[BOOGIE WOOGIE MAN]

I think one of the biggest factors that people are overlooking when it comes to the Belfry-Russell discussion is population. When I was in school & played at Russell (Mid 80's), we had like 1100 kids. Now because of so many jobs leaving the area, Russell has like 650 kids. That's a huge difference. We legitimately dressed 70 kids, where now they may dress 45-50. You are also not getting the number of quality of athletes coming through the school system that were once there.

I realize that their are job losses in Pike County, but Pike County is a huge county, and Belfry is at least 20 miles away from Pikeville Independent, and Belfry still gets a large number of kids out for football, plus a few from across the river. Also, Russell is basically "playing up" in 3A because population-wise they are a 2A school. If I'm not mistaken they chose to do this to stay in the district that they are currently in. These things make a big difference.

Just my take on the situation.

The # of quality athletes have dropped in alot of schools compared to the 70's, 80's, and 90's due to the fact that the younger children are exercising their thumbs in their spare time playing Xbox and Playstation instead of calling up a few friends and getting up a game of Touch Football or Backyard Basketball, etc.
Your better athletes these days are gonna come from the big inner city atmosphere where most can't afford the expensive video games and the kids get out and play backyard sports.
If you'll look at Professional sports, probably 75% of the athletes are from the inner city and probably 60% of college sports is the same way.
Not pointing out a particular ethnic origin, all ethnic groups live amongst each other these days and that's great.
As long as we as parents keep providing these video games to our children, their athletic abilities will continue to decline.