[russellpride]

Im sure Fairview will bring in another outstanding recruiting class.. Until KHSAA cracks down on them, the Eagles will continue to keep the WV recruiting pipeline open despite the unbearable stench of illegality that encompasses the streets of Westwood during the fall. No respect for KHSAA after last seasons rulings.

Fairview great program kids wanna play for Nate get over it and quit whining. Get better or go home!

[MayfieldCardinal]

Out West I would go Mayfield, Russellville, Beechwood and Frankfort. I think overall you have greatly underestimated Russellville, they should be a top 5 team easily with what they return. Other than that I agree with most of your picks

[TurboPanther]

Fairview great program kids wanna play for Nate get over it and quit whining. Get better or go home!

You are Nate RussellPride :lame::HitWall:
mighty high on yourself :biglmao::worthy::Cheerlead

[russellpride]

You are Nate RussellPride :lame::HitWall:
mighty high on yourself :biglmao::worthy::Cheerlead

Nope just know him good friend of mine. Have great day

[Scotty_Bronson]

Out West I would go Mayfield, Russellville, Beechwood and Frankfort. I think overall you have greatly underestimated Russellville, they should be a top 5 team easily with what they return. Other than that I agree with most of your picks

Like i said. I am not all that familiar with Russellville, just know they are a descent sized 1A club and they return alot of kids from a fairly good team last year. What do they return?

[64SUR]

:howdy:
these are my year ending picks

1. WILLIAMSBURG
2. MAYFIELD
3, RACELAND
4. BEECHWOOD
5. RUSSELLVILLE
6. FAIRVIEW
7. THE HAZARD BULLDOG
8. HOLY CROSS
9. PIKEVILLE
10.FRANKFORT

I'm a williamsburg fan an i believe in my heart they will be STATE CHAMP. and i don't expects no one to agree with me.I wish everybody a great season from 64SUR. moke:

[Slic Ric]

I think initally the Rams overlooked Pikeville, but if you were at the game and remember, Raceland lead 12-0 until midway through the 3rd quarter, and then couldn't handle the two onside kicks (which is their fault), which Pikeville scored off of on short field position. Raceland also had a TD called back near the end of the half (holding call i believe) which would have put them up 18 or 19-0, and would have probably broke Pikeville's back. Bottom line is Raceland should have put Pikeville away, and had several chances to do so, and when u let a decent team hang around then they think they can win, and Pikeville did. The Rams laid an egg, no ifs, ands or buts about it. No disrespect to Pikeville, because they deserved to win after hanging tough and making their comeback.

[Cardinals ride]

Yeah, I wasn't meaning any disrespect to Pikeville. But sometimes good teams have a hard time getting started. And sometimes jumping out to a lead can hurt you. I am sure we have all experienced that. A team you see as inferior lines up, you jump out to a lead, you let your foot off the gas and all of a sudden you are in a dogfight. Kudos to Pikeville for pulling out the win. But, IMO, that win has very little bearing heading into this season.

[EKUAlum05]

Usually when you "overlook" a team or do not game plan properly it is the underdog who jumps out to the surprise lead and then either folds or has to hang on once the dominant team makes the necessary adjustments.

Pikeville was the team who came back.

That argument does not hold water as such.

If someone is looking for any fault as to why Raceland relinquished the lead in the manner they did.. the most likely alibi would be coaching.... not the fact they were "overlooking" a team that wasn't capable of winning.

[Cardinals ride]

Usually when you "overlook" a team or do not game plan properly it is the underdog who jumps out to the surprise lead and then either folds or has to hang on once the dominant team makes the necessary adjustments.

Pikeville was the team who came back.

That argument does not hold water as such.

If someone is looking for any fault as to why Raceland relinquished the lead in the manner they did.. the most likely alibi would be coaching.... not the fact they were "overlooking" a team that wasn't capable of winning.

"Usually" that may be true. But it does work the other way as well. I have played in games where going in we thought we were better. Scored first fast and then let up and got beat. This is not an uncommon thing.

Maybe that has never happened to you. Great!! But it is hard to believe you have never seen it!!

[topnotch]

1.williamswburg
1.mayfield
2. Frankfort
3.beechwood
4.holycross
5.raceland
6.fairview
7.hazard
8.harlan
9.pikeville
10.russelville

[HDE]

One team beats another team by 40, then loses to them in the playoffs and some of you think they didn't overlook them? Adults would overlook someone in that situation. You know teenagers would.
It's not as much about what happens in the game, it's more about the mindset getting ready for the game. I'm sure jumping out to a quick lead made it even more likely that they turned it on cruise control and couldn't get it back.

[jetpilot]

^^Haha more excuses mailed in from the Harlan area. You already proved you don't understand how a very young team can improve dramatically from August to November. And so now you believe that even in the overtime, Raceland overlooked Pikeville and "couldn't get it back". lol...

The year before Pikeville fell behind Fairview 18-0 in the regional championship and came back and won. I guess Fairview "turned it on cruise control" and "couldn't get it back".

Funny stuff.

[HDE]

I guess it's possible. Did Fairview beat Pikeville by 40 earlier in the season, or 30, or 20, or 10, or 1? If not, what does that have to do with it?

I'm making excuses for Raceland? Why would I do that?

The funny part is you think Scotty is a smart guy when he picks Pikeville third in the state, but he's making excuses when he suggests Raceland could have overlooked Pikeville.

[jetpilot]

I guess it's possible. Did Fairview beat Pikeville by 40 earlier in the season, or 30, or 20, or 10, or 1? If not, what does that have to do with it?

I'm making excuses for Raceland? Why would I do that?

The funny part is you think Scotty is a smart guy when he picks Pikeville third in the state, but he's making excuses when he suggests Raceland could have overlooked Pikeville.

I said it was hard to shoot holes in his post, which it is. I also said opinions would vary, which they do. You said in another thread that N. