[Panther Thunder]

I think PHS fans weigh way too heavy on a short stretch of time when PHS was dominant. That takes away nothing from what they accomplished during that time, but a certain amount of weight has to be given to a program as a whole...

I think this gets overblown. Yes, PHS loves glorifying the 3-peat run and that era, but that is not all that the program has accomplished. Not even close. TWENTY Regional titles since 1972, State titles appearances in 1972, 1979, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991. Two different spans of at least seven years between appearances in 40 years establishes pretty good longevity. Don't forget some of the great teams PHS had in the 1950's, specifically the 1955 team (Mythical State Champions). I will never include that with 1987, 1988, and 1989 until something more concrete is done to make that title more authentic. I hate how Alabama and Notre Dame and the such try to inflate numbers with unofficial titles. But, it is a team worth bringing up. Had there been a state tournament, maybe PHS is looking at a program with Finals appearances in the 1950's, 1970's (2), 1980's (3), and 1990's (1).

It is like me saying Belfry relies too much on the past 5 years. Well? Yeah, I would too. You can't exclude the best run a program has ever had.

I would like to know the big time Belfry roadblocks from 1972-2000 in the playoffs? I know Pikeville's all too well. Beechwood. If Beechwood is in the west, like the current set up, PHS is in the title game maybe as few as 5 to as many as 10 more times. Beechwood was that dominate over PHS. It still would not have resulted in Titles, I know, but something to at least mention. I do not know if Belfry had a dominate power in their respective classes that kept them from amassing more title game appearances.

As far as the bad losses, I'm sure I could dig through the books and find some bad close calls and some bad losses on an equal scale. You also can look to both programs, bad districts or not, and note the dominance of both. Pikeville cannot help the districts in which it is placed, but still rakes in the titles. Regional titles are also huge to football programs. Look at programs like Fairview that just picked up their first or Raceland still looking for their first with their history. They don't just get handed out and PHS amassed 50% of their Region's Titles over a 40-year span, nothing at which to scoff.

I will lean with Belfry about 55-60% right now, all being equal, but will note that it could change with a few seasons in either direction. The bottom line is it is great to have these two programs and the fans can step back and look at the other and have a mutual respect for the accomplishments of both. Here is to another 40 years of Pikeville and Belfry greatness and a continued respectful and hateful rivalry! :Thumbs: