[left tacckel #65]

Who plays who? Any good games expected?

[throw deep]

Final decisions on sites and match-ups should be decided at the next bowl committee meeting on 02/14/12.

[cuppett777]

i hope its the 2 thats been said, would really be an UP GRADE, and very stiff tests.

[E.ridge]

whats been said??

[Real Badman]

I don't see it changing up much at all. Pike County Bowl has lost its luster.

[nature boy]

how bout Pike Central vs Pikeville bowl game

[throw deep]

From what I hear its gonna be very lackluster match-ups for Pikeville & Belfry, fans won't be very happy, & yes the bowl has lost its attraction

[Strikeout King]

who are the teams that everyone is hearing?

[Real Badman]

it'll be SV-ER-PCC-PHS then Belfry and Pikeville will have someone come in.

[PaintsvilleTigerfan]

PCC Pikeville should be good.

[jetpilot]

I don't see it changing up much at all. Pike County Bowl has lost its luster.

But it still has 100,000 times more luster than your team, and I don't see that changing up much at all either.

[Real Badman]

But it still has 100,000 times more luster than your team, and I don't see that changing up much at all either.

You're such a bad troll, it isn't even funny.

[jetpilot]

You're such a bad troll, it isn't even funny.

So easy to trash your posts it isn't funny. Your football knowlege is zilch.

[Real Badman]

So easy to trash your posts it isn't funny. Your football knowlege is zilch.

Oh pardon me, I didn't realize you were Philip Haywood. My apologies if you wanted me to tell you about the garbage programs that have evolved in Pike County these modern days, excluding of Belfry of course.

[PHSForever]

Oh pardon me, I didn't realize you were Philip Haywood. My apologies if you wanted me to tell you about the garbage programs that have evolved in Pike County these modern days, excluding of Belfry of course.

You know when the Pike County Bowl started to lose some of it's luster? When the county schools started whining about wanting to play. It was never intended to be a 2 night show, but with Belfry's nice new stadium, it evolved into one. Then, the schools that were getting money irregardless of who was playing started complaining and wanting to play, it expanded into the bowl you see now. Even still, Pikeville and Belfry usually play the better teams who come, allowing PCC, East Ridge, Shelby Valley, Phelps, etc to play each other to at least give them a chance to win a game. I guarantee you, if any of those schools (exception being PCC) had played Harrison County, they would have lost.

Pikeville's opponent this past year was due to a late cancellation by Frankfort/Franklin County (can't remember who the team was) that left us hanging, and luckily, a team from out of state stepped in and came up here. We appreciate them doing so. If these other schools would step up their game, maybe it would be a little more entertaining. Honestly, I would be perfectly fine with it going back to a one night show alternating between Belfry and Pikeville as host schools each year. I still regard it as a great bowl game, and I'm sure it will be back on track to have the "luster" that people like you, who have been spoiled by watching talent-rich teams like Pikeville and Belfry and other schools such as Lafayette, Beechwood, etc. fight it out. You guys must miss watching those games and wishing it was you on the field. Sorry if the truth hurts, but it ticks me off that people constantly knock this bowl game that brings in good money at very little to no cost for ALL the schools who participate.

[bac2369]

I would like to see Hazard and Belfry go at it. Then for Pikeville vs Pike Central.

[EKUAlum05]

Time for my annual diatribe I guess.

I have proposed numerous ways to improve the bowl and even suggested that Belfry and/or Pikeville succeed from even playing in it since the focus has became more about the hands of the other county team's into the cookie jar. I am still a proponent of going back to the old school format of Belfry and Pikeville playing only on a Saturday night at Hambley.

Here is this year's suggestion:

Growing up following Kentucky HS Football there were "bonuses" that would make you excited. I remember the first time Belfry took on Ironton, OH,,, who at the time was considered a super power in Ohio football and had a handful of major D-1 prospects. I remember the time Pikeville went to Bluefield, WV and thumped one of the proudest programs in WV history. I remember watching WYMT cover the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic and hearing the hype about the National Powerhouse Cincy Moeller and all the D-1 and NFL players they had produced.

