[Panther Thunder]

I may have misunderstood, but has PC taken a headline game??

You essentially just said it should be looked into in the post I responded to?

Other than having a rich history, why should pikeville be considered in this, unless they were playing belfry.. If you want a real bowl type game then let the team from pike county who went the farthest in the playofs be the host to a team in a different class but of equal strengths.

Now, you either meant that Pikeville, Belfry, +1 other Pike County team gets games (Which honestly, I wouldn't hate but heat would be a huge issue) or that Belfry gets one and the other is whoever had the best previous season (Which could kick Pikeville out of a bowl that was started for the school along with Belfry).

My point is the Pike County Bowl started out for Belfry and for Pikeville. So let's just say it is their bowl. Then you kept giving and giving to the other Pike County schools so now they just keep wanting more and more until one of the schools that started the damn thing is out of it. And that is absurd, and why I wish that the other schools would have just been told when trying to be a part of the bowl, you are getting free money, shut up and live with it.

The Pike County Bowl is such a huge part of the Pikeville Football tradition. Pike Central, Shelby Valley, East Ridge, or Phelps cannot understand what it means to the people that bleed maroon. And to see it on the edge of obliteration is scary and very emotional. It is like a football holiday for all those associated with the program. If the other county schools do not like the format, just go start your own bowl or just take the free money with which it provides you. Don't ruin the PCB for those that truly love it for what it represents and the history behind it.

[crazytaxidriver]

You essentially just said it should be looked into in the post I responded to?

Now, you either meant that Pikeville, Belfry, +1 other Pike County team gets games (Which honestly, I wouldn't hate but heat would be a huge issue) or that Belfry gets one and the other is whoever had the best previous season (Which could kick Pikeville out of a bowl that was started for the school along with Belfry).

My point is the Pike County Bowl started out for Belfry and for Pikeville. So let's just say it is their bowl. Then you kept giving and giving to the other Pike County schools so now they just keep wanting more and more until one of the schools that started the damn thing is out of it. And that is absurd, and why I wish that the other schools would have just been told when trying to be a part of the bowl, you are getting free money, shut up and live with it.

The Pike County Bowl is such a huge part of the Pikeville Football tradition. Pike Central, Shelby Valley, East Ridge, or Phelps cannot understand what it means to the people that bleed maroon. And to see it on the edge of obliteration is scary and very emotional. It is like a football holiday for all those associated with the program. If the other county schools do not like the format, just go start your own bowl or just take the free money with which it provides you. Don't ruin the PCB for those that truly love it for what it represents and the history behind it.

I understand what you are saying. What I meant was that since someone decided that all Pike county teams get a chance to play in this bowl, why not make it something of interest again. Just one game. Let's face it, Belfry will probably be district 8 champs for a while. But I wasn't saying to base it on the record, but rather who was the best team the previous year out of the pike county teams..

That won't happen.. I'd like to see it done that way but it won't.

2nd. It was created for belfry and pikeville.. and what better way to start a season off than to see these two teams play for bragging rights at the Pike county bowl. I wouldn't mind seeing this one either, and i would imagine the crowd would be amazing..

3rd. If they keep all the teams in it (which is more than likely what will happen) then make it worthwhile, by bring in teams from out of county to play the lesser (as belfry and pikeville fans like to see it) of the teams.


All I'm really saying is, to me, the PCB hasnt' meant crap to me since it determined if PC or SV was going to the playoffs. And even then it wasn't that great.. All i really want is to see a "bowl" game mean something at the beginning of the year.

[crazytaxidriver]

And I'm not directing this at you Panther Thunder, but for the past 6 or 7 years i've been hearing the same thing from pikeville and belfry fans, and it's starting to sound like notre dame..

I just want to see some good football.

[crazytaxidriver]

As far as the other teams having their own bowl game, well.. that works for me too.. But i think the Pike County bowl could be a lot bigger and better than it is now..

[Panther Thunder]

I understand what you are saying. What I meant was that since someone decided that all Pike county teams get a chance to play in this bowl, why not make it something of interest again. Just one game. Let's face it, Belfry will probably be district 8 champs for a while. But I wasn't saying to base it on the record, but rather who was the best team the previous year out of the pike county teams..

That won't happen.. I'd like to see it done that way but it won't.

2nd. It was created for belfry and pikeville.. and what better way to start a season off than to see these two teams play for bragging rights at the Pike county bowl. I wouldn't mind seeing this one either, and i would imagine the crowd would be amazing..

3rd. If they keep all the teams in it (which is more than likely what will happen) then make it worthwhile, by bring in teams from out of county to play the lesser (as belfry and pikeville fans like to see it) of the teams.


All I'm really saying is, to me, the PCB hasnt' meant crap to me since it determined if PC or SV was going to the playoffs. And even then it wasn't that great.. All i really want is to see a "bowl" game mean something at the beginning of the year.

It has nothing to do with "lesser". This is not their Bowl. I don't think that is a tough concept. And the PCB Committee's inability to say "No" to the other schools is the problem. Instead of forcing Pikeville's hand and making them back out (which is what it is starting to look like, County politics at its finest) tell the other schools that "This is the format, you don't like it, leave and take the money or play your own bowl."

And no. IMO, Pikeville and Belfry should not play in this event. It sounds like a good idea, but you maximize gate by having the PCB and the Pikeville/Belfry game on different nights. Not to mention it gives you two events to get excited for as opposed to just one. Once again, this idea is not what the creators of the bowl had in mind. It was to showcase Pikeville and Belfry against good competition from other areas of Kentucky. I do not care what it has become, because what it has become should have never been allowed to take place. And people need to quit trying to be politically correct and avoid that fact. It needs to be shouted from the roof top of Community Trust Bank that the PCB has been tainted and it should never have been allowed to happen and the PCB committee dropped the ball.

And I'm not directing this at you Panther Thunder, but for the past 6 or 7 years i've been hearing the same thing from pikeville and belfry fans, and it's starting to sound like notre dame..

I just want to see some good football.

And I might buy this argument if it wasn't Pikeville/Belfry event historically.

But hell, Pikeville in the past 10 years still has 2 more Regional Championships than anyone not named Belfry. Yeah, Pikeville is not running off 3-peats, but it is not like PHS is still not relevant.

I will turn it around. All it seems like I ever hear is that same tired line about the glory days being over.

1987- State Champions
1988- State Champions
1989- State Champions
1990- Regional Finals (Could be 2nd Round, I will check)
1991- State Runner-Up
1992- State Semis
1993- State Semis
1994- State Semis
1995- State Semis
1996- State Semis
1997- (No Clue, I assume not very far lost to SF this year)
1998- Regional Finals
1999- State Semis
2000- State Semis
2001- 1st Round
2002- Regional Finals
2003- Regional Finals
2004- State Semis
2005- 2nd Round
2006- 2nd Round
2007- Regional Finals
2008- Regional Finals
2009- 2nd Round
2010- Regional Finals
2011- State Semis

You can see a steady decline, BUT show me Pike Central's or Shelby Valley's case. Neither can remotely compare. Pike Central went to the Regional Championship, lost, and was thrilled. A coach was pressured out at Pikeville for not making a State Title game. And Copley was fired after losing in the Regional Finals. And really the last 5 years, in terms of playoff success, have actually been better than the 5 before that.

Not trying to take out frustration on you CTD, but I have been quiet on this issue for a while and a lot of people have and that needs to change in order for the best interests of the PCB to be kept meaningful.

[VALLEYFAN]

This is called the pike county bowl!!!!!(county)not the pikeville bowl all schools in the county should have a chance to play in this bowl.or host this bowl....when this bowl is held at shelby valley it generates alot of money for this program.valleys football program does not generate the type of dollars as pikeville or belfrys programs do. This team and other pike co.schools need these funds to survive....

[crazytaxidriver]

It has nothing to do with "lesser". This is not their Bowl. I don't think that is a tough concept. And the PCB Committee's inability to say "No" to the other schools is the problem. Instead of forcing Pikeville's hand and making them back out (which is what it is starting to look like, County politics at its finest) tell the other schools that "This is the format, you don't like it, leave and take the money or play your own bowl."

And no. IMO, Pikeville and Belfry should not play in this event. It sounds like a good idea, but you maximize gate by having the PCB and the Pikeville/Belfry game on different nights. Not to mention it gives you two events to get excited for as opposed to just one. Once again, this idea is not what the creators of the bowl had in mind. It was to showcase Pikeville and Belfry against good competition from other areas of Kentucky. I do not care what it has become, because what it has become should have never been allowed to take place. And people need to quit trying to be politically correct and avoid that fact. It needs to be shouted from the roof top of Community Trust Bank that the PCB has been tainted and it should never have been allowed to happen and the PCB committee dropped the ball.

And I might buy this argument if it wasn't Pikeville/Belfry event historically.

