[crazysprtgy]

Since 1998
Somerset has played PC 11 Times Somerset has won 8 of those.

Since 1998
Somerset has played SWHS 9 times Somerset has won 6 of those.

The choices made in this has nothing to do with the kids fear anything else. It is what happens when adults outside of the program get involved in high school sports. Its a he said she said moment. I think its a good game for the entire community but its a choice if any of them want to play in it or not. When you get down to it the question every team has to ask and answer is does this game prepare my team for the playoffs.....does my team benefit.....

[Wildcat18]

Since 1998
Somerset has played PC 11 Times Somerset has won 8 of those.

Since 1998
Somerset has played SWHS 9 times Somerset has won 6 of those.

The choices made in this has nothing to do with the kids fear anything else. It is what happens when adults outside of the program get involved in high school sports. Its a he said she said moment. I think its a good game for the entire community but its a choice if any of them want to play in it or not. When you get down to it the question every team has to ask and answer is does this game prepare my team for the playoffs.....does my team benefit.....

Those records explain my point. That's 16 years. SHS will ONLY play these schools when they think they have a decent shot to win. Those 5 years they didn't play PC and those 7 years they didn't play SW, they knew they had no shot. The difference is that PC and SW will BOTH play SHS on their down years (see last year for SW). Coaches have moved on from SHS for other jobs (congrats to those guys) and players have transferred (or will transfer). That's why they want out...now. Things are falling apart as far as the next couple of years, however, they will be fine in the long haul. I was very surprised that Coach Lucas didn't bolt this season to be totally honest.

[JumperPride1]

I know they play this year but SHS is desperate to get out of this matchup after they took a beating last year from PC. I do agree that SHS has in the past played whoever and did well, but those days are gone. Bringing back everyone with no talent just means that you now have Juniors and Seniors with no talent. SHS will just move to playing the bottom feeders in Kentucky High School Football. SHS has a chance to play the best in 5A for the next few years in Football and did not feel they are up to the challenge.

They aren't talent depleted. They'll be a good 2A team. They have a great trigger man for the next two years that has started since he was a freshman, a good group of junior offensive lineman, and a great freshman class coming in. The senior class, although small in size, has some good talent. The current 7th and 8th grade groups have quite a few very good football players, similar to the 09-10 group in football talent when they were in middle school. Somerset will be fine.

[JumperPride1]

Those records explain my point. That's 16 years. SHS will ONLY play these schools when they think they have a decent shot to win. Those 5 years they didn't play PC and those 7 years they didn't play SW, they knew they had no shot. The difference is that PC and SW will BOTH play SHS on their down years (see last year for SW). Coaches have moved on from SHS for other jobs (congrats to those guys) and players have transferred (or will transfer). That's why they want out...now. Things are falling apart as far as the next couple of years, however, they will be fine in the long haul. I was very surprised that Coach Lucas didn't bolt this season to be totally honest.

Do what? The games for the Ray Correl Bowl are played on a 2 year rotating contract (PC one year and SWHS the next). So, up until last year, they didn't play both. Two year alternating contracts make it fairly difficult to be an opponent dodger. Even if it were the case that Somerset would only play them when SHS was up and they were down why do the county schools and their fans feel the need to validate themselves by beating a 2a football team? It does Pulaski no good to play a down SHS team. Obviously Bowling Green is the one PC should be worried about and SWHS has a growth curve and a 5a district to content with. I would rather see the Somerset v. Danville game (much better rivalry) as oppose to the PC matchup any day.

Good assistant coaches move on and get new jobs, and not every kid sticks with their original program. Somerset will be fine, and it likely won't be as down a year as most think, these kids have won on a high level for a long long time.

[crazysprtgy]

Somerset played both in 98,01, and 02

98 Somerset (4-7) beat (7-4) PC and (7-5) SWHS
2001 Somerset (9-3) beat (5-5) PC and (7-4) SWHS
2002 Somerset (5-6) beat (7-5) PC and LOST to (7-4) SWHS

Those are besides the last two seasons....KHSAA only goes back to 98

[JumperPride1]

Somerset played both in 98,01, and 02

98 Somerset (4-7) beat (7-4) PC and (7-5) SWHS
2001 Somerset (9-3) beat (5-5) PC and (7-4) SWHS
2002 Somerset (5-6) beat (7-5) PC and LOST to (7-4) SWHS

Those are besides the last two seasons....KHSAA only goes back to 98

Somerset would have likely beaten both in 2002 as well, but, their all state running back Brandon Newell went down the game prior to Southwestern with a season (career) ending ACL tear. Somerset also lost their starting quarterback Neal Tucker to a broken collar bone at the end of the Pulaski game (two games prior to Southwestern). 2002 was an injury plagued year for the Jumpers, in total they lost 6 starters to serious injury at some point during the season, and three of them were difference making captains. Would have been a very special year for the Jumpers otherwise.

