[EKUAlum05]

Honest question with absolutely no flame meant...

Would Johnson Central be better served using one of these agencies to help them find elite out of State Competition?

Trinity used a 3rd party service that set them up with games against Cocoa (FL) and Imhotep Charter (PA). Obviously there is a cost associated with this, but it allowed Trinity to find two games against top quality competition that other wise may have resulted in the Shamrocks having to play an incomplete schedule.

The thing is this is a common issue around the country. Schools all over the map have issues "scheduling to their standards" and will have teams who wont want to play them. In the Miami Central vs. Hoover game the Central Coach said "We don't play cupcakes". It is the job of those agencies to find teams and pair them together so they don't have to "settle" for a schedule filler.

Belfry has had issues filling their schedule over the past 5 or 6 years. They had to settle for a game vs. West Carter... had to agree to a 2 year deal with Southwestern where both games were on the road... had to travel to Knoxville last year and Gallipolis this year. With some of the swings and misses of the Pike County Bowl I have wondered maybe if Belfry and JC should start their own special event in Week 2. Get sponsors together, charge an elevated price (15.00 per Adult and 7.00 per child) Bring in a tough out of State School for each team. The cost of the ticket goes directly to offset the cost to bring the teams in.

Do it as a true event. With the purchase of your ticket you get access to a full day of tailgating and a Festival atmosphere. Live Music... local restaurants set up tents and give out free samples... businesses sponsor games and give-aways, each school hosts a pep rally, the media and radio stations do live remotes... some people complain about high ticket prices,,, but if the game is a "Can't Miss" and you feel like you get a full day of entertainment people won't mind and you will draw thousands out.

Not only does this allow you to bring in great competition, you also build your program at the community level and make an event that kids grow up excited about.