But hell, Pikeville in the past 10 years still has 2 more Regional Championships than anyone not named Belfry. Yeah, Pikeville is not running off 3-peats, but it is not like PHS is still not relevant.

I will turn it around. All it seems like I ever hear is that same tired line about the glory days being over.

1987- State Champions
1988- State Champions
1989- State Champions
1990- Regional Finals (Could be 2nd Round, I will check)
1991- State Runner-Up
1992- State Semis
1993- State Semis
1994- State Semis
1995- State Semis
1996- State Semis
1997- (No Clue, I assume not very far lost to SF this year)
1998- Regional Finals
1999- State Semis
2000- State Semis
2001- 1st Round
2002- Regional Finals
2003- Regional Finals
2004- State Semis
2005- 2nd Round
2006- 2nd Round
2007- Regional Finals
2008- Regional Finals
2009- 2nd Round
2010- Regional Finals
2011- State Semis

You can see a steady decline, BUT show me Pike Central's or Shelby Valley's case. Neither can remotely compare. Pike Central went to the Regional Championship, lost, and was thrilled. A coach was pressured out at Pikeville for not making a State Title game. And Copley was fired after losing in the Regional Finals. And really the last 5 years, in terms of playoff success, have actually been better than the 5 before that.

Not trying to take out frustration on you CTD, but I have been quiet on this issue for a while and a lot of people have and that needs to change in order for the best interests of the PCB to be kept meaningful.

It's cool man. I'm not arguing what would be better for it or not.. Just what I personally would like to see.. i think the whole money thing is what has got it where it is now..and since PC is on the rise they are probably going to start bringing in more money at the gate..

I completely understand what you are saying, and in some sense i can agree with you.. and if they go back to the original format then more power to them.. All I was saying is that if they are going to keep all the teams in it like they have been doing, then switch it up a bit and make it worthwhile..

cause honestly.. I could care less who wins out of phelps and PC, or SV and ER. it's usually a lackluster game. and is there for money purposes.. that's why I was trying to say they need to make it more interesting

[EKUAlum05]

This is called the pike county bowl!!!!!(county)not the pikeville bowl all schools in the county should have a chance to play in this bowl.or host this bowl....when this bowl is held at shelby valley it generates alot of money for this program.valleys football program does not generate the type of dollars as pikeville or belfrys programs do. This team and other pike co.schools need these funds to survive....

Your post is the epitome of a contradiction.

So Shelby Valley should host, play, and receive the lion's share of the gate because their program is not strong enough to generate the $$$$ that Belfry and Pikeville does??????????????

Really???????????

I blame this Socialistic approach on our government.

All the programs who think they deserve to be a part of it have been given a free split of the pot for DECADES... as you said yourself, it is pretty clear who brings in the gates and who people want to see... yet those very teams are the ones who have to take a back seat so other County schools can benefit off their name, and then those schools feel a sense of entitlement that they "deserve" more than they do.

So Shelby Valley is pulling out to start their own bowl... once again, are they foregoing their welfare check from the bowl to do so or are they double dipping all the while complaining they should have had top billing?

This is eaxctly the problem with financial assistance.Even when people are given help they need they feel it is owed to them by the more priveleged/harder worker to give them more. Take your check, shut up, go play who you want so you can build your program (not directed to the poster obviously).

[PantherTradition]

This is called the pike county bowl!!!!!(county)not the pikeville bowl all schools in the county should have a chance to play in this bowl.or host this bowl....when this bowl is held at shelby valley it generates alot of money for this program.valleys football program does not generate the type of dollars as pikeville or belfrys programs do. This team and other pike co.schools need these funds to survive....

This makes no sense. The gate from the Pike County Bowl goes to Community Trust who divides the money between all schools in Pike County. The concessions are run by East Ridge boosters who profit from it. Shelby Valley would make no additional money by hosting the Bowl.

[PantherTradition]

Virgil Osborne should not be on the bowl committee. The committee was formed with members who had no direct connection to a school or schools. Once he became board member he refused to step down. The committee then allowed Kevin Garris from Pikeville to serve on the committee.

[BlackcatAlum]

IMO, it should be Pikeville vs. Pike Central & Belfry vs. Mingo Central every year in the PCB.

Have Shelby Valley play East Ridge and Phelps play Tug Valley.

The games would be convenient for each school and would have a great gate.

[new o]

I have no problem letting Pikeville/Belfry host and allowing the others to do whatever. The one thing that bugs me is hearing the phrase "free money". I am sorry but there is no such thing as free money. When you make a deal with politics.....you always pay in some form. There is way too much bad mouthing about the other county teams on here, they are suppoting what most on here. Its the committee making the decisions, some from the county and some from the city. Remeber elections happen yearly and favors are always needed. Could someone post a list of committe memebers, not one or two...all of them.

