[cougarpride08]

What do we do in the off season? What kind of team will we be? I think we will be better if these kids commit to themselves. As far as coach, I really have decided not to bash Coach Raines out of respect for a man who builds programs. I am willing to give him time. Look into winter conditioning, and see how dedicated and committed these young men can do now until August is up to them. New schedule will help this team.

[Daddycat27]

You will be better, but still suck for a few yrs, until coach gets them ready!! Then you will still suck!!

[Dietpepsidrinker]

I think that Paul Rains will build a winner.....IF.....people will leave him alone. He can build a solid team but he can't do that if he does not get community support, as in not bad mouthing him or the team. He has some talent but he is going to have to break the bad habits that kids have from the previous coach.

[cherokee]

I think that Paul Rains will build a winner.....IF.....people will leave him alone. He can build a solid team but he can't do that if he does not get community support, as in not bad mouthing him or the team. He has some talent but he is going to have to break the bad habits that kids have from the previous coach.

was beating whitley 2 out of his 3 years there the bad habit you are refering to

[Dietpepsidrinker]

Actually I was talking about the fact that you appeared weak and slow this season, and that comes from not just one bad year in the weight room but several. Also, I was referring to the fact that it looked like players did not play hard all the time.

Of course I could have been talking about the fact that the fan base is ignorant of football in general and they need to listen to a coach who has had more success than LCC at pretty much every school he has been to so you should sit down, shut up and listen tot he coach.

And honestly you are only as good as your last game, and WC spanked that LCC tailend pretty good (over 600 yards rushing).

[cherokee]

Actually I was talking about the fact that you appeared weak and slow this season, and that comes from not just one bad year in the weight room but several. Also, I was referring to the fact that it looked like players did not play hard all the time.

Of course I could have been talking about the fact that the fan base is ignorant of football in general and they need to listen to a coach who has had more success than LCC at pretty much every school he has been to so you should sit down, shut up and listen tot he coach.

And honestly you are only as good as your last game, and WC spanked that LCC tailend pretty good (over 600 yards rushing).

thats almost as impressive as that 32 yards rushing against Harlan, or that 152 against Boyle.
yeah and the last game whitaker coached against whitley , heck logan johnson had 460 total yards his self 428 passing in a 40-30 game for the door mat in the district.guess who was the doormat.

[surgeon]

Ok I have have heard enough how are we re building. We did not have a freshmen team this year or a JV team. Our JV team was our varsity this year with out Tyree and Hall. Im tired of hearing all the games Coach Raines has won in the past. Well guess what The past is over lets see what he can do now. We have coaches here that has won several state championships and they dont sit here and tell our fan base how stupid and ignorant we are. Thats funny Dietpepsidrinker said the same thing the coach told the kids. That all Letcher County people was football ignorant. Tired of it!!!!!!!!!!!

[SPORTS FAN 101]

As long as a school that size, made up of the entire county, has small numbers on the field will never compete in 5A. It is a shame more boys do not play football.

[RunItUpTheGut]

was beating whitley 2 out of his 3 years there the bad habit you are refering to

:hilarious:

Like thats something to brag about?????

Whitley was horrible the last two years.
You are not getting any kudos or burns there.

The fact that there heading in opposite directions says something though.

[RunItUpTheGut]

thats almost as impressive as that 32 yards rushing against Harlan, or that 152 against Boyle.
yeah and the last game whitaker coached against whitley , heck logan johnson had 460 total yards his self 428 passing in a 40-30 game for the door mat in the district.guess who was the doormat.

Better check the series record there.....

I believe it is now even.

[Windsprint]

Whether you like it or not--the truth of the matter is that when Hillard was here there were 55-70 players out. That numbere dwindled to the low 30's during Whitaker's time here. I don't know the reason for the dropoff but I do know from talking to the kids that very few enjoyed playing for Whitaker. i have no opinion of Raines because I haven't been around him enough to see if he is a people person and motivator like Hillard was or pessimistic and seen as sarcastic like Whitaker was. Time will tell.

[cougarpride08]

Depends what they do in the off season.