[Wildcat18]

Do what? The games for the Ray Correl Bowl are played on a 2 year rotating contract (PC one year and SWHS the next). So, up until last year, they didn't play both. Two year alternating contracts make it fairly difficult to be an opponent dodger. Even if it were the case that Somerset would only play them when SHS was up and they were down why do the county schools and their fans feel the need to validate themselves by beating a 2a football team? It does Pulaski no good to play a down SHS team. Obviously Bowling Green is the one PC should be worried about and SWHS has a growth curve and a 5a district to content with. I would rather see the Somerset v. Danville game (much better rivalry) as oppose to the PC matchup any day.

Good assistant coaches move on and get new jobs, and not every kid sticks with their original program. Somerset will be fine, and it likely won't be as down a year as most think, these kids have won on a high level for a long long time.

I expected this response from a Jumper as it is a very common response. Pulaski is focused on BG as they picked them up on the regular season schedule and FINALLY got them to step their purple hind ends out of Bowling Green to face those guys. The end to the rivalry is the sad thing for me personally. There's nothing like the buildup of a game with your friends. Most of the players are friends. They want this game. It's a shame the politics had to end it.

[johnnyd]

I have witnessed this first hand. In the end the County will win out. Over the next few years budgets will become so crunched that there will be no choice and it only takes one mistake to set the dominos in motion. The decision has everything to do with football but the lasting affects will be with the entire school. You can think what you want but this will be a fact facing all Independent School districts in the near future as agreements end do to dollars.

So if Somerset is going to be ok explain to me with stagnant state spending how they are going to pay for everything that is constantly going up? How are they going to grow if they have a static population in their limits?

[crazysprtgy]

I have witnessed this first hand. In the end the County will win out. Over the next few years budgets will become so crunched that there will be no choice and it only takes one mistake to set the dominos in motion. The decision has everything to do with football but the lasting affects will be with the entire school. You can think what you want but this will be a fact facing all Independent School districts in the near future as agreements end do to dollars.

So if Somerset is going to be ok explain to me with stagnant state spending how they are going to pay for everything that is constantly going up? How are they going to grow if they have a static population in their limits?

This is why I was wondering if the vote to become an Urban county would affect the boundaries for Somerset schools. There would no longer be city boundaries. Communities might retain their identity but not city boundaries. I do agree though Somerset is land locked and will have a difficult time eventually with the lose of student population from an economic stand point.

[Cardfan1]

In most situations city boundaries and school district boundaries are very different. Cities can annex if both parties want it, but obviously pulaski will not allow a somerset to annex and who could blame them.

[ky playmaker]

merge with somerset christian and recruit all over the country be the lex cath of the south

[JumperPride1]

I have witnessed this first hand. In the end the County will win out. Over the next few years budgets will become so crunched that there will be no choice and it only takes one mistake to set the dominos in motion. The decision has everything to do with football but the lasting affects will be with the entire school. You can think what you want but this will be a fact facing all Independent School districts in the near future as agreements end do to dollars.

So if Somerset is going to be ok explain to me with stagnant state spending how they are going to pay for everything that is constantly going up? How are they going to grow if they have a static population in their limits?

The Somerset School District covers 11 square miles. I think the biggest thing you see right now is the change in demographics of the city school district. Nicer neighborhoods are moving outward, while government housing and older neighborhoods are still a part of the 11 square miles in the district. Somerset has a good number of kids, but its not ALL the stereotypical doctors, lawyers kids that Somerset had long been associated with. It isn't a bad thing, and the numbers within the city district aren't declining (in fact rising at the elementary level), merely as stated the demographics are entirely different than it once was.

