[TSSI]

Aug 20, 10 Paintsville home 7:30 PM
Sep 3, 10 Shelby Valley away 7:30 PM
Sep 10, 10 East Ridge home 7:30 PM
Sep 17, 10 Sheldon Clark away 7:30 PM
Sep 24, 10 East Carter home 7:30 PM
Oct 1, 10 Winfield, WV away 7:30 PM
Oct 8, 10 Greenup County home 7:30 PM
Oct 15, 10 Rowan County away 7:30 PM
Oct 22, 10 Boyd County away 7:30 PM
Oct 22, 10 Tolsia, WV home 7:30 PM

What is LC thinking, they play no one once again this year. Why such a weak schedule again. Its about the same as last years schedule and they went undefeated is W more important than post season? Why not step up to the plate and play somebody? 3 games on this schedule is all they even have. SC,GC and RC. I'm sorry Bulldog fateful but Chuke Williams would be ashamed playing these teams and calling it a good season. He always would welcome good competition for the post season goals. Whats your thoughts??

[Hatz]

Aug 20, 10 Paintsville home 7:30 PM
Sep 3, 10 Shelby Valley away 7:30 PM
Sep 10, 10 East Ridge home 7:30 PM
Sep 17, 10 Sheldon Clark away 7:30 PM
Sep 24, 10 East Carter home 7:30 PM
Oct 1, 10 Winfield, WV away 7:30 PM
Oct 8, 10 Greenup County home 7:30 PM
Oct 15, 10 Rowan County away 7:30 PM
Oct 22, 10 Boyd County away 7:30 PM
Oct 22, 10 Tolsia, WV home 7:30 PM

What is LC thinking, they play no one once again this year. Why such a weak schedule again. Its about the same as last years schedule and they went undefeated is W more important than post season? Why not step up to the plate and play somebody? 3 games on this schedule is all they even have. SC,GC and RC. I'm sorry Bulldog fateful but Chuke Williams would be ashamed playing these teams and calling it a good season. He always would welcome good competition for the post season goals. Whats your thoughts??

Just to help your case:

Winfield was 3-7 last season.

Tolsia was 4-6.

Shelby Valley was 9-4


Overall, you've got a good argument IMO. :Thumbs:

[Ram Fan04]

This one should get good... But I agree with you! I stated this last year and got attacked by several people over it.

[charlie22]

Isn't the schedule the basically the same as it was last year? We are in the second year of the two year contract cycle so it would be very difficult to upgrade the schedule from last year without breaking contracts (which is and should be a big no no amongst the coaching fraternity) unless LC signed a bunch of one year contracts last year (which would be unusual from what I know). Now if they don't upgrade their schedule next year, then I think folks might have a bigger gripe. And if my memory serves me correct, LC went winless in 08 so I doubt many coaches coming into that situation would schedule a demanding schedule right out of the chute.

[TSSI]

Why is this a no- no as you say? It can be done. If I'm a coach and want to make my team better and that means making other coached mad I would do it. Especially games such as Paintsville, East Carter, Winfield and Tolsia. Two of the 4 mentioned are WV schools that probably have little to do with KY coaches anyway. Just a thought!

[Down and Out]

You're right one quality team on schedule Sheldon Clark.

[Matman]

I understand Tolsia but why Pville? That would be a very good chance to play a tough team.

[barlow]

Boyd Co. and East Carter are district games.
Tolsia played for a state championship within the last couple years.

[Hatz]

Boyd Co. and East Carter are district games.
Tolsia played for a state championship within the last couple years.

That must have been '07 if I'm looking at MaxPreps correctly. Since then they have had one winning season (6-5).