[E's Army]

To sustain success in 5A you must have numbers. Those numbers must commit themselves to the weight room and summer workouts. In the larger counties it is difficult to get kids to practice in the summer because of the distance to school. It is hard on a family to commit hard earned resources to transporting kids to practice. Eastern Kentucky community have been further stymied by the dwindling coal industry. I hope that these communities can rally around their schools. I expect the mountain schools to lose enrollment and resources in the near future. Rains is a proven coach and I hope he is given the opportunity to reverse things at LCC.

[cougarpride08]

I guess he learned a lot of things about coaching mountain teams.

[ballboy]

schedule easier teams and get more folks out for football, need a new coach also I think raines is in over his head at Letcher its going to take 3 years to build a good program or longer.

[termite]

If the Cougars want some success they must hit the weight room ASAP. With the exception of 2 games LCC was just pushed around this year. I know X's and O's are important but if you just get overpowered on both sides of the ball then play calling irrelevant. Cougars will have alot of returning players that got some good experience against some darn good teams but if they dont get stronger then things could be the same. Lets hope they hit the weight room and come out next year and be more physical on both sides of the ball. Tackling was very weak, no blocking special teams. They have some talent to really turn things around just a big "IF" it will happen.

[cougarpride08]

Zane never was given any time to throw the ball. Offensive line has to get stronger. Season starts now, so weight room training is so important. Especially in the winter conditioning and lifting. The old saying goes! If you are not playing a winter sport. You butt needs to be in the weight room.

[redstorm]

schedule easier teams and get more folks out for football, need a new coach also I think raines is in over his head at Letcher its going to take 3 years to build a good program or longer.

OM Gosh, that shows your not very smart and could call you a D. A. for that statement about Rains. How can it be over his head. A state championship coach and its over his head. You must have been a ball boy in your high school days!

[cougarpride08]

We was a rebuilding team that got a late start learning his offense. Winter conditioning, and weight training will only get us better.

[bac2369]

Harlan Co 35
Pulaski Co 20

[cougarpride08]

? What has that got to do with this thread. Really? Anyways, we should have some great freshman coming out next year.

[termite]

Who is going to be responsible for pushing these boys to hit the weight room in the off season? I just dont think alot of our kids are motivated or have the will power to lift unless someone is there constantly watching over them. If that is the case and they have to be "made" to lift then I dont think you will get much out of it. I think the boys know that they need to hit the weights and get serious about their success as a team or more of the same will be seen next season. Will they? How many are lifting right now? Im guessing when teams like Harlan Co. has finished their season the weight room will be busy. I think that would make a big difference in this team's future. We just seemed to look so weak against other teams. Some added strength to this team may add a little bit of eagerness to "hit" instead of "getting hit" and that would be great for the Cougars. Hope it happens and next season we could be competetive in and out of our district.

[cougarpride08]

I remember talking to a few back in the day when they played Highlands. They was never told to lift, they just did. That is what it takes.

[Bear_Paw]

If you look at a team like Harlan County...They physically dominate most teams they play. That is a result of not 1, not 2, not 3 but these seniors have killed the weight room every years since the 8th grade. And they have played in the same system.

In my opinion...you program will start in the 3-4th grades, It requires coaches who communicate the system down the line all the way to pee wee. That is how Harlan and Bell County builds theirs.

One last thing....our parents let the coaches coach....

[cougarpride08]

That last statement is so true. That is why I haven't said too much on here. Knew we was rebuilding, and heard enough parents who don't understand. This coach did make some bad choice words, but he got a late start on getting these kids in his system. You will see a difference.

[E's Army]

Coach Rains has made stops at Hazard and Johnson Central. He understands mountain kids. LCC will be fine. Rome wasn't built in a day. He'll put the time in and if the kids buy in he will be very competitive in the near future.

[cougarpride08]

As long as they put in the work. He can't do it for them.

[bac2369]

Letcher will be fine,, They just got give the man time to work and get some things done. Seems to me like there expecting a miracle over night.But its not going to happen. To be successful u have to work for it, u have to fight for it,and u just have to want it...

[E's Army]

Letcher County is playing with 4A numbers in a 5A district. Their numbers would put them in the middle of 4A. When you are down a little bit and have less numbers to begin with it is very difficult.

[Blue fan]

The next 4 years is going to be ok but after that watch out for lcc.