[Walt Longmire]

Those records explain my point. That's 16 years. SHS will ONLY play these schools when they think they have a decent shot to win. Those 5 years they didn't play PC and those 7 years they didn't play SW, they knew they had no shot. The difference is that PC and SW will BOTH play SHS on their down years (see last year for SW). Coaches have moved on from SHS for other jobs (congrats to those guys) and players have transferred (or will transfer). That's why they want out...now. Things are falling apart as far as the next couple of years, however, they will be fine in the long haul. I was very surprised that Coach Lucas didn't bolt this season to be totally honest.

1999 SHS beat PC 40-0, SW beat PC 61-7 SW also beat Danville 25-23, SHS beat Danville 10-0.

2000 SHS beat PC 21-0, SW beat PC 40-23. Danville beat SW 32-0, Danville beat SHS 13-7.

2003 SHS beat SW 33-22, PC beat SW 32-0. PC beat Russell County 42-14, SHS beat Russell County 41-10.

2004 PC beat SHS 27-20, SW beat PC 43-10.

2005 SHS beat PC 42-19, SW beat PC 34-12.

2006 SW beat SHS 34-28, SW beat PC 48-10 and 48-12.

2007 PC beat SHS 62-49, PC beat SW 41-15.

2008 SW beat SHS 48-28, PC beat SW 38-35.

2009 SHS beat PC 18-12, PC beat SW 16-6.

2010 SHS beat SW 23-7, PC beat SW 21-7.

2011 SHS beat PC 33-20, SW beat PC 45-29. SHS also beat Danville 23-6 & 34-23. Danville beat SW 47-46.

2012 SHS beat SW 48-2, PC beat SW 28-14.

Except for 2004 and 2008 show me a year that those scores suggest that SHS "had no shot" against the other county school.

[Wildcat18]

1999 SHS beat PC 40-0, SW beat PC 61-7 SW also beat Danville 25-23, SHS beat Danville 10-0.

2000 SHS beat PC 21-0, SW beat PC 40-23. Danville beat SW 32-0, Danville beat SHS 13-7.

2003 SHS beat SW 33-22, PC beat SW 32-0. PC beat Russell County 42-14, SHS beat Russell County 41-10.

2004 PC beat SHS 27-20, SW beat PC 43-10.

2005 SHS beat PC 42-19, SW beat PC 34-12.

2006 SW beat SHS 34-28, SW beat PC 48-10 and 48-12.

2007 PC beat SHS 62-49, PC beat SW 41-15.

2008 SW beat SHS 48-28, PC beat SW 38-35.

2009 SHS beat PC 18-12, PC beat SW 16-6.

2010 SHS beat SW 23-7, PC beat SW 21-7.

2011 SHS beat PC 33-20, SW beat PC 45-29. SHS also beat Danville 23-6 & 34-23. Danville beat SW 47-46.

2012 SHS beat SW 48-2, PC beat SW 28-14.

Except for 2004 and 2008 show me a year that those scores suggest that SHS "had no shot" against the other county school.

Apples, oranges, and a whole heck of a lot of spare time on your hands. What kind of civilization would we be if we based everything on a circular chain of wins? Team 1 beat Team 2, Team 2 beat Team 3, Team 3 beat Team 4, Team 4 played Team 2 close, Team 6 beat Team 1 in overtime, etc. You're probably one of those guys who would rather have a 12-1 season and lose a championship game than to go 8-5 and win the state title just because you win more games and looks good on paper.

[meat loaf]

1999 SHS beat PC 40-0, SW beat PC 61-7 SW also beat Danville 25-23, SHS beat Danville 10-0.

2000 SHS beat PC 21-0, SW beat PC 40-23. Danville beat SW 32-0, Danville beat SHS 13-7.

2003 SHS beat SW 33-22, PC beat SW 32-0. PC beat Russell County 42-14, SHS beat Russell County 41-10.

2004 PC beat SHS 27-20, SW beat PC 43-10.

2005 SHS beat PC 42-19, SW beat PC 34-12.

2006 SW beat SHS 34-28, SW beat PC 48-10 and 48-12.

2007 PC beat SHS 62-49, PC beat SW 41-15.

2008 SW beat SHS 48-28, PC beat SW 38-35.

2009 SHS beat PC 18-12, PC beat SW 16-6.

2010 SHS beat SW 23-7, PC beat SW 21-7.

2011 SHS beat PC 33-20, SW beat PC 45-29. SHS also beat Danville 23-6 & 34-23. Danville beat SW 47-46.

2012 SHS beat SW 48-2, PC beat SW 28-14.

Except for 2004 and 2008 show me a year that those scores suggest that SHS "had no shot" against the other county school.

