[EKUAlum05]

Bourbon's issue is their school size and reputation on a regional level.

In terms of playing CKY teams. You have several programs who probably think they are "above" playing a Bourbon County team that for the past decade had not been competitive. The best teams in CKY are either 6A schools who have had their teeth kicked in by Louisville and NKY teams over the years, or LexCath and Boyle who have learned through their success you have to schedule up. This year it is very clear Bourbon is on par with any team in CKY not named Scott County, but the name alone makes them a lose-lose team. If you beat Bourbon.. congrats you beat a 3A team who traditionally was very weak... if you lose to Bourbon...you just lost playing down.

My critique with Bourbon is that they shouldn't limit themselves to playing Regional Games. When you are in WKY or EKY you have geographical handicaps that create logistical problems. For Belfry to play a 6A size team for example either you have to travel 3 hours, or you have to play a WV team who will rarely play down against an OOS opponent because of their playoff system. In fact, due to Belfry's size they are forced to either go West for competition or go on long trips to Ohio or Tennessee.

Bourbon may have a lack of regional opponents, but they are an hour and a half from NKY, Cincy, and Louisville. Within 2.5 hours you can extend even deeper into Ohio, Indiana, Southern KY, and areas outside of Louisville like Hardin County, Nelson County, Bullitt County, etc

How about this Hypothetical Schedule where Bourbon would have been an upgrade in terms of competition, all with drives that were within reason:

Week 0 vs. NewCath
Week 1 vs. Central Hardin
Week 2 vs. Johnson Central
Week 4 vs. Christian Acad. Louisville
Week 5 vs. Western Hills
Week 6 vs. Estill County
Week 7 vs. Graard County
Week 8 vs. Powell County
Week 9 vs. Bath County
Week 10 vs. Lou. DeSales