[THE X FACTOR]

Football is a passion in the mountains for many years, but i have always wondered.... whos the best team to ever come through the mountains??? try to have some stats if possible.

[Dragonsdad]

Harlan Co.'s Lynch East Main was a great 1A team. Their coach was Ed Miracle. I don't know if any of their yearly teams were the best in the mountains to ever play,but I wouldn't doubt it if one of them was. In a twelve year period from 1959 to 1971 they had 4 state championships and 4 state runner ups. I couldn't find where any other mountain school had that kind of a dynasty in any twelve year period in any class.

[Panther Thunder]

Ahhh the monthly thread appears...

[Crossbones]

JMO, but it would have to be Pikeville during 87,88, and 89. This coming from a Belfry fan they were one of if not the most dominant team to come from the mountains. They were even ranked nationally. I can't find the stats or records, but pretty sure they won 3 state titles during those years.

[Panther Thunder]

Speaking of which, maybe we should find the best discussion thread on the topic and sticky it.

[THE X FACTOR]

well i knew pikeville has always been a football hs but ranked nationally??? thats awesome!!! and i never knew about lynch highschool either. that was before my time lol. my fav team was the 94 eagles which was tim couchs junior season and 95 was a good year as well. both teams went to the state semi finals but that was as far as they got

[Southeast Bluegrass]

Pikeville had a running back in the late 80's, Michael Duramus. I don't know if I spelled it right, but he was a load.

[Panther Thunder]

Pikeville had a running back in the late 80's, Michael Duramus. I don't know if I spelled it right, but he was a load.

Bobby?

[honestjchsfan]

1987 Pikeville the most dominate team from the Mountains ever! State's first ever 3-peat. Every program in the Mountains wants to be and do what they did!

[bball_fan]

My best friend played outside linebacker on the '89 Panthers team, I've seen the highlights tapes he has... without a doubt I would take those three years over any team that has ever come through here. After them, would have to be Breathitt in the 90's with Chapman at running back.

[rockfan11]

i like the 2000, 2001, 2002 rockcastle team. even though they never won the state title. another favorite is the 2008 bell county team. rocked everyones world that year, even boyle county lol

[Spud6]

Pikeville 80's no brainier!

[Alpha_Male]

09 Jenkins. Or 01 South Floyd.

[Fly Like a Duck]

The 87-89 Pikeville teams take the top spots.

After that, I'd go with the '95 and '96 Breathitt teams and maybe the '02 squad, but I still think the '95 & '96 Bobcats were just a bit better, then the '03 and '04 Belfry title teams.

The best team from the mountains never to win it IMHO, was the '99 Lawrence County squad that was beat by Highlands in the semi's.

They Lynch teams mentioned were very good

[Big Five-0-]

My best friend played outside linebacker on the '89 Panthers team, I've seen the highlights tapes he has... without a doubt I would take those three years over any team that has ever come through here. After them, would have to be Breathitt in the 90's with Chapman at running back.

Would have to agree with this. Nobody could touch that 87' & 88' team during those yrs. Without a dought, the best game i saw them play was in the playoffs at Cumberland in 87'. The Panthers won that game for the region by a score of 28-0. Up to this point in the season Cumberland was unbeaten on their home field. This was a battle of two football titans with a lot of hype, and it lived up to every bit of it. The 89' team was a great team as well (3rd straight title), but, of the three yrs., my vote would have to go to the 87' team.

[Bear_Paw]

Cumberland 82-85 may not be the top....but we certianly were not chopped liver...:rockon:

[Big Five-0-]

Bobby?

Bobby in the yrs. of 86',87', & 88'. His younger brother Eddie in early 90's . 93'-94'?

[Big Five-0-]

Cumberland 82-85 may not be the top....but we certianly were not chopped liver...:rockon:

I'm sure those yrs. were , but that 87' Cumberland team was great with some huge off. and def. linemen.