[Hoot Gibson]

I watched that talent that your talking about a lot from the time they were in elementary school on through high school. The 01 team ( i had to look it up) wasn't that talented at JC. They lost Casey Music, Scott Salyer, jeremy murray, jeremy perry, tj music, and a few other players that were studs on the 00 team. You must have a son in that age group or was on that team to say that they would have beat Paintsville like a drum that season. I watched both teams on more then one occasion that season, and it wouldnt have happened. JC did have talent, but the athleticism wasn't their that matney has had. Name one back from the 01 through the 03 seasons that was near as good as Ron Blume, JJ Jude, and Shawn Grim. Closest one was Chad Yates, and he was good, but not in the ball park of those 3 I mentioned. Name a linebacker that was better in 01-03 then Blake Johnson or Michael Tackett. That Paintsville team in 01 took a state runner up team in pburg and played them really tough, and your saying they would have beat them like a drum? so im not wrong, i watched kids on both teams in those years, had cousins that played in both programs. The 01 team would have beat JC, but other then that team, i will agree that Matney would have beat PHS like a drum. The only reason why central lost in the 20-13 game is because Scotty Mccoy screwed up and kicked like a 10 yard punt, if not for that JC would have won that game. So I agree that other then one season after Musick, Matney would have beat phs and I agree that the coaching wasn't near as good and their was some good talent, but Matney has coached a lot better talent. :Thumbs:

It is strange how bad coaching and a lack of talent look so much alike. Since Johnson County Middle School has been built, how many times has Paintsville's combined 7th and 8th grade teams ever beaten Johnson County? How many times have they even come close to beating them?

You are right. I had a son who started as a freshman on that 10-0 team. If I recall correctly, his 8th grade team led Paintsville's 7-8th grade team 48-0 at halftime. That same year, my younger son's 7th grade team beat Paintsville's 8th grade team 21-7 and the following year, I believe that his team only 36-0 at the half. There may have been an isolated game or two where JCMS has not thoroughly dominated Paintsville, but I do not recall any.

Paintsville's small enrollment means that they must have strong contributions by their underclassmen to field a competitive football team. None of their individual classes has as much talent as JCMS does. So do you think that those players who dominated Paintsville at the middle school level suddenly became less talented when they played for Humphrey and Ross? I don't think so.

I have nothing against Paintsville's program but athletic talent is spread pretty evenly over Johnson County. The difference is that Johnson Central's talent pool is several times bigger than Paintsville's. For many years, Paintsville's superior (and stable) coaching staff was able to prevail against Johnson Central but that was the primary reason that Paintsville led the series when it came to a merciful end. Walter Brugh and David Lemaster are the reasons why Paintsville had the upper hand for so many years - not superior talent.