing.. So we will support our remaining Big Sandy League Teams throughout the rest of the State Playoffs.. Good Luck Johnson co. 7th and 8th and Adams..

No where in the rules does it state that the opposing team is allowed to blackball officals. So you must be making this up being that it does not exist. So the opposing team are allowed to choose the Officals now? If that is the case I guess team across the state should be aware of that. Apparently you were not at the same game that I was. 22-0 ate the half. I can't remember Leslie even being close to a scoring drive. New Harlan also had two TD called back in this game. That is what bothers me about Middle school sports teams will not admitt when they just simply got beat.

[bowden]

Those were the minor infractions... The major one was using officials not agreed upon by the opposing team and requested by the KYMSFA not to use them.. And yes, they made a direct impact on the game... Drive killing penalty after drive killing penalty and they all came from the New Harlan sideline.. If you have ever played over there as an opposing team, you know exactly what I am talking about..

Leslie had the option to advance due to this disqualification, but couldn't justify advancing (even if they did get it laid to them) by losing.. So we will support our remaining Big Sandy League Teams throughout the rest of the State Playoffs.. Good Luck Johnson co. 7th and 8th and Adams..

This is Coach Asher The Head coach of Leslie Co. If it changed the outcome so bad then why not advance. If I am correct the last time I was at Leslie co They had there X head football coach be an offical. I wonder if he even has his Lic.

[Newjacket]

We do fund raisers, run a concession stand etc. to get the money for these type expenses. It may cost a lot but giving these kids the chance to play for a state championship is worth every penny.

[ILiveForHim]

We have a boosters club that works very hard to raise funds for our team. We have many different fundraisers and we also have local businesses that kindly support our team. This generosity ensures that our kids get all the funds they need to participate with all schools.

Im not surprised at ALL about the referees being the problem at New Harlan, not surprised at all. I do hate it for the kids though........

[knighted]

:dontthink

Those were the minor infractions... The major one was using officials not agreed upon by the opposing team and requested by the KYMSFA not to use them.. And yes, they made a direct impact on the game... Drive killing penalty after drive killing penalty and they all came from the New Harlan sideline.. If you have ever played over there as an opposing team, you know exactly what I am talking about..

Leslie had the option to advance due to this disqualification, but couldn't justify advancing (even if they did get it laid to them) by losing.. So we will support our remaining Big Sandy League Teams throughout the rest of the State Playoffs.. Good Luck Johnson co. 7th and 8th and Adams..

If what you say is correct then there is a definite problem in Harlan county. I practically live on this site and it seems I would read a complaint every time someone played at New Harlan. Shame, shame:dontthink If this is not true then I'm sorry for commenting on an untrue accusation.

[granddad]

Wow,
Entry fee + $500.00 sponsor + major transportation cost + meals if you advance far enough + God knows what else = a whole lot of money to play in the state playoffs with the economy being what it is right now. The more I think about it I am glad that we chose to not participate. I was kind of regretting not putting my 10-1 Letcher Co. team in the playoffs because some of my parents were a little upset at me when they saw that teams we have beaten this year were participating in it like Cumberland, Adams, Leslie County but now I'm wondering how some of these teams found the money to participate. We have to pay mileage and bus driver fees and a simple trip to Johnson Central from Whitesburg is running me over $175.00 each time. I can realistically see it costing thousands of dollars when you figure in transportation, lodging if you make it far enough, meals and the added price for parents to go and enjoy the kids.

Didn't youir team travel at all during the regular season? So what is the difference in traveling for a regular season game and the playoffs. Did you even give the parents and the kids an option? They deserved the opportunity to take their 10-1 record to the next level.

[Coach Howard]

I have no problem with the way the playoffs are ran and I am not accusing them of being a money racket. I'm just saying that we over here in Letcher County bombard our community year around with different sporting programs asking for their help. I almost feel guilty going out and asking them to give over and over throughout the year.
Anyway, Good luck to Adams and Johnson Central's 8th and 7th grade teams. We are supporting you guys and hope you win your divisions. Also want to wish Cumberland good luck in their division, good group of coaches and players and we hope you nothing but the best. I feel like all four of these teams can advance and with a little good fortune all of the teams have a chance and winning all of the division titles.

[papawron]

take it from a grandpa who saw his grandson play and win the 7th grade state championship, it is worth every penny. 10-1 record don't mean much cause that can be done easily by playing stiffs but a state title means you are the BEST.

