[FF40212]

I just want to clarify for some of you folks on comments made by the KYMSFA.

First of all, EVERYTHING to do with that game is written down ahead of time. Everything from the KYMSFA rep who is there to administrate it, to the officials who are referees, to sponsors, etc. There are never any secrets about anything.

Secondly, the KYMSFA "strongly suggests" that there be 4 refs for each of the playoff games. The sheet has a spot for 4 names (check for yourself). There are many schools who use only 3 during the season and are thereby doing the same thing in these playoff games. That is to be corrected by next year.

Now, footballmom, just so you know, the last 2 years Bluegrass has not had to travel in the first round of the playoffs. My team came there and played you all in the first round last year and we heard some of the same complaints you are saying right now. In your game the other night, the Bluegrass AD did not want the 4th ref. The KYMSFA representative who was there insisted.

Its funny you bring up the field paint issue (again). When we came down there last year, the the Bluegrass folks tried to take $200 off the game receipts for "field paint". I laughed because before the game I had stood at midfield with the John Hardin coach. He made a comment that "those guys repainted the Bulldog out here, but they didn't touch yardlines? Heck, their mascot isn't even the BULLDOGS". You can see from the attached picture what I sent to them to refute their $200 claim. Needless to say, the split was settled appropriately soon thereafter.

I say that to simply inform you all that everything is laid out, IN WRITING, to every member school who participates. This is not a mandatory deal. No one is forcing anyone to play in these playoffs. We set this up, under the understanding of all of the coaches, that this would be the procedures for handling these things. It's not for anyone to "make money". It is like you said - for the players.

I know that from the stands looking down things are probably not what they seem sometimes. However, just please believe me when I say that this is supposed to be as even as we can make it. Will refs make bad calls? Certainly. Will there be teams who could have/should have made it further if put on a different side of a bracket? No doubt. However, this is set up, with the best and most honest of intentions. I can guarantee you that 100%.