[samson81]

I'd like to start what I hope is a healthy and fun topic of discussion/debate during these long, hot summer months of anticipation for the upcoming season.

Is there one team/year that really stands out as the greatest in the history of your school, or are there too many to single out just one? Is it a team that hoisted the big trophy at the end of the season, or is it perhaps a more talented team that was upset in the playoffs? Is a champion that had 3 or 4 losses greater than a one loss runner-up that was more statistically dominant? What is your criteria for picking the best?

I'm sure picking the best team at a program like Highlands or Mayfield is like splitting hairs but I thought this would be fun.

I am by no means the foremost authority on Russell football, but I played there and have closely followed the program for many years. In my opinion, the margin between the top five or six teams is pretty slim. For me, personally, the debate came down to '05 (state champs) vs '02 (better team, IMO).

Truth be told, talent wise, I think '05 isn't even one of the top five most talented teams Russell's ever had. But, they brought home the hardware

'02 went 11-3 with the losses coming against Ashland by 9, Portsmouth West(OH) by 14, and Breathitt Co. by 1 in OT(missed xp :Sad04. Ashland had one of its best teams of the past 20+ years, Portsmouth West was the eventual D-IV runner-up in Ohio, and Breathitt Co. won the 2A title.

Russell has had teams that were just as accomplished ('77, '81-'84, '04, '14) and some teams more accomplished ('78, '05, '06), but '02 was the best Russell team I've seen with my own eyes. For the record, I'm not old enough to have seen the '78 champs. Other teams that deserve mention are '77(close loss to Highlands in semis) and '06(state runner-up, lost by 3pts).

Who's the best at your school?

[Big Five-0-]

The Pikeville Panthers has a ton of tradition with great teams through the years that could have imo, won State more than once. However, they did win it all three years in a row, 87'. 88', and 89' First high school team in Kentucky to accomplish that, btw.. Since those three peats, there has been question by some close to the program, and some not as to which team was the best ever, 87', 88', or 89'. Imo, no question.....the 1987 team, hands down. That team was phenomenal....no doubt! Any one that was around back then, and watched them play, I think would whole heartedly agree. They certainly got my vote. Btw, Coach Howard himself admitted that team had the edge, in his opinion.

[specialteams5]

Going back a long ways here... Toss up between Elkhorn City 1964 and 1974 State Champ and Runner-up respectively.

[Pulp Fiction]

Johnson Central.... hasn't happened yet.



But up to this point in history.

2006: 13-1. 10-0 regular season, our first ever Regional championship and our first ever time playing in the State Semi-Finals.

[Westside]

IMO Betsy Layne' s best team was the 2013 team. They went 9-2 with losses to Prestonsburg and Somerset. Both games were close with Prestonsburg pulling away late in their game.

[bobcatsfan]

We do have some state title teams and don't get me wrong they could flat out play but I would say the best team to really come out of Breathitt was the 1997 team that lost to Lawrence County in the Regional Finals. Weapons everywhere on offense and pounding defense. Man I enjoyed watching those boys play. By far the most athletic team Breathitt ever put on the field. The 89 team was pretty tough too.

[pjdoug]

Whitley County 2008 .won the region and lost to Highlands in state semi-finals http://www.whitleycountyfootball.com/2008.html

[pjdoug]

Whitley County 2008 .won the region and lost to Highlands in state semi-finals http://www.whitleycountyfootball.com/2008.html

[samson81]

We do have some state title teams and don't get me wrong they could flat out play but I would say the best team to really come out of Breathitt was the 1997 team that lost to Lawrence County in the Regional Finals. Weapons everywhere on offense and pounding defense. Man I enjoyed watching those boys play. By far the most athletic team Breathitt ever put on the field. The 89 team was pretty tough too.

I saw the '95 & '96 champs in person. Those were tremendous teams. I thought we were about to hand you guys a loss in '96, but it was not meant to be. I never saw the '97 team, but you're not the first person I've heard say that they were the best ever at Breathitt Co. despite not winning it all.

How does the '02 team stack up against those mid 90's teams?

[StrayBullet]

97 and 99 Lawrence County Bulldogs
The 97 Breathitt team was amazing to watch in person, weapons everywhere.

[samson81]

97 and 99 Lawrence County Bulldogs
The 97 Breathitt team was amazing to watch in person, weapons everywhere.

I saw Lawrence Co. in person in '97 & '98. Both great teams. I can only imagine the emotinal letdown in Louisa after clearing the Breathitt Co. hurdle only to turn around and lose the following week to a huge underdog. After ending Breathitt's 42 game winning streak I (like a lot of others I'm sure) penciled the Bulldogs in as 2A champions.

