[IRISH4]

I hate seeing this game being called to an end. It was a great rivalry (most years) and turn the town upside-down with school pride for a solid week, but in the recent years things have started to escalate and has eventually gotten out of hand. I played in it for 4 years and it wasn't a game that mattered or held any ground as far as playoff implications are concerned, but you sure didn't want to lose to the "other school" in Paintsville for bragging rights. A lot of great players came through and participated in it...and aside from the District Championsip every year with Pikeville, a few Regional Championships, and our state-semi final appearance this game was always the most enjoyable and fun.

As for future ideas, the Big Sandy Bowl was stopped around 2004 or 2005 (not sure) which allowed both Paintsville and JC to play on the same field the first or second week of the season. Now JC hosts the Big Sandy RECC Bowl and I'm pretty sure Paintsville has a bowl of their own too. It was a great event, but financially the schools were really kinda losing out due to the splitting of the gate and the whole 9 down the middle. Also, one year the Apple Bowl was scheduled for the week after the festival so the teams held another event similar to the Big Sandy Bowl that was known as the Apple Classic....only lasted one year. However, I think something like this could be played every year at JC due to the field being turf and the much larger stands and standing room for larger crowds. Whatever is decided, I'm sure it will be in the best interests of the schools!