[Hoot Gibson]

Nobody has ever said that. You and everybody else from over there try to say that Paintsville's success in the past had to do with players TRANSFERRING from the county, which is NOT the case. Yea we've had a lot of players who lived outside of town, BUT they went to Paintsville their entire life, just like their parents did. Nobody has ever said that all of our players lived in the city.

Paintsville has benefited from transfers more in the past than Johnson Central has. I have never claimed that it was the only factor in Paintsville's success against JC, only that it has been A factor.

With Matney coaching at Johnson Central, do you think the number of kids enrolling to play football at Paintsville has increased or decreased? Do you think that the number of kids attending JCMS who play football and then transfer to Paintsville to play high school football has increased or decreased? Do you think the number of disgruntled Johnson Central football players who have left the school to play for Paintsville has increased or decreased since Matney began coaching?

If you admit the obvious, which is Matney's hiring has resulted in more county kids playing in their home district, then you must also acknowledge that transfers have played some role in the Tigers' past success. At least admit that they have added some depth to some of Paintsville's teams.

The fact that JCMS has won more state championships in academic competition than any other middle school in the state has also played a roll in fewer kids paying tuition to play football for Paintsville. Paintsville used to have a big edge in academics, but that is no longer the case and that has helped Johnson Central's athletic programs.