[bobcatsfan]

Oh yeah I penciled the Dogs in after that night. I think the whole state had them winning the 2A title. Samson I believe the 02 team was tough but not as good as the mid 90s teams of Breathitt. Grant it they were good offensively and loved to smack you in the mouth but they didn't have all the weapons like the teams of the mid to late 90s. Even the 98 team was a dandy. Which Danville ended their run in the state semi finals.

[Mr. Pike Central]

Probably the '09 Hawks, finished 7-6 overall.

But they surprised many people, they battled Belfry in a game I like to call "The Monsoon Game" where it just flat poured the rain, we actually led that game heading into the 4th quarter but Belfry got a couple long TD run's late to pull ahead and win.

The biggest surprise was going on the road, long 4 hour trip up to Mason County. They were favored by several to be state champion contenders that year, but we went up there and pulled the massive upset.

This was our first year hosting a playoff game in school history, it was also the first time in school history that we reached a regional championship game, which we also got to host. We battled Sheldon Clark that game, came very close to pulling another big upset.

2010 was also a very special year, albeit a little controversial. But the kids on those teams were so special.

[samson81]

Johnson Central.... hasn't happened yet.



But up to this point in history.

2006: 13-1. 10-0 regular season, our first ever Regional championship and our first ever time playing in the State Semi-Finals.

How does '06 compare to '10?

10-3 with two losses to eventual state champions (Highlands & Boyle Co.) by one TD each. Third loss to 13-1 Bell Co. A 35pt blowout of 3A runner-up Belfry and a rare win over CovCath. Jude with 3200+ yds rushing.

[Pulp Fiction]

Johnson Central.... hasn't happened yet.



But up to this point in history.

2006: 13-1. 10-0 regular season, our first ever Regional championship and our first ever time playing in the State Semi-Finals.

How does '06 compare to '10?

10-3 with two losses to eventual state champions (Highlands & Boyle Co.) by one TD each. Third loss to 13-1 Bell Co. A 35pt blowout of 3A runner-up Belfry and a rare win over CovCath. Jude with 3200+ yds rushing.

IMO.... JC's 2006 was better than the 2010 team.

The quality of teams may have been better in the 2010 season, but the 2006 team had some of the best players JC has ever had.

If the 2006 team and 2010 played, the 2006 team would win.

[Scotty_Bronson]

I'd like to start what I hope is a healthy and fun topic of discussion/debate during these long, hot summer months of anticipation for the upcoming season.

Is there one team/year that really stands out as the greatest in the history of your school, or are there too many to single out just one? Is it a team that hoisted the big trophy at the end of the season, or is it perhaps a more talented team that was upset in the playoffs? Is a champion that had 3 or 4 losses greater than a one loss runner-up that was more statistically dominant? What is your criteria for picking the best?

I'm sure picking the best team at a program like Highlands or Mayfield is like splitting hairs but I thought this would be fun.

I am by no means the foremost authority on Russell football, but I played there and have closely followed the program for many years. In my opinion, the margin between the top five or six teams is pretty slim. For me, personally, the debate came down to '05 (state champs) vs '02 (better team, IMO).

Truth be told, talent wise, I think '05 isn't even one of the top five most talented teams Russell's ever had. But, they brought home the hardware

'02 went 11-3 with the losses coming against Ashland by 9, Portsmouth West(OH) by 14, and Breathitt Co. by 1 in OT(missed xp :Sad04. Ashland had one of its best teams of the past 20+ years, Portsmouth West was the eventual D-IV runner-up in Ohio, and Breathitt Co. won the 2A title.

Russell has had teams that were just as accomplished ('77, '81-'84, '04, '14) and some teams more accomplished ('78, '05, '06), but '02 was the best Russell team I've seen with my own eyes. For the record, I'm not old enough to have seen the '78 champs. Other teams that deserve mention are '77(close loss to Highlands in semis) and '06(state runner-up, lost by 3pts).

Who's the best at your school?

