[PHSForever]

This thread has turned into a "Mines Bigger than Yours".. Geez !! Here's what I say about all this":

1) Yes, W'Burg's schedule isn't as good as some other of the 1a teams. But, with 18 or 19 starters returning from last year, they have plenty of big game experience from last year that this schedule won't hurt them. If they lose, it'll be because someone else played better or simply had a better team, not because they didn't play a strong schedule. This team has played N.Laurel, Wayne Co, Mayfield, Raceland, Hazard, Newport in the last year, so, that will be more than sufficient to know what they'll be up against come playoff time...

2) Pikeville has a quality win over Belfry. I give them that. But, what have they proven in the playoffs in the past 15-20 years. Those are the big games, not an early season regular season game that has no bearing on anything other than bragging rights. It proves they can compete with anyone on a given day. That's it, but, until they prove something in the playoffs, all the barking in the world and chest thumping is irrelevant..

3) Mayfield has a good defense. I think everyone on here would agree with that. I also think everyone would agree that the offense is a step or 2 behind the last couple of Cardinal teams. I would also say that the schedule is not as good as it's been in the past few years. Same teams, but, different years and this years version of Ft Campbell, PT, Graves isn't as good as some prior versions. I doubt Mayfield will call off the dogs this year, either because they won't make it to the finals or if they do, because the game will be much closer than last year..

4) Not to many on here talking about Raceland or Hazard from the east and to be honest, I'm picking Raceland to come out of the east this year. I think they're playing the best ball of any right now and it won't surprise me to see them upset Ironton in a couple of weeks, a team that would likely beat most of the 2a and 3a teams in Ky.. Hazard is a team that has the coaching staff that's been there, done that. That's a huge factor in the playoffs. If they get healthy by the 3rd round of the playoffs, they're more than capable of beating anyone out there..

Just a point about your comment in #2 where you ask (referring to Pikeville) "What have they proven in the playoffs in the last 15-20 years?" I think a fair gauge of success is making it to the regional finals. Obviously, you want more, but that's fair, I think. So I decided to look at the records of the 2 undefeated East 1A teams, Pikeville and Williamsburg. Apples to apples.


Won-Loss record since 1990 (as far back as I can find on KHSAA)

Pikeville: 229-87 for a 72% win percentage
Williamsburg: 148-118 for a 56% win percentage

Regional finals:

Pikeville: 13 finals appearances, 5 wins to advance to semi-finals and one finals appearance (1991 state runner up)
Williamsburg: 4 finals appearances, 1 win (last year) to advance to semi-finals and one finals appearance (2013 state runner up)

Overall, there is no doubt who has had the more successful post season in the last 15 or 20 years between the two. And overall, I think it is fair to say Pikeville has still had good post season success. Great? No. But still very good and many schools would be happy to have their record in the playoffs. It's not Mayfield level as of late, but very few are. I didn't compare to Fairview, who as of late (past 10 years or so) has been one of the stronger programs, due to well... Obvious reasons. And I won't compare it to Hazard because them dad burn Bulldogs have ended a few of those seasons. Lol