I don't have a dog in this hunt. (Sorry for the LC pun) I think Charlie22 raises the best defense for LC's situation but the original post reveals the greatest weakness the Bulldogs faced last year: weak schedule had as much to do with being undefeated as the team did. They had a good team but their level of competition went a long way to fuel that success. It will be tough to get by a Bell County without having been tested along the way. :Thumbs:

[Batpuff]

Why is this a no-as you say? It can be done. If I'm a coach and want to make my team better and that means making other coached mad I would do it. Especially games such as Paintsville, East Carter, Winfield and Tolsia. Two of the 4 mentioned are WV schools that probably have little to do with KY coaches anyway. Just a thought!

Well lets see we just went 0-11 and the kids had no confidence in themselves, so they had to water down the schedule and take away the Belfry's, P-burg, Coal Grove, Breathitt County.

With the addition to East Carter to the district they have to play them.. Also you sign a two year contract with the schools and if you want out of the contract it cost the school that wants out a good amount of cash which the school doesnt have. He tried to get out of a couple of schools but couldnt.. And if you look at the teams they played in the playoffs they wasnt to weak. Also Tolsia and Lawrence Co is a big rival game for the schools.... and he is orginally from the area of windfield is why he wanted to play them.

[TSSI]

Well lets see we just went 0-11 and the kids had no confidence in themselves, so they had to water down the schedule and take away the Belfry's, P-burg, Coal Grove, Breathitt County. So you do agree that the scedule is terrible???

With the addition to East Carter to the district they have to play them.. Also you sign a two year contract with the schools and if you want out of the contract it cost the school that wants out a good amount of cash which the school doesnt have. football school and can come up with the money excuse what about the new Under Armor uniforms you all have money. He tried to get out of a couple of schools but couldnt.. So they have the money??? And if you look at the teams they played in the playoffs they wasnt to weak your correct they did good till Bell which would spank most teams. Also Tolsia and Lawrence Co is a big rival game for the schools....joke they are terrible good time to get a good game there! and he is orginally from the area of windfield is why he wanted to play them BIG FAT W is what he wants!! Come on Man!!! Well see next year when the so called two year sceduling is over. Or will the coach be long gone after all the W's???

[Batpuff]

Well lets see we just went 0-11 and the kids had no confidence in themselves, so they had to water down the schedule and take away the Belfry's, P-burg, Coal Grove, Breathitt County. So you do agree that the scedule is terrible???

With the addition to East Carter to the district they have to play them.. Also you sign a two year contract with the schools and if you want out of the contract it cost the school that wants out a good amount of cash which the school doesnt have. football school and can come up with the money excuse what about the new Under Armor uniforms you all have money. He tried to get out of a couple of schools but couldnt.. So they have the money??? And if you look at the teams they played in the playoffs they wasnt to weak your correct they did good till Bell which would spank most teams. Also Tolsia and Lawrence Co is a big rival game for the schools....joke they are terrible good time to get a good game there! and he is orginally from the area of windfield is why he wanted to play them BIG FAT W is what he wants!! Come on Man!!! Well see next year when the so called two year sceduling is over. Or will the coach be long gone after all the W's???

Its called when you only have 3 wins in 3 years you have to do something to get the kids thinking they can win and if that means you water down the schedule to do that any coach in there right mind is going to do that. And for your information the kids raised all the money for the uniforms it didnt come from the school. So yes they are spending it on the kids. 2. Windfield open up the season knocking off the #1 team.... And yes is from that area is why he scheduled them.. 3. Lawrence Co and Tolsia is a rival game just ask anyone in the area.. Just like Paintsville and Johnson Central.. No one was saying anything about JC beating up on Paintsville year in and year out.... The Coach isnt going any where he is building a program here.. and thats starts with getting kids out and playing football once again..
Why are you so worried about what Lawrence Co does anyways.

[PaintsvilleTigerfan]

Im not a huge believer in the tough schedule bullcrap. For ears Paintsville played one of the toughest Class-A schedules in east kentucky. The would play JC, Hazard, And Pburg every year. Then hazard changed districts and we added Raceland. SO what has this done for our program? Absolutely nothing. one decent playoff run in the past 6 years so no one can convince me that a tough schedule helps anything.