Obviously Raceland has never seen a major sport state championship. Some of that has been due to district/region pairings, being paired in football with private small school poweres like NCC and LCA, along with seeing Beechwood has has a much higher yield of crop to choose from, but therehave been some teams in the past, that in this recent alignment, IMO, would have brought home titles and multiple apperances. The late 70s and early 80s then again in the late 80s had some teams that would have flurished in a 6 class system. 79/80 teams ran into the buzz saw that was the Sutkamp brothers on their way to titles. Similar things happened in the early 90s, from 90-95 it seems like we lost in the 1st or second round of the play offs to the eventual state champion, only to find that we played NCC, BW, and Bellevue closer than anyone they faced after us in the playoffs. Imo though, 2006-2008, in this alignment, would have brought back 2 titles and a title game showing in 2007. 2013/2014 were both really good teams, that made it further than any team at Raceland has. But imo, 2006 and 2008 were better. Defenses were faster, offenses a little more balanced offensively. Imo, id rate the recent years as 2008 being the best team, '06 and '14 are a close 2nd and '13 at third. '95 and '88 were some really good teams as well. Its hard comparing teams over the years, classification and alignment all have alot to do with accomplishments. We may have not seen a title or title shot YET, but for a school that has between 450-600 kids year to year and with 70+ years of football under its belt, only having 2 losing seasons is quite an accomplishment, imo. Always have and always will be proud to be an Alumn.

[samson81]

Raceland's certainly had some teams that were worthy of deeper playoff runs than they ended up with. That northern Kentucky district was rough on the Rams. I took vocational school classes with some Raceland players in '96. They beat Ashland and then breezed through the district to finish 10-0(Raceland's first unbeaten regular season?). Who's waiting for them in the first round? NCC. Somehow they ended up with the 4 seed in that district. I don't remember the exact score but NCC destroyed Raceland by 35-40 pts. I think that was Bill Tom Ross's last season at Raceland. It had to be frustrating beyond belief to win the district and then lose to a 3 or 4 seed in the first or second round year after year.

I think Raceland's best team might be coming along in the next couple of years.

[RunItUpTheGut]

Whitley, 00, 01, 08

[Do-double-gg]

97 and 99 Lawrence County Bulldogs
The 97 Breathitt team was amazing to watch in person, weapons everywhere.

The best teams Lawrence Co. ever put on the field were 91, 97, 99.
A lot of people want to say the 99 team was the best and it was a good team with a lot of weapons and speed but in my opinion the 97 team had the better defense and it is my pick as the best ever.

[RoShamBo]

Tough to say for Somerset but I would have to say either the 1982 or 1983 teams. 1982 was the team who was upset by Boyle County in the district to keep them from advancing in the playoffs. Corbin, a team that Somerset had beat handily in the regular season, won the 2A state championship that season.

Here's two past quotes from our very own legitimizing this team:

1982 Boyle over Somerst 28-27 After Somerset went for 2 at the end of the game and Boyle stopped them. Corbin won state that year and i think the only loss they had was to Somerset.

One of the best games I ever saw from the broadcast booth. Somerset was the best team I saw that season and racked up yards vs. Boyle. Rebels "big played" them to death in that game and came up with the big stop with :23 to go.

I don't know that it was the biggest game in Boyle history but I'd rank it the biggest victory of the 80's for the Rebels. Ed Rall's last District champion and also won the old CKC title that season. Lost to a huge and strong Corbin team in the Regional that was on a roll at the end of the season. :Thumbs:

1983 team lost a close game to Ft. Knox in the championship. That team featured many future college stars including Tony Massey.

It's tough to say for Somerset as the history goes so deep. The 1984 was ranked top 25 in the nation and #1 in the state preseason regardless of class. Some might even say the 1916 team was the best team in our history.

Here's my very own excerpt from a while back in regard to that group:

This is a pretty good story so I thought I'd share. This is a small part of the Somerset football story from the Somerset fall sports program:

Somerset Briar Jumpers, THIS IS OUR "FOOTBALL LEGEND"

The Somerset High School Team that took the field on that Saturday in October 1916, was optimistic, even though they had been greeted by 700 fans of the Louisville High School, with accompanying good nature jeers and shouted predictions of the gruesome fate they were going to encounter. The Louisville Boys High School had established an impressive record and was predicted to win the game by several touchdowns. Much to blue-clad Louisville's surprise, that purple and gold Somerset team showed NO MERCY. When the last play had been played, and that last whistle sounded, the score board displayed the unbelievable score of SOMERSET 51, LOUISVILLE 6. The tale of that days events were fully described in Louisville papers for days to come. The story, told in simple terms, is that a certain young man by the name of "Gooch", a sorrel topped mountaineer by the name of "Roberts", and a fully mature Irishman by the name of "McMillan" created high school football history on the banks of the Ohio. Louisville sportswriters were knocking themselves out trying to describe the drubbing that was perpetrated. One writer, Mr. Johnny Head, who had fully recovered from the shock, was frantically searching for some previous occurrence with which to compare the extraordinary athletic speed and skill used to evade Louisville tacklers. That is when he remembered the story of Uncle Remus, the briar patch, and the elusive ways the Somerset team had of getting around or evading, obstructions. He also remembered the expression "Bawn and bred in de briar patch". Immediately he christened the Somerset team "Briar Jumpers" because they too were quick, swift-footed, masters of evading obstructions - and "Briar Jumpers" at home in their "Briar Patch" it has been ever since.