[corbinfan1988]

either way it doesn't make any sense to me. If New Harlan only needed $500 to have "sponsorship" I find it hard to believe that they couldnt find any coal company over there that wouldn't be willing to pony up that kind of money. And if it was an age issue, everyone should have know that up front, and the coaching staff would have to have realized that they would not be able to make it all the way through the playoffs without someone looking at the ages of all of their players.

[Coach Howard]

Well Papawron good luck to you and your grandson and I hope that you guys can make some more good memories. But, there is not need to talk negatively about my boys that earned that 10 - 1 record by saying that it's not impressive, and we did not play just a bunch of stiffs to get that record. We have played several teams that are playing in playoffs and had wins against all of them except Johnson Central and I think they can give anyone a game in the playoffs. Like I said Good Luck to you and your grandson's team and I hope you all have a good tournament.

[I Rule The World]

No where in the rules does it state that the opposing team is allowed to blackball officals. So you must be making this up being that it does not exist. So the opposing team are allowed to choose the Officals now? If that is the case I guess team across the state should be aware of that. Apparently you were not at the same game that I was. 22-0 ate the half. I can't remember Leslie even being close to a scoring drive. New Harlan also had two TD called back in this game. That is what bothers me about Middle school sports teams will not admitt when they just simply got beat.

This is exactly why we are NOT playing Adams on Wed.. We had that option.. But I could not justify playing after losing, which I know we did.. And you sir, must have been in the stands on the other side of me.. Do you think I am the only one who has a problem with that officiating crew?? Not even close... And yes, the coach has to sign off on the officiating crew.. And they used them anyway.. and if you were watching the game, you probably couldn't see because of the yellow flag flying in the air so much..

I am done with this topic.. Good Luck to Johnson co. 7th and 8th and Adams.. Three different teams from the Big Sandy conference who have a great shot at winning in three different divisions..

[cougarproud]

It seems funny to me that a big $ school like JC trys to convince people that they don't want to risk injury so they forfeit the Big Sandy tournament when in all reality it was so they could say they were the only team that beat LCC but had that game been played LCC would have worn the field out with JC thats just another way to prove they have no class!

[Railrunner33]

It seems funny to me that a big $ school like JC trys to convince people that they don't want to risk injury so they forfeit the Big Sandy tournament when in all reality it was so they could say they were the only team that beat LCC but had that game been played LCC would have worn the field out with JC thats just another way to prove they have no class!

I agree the score indicates exactly how the game was played PCC got schooled and like always they can't deal with it. HC has one of the or if not the best ball club in the mountains and they deserved that win and all the others they have gotten this year.Congrats Black Bears

8/30/10 JCMS 8th 40 - Letcher County 6

[bowden]

This is exactly why we are NOT playing Adams on Wed.. We had that option.. But I could not justify playing after losing, which I know we did.. And you sir, must have been in the stands on the other side of me.. Do you think I am the only one who has a problem with that officiating crew?? Not even close... And yes, the coach has to sign off on the officiating crew.. And they used them anyway.. and if you were watching the game, you probably couldn't see because of the yellow flag flying in the air so much..

I am done with this topic.. Good Luck to Johnson co. 7th and 8th and Adams.. Three different teams from the Big Sandy conference who have a great shot at winning in three different divisions..

Looks like that you had your blinders on and can only see one side. TWO TD's called back two inverent whistles (that went Leslie's way) and just as many flags as your team. The only difference that I saw is the amount of times your team jumped offsides and that was at least 5. Your team had 3 int. and lost a fumble.(four turnovers) To suggest that the officals caused you to loose the game is simply untrue no matter where I was sitting. Maybe all of the offsides call was the yellow that was in my way and I seen a completely different ball game. You say that the coach has to sign off on the officiating crew where can I find that in the rules. Or any rules for that matter. I am glad you are done with this being that you started the tread just to stir up neg. attention. If you admit that you lost then just move on. No need to bring up neg. for your program or any other. coach You are suppose to set the example for those young men.