These games appealed to football fans on several levels. The first was the sense of mystery from an out of state opponent with a storied background. The second was the opportunity to watch D-1 prospects go against players you already knew about. The third was the sense of pride of KY vs. Another State. In those days it was an oddity to see such games as travel logistics (poor roads, lack of facilities, lack of hotels, etc) into EKY hindered opportunities.

The beauty of these games, aside from the points already mentioned, was that with winning programs typically came a built in traveling fanbase. It also meant you would catch the eye of neutral local fans for the walk-up crowd and the media to cover it. Those programs used those games as a "reward" for their kids to take an overnight road trip, generating enthusiasm in their program.

This same model is why you have seen events like the Kirk Herbstreit Challenge really take off. People are drawn to seeing teams play who normally would never get the chance, as well as bragging rights for which state plays the best football.

Here is my proposal this year:

One day event.... Saturday of Week 1. All games at Pikeville HS due to the roads and number of hotels/restaurants in the area.

12:00 You pick whichever county team had the best season the year prior not named Belfry or Pikeville and you match them up with either a WV or VA small school power house. Between Clintwood, Gate City, Powell Valley, Wayne (WV), etc..you have a handful of smaller schools who have became perennial powerhouses within a 2 hour drive.

4:00 and 8:00 in alternating years they switch the time slot between Belfry and Pikeville.

For Pikeville: You bring in a top tier small school program from within a 6 hour radius. This covers teams from essentially anywhere in NC, Virginia, WV, Cincy (OH), Columbus (OH), Pittsburgh (PA), Greenville-Spartanburg-Rock Hill (SC), Nashville (TN) and all parts of TN eastward including Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities, even parts of North Georgia such as Dalton and Calhoun.

For Belfry: You use the same radius but bring in a larger school.

The PCB brought in Lou Holy Cross for back to back seasons and Tellico Plains, TN last year. In the past when roads were not even close to being as modern as they are now, the PCB brought in teams from NKY, Ft. Campbell, and Bardstown... distance has not been an issue.

Imagine these potential matchups next year:

Pike Central vs. Clintwood, VA (VA 1A Champions)

Pikeville vs. Wheeling Cent. Catholic, WV (Have won numerous State Titles)

Belfry vs. Calhoun, GA (Won the GA 2A State Title defeating nationally ranked Buford)

[Real Badman]

You know when the Pike County Bowl started to lose some of it's luster? When the county schools started whining about wanting to play. It was never intended to be a 2 night show, but with Belfry's nice new stadium, it evolved into one. Then, the schools that were getting money irregardless of who was playing started complaining and wanting to play, it expanded into the bowl you see now. Even still, Pikeville and Belfry usually play the better teams who come, allowing PCC, East Ridge, Shelby Valley, Phelps, etc to play each other to at least give them a chance to win a game. I guarantee you, if any of those schools (exception being PCC) had played Harrison County, they would have lost.

Pikeville's opponent this past year was due to a late cancellation by Frankfort/Franklin County (can't remember who the team was) that left us hanging, and luckily, a team from out of state stepped in and came up here. We appreciate them doing so. If these other schools would step up their game, maybe it would be a little more entertaining. Honestly, I would be perfectly fine with it going back to a one night show alternating between Belfry and Pikeville as host schools each year. I still regard it as a great bowl game, and I'm sure it will be back on track to have the "luster" that people like you, who have been spoiled by watching talent-rich teams like Pikeville and Belfry and other schools such as Lafayette, Beechwood, etc. fight it out. You guys must miss watching those games and wishing it was you on the field. Sorry if the truth hurts, but it ticks me off that people constantly knock this bowl game that brings in good money at very little to no cost for ALL the schools who participate.

I agree with that. I'm all for letting them return it to the way it was, however you know it'll never happen with the money it brings in.