So, biggest win in school history in my opinion. Without this game, no Briar Jumpers. If anyone wants the complete story PM me. This also came a short time later:

Somerset Alumnus Bo McMillan quarterbacked the "Praying Colonels" in the greatest upset in college football history. In 1921, Centre College defeated Harvard 6-0 before 60,000 people at Harvard Stadium. Mighty Harvard had not lost a game in 5 seasons. McMillan scored a second half touchdown to make him the toast of "All America."

There's also the 1978 team, the 1981 team, 1999 team, 2005 team, the 2009 and 2010 team. It makes me sad to know that there are so many great Somerset teams and still no championship. One day though........one day.

[Jarons]

Obviously Raceland has never seen a major sport state championship. Some of that has been due to district/region pairings, being paired in football with private small school poweres like NCC and LCA, along with seeing Beechwood has has a much higher yield of crop to choose from, but therehave been some teams in the past, that in this recent alignment, IMO, would have brought home titles and multiple apperances. The late 70s and early 80s then again in the late 80s had some teams that would have flurished in a 6 class system. 79/80 teams ran into the buzz saw that was the Sutkamp brothers on their way to titles. Similar things happened in the early 90s, from 90-95 it seems like we lost in the 1st or second round of the play offs to the eventual state champion, only to find that we played NCC, BW, and Bellevue closer than anyone they faced after us in the playoffs. Imo though, 2006-2008, in this alignment, would have brought back 2 titles and a title game showing in 2007. 2013/2014 were both really good teams, that made it further than any team at Raceland has. But imo, 2006 and 2008 were better. Defenses were faster, offenses a little more balanced offensively. Imo, id rate the recent years as 2008 being the best team, '06 and '14 are a close 2nd and '13 at third. '95 and '88 were some really good teams as well. Its hard comparing teams over the years, classification and alignment all have alot to do with accomplishments. We may have not seen a title or title shot YET, but for a school that has between 450-600 kids year to year and with 70+ years of football under its belt, only having 2 losing seasons is quite an accomplishment, imo. Always have and always will be proud to be an Alumn.

1987 Raceland team was the best in school history IMO, they would have easily beaten the last two semi-final teams at Raceland.
IMO 1987, 2006, 2008 were the three best teams in Raceland history.
As far as the rumor Raceland has had only 2 losing seasons in history, I have always heard that as well, it is not true, Vanderhoof and Ross had two losing seasons each.
Raceland's season records since 1926
http://www.kyhssports.freewebspace.com/f...celand.doc

[64SUR]

I want to say 1994 Leslie County team 13-1 :popcorn:

[Hatz]

Boyle County.

Hard to pick among the state champions but here's a try.

1) 2000 Boyle. All of those teams tend to blend together but this was the most talented of the five in a row. Balanced on offense with Duggins at QB and Matt Quinn a 1700 yard rusher at RB and Casey McCoy to back him up. Receivers in Matt Miller, Voncx, and Boomer Johnson. (Racked up 31 TD receptions and without Jacob Tamme who was lost for the season after the 4th game) On defense: Travis Leffew, Justin Nichols, Michael Paul Webb, young Brodie Overstreet and Matt Quinn at LB. Only tested in 2 games vs. Lex Cath. (Which is the other reason I pick this season. Lex Cath only lost 4 games from 99 and 00. All four were to Boyle) Rebels also destroyed the Class A champ Danville, 47-0.

Taylor Begley as Kicker was a huge weapon. They were a machine.

2) 2001 Boyle. Duggins was back with a healthy Jacob Tamme and a young Adam Tamme. Defense was as great as ever and offense more potent. Beat Class A champ and a loaded Hopkinsville team as the only two close games they played. Demolished unbeaten Rockastle in the final.

3) 2003 Boyle. Brandon Smith led a team that went 15-0 and demolished a good HHS in the 3A state final in the second half. Probably their most impressive win was vs Tighlman in Paducah in the semi-finals. Rebels beat Joe Casey, Hunter Caldwell and company by 14 there and were impressive in doing so.

