[Wildcat18]

Careful what you wish for...what is Somerset's record against the Marlin's all-time? I believe it is somewhere around 12 or 13 and 6, including the last 2. One of those two was against Pulaski's only regional champion. And don't give me the home field advantage stuff. That 1/2 mile road trip doesn't take that much out of you.

As for the deal I'm fine with it as long as Somerset gets 1/3 of the gate from the Don Marshall Bowl like Pulaski and Southwestern get from the Correll Bowl. Also I know Coach Lucas didn't want to play the County schools back to back weeks. I can understand not wanting to play two emotionally charged rivalry games back to back. By having one in week zero and one in week two it breaks it up a little bit and allows the coaches to focus on getting the team ready for the district games. The district and playoffs results are all that really matter. I'd rather have another local game than have to drive to Hazard again anyway. Somerset has their program at a point where it is a top 5 team each year. As long as the games with the local schools don't interfere with their goal of winning a state championship then I'm all for playing them. If they get to be counterproductive to that goal because of the emphasis put on the games by the players and community then I'd rather see neither game played. Ultimately Somerset wants to win a State Championship and that is a realistic goal. They could care less about the validation of beating the county schools.

You actually make some good points. I understand Coach Lucas not wanting to play each team back-to-back, that would be an issue with all 3 coaches IMO. My argument isn't about Somerset not wanting to play, it's about the fact that they will not leave the Briar Patch with the in-town schools. 2002 was the last year they played a "road" game against either Pulaski or SW. That's an entire decade. I'm just not sure why it's taken so long. Win or lose, I just want to see it happen year in and year out.