[Big Five-0-]

Belfry and Pikeville ONLY on Saturday as it was originally planned was more successful than what it has turned into now. Those that first concieved the P.C.B. had a great plan and it worked for years until politics brought it down to where it is today,imo . Good plan E.K.U.

[Panther Thunder]

For a bowl that "lacks its luster", which I agree with in a relative sense. It still draws an insane crowds that is much larger than any other game of the year.

[cuppett777]

who are the teams that everyone is hearing?

Scott County or Henderson County

[Salimander]

Belfry and Pikeville ONLY on Saturday as it was originally planned was more successful than what it has turned into now. Those that first concieved the P.C.B. had a great plan and it worked for years until politics brought it down to where it is today,imo . Good plan E.K.U.

The bowl went down when Pikeville went down yet was still allowedvto be a primetime game. Here's the deal, Belfry ( a county team ) would drop the PCB in a heart beat to get another home game and a huge gate. Do you think your PCB could make it without that county school? The bowl is a joke and so is the committe that puts it together.

[cuppett777]

if they cant get any better teams to play than the past years i sure would be for Belfry to drop it and pick up there own game..

[Panther Thunder]

The bowl went down when Pikeville went down yet was still allowedvto be a primetime game. Here's the deal, Belfry ( a county team ) would drop the PCB in a heart beat to get another home game and a huge gate. Do you think your PCB could make it without that county school? The bowl is a joke and so is the committe that puts it together.

Other than 2009 and 2010 Pikeville would still have to be considered the #2 program in Pike County.

I understand people saying Pikeville is not what it once was, because that is true. But some of you act as if there is another program that has surpassed Pikeville, while that is just not true. I don't care about the fact PC or SV was better for 1 or 2 years. That is not good enough. The Panthers in 2011 added another Regional Title. While Pike Central's two best teams in school history lost in the first round and the second round. The other year, PC lost in the regional finals which is still equal to what Pikeville did in 2010. At PC it is celebrated to lose in the regional finals, while at Pikeville, it was why Mike Copley was fired.

Belfry does not play the same night as Pikeville and the crowd at Pikeville is still huge. If Belfry were to drop out, it would not be good for the PCB. But that isn't to be said it would be done. As others have said, the downfall of the bowl was all of the schools having to play in it.

One of my fixes would be make Saturday night Pikeville/Belfry night. Let Pikeville host Friday night for the other schools to play. Make it the two county school with the best seasons the previous year play. Most years it would be SV and PC. Bring in teams for them to play Friday night at Pikeville. Let the other two, Phelps and ER play Thursday night at SV. Saturday would alternate between Belfry and Pikeville with the host team playing the late game. Bring in two teams to play in those games.

The key is having Belfry and Pikeville on the same night. That is what this was designed to be. It is a reward for DECADES of excellence, whether some Pike Countians want to admit it or not. Pikeville, since 1972, has won 40+ district titles, 20 regional titles, appeared in 6 state championships, and have won 3 state championships with other undefeated seasons in the 50's. Numbers which have not been matched by the feeder schools before PC, SV, and ER combined. And will still be more in 20 years. Like it or not, the PHS program may not be what it once was, but it is still more prestigious than 80% of schools in Kentucky.

[Big Five-0-]

The bowl went down when Pikeville went down yet was still allowedvto be a primetime game. Here's the deal, Belfry ( a county team ) would drop the PCB in a heart beat to get another home game and a huge gate. Do you think your PCB could make it without that county school? The bowl is a joke and so is the committe that puts it together.

Yes, Pikeville's program wasn't what it had been for a couple of years, however the Panther program has a tremendous history and is on the rise again. A question to you. Why would Belfry want to get out in this point in the game? My self, i and along with others i'm sure would love to see the Pirates stay right where they are. I'ts good mtn. football to watch. However to say the bowl committe that put it togather is " a joke'', is a joke. Those men who put this thing togather put in countless hours and effort, and they should be commended for this. Like i said, it was a great success until politics reared it's head and other co. schools began to cry because they had to sit and watch. To my knowledge, no one's wanting to do it, but imo, the bowl would still be a success with another football power coming in.