4) 2009 Boyle. Rees MacShara at RB. Lamar Dawson. Grant Aumiller. Chris Cook. Zach Hester. Great team that went 15-0. Won thrillers over Bell County and 2 OT's over Lone Oak to win the title.

Hope some other Rebels list there best. :1:

[Objective]

I was hoping someone with more history with Bell Co would post since my knowledge is limited to the 90's and current teams but I'll throw some teams out there

1991 State Champs Reggie Robbins and the boys were really loaded
2008 State Champs had one of the most balance teams ever seen at Bell

now to mention some teams that didn't win a state champioship but were loaded and either ran into Boyle Highlands Cov Catholic or Lou Central who eventually went on to win a state title.

2004 will lead the charge with Shawn Robbins and a team that lost to a Highlands team who eventually forfeited every playoff game but the state title, they went undefeated with a kid who holds just about every record in Bell co...... great team

1996 Another loaded team from top to bottom Great line both offensive and defensively with Scott Chaney at Rb lost to Highlands who went on to win it all

2009 A balanced state championship team that returned just about everyone powered by a fast Rb in Davenport lost a close one to Boyle again who won it all

[samson81]

I was hoping someone with more history with Bell Co would post since my knowledge is limited to the 90's and current teams but I'll throw some teams out there

1991 State Champs Reggie Robbins and the boys were really loaded
2008 State Champs had one of the most balance teams ever seen at Bell

now to mention some teams that didn't win a state champioship but were loaded and either ran into Boyle Highlands Cov Catholic or Lou Central who eventually went on to win a state title.

2004 will lead the charge with Shawn Robbins and a team that lost to a Highlands team who eventually forfeited every playoff game but the state title, they went undefeated with a kid who holds just about every record in Bell co...... great team

1996 Another loaded team from top to bottom Great line both offensive and defensively with Scott Chaney at Rb lost to Highlands who went on to win it all

2009 A balanced state championship team that returned just about everyone powered by a fast Rb in Davenport lost a close one to Boyle again who won it all

The '91 Bobcats outscored their opponents by an average score of 31-7 in the playoffs, including a win at CovCath after probably about a four hour bus ride. Which begs the question... How did they lose five games that year?

[TribePride]

I'm from the Elkhorn City area. Our football tradition has vanished in the last few decades, but we still have a few teams who could beat anyone in the mountains in a given night.

1) 1964 State Champs. This was the first state championship brought back to Pike County before Belfry or Pikeville even played in a championship. Beating Russellville 30-6 and finishing 11-1-1 this team has been honored many times as the best squad to come out of EC.

2) 1973 State Runner-Ups. The 73 squad finished the season 13-1 losing to Paris, 21-12, in the 1A championship game.

3) 1975 State Semi-Finalist. Lost to Ludlow, the eventual state champion I believe, A very good cougar team who was a few points of going back to the championship.

4) 1979. The 79 team went 9-2 being edged out by Paintsville for a chance to go to the playoffs. Probably one of the biggest letdowns in Cougar history

5) 1985. Team led by SV head coach Eric Ratliff. This was the last Elkhorn City team to beat Belfry. Cougars would go 7-4 losing to Paintsville 21-14 in the first round

Honorable Mention: 1963, 1974, 1991, 1992, 1997

I didn't include any East Ridge teams (for obvious reasons) but one day I hope I will be able.

[Hatz]

The '91 Bobcats outscored their opponents by an average score of 31-7 in the playoffs, including a win at CovCath after probably about a four hour bus ride. Which begs the question... How did they lose five games that year?

A Bobcat can fill in details but I seem to recall they had to forfeit four early wins because of an in eligible player that never played again.

[Objective]

^ correct he transferred from Middlesboro didn't play in playoffs after being ruled ineligible Bell came in playoffs as 4 seed

[birdman44]

Highlands I'd say 1998 and 2009 are the two tops

1998 : Jared Lorenzen/ Derek Smith 15-0 State Champs *Put up some crazy stats
2009 : Austin Collinsworth / Pat Towles 15-0 State Champs *Beat Cincy St X (ranked 3rd in nation at the time)

2000, 2011, 1996 and 1981 guys might have something to say about that though.

[Big Five-0-]

Many people may not realize that Elkhorn City was the first football team to bring back a state title to Pike Co. (1964) Then there was Pikeville to win it three times in a row 87, 88, 89. After that , Belfry produced four titles with their great run as of late. Some good football tradition, and history in Pike Co., Ky.