[Ram Fan04]

Im not a huge believer in the tough schedule bullcrap. For ears Paintsville played one of the toughest Class-A schedules in east kentucky. The would play JC, Hazard, And Pburg every year. Then hazard changed districts and we added Raceland. SO what has this done for our program? Absolutely nothing. one decent playoff run in the past 6 years so no one can convince me that a tough schedule helps anything.

Terrible example... That's like saying Marshall scheduled Ohio State, Southern Cal, and Virginia Tech and it didn't make them any better..

But Batpuff is right. If you don't win playing bigger teams from across the state you don't continue to schedule them. Confidence means alot to players at this level. And I understand what is being done. Almost like tearing it down and building it back up again.. But I think what the problem is some of the fans bragging and saying all kinds of stuff and acting like they went undefeated against played powerhouse teams.. When it's clear they did not..

[bulldog42]

I played for Coach Goldsmith and Chuke. I came back in college and coached with Chuke and I moved back to coach with Goldsmith his last year. I stayed on with Coach Salmons. I can tell you a few things. Chuke played some bad teams too so you can squash that one. All 3 coaches have coached vs good teams + bad.
When I played and coached in the 90's we were as good as anybody around. Moral was out of this world and everybody here was confident we were going to win everytime we stepped on the field. Numbers were good etc.
When I came back 3 years ago it was a different program. The moral was really bad although the kids that stayed around faught with all they had. Numbers weren't very good so depth was a problem. Lots of 2 way kids etc. LC is a 3A school with one of the worst administraive problems in the state. Super suing the school. Principal's that don't know what a football is. Board members congratulating the basketball coach for making it to the state baseball championship etc. There was zero support. Heck I still haven't been payed for coaching last year! I will be stunned if we don't drop to 3A in the new alingment. Some of those kids that stuck around and faught would get into the 4th quarter with Belfry, Russell etc but just got worn down.
The schedule with 1 win in 2 years included: Pburg,Russell, Sheldon Clark, Breathitt, Letcher Central, Rowan, Boyd, Greenup etc. Pretty tough with bad moral and no depth. Part of a huge plan to turn things around was forget about getting support and do things ourself. I can tell you from top to bottom in 20 years there hasn't been a better overall plan in place.
When it came to scheduling everybody was calling. 1 win in 2 years means a lot of teams want to play. All part of the plan was to get games on the schedule that were more on par with where the program was. More wins equals more kids wanting to play and kids working harder. The communitty came back out and fell in love with the team again. We are in a spot now where we have around 50-60 kids which is a lot for a 3A school playing 4A ball. The kids that were Sr's last year went through 2 years with 1 win. They kept fighting and now have one of the best stories in national high school football history. Don't sell that group short. SC went deep. Knox had a really nice team and Rowan has skill kids that match up with almost anybody in 4A minus the top 5 teams. I wish we had about 2 more really tough teams this year but you get locked in 2 year deals and there arent as many teams wanting to play as there was before. We are locked in w Greenup, Rowan, Boyd, East Carter. Tolsia has been a great rivalry for the kids since I played back in the early 90's. It was fun with Chuke till the fans got out of control. I don't look for that one to go off the schedule unless the fans can't behave. The kids all have mutal respect for each other. I wish we had a couple more big games but it is what it is. The kids this year have worked as hard as any group I've ever seen here. The program is at a good point again. More kids out, higher demands, fans are excited. Kids go on the field expecting to win instead of hoping to win. I've won a state championship. I've been in 5-6 Regional Championships. Shut Highlands out at Highlands. Got beat last second vs St X. Beat Cov Cath, Trinity, Scott Co etc. I've been around a lot of good football and good coaches. Coach Salmons has done a great job and knows what he's doing. Some things you can control and some you can't. We have a new Principal that cares etc.
It's not the greatest scheule ever but expectaions are high and the kids are ready to play whoever.