[bucslover68]

IMO, it should be Pikeville vs. Pike Central & Belfry vs. Mingo Central every year in the PCB.

Have Shelby Valley play East Ridge and Phelps play Tug Valley.

The games would be convenient for each school and would have a great gate.

Good idea on the first game Blackcat, I have said that for sometime, but bad opponent for Belfry. Great gate, but Belfry is looking for competition and MC hasn't proven yet they would be much of an upgrade from what Belfry had faced the last couple of years.

[new o]

Pikeville/Clintwood....both single A perrenial powers
Belfry/Harlan County.....nuff said
I would pay to see both games.
Play one night at Belfry and the other night at Pikeville with 2 games each night.
Invite teams like Hazard,Johnson Central,P-burg,Somerset, and maybe Central from Va.

[BlackcatAlum]

Good idea on the first game Blackcat, I have said that for sometime, but bad opponent for Belfry. Great gate, but Belfry is looking for competition and MC hasn't proven yet they would be much of an upgrade from what Belfry had faced the last couple of years.

I think eventually Mingo Central will be competitive with Belfry, but Belfry is going to struggle to get just about anyone over to Cam Stadium early in the season. I'd like to see them play Harlan County, however HC will want a home-and-home and then Belfry will be stuck trying to find another opponent for the PCB.

[THE Whole Truth]

Will Mingo Central ever be able to compete with Belfry while losing some of their best players to Belfry?

[bucslover68]

Harlan Co. is home and home with Belfry starting next year.

[new o]

Belfry could make their home game the PCB.

[PHSForever]

This is called the pike county bowl!!!!!(county)not the pikeville bowl all schools in the county should have a chance to play in this bowl.or host this bowl....when this bowl is held at shelby valley it generates alot of money for this program.valleys football program does not generate the type of dollars as pikeville or belfrys programs do. This team and other pike co.schools need these funds to survive....

It was called the Pike County Bowl because from the very beginning, it was about the best in Pike County (Pikeville and Belfry) versus some of the best in the state. It has given free money (yes, it is free, no matter what the other poster said) to the schools in this county for YEARS with practically NOTHING being asked from them. Then Shelby Valley started whining, and East Ridge, Pike Central, and Phelps rounded out the Whiner's Symphony. Fine. Let 'em play was the decision made. Then the dropoff in talent was REALLY obvious and people started caring less. But hey, they were playing in the dadgum PCB and it had become a birthright, sorta like living off entitlement. Now that they are not likely to win the argument they present now (let us headline!!) they want to pull out and start their own bowl. Fine, BYE, SVHS. If the 5th-6th grade bowl games you play are any indication of how you will run a bowl, it will die in 3 years. Then how do they take their ball and go home when they're already home?

Go back to the old format, PCB committee, I beg you.

[new o]

I agree about drop off in talent....at EVERY school but Belfry. How can you say it is free money, do the fans get in free?... are concessions free? Sorry but free money is not anywhere in this day and age. I would love to see the old format back but the top teams are no longer interested, maybe this free money could bring them back.

[Panther Thunder]

I agree about drop off in talent....at EVERY school but Belfry. How can you say it is free money, do the fans get in free?... are concessions free? Sorry but free money is not anywhere in this day and age. I would love to see the old format back but the top teams are no longer interested, maybe this free money could bring them back.

Are you serious? If you think that letting Pikeville and Belfry host a bowl in which the other Pike County schools literally could have twiddled their thumbs for 8 hours and then getting a nice chunk of change isn't free money, then it is the closest thing to it.

[new o]

I trully believe the talent is down because of the economy. People are leaving and will continue to leave. County teams are down in numbers and Pikeville's numbers would be way down without county transfers(no offence toward Pikeville).Belfry's #'s would be down if not for transfers. It is going to get worse for all schools in the part of the state. I just hope all of the teams can cintinue to get better...some will, some will not....its life.

[new o]

Your thinking is blinded by your love of Pikeville. Do you think Belfry feels the same way toward Pikeville? I have watched the last 2 years at Pikeville and the fan support is very poor with all schools. Does Pikeville get free money?

[new o]

I think the format should go back to the original plan but not at the expense of putting kids and schools down.

[Panther Thunder]

I am biased, but so would any Shelby Valley fan if their bowl was being torn apart by teams that were not involved to begin with in the first place.