[knighted]

Looks like that you had your blinders on and can only see one side. TWO TD's called back two inverent whistles (that went Leslie's way) and just as many flags as your team. The only difference that I saw is the amount of times your team jumped offsides and that was at least 5. Your team had 3 int. and lost a fumble.(four turnovers) To suggest that the officals caused you to loose the game is simply untrue no matter where I was sitting. Maybe all of the offsides call was the yellow that was in my way and I seen a completely different ball game. You say that the coach has to sign off on the officiating crew where can I find that in the rules. Or any rules for that matter. I am glad you are done with this being that you started the tread just to stir up neg. attention. If you admit that you lost then just move on. No need to bring up neg. for your program or any other. coach You are suppose to set the example for those young men.

What I was told was that their was a specific officiating crew that was supposed to of been used in that game. This crew was selected by the board of the KMSFA but was dismissed my New Harlan and then New Harlan inserted their own crew to officiate the game? Why would they do that? There has to be an better explaination than " we like our crew better". So now your blackballed from the association? Is this for this year or life? I just want to believe that there is a reason that New Harlan did this. Please tell.

[bowden]

What I was told was that their was a specific officiating crew that was supposed to of been used in that game. This crew was selected by the board of the KMSFA but was dismissed my New Harlan and then New Harlan inserted their own crew to officiate the game? Why would they do that? There has to be an better explaination than " we like our crew better". So now your blackballed from the association? Is this for this year or life? I just want to believe that there is a reason that New Harlan did this. Please tell.

That is 100% completely untrue. Officiating crews are always selected by the home team.

[goBIGblue82]

That is 100% completely untrue. Officiating crews are always selected by the home team.

Not during the State Playoffs, both head coaches and KYMSFA must sign off on the officials being used. Each team was provided with a packet of info prior to the playoffs, and was well aware of this. You might as well quit argueing a point that you haven't been well informed on, or go speak with your coach to get educated on this matter.

[bowden]

This crew was selected by the board of the KMSFA but was dismissed my New Harlan and then New Harlan inserted their own crew to officiate the game

There was no crew "selected by the board." The home team picks the crew and the visiting team and KMSFA sign off on them. New Harlan did not "dismiss" an entire crew and replace them with one they liked better. I'll say again--that is 100% completely untrue.

[snipes8]

I agree 100% . This is a bragging point when these kids are 40, 50 and 60 talking about the glory days!!!

[HB0669]

New Harlan could have went on, but they didn't want to drive on a School night!

[Boo Boo bear]

caoch woods would never cheat i know this man very well...they just did'nt want to travel that far on a school night .they tried to get the other teams to meet them half way but they would not. can't blame him travel 4 hours on wed.then turn around and do it again sat .new harlan has boosters too money was not the problem travel was..and i was at the game leslie was out matched they just got beat by a better team,,even though they wont addmit it i was told days prior to this game they were going to forfit.reasons stated above. good luck to all the teams and god bless.

[goBIGblue82]

caoch woods would never cheat i know this man very well...they just did'nt want to travel that far on a school night .they tried to get the other teams to meet them half way but they would not. can't blame him travel 4 hours on wed.then turn around and do it again sat .new harlan has boosters too money was not the problem travel was..and i was at the game leslie was out matched they just got beat by a better team,,even though they wont addmit it i was told days prior to this game they were going to forfit.reasons stated above. good luck to all the teams and god bless.

If travel is too far for one group, the KYMSFA can grant that it be played at a neutral location. It wouldn't be up to the other team. If this is the reason Harlan decided to exit the state tournament, then I believe the coach really let his kids down. With the chance they had to win a State Championship, he looked his kids in the eyes and said sorry guys but I cant give you the opportunity to compete in the tournament because I dont want to play away games.

[bowden]

If travel is too far for one group, the KYMSFA can grant that it be played at a neutral location. It wouldn't be up to the other team. If this is the reason Harlan decided to exit the state tournament, then I believe the coach really let his kids down. With the chance they had to win a State Championship, he looked his kids in the eyes and said sorry guys but I cant give you the opportunity to compete in the tournament because I dont want to play away games.

No, he looked his kids in the eye and said, "Sorry guys, but we're being asked to travel 3+ hours, one-way, on a Wednesday night--which means I would have to arrange for each of our players to miss a half-day of school on Wednesday, find mid-day transportation for those students, feed those students, find two bus drivers who would be taken off of their regular routes, find 2 sub drivers for those drivers, find money to provide for 400 hundred miles of traveling (2 buses, over 100 miles each way @ $1.20 per mile) plus money to pay the drivers, return to our field house at approximately 12:00 a.m on a school night, provide transportation home from the field house for students who live as far as 45 minutes to 1 hour from the field house--so they'll be getting home around 1:00 a.m--who will then need to shower and eat again, putting them in bed around 2:00 am (again--on a SCHOOL night.) Then those players would have to be up by 7:00 a.m the next morning to attend school. That's a lot to ask from any young man." If the game would have been played at a neutral site, New Harlan would have been there. The reponse they received from KYMSFA was "All we can do is ask Adams to move the game and they don't want to."