[PHSForever]

Other than 2009 and 2010 Pikeville would still have to be considered the #2 program in Pike County.

I understand people saying Pikeville is not what it once was, because that is true. But some of you act as if there is another program that has surpassed Pikeville, while that is just not true. I don't care about the fact PC or SV was better for 1 or 2 years. That is not good enough. The Panthers in 2011 added another Regional Title. While Pike Central's two best teams in school history lost in the first round and the second round. The other year, PC lost in the regional finals which is still equal to what Pikeville did in 2010. At PC it is celebrated to lose in the regional finals, while at Pikeville, it was why Mike Copley was fired.

Belfry does not play the same night as Pikeville and the crowd at Pikeville is still huge. If Belfry were to drop out, it would not be good for the PCB. But that isn't to be said it would be done. As others have said, the downfall of the bowl was all of the schools having to play in it.

One of my fixes would be make Saturday night Pikeville/Belfry night. Let Pikeville host Friday night for the other schools to play. Make it the two county school with the best seasons the previous year play. Most years it would be SV and PC. Bring in teams for them to play Friday night at Pikeville. Let the other two, Phelps and ER play Thursday night at SV. Saturday would alternate between Belfry and Pikeville with the host team playing the late game. Bring in two teams to play in those games.

The key is having Belfry and Pikeville on the same night. That is what this was designed to be. It is a reward for DECADES of excellence, whether some Pike Countians want to admit it or not. Pikeville, since 1972, has won 40+ district titles, 20 regional titles, appeared in 6 state championships, and have won 3 state championships with other undefeated seasons in the 50's. Numbers which have not been matched by the feeder schools before PC, SV, and ER combined. And will still be more in 20 years. Like it or not, the PHS program may not be what it once was, but it is still more prestigious than 80% of schools in Kentucky.

Amen to this. Not a big fan of the Thursday night concept, but if it pacifies the crybabies in the county (other than Belfry), then go for it. Every word of what you are saying about the PHS and BHS traditions are true. I just wanted to put in there that the 1955 undefeated Pikeville team was unanimous (I believe) #1 team in the state in the polls and was recognized as the "State Champion" for that year (No state playoff/championshps prior to 1959), which gives them 4 overall.

People act as if a couple of down years means PHS is finished or was finished. Simply not true. Every great program has their down years. Belfry, whom many consider the "gold standard" in Pike County as of late, had a losing record in 1993, .500 record in 1994, and then mediocre (for them) records in 1998, 99, 2000, and 2001 and again in 2009. Some people are just so enamored over recent success, or are too young to be able to rationally look at the big picture. Facts are facts though, and they can not be denied. Pikeville is on an uptick again, the feeder program (little league, 5/6th and 7th/8th grades who were the county champs blanking Belfry in 3 meetings) are strong again and receiving the attention and coaching of fundamentals that had been allowed to slide for a while, and this will pay big dividends down the road. The 2011 team was fantastic, and we all enjoyed the ride. But the future is even brighter because of them. I'm a father of a young son in the program, and I look forward to seeing these kids on the fields for the next 7 years and beyond.

[Real Badman]

Crybabies or not, those schools bring in money, which is distributed evenly among the teams in Pike County. That's what it's all about.

[PHSForever]

Crybabies or not, those schools bring in money, which is distributed evenly among the teams in Pike County. That's what it's all about.

Agree. But then they have the nerve to say it's lost it's luster and moan about the lack of quality games. *cough cough*. :biggrin:

[NEWARKCATHOLICFAN]

I like 2 games Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Each county team would play a team from outside of the county.

Example
Thursday @ Shelby Valley
Phelps vs Jenkins
Besty Lane vs Shelby Valley
Friday @ Belfry
East Ridge vs Lewis County
Bell County vs Belfry
Saturday @ Pikeville
Morgan County vs Pike Central
Williamsburg vs Pikeville

[Mastadon89]

heared a rumor pikeville is playin Powell co...any truth?