[EKUAlum05]

Haha most of that was beer talking but most people know 3A has been the weakest class most years in the six-class system. 2014 was a prime example when Pikeville beat Belfry then Belfry won 3A and Pikeville stayed home.
But my main gripe was the hype that Belfry and JC are the two premiere programs in E Ky. Only a few fans from those two schools will take that as gospel.

3A is pretty average this year top to bottom, no denying that, but by and large over the past 10 years it has been pretty solid.

This will help your argument, but IMHO Class 4A has been the most lackluster class in recent years. Obviously that has changed dramatically this year with realignment, but for several years there were only two or three teams truly championship worthy at the top.

When it comes to EKY football things are cyclical. There are about ten programs who are always consistently strong, but who is the best ebbs and flows with talent pool.

Belfry and Pikeville are perfect examples of this. The majority of both teams' "heaviest lifting" in terms of hardware and State Finals runs has came in sustained stretches. Same can be said for Bell County, Corbin, Breathitt County, Middlesboro, Ashland, Johnson Central, Hazard, Ashland, Russell, etc.

I think traditionally speaking Belfry, Pikeville, Bell County, Breathitt County, and Corbin have probably done it the best for the longest, and of those schools Belfry and Pikeville has the most hardware to back up their argument. Johnson Central is kind of the "new money" of EKY. Under Matney and the six-class system they have taken a gigantic step forward for sure, but outside of the past 15 years their history is far from elite status.