No, Pikeville is the one hosting the bowl! They probably get more now that it is a two night event, but I would gladly take the loss of that money and go back to the original format. But unfortunately money means more than tradition to a lot of People, even Pikeville (Though, I am not sure how sincere their intentions are when representing PHS) people.

[new o]

When politics get involed kids pay the price, thats the way it is and the way always will be.The format would have changed back several years ago but adults and politicians would not let it happen. You are still young but as time goes by you will see just how things work behind the doors.

[PHSForever]

I agree about drop off in talent....at EVERY school but Belfry. How can you say it is free money, do the fans get in free?... are concessions free? Sorry but free money is not anywhere in this day and age. I would love to see the old format back but the top teams are no longer interested, maybe this free money could bring them back.

Sorry, but you have to HAVE talent first for there to be a drop off. While a nice player or two over the years has come out of East Ridge, Shelby Valley, Pike Central, or even Phelps, none of any real circumstance. No, there wasn't enough talent there in the first place for them to be PLAYING in the PCB, which is why they weren't. Belfry is in the midst of a 15 year run that is VERY similar to what Pikeville went through in the 80's and 90's. Does this mean they will have a huge drop off? NO, but don't count on it carrying indefinitely. Football is very cyclical, as are most sports. But no matter what, year in and year out, you can always count on Pikeville and Belfry to be tough opponents. Same can't be said for the other schools.

And yes, it IS FREE money when the other schools did NO work for it. Now they've done some concession stand work, etc., but before, they got money from the gate for NOTHING. That is the VERY definition of free if I ever saw it.

[new o]

You can say there is not enough talent from the other county teams to compete in the PCB and you are probably right. How about the teams Pikeville and Belfry have played the last 2 years? I guess Harrison, Tellico TN, Powell were just loaded with talent. But I am sure the other Pike County teams will be blamed for not having the top teams in the state in the PCB. So other teams fans never attend these games or are they allowed a pass at the gate....they pay $7 just like Pikeville fans do.

[PHSForever]

You can say there is not enough talent from the other county teams to compete in the PCB and you are probably right. How about the teams Pikeville and Belfry have played the last 2 years? I guess Harrison, Tellico TN, Powell were just loaded with talent. But I am sure the other Pike County teams will be blamed for not having the top teams in the state in the PCB. So other teams fans never attend these games or are they allowed a pass at the gate....they pay $7 just like Pikeville fans do.

It has dropped some in stature BECAUSE we allowed the other county teams to play. Cheapened the attraction. Very hard to find enough teams with open dates to play, and they figure the payout is not worth the trip. Go back to just two marquee games, it will be EASY to attract top shelf teams back here again. The PCB name still has some cachet and hasn't been totally ruined yet, but on the verge of it.

Like I said, free money is just that. It is given without being earned. You are trying to confuse the issue or don't understand the concept. I will make it simple for you:

1) Do nothing. Don't play, work the concession stand, etc.

2) Committee puts together games, people come, pay their way in, watch the game.

3) Committee gives your school money.

That is the way it used to be. Sweetest deal possible for the other county schools.

That, my friend, is the concept of free money. If you still can't grasp the "See Spot Run" version of it, I suggest you pick a different fight or argument to try and defend.

[new o]

It has dropped some in stature BECAUSE we allowed the other county teams to play. Cheapened the attraction. Very hard to find enough teams with open dates to play, and they figure the payout is not worth the trip. Go back to just two marquee games, it will be EASY to attract top shelf teams back here again. The PCB name still has some cachet and hasn't been totally ruined yet, but on the verge of it.

Like I said, free money is just that. It is given without being earned. You are trying to confuse the issue or don't understand the concept. I will make it simple for you:

1) Do nothing. Don't play, work the concession stand, etc.

2) Committee puts together games, people come, pay their way in, watch the game.

3) Committee gives your school money.

That is the way it used to be. Sweetest deal possible for the other county schools.

That, my friend, is the concept of free money. If you still can't grasp the "See Spot Run" version of it, I suggest you pick a different fight or argument to try and defend.

I understand exactly how it works. And just like I stated before the other county teams will get blamed because none of the top teams want to travel to the PCB and play. In reality those top teams do not care about the PCB when they can get a home game against another top team. Its not an argument, you are not even old enough to remember when the PCB was first played.
Your #1 makes no sense because every school rotates taking up gate money and working the concession. Pikeville rotates just like every other school. Does Pikeville get this free money........they get their share just like the other teams but they work for their share,lol.