2013 PC 41-SHS 13
2014 ?
2015 -?? we will never know.

[Walt Longmire]

Apples, oranges, and a whole heck of a lot of spare time on your hands. What kind of civilization would we be if we based everything on a circular chain of wins? Team 1 beat Team 2, Team 2 beat Team 3, Team 3 beat Team 4, Team 4 played Team 2 close, Team 6 beat Team 1 in overtime, etc. You're probably one of those guys who would rather have a 12-1 season and lose a championship game than to go 8-5 and win the state title just because you win more games and looks good on paper.

At least I don't make a blanket quote stating something that I have no facts to back up. The numbers suggest that in almost every season since 1998 SHS would be just fine, if not beat the county team that they didn't play. Anyone that has seen the teams play on the field can see it as well. I think any logical person that knows anything about football can look at Somerset's record vs both county schools and see that the Jumpers certainly don't fear the Maroons or the Warriors.

Somerset's accomplishments on the field under this staff speak for themselves. I want to see Somerset continue to succeed and to try and win 2A. I trust that this staff is making the decision to do what is best to accomplish that goal. I could care less about whether we play the county schools if that is what Somerset's coaching staff thinks is best for the program. I wish the county schools well. I hope Pulaski County can win state this year before Highlands and Covington Catholic come in to 5A and make it much more difficult, if not impossible most seasons. In the long run Somerset's success does not hinge on playing Pulaski or Southwestern and vice versa. It is obvious from reading this thread that playing Somerset means more to the county schools, particularly Pulaski, than it does to Somerset. I think all 3 local programs can succeed whether Somerset plays both county schools, one county school or neither county schools each season.

[Walt Longmire]

2013 PC 41-SHS 13
2014 ?
2015 -?? we will never know.

2013 wasn't included just like 1998, 2001 and 2002 because Somerset played both county schools. Wildcat made a point to try and say that the years that Somerset only played on county school it was because they had no chance against the other one. I was simply showing that there is no evidence to suggest this except for 2 seasons out of 13.

[kyfun]

The schools in this area has always looked forward to playing each other even when the counties school were not as good. Each schools fans were excited and thought they were better than the other. Look at last years game with PC and SHS, their was as many fans of Somerset that thought they were better as PC fans did. Now that the writing is on the wall of how far SHS have fallen, SHS decides to take their ball and go home. Lets play small school teams so we can kill them and improve our team. SHS can no longer say they will play anyone because that is a laugh.

[Briar jumper bd]

Coach Lucas never wanted to play even when he knew a win was likely as the outcome. I see the players point in wanting to play each other and the fans of the county for wanting to see it but Coach Lucas would've opted out his first year coaching if he could. I'm definitely not taking sides but I was there and know it's not dodging anyone because of talent and lack of. They didn't even talk to coach Lucas about signing into the Don Marshall Bowl so I'm not sure they conferred with him on opting out. I'm no longer there so that's just an assumption. CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG! Lol... I wish all three school the best next season. I know kids on all 3 teams and Pulaski county should be proud of the talent no matter the Jersey they wear. We could just combine all 3 and give 6A a heck of a run!

[Cellking]

Why Can't we all be friends, Why Can't we all be friends.

[Old Jumper]

Why Can't we all be friends, Why Can't we all be friends.

Because apparently, after multiple decadeds of usually-civil collaboration and cooperation between two local school systems charged with the education of their youth, the larger and less efficiently-run entity decided to relieve its district's citizens of the burdens accompanying the freedom of school choice.

In other words, you parents have no idea what you're doing. And Pulaski has kindly taken over the role of deciding what's best for your kid. You're welcome.

But as stated before, it's a total non-issue for Somerset football. Stay true to the game's roots, ideals and benefits. Leave the chest-thumpers and penny-counters to their misery.

[Courtside]

Because apparently, after multiple decadeds of usually-civil collaboration and cooperation between two local school systems charged with the education of their youth, the larger and less efficiently-run entity decided to relieve its district's citizens of the burdens accompanying the freedom of school choice.

In other words, you parents have no idea what you're doing. And Pulaski has kindly taken over the role of deciding what's best for your kid. You're welcome.