[Real Badman]

Sometimes they are financial issues to force games like this.

[cavery59]

West Virginia high school football is a joke if you are going to play out state teams play a Ohio team are a Tennessee or something.

[THExBURCHINATER]

The only reason anyone would make a post like this is because they Know that Lawrence County football is fighting its way back to formal glory. There scared that Lawrence County can be that team that everybody wants to beat but can't because of all the talent they have had over certain years. As a student at Lawrence County High School I can surely say that the morale of that football team, the school, and the community is starting to peak to where it once was. So, if it takes a water down schedule to boost this morale even further, then I say who cares what teams they play. Football is a sport where anyone can be beat at anytime/anywhere. Look at Bell County, they were predicted to win the Class 4A State Championship in 2009, but did they, NO! They were beaten. A big L right on there record. Losing brings down the morale, which is what Lawrence County had been going through for two years before Coach Sammons came in and put his magic into the program. Luke Sammons made one of the greatest turnarounds in national football history last year. Lawrence County will be back to wage war with ANY team they step on the field with this year. Just like last year, NO EXCEPTIONS!

[charlie22]

Why is this a no- no as you say? It can be done. If I'm a coach and want to make my team better and that means making other coached mad I would do it. Especially games such as Paintsville, East Carter, Winfield and Tolsia. Two of the 4 mentioned are WV schools that probably have little to do with KY coaches anyway. Just a thought!

Why is breaking contracts a no-no? Did you actually ask that question? The same reason breaking your word is a no-no. Maybe you don't place much value in having a reputation for doing what you say you are going to do, but a lot of people feel otherwise. If a coach develops a reputation for not honoring contracts and his word, he finds it very difficult to put contracts with teams together in the future. Would you do business with someone that didn't keep his word and honor his contracts in the past? I know I wouldn't. And that's regardless of not being able or being able to afford the contract breakage fee found in the contracts.

Just sit back and relax. If they don't upgrade their schedule for next year and the following, you'll have a legit gripe. But this team came from as low as a team can be just a couple of years ago. As I understand it, enthusiasm for football at LC has returned. Quit dwelling on the negatives and appreciate the fact that kids at one more Ky high school are "in" to football. And no I'm not a LC fan if you are wondering. Heck, I don't even know where LC is located. If we played LC at LC, I'd have to get out an Atlas to see where in E. KY that LC is located.

And yes I agree that LC's schedule appears to be weak.

[Hatz]

The only reason anyone would make a post like this is because they Know that Lawrence County football is fighting its way back to formal glory. There scared that Lawrence County can be that team that everybody wants to beat but can't because of all the talent they have had over certain years. As a student at Lawrence County High School I can surely say that the morale of that football team, the school, and the community is starting to peak to where it once was. So, if it takes a water down schedule to boost this morale even further, then I say who cares what teams they play. Football is a sport where anyone can be beat at anytime/anywhere. Look at Bell County, they were predicted to win the Class 4A State Championship in 2009, but did they, NO! They were beaten. A big L right on there record. Losing brings down the morale, which is what Lawrence County had been going through for two years before Coach Sammons came in and put his magic into the program. Luke Sammons made one of the greatest turnarounds in national football history last year. Lawrence County will be back to wage war with ANY team they step on the field with this year. Just like last year, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Actually I think Boyle County was ranked #1 practically all year. The greatest support I recall for making Bell the state favorite was in EKY, not state wide. :Thumbs:

[Wildcats11]

Before the season last year, LC was considered one of those terrible teams that you guys are talking about that LC scheduled. Now all of a sudden, we are the team to beat. Every single game last season was suppose to be the game where LC crumbled. LC wasn't supposed to win no more than 2 games, 3 at the most. We wasn't supposed to beat SC, but we did. We wasn't supposed to beat SV but we did. We wasn't supposed to beat Greenup or Rowan, but we did. We wasn't supposed to make it passed first round of the playoffs, but we did. Get the point?? We wasn't suppose to do anything last year but yet we won district championship and went on a good run in the playoffs and got beat by a VERY good Bell Co. team. You know LC IS BACK when everyone is talking (negative and positive) about us again!!! :1:

[The Contrarian]

Before the season last year, LC was considered one of those terrible teams that you guys are talking about that LC scheduled. Now all of a sudden, we are the team to beat. Every single game last season was suppose to be the game where LC crumbled. LC wasn't supposed to win no more than 2 games, 3 at the most. We wasn't supposed to beat SC, but we did. We wasn't supposed to beat SV but we did. We wasn't supposed to beat Greenup or Rowan, but we did. We wasn't supposed to make it passed first round of the playoffs, but we did. Get the point?? We wasn't suppose to do anything last year but yet we won district championship and went on a good run in the playoffs and got beat by a VERY good Bell Co. team. You know LC IS BACK when everyone is talking (negative and positive) about us again!!! :1:

Perseverance and thinking one can, does wonders! Good luck in 2010.

[LClion4life]

Why is this a no- no as you say? It can be done. If I'm a coach and want to make my team better and that means making other coached mad I would do it. Especially games such as Paintsville, East Carter, Winfield and Tolsia. Two of the 4 mentioned are WV schools that probably have little to do with KY coaches anyway. Just a thought!

East is in their district, they have no choice but to play them.

[CatDawg]

Reading this thread reminds me of all the negatives I've heard over the last year about UK Basketball. When a program that has a fairly good history goes as far south as LC did, and then they turn it around everyone starts to have some thoughts about it. Doesn't it really matter what the schedule is, I would love to see some tougher games but first I want to see a program built. Coach is doing just that building a program that many don't want to see return, but the fact remains if he has half the success that he and many think is possible over the next ten years many on here won't be a bit happy.

[StrayBullet]

Reading this thread reminds me of all the negatives I've heard over the last year about UK Basketball. When a program that has a fairly good history goes as far south as LC did, and then they turn it around everyone starts to have some thoughts about it. Doesn't it really matter what the schedule is, I would love to see some tougher games but first I want to see a program built. Coach is doing just that building a program that many don't want to see return, but the fact remains if he has half the success that he and many think is possible over the next ten years many on here won't be a bit happy.

:Thumbs::Thumbs::Thumbs::Clap:

[mandan]

That's one of the weakest schedules that LC has played (along with last year's). I guess they need another year of confidence building before they play better competition out of their district.

[LClion4life]

Greenup and Rowan will both give them some better competition in the district this year.

[StrayBullet]

The biggest games on LC schedule this year on Sheldon Clark..Rowan and Greenup..those games will tell the tale of the season..

[dawgbyte02]

Home and away contracts are in place for a reason. They come with stiff financial penalties for not honoring the contract as with any contract. It is a very time consuming process to complete a game schedule. Most schools are using a 3 or 4 year calender. So if LC wanted to play Boyle or Bell or anybody else it may take two or three years to make that schedule adjustment. And the whole tougher schedule argument is baloney. Your athletes, practice, conditioning, game plan and mental attitude win or lose games regardless of the opponent. And this is all determined by the coaching staff and the players buying into the coaching staff program. Most players could not tell you who the next opponent is because they don't care. All they care about is winning the game.

[Cardinalfootballguy]

I'm not saying anything about it this year as I know they have contracts that are normally home and away series so most of these teams are in the second year with LC so they have to play them this season. They have these teams on here because they had a few tough years and now the coaching staff is trying to build the confidence up in the players and get some support behind them from the community. The foundation has been poured and now they are just trying to build on it. Next year when most of the contracts are up maybe we will see some new teams on the LC football schedule, But you never know maybe we will and maybe we won't. Until then I don't think we can say much about them.