[The Guru]

It's always good to squeeze another epic struggle with another traditional EKY football powerhouse (to go along with Jenkins, Allen Central, Phelps, et al.) onto an already crowded schedule to prepare for the playoffs in front of the tens and tens of fans who will pack themselves into Memorial Field to watch it. That's a great replacement for three plus decades of rivalry and tradition.

If there's a sensible motive for this move, other than just childishly guarding the all-time series mark, I can't fathom it.

I am being serious here....really, I am.
Guarding the series mark is not and never has been a factor. Getting killed in a game that can't help you get ready for the play offs is a viable reason. Sure Paintsville has more wins. But what...30 points being their biggest margin of victory and that being possibly the best PHS team ever. As long as the games were at least competetive, it was great. But it reall isn't even interesting to watch anymore. Heck....we couldn't even use our films from the ghame to see what we could have done differently.
Just take the barrell and be happy that your program has really taken off and look for a bigger picture than a win over PHS.