But as stated before, it's a total non-issue for Somerset football. Stay true to the game's roots, ideals and benefits. Leave the chest-thumpers and penny-counters to their misery.

Less efficiently run? If Somerset School District is so efficient then they should have no trouble moving on with students within their district. Everyone does have freedom of choice, we make that decision when we buy our homes.

[RoShamBo]

Just for the record, I never said anything about Somerset being arrogant. My point is there is no way possible that SHS will bring in the caliber teams (fan/money-wise) to keep up with the monetary gain from having PC and SW in the RCB. If you don't acknowledge that, I guess you're just that stubborn or you really are that blind. It's obvious they don't want to travel across town. It's also obvious that they "prefer" not to play anyone over the 3A class unless they have a pretty good feeling they can beat them. I promise you this, 10 years down the road...new coaches, new fans, new teams...if/when SHS has a team to compete with the other local schools, they'll be reaching out to play again...but only for a couple of seasons, then back into hibernation or whatever bunnies do. ONLY when they think they can win. There's nothing wrong with dating a 6, some standards are higher than others. It's ok Jumpers. :HitWall:

This is a laugh. RCB is the premier bowl in this small corner of the state. If the AD and HC at Somerset are willing I'm sure that they could offer Corbin or Wayne or Russell or Bell or any of the quality teams in this end of the state $3000-4000 to come to the RCB and any of those teams would thank Somerset for it(it's as much as or more than they would make at any other bowl), as opposed to splitting the gate and giving $8000 to Pulaski and Southwestern when all that they have to do is show up. No matter how this turns out, Somerset should make make money off PC and SW not coming to the RCB if they play their cards right.

This is what I don't understand, is how PC and SW fans don't comprehend that you will be taking a bigger pay cut by not coming to the RCB than we will.

[RoShamBo]

d/r. not worth it

[Paul Crewe]

There is one person that started all this and one only. Coach Lucas. I do not blame him at all. He should be able to make the call. He has earned that with all the success he has had. He has fought this for the last several years.

[Wildcat18]

This is a laugh. RCB is the premier bowl in this small corner of the state. If the AD and HC at Somerset are willing I'm sure that they could offer Corbin or Wayne or Russell or Bell or any of the quality teams in this end of the state $3000-4000 to come to the RCB and any of those teams would thank Somerset for it(it's as much as or more than they would make at any other bowl), as opposed to splitting the gate and giving $8000 to Pulaski and Southwestern when all that they have to do is show up. No matter how this turns out, Somerset should make make money off PC and SW not coming to the RCB if they play their cards right.

This is what I don't understand, is how PC and SW fans don't comprehend that you will be taking a bigger pay cut by not coming to the RCB than we will.

Correction. "Was" the premier bowl. You really think that Russell County, Bell County, Corbin, or Wayne County will bring as many fans as PC or SW to the RCB? Heck, PC is walking distance to the Briar Patch. There are people who go to the RCB right now just to watch the PC, Somerset, SW rotation! That's the ONLY reason they go. Just for THAT rivalry. There are PC and SW students who only go to that game to socialize and couldn't care less about football. Where will those folks be now? I would guess at their respected schools' own football game that night. PC and SW fans do comprehend the pay cut. The issue is that PC and SW can both afford to take that cut. I'm betting SHS will struggle a lot more with that. I don't think anyone can deny it. It's not the money to the county schools as much as it is to SHS.

[steel city gal]

2014- pc-63 shs-7

[crazysprtgy]

So If the bowl split was $8000 for each of the county schools and say it drops to $5000 for Somerset you really think in the grand scheme of things thats a big deal. $8000 is no money at all for a school system or even a football team. Schools in this area have close to $100000 football budgets alone. School systems spend more that $8000 on toilet paper in a year.

[kyfun]

SHS is making a lot more than $8000 on RCB. Concessions and donations were at least that much or more. Local business should not longer support the RCB unless they want their money going to Corbin and Wayne.

[crazysprtgy]

SHS is making a lot more than $8000 on RCB. Concessions and donations were at least that much or more. Local business should not longer support the RCB unless they want their money going to Corbin and Wayne.

Thats the point it will no longer be a gate split....it will be a standard bowl fee of 42500-$3000.....That will save Somerset even more money.

So should Don Marshall not sponsor the other bowl because money this last year went to another school and will go to two others next year....LOL....