[Skip Pass]

True, and although they lost to all of the teams you mentioned they are a better team for having played a few better teams. By the way, I believe they play Huntington Saint Joseph rather than Ironton Saint Joseph. The former is often very good. The latter is normally very weak. In any case, it will be a good test for Ashland. It is good that the game is in Huntington because Ashland needs difficult road games. Ashland does play the most difficult schedule in the region but, in reality, that is relative because the region is weak and most play each other and little else. Ashland still needs to put a little more bulk into its schedule if it wants to be a force outside the region.

My mistake, Truth - you are correct I meant to say Huntington St. Joe, a perennial power in West Virginia - at team that beat Boyd by 32 points this year. I also failed to mention an Ashland's victory over currently 19-5 Owen County who has beaten Walton Verona and New Cath this year. I agree the 16th is a weak region, but Ashland has scheduled at least 7 tough games outside the region. They also have home and away agreements that they must honor with outside teams like Ironton and South Point (very tough last year, but having down years in comparison this year). Can't see how Ashland can strengthen its schedule more than this and still play its required district games and understandably some regional opponents like Rowan, East Carter, and Fleming. Looks to me like Ashand is playing more than a "few better teams".