I'll say again, get your facts straight before you post something that you really know nothing about.

[knighted]

If travel is too far for one group, the KYMSFA can grant that it be played at a neutral location. It wouldn't be up to the other team. If this is the reason Harlan decided to exit the state tournament, then I believe the coach really let his kids down. With the chance they had to win a State Championship, he looked his kids in the eyes and said sorry guys but I cant give you the opportunity to compete in the tournament because I dont want to play away games.

Its none of my business but New Harlan had not choice in the matter. I have overheard a conversation from 2 board members and the "wrongful substituting of officials (refs)" were the reason for the death penality.

[canoeman06]

We (Adams) were told we had EARNED the right to HOST a playoff game by the KYMSFA. Our kids have worked hard all season and earned the right to play at home. We ended up not getting the home game because New Harlan is no longer in the playoffs. We were informed the KYMSFA had decided to dismiss them for the remainder of the playoffs thus taking our home game away. We advanced because of this and guess what ????? We are now having to travel to Simon (Fleming County) on Tuesday of next week. 2 1/2
hours away on a bus. Our conference finals are this Saturday. We dont want to take the long trip either, but we feel this is a once in a lifetime chance for our kids and we are heading to Simon on Tuesday and hoping for the best.

[HugyBear]

Its none of my business but New Harlan had not choice in the matter. I have overheard a conversation from 2 board members and the "wrongful substituting of officials (refs)" were the reason for the death penality.

They could have went on but again its a poor set up and the KYMSAA needs to look at there tournament before they are under before they even get started. Maybe next year I think we are going to try to have a SoutheasternKYMS tournament or something.

If what you are saying were true then I think that KYMSAA would have been on here backing what your saying and they are not! LC just can't beat New Harlan, Thats way they switched conf and got away from NH!

[bowden]

We (Adams) were told we had EARNED the right to HOST a playoff game by the KYMSFA. Our kids have worked hard all season and earned the right to play at home.

Which you had every right to do. I was just responding to someone who said the KYMSFA could have moved the game with no input from you. I was letting them know that you did have the right to that input.

As for your travel--you have to do what you think is right for your team just as our coach (who we support) has to do what he thinks is right for his team. As for being dismissed--that came after our withdrawal, so its a moot point now.

[Boo Boo bear]

Those were the minor infractions... The major one was using officials not agreed upon by the opposing team and requested by the KYMSFA not to use them.. And yes, they made a direct impact on the game... Drive killing penalty after drive killing penalty and they all came from the New Harlan sideline.. If you have ever played over there as an opposing team, you know exactly what I am talking about..

Leslie had the option to advance due to this disqualification, but couldn't justify advancing (even if they did get it laid to them) by losing.. So we will support our remaining Big Sandy League Teams throughout the rest of the State Playoffs.. Good Luck Johnson co. 7th and 8th and Adams..

I am so thankful you are not my sons coach you flat out got beat ..:HitWall:

[I Rule The World]

I am so thankful you are not my sons coach you flat out got beat ..:HitWall:

I said nothing about not getting beat.. thats why we didn't play this week.. Don't you think I would have taken the opprotunity to play the game if I was so worried about the outcome.??

Why the switching of the officials?? Why not play with the ones they sent in?? I wanted our kids to have the fairest game we could have.. I felt with that certain group, we couldn't get that.. KYMSFA agreed.. So don't trash me as a coach, because I feel like I was trying to level the playing field.. doing what was best for them.. The real tradgedy would have been if I would have let my kids go over there and play while knowing about that group.. I have never disputed that we got beat... But the way things were done, was wrong.. I also am thankful I am not your sons coach..

trust me.. I am not the only coach who thinks this... There are many, who consulted and warned me before our game..

By the way, congratulations to Johnson Co. 7th and 8th grade for winning their second round playoff games.. 8th over Rowan co. and 7th over Verity.. Nice job Coach Blair and Coach Holbrook...