[EKUAlum05]

Ironton joined a "league", it worked out best for Ironton $ wise and in terms of playoff points.

Haywood will never play mcGlone in the regular season, in fact, you will never see Belfry schedule anyone else in their class that they have aleigitmate shot of seeing again down the road in an important game (East Carter does not count because they simply will never be able to matchup with Belfry)

Bell and Pburg have been appraoched and decided not to play. Pburg is still sour about some KHSAA issues back in district play. Bell.... well... noone knows exactly why they have not agreed to play Belfry.

Ashland may be a viable option, but the issue with the Tomcats is that they refuse to play home and home.

Wayne, WV will not play Belfry because what they gain from a win is not nearly as benficial as what they would lose with a loss due to WV's playoff system. This is also why you see such hesitancy from 3A WV schools.

If Belfry did play Hazard, they still would not receive credit as everyone would say "Belfry is just beating up on a 1A school", but if they lost it would be viewed as the downfall of the Pirate program.

Belfry is at a disadvantage because the brunt of the strongest Mountain/EKY schools are either 1A or 3A, 2A only has a couple teams who would truly be a challenge for Belfry.

Picking up LCC was a great move, they are not very far away and building a solid program.

Other teams who may end up being worth pursuing:

- Harlan County: 5A school that will be rapidly improving with larkey as head coach, not an extremely long trip, but a long trip nonetheless

- Corbin; Long trip, but the Hounds will be close to Belfry's level year-in, year-out.

- Perry Central: Not the best competition, but a 5A school that is relatively close.

- South Laurel, Knox Central, Pulaski County: All are schools who have put a quality product on the field that are equally as far away.

-Tates Creek, Lafayette, Henry Clay, Clark County, Madison Central: 3 hour trip on a bus, but playign 6A competition will definately help Belfry.