[Neersfan]

First of all I mentioned that Estill was as strong as any team they played and equally talented! Second of all the change in district DOES NOT mean you have to schedule 6 other gimmees. Look at the teams past record which was on your schedule. Not very convincing. In the past Cawood has been tough, not this year, nor Powell, and I don't believe Fleming had a winning record, however they played a more significant schedule. Outside the district they played Mason Co., Harrison Co., Bryan Station to name a few. That is much tougher than Phelps, Berea, Knott Co. Central, etc. If you know anything about scheduling, you know coaches have a choice in who they play if the dates are open. Why would you agree to play a Phelps team when you can play someone who would present a challenge and prepare you for a "Playoff" game. Breathitt's off schedule, to name a few, Lexington Christion, Prestonsburg, teams with winning records. Cawood played Middlesboro and Somerset for heavens sake. As stated, there is no bashing, just stating facts. All other teams in the district had at least two quality teams on the schedule if not more. I don't need to come and watch practice, I have heard from enough fans which are parents that say it is not rough and to easy. Again, I can promise you that you can find a more competitive schedule, which in turn will help you prepare for the Breathitt's. If I come across as bashing the kids then I apologize, they have no control, and are a great bunch. Did you not scrimmage Nicholas and Allen Central? Why not try Madison Central or Rockastle, it is just a scrimmage but with quality teams. Look up anything I have mentioned, it is facts from the KHSAA. The kids deserve to play the best! And as far as the playoffs, it is a district tournament, another way for the KHSAA to make money. If not, they would go back to sub districts or taking the top two from one district and playing two from another.

I don't know of any parents that attended one practice this year that said it was "too easy". Just because our kids were not hurt in practice does not mean the practice was not effective. Our coaches practice us in a way that teaches us as we go. If they came out and beat the crap out us I don't think that we would get much out of it. You can keep the intensity and tempo without killing the players. As far as the "gimmes" go , I again say that it's an insult to those teams we played. If you were in a situation and someone called you "out" would you turn down the challenge or accept it? I don't know of any teams that would turn down a challenge like that. I assure you that if any of the teams we played last year want to drop us they can. I know a little about scheduling and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if you have an opening you should take the game offered or you take the chance of having two or more open dates on your schedule while you wait for Trinity or Saint X to call.
This year Cawood is combining with two more schools in their area so we will be playing a team that is probably a 5A or 6A class. they are still however going to play Cawood's schedule which means our district will be looked at as "Better" by some. Maybe that will make some folks happy. I think that since the year is early and you might have some influence in Kentucky football you should call some teams and have them call Coach Jones to schedule a scrimmage or a game. I'm sure that he would be glad to accomodate any openings that we may have. It's all about getting better and learning. This year we did both of those things!
A big lesson that we learned this year is that there is not alot of difference between winning and losing because no matter what there is always going to be someone there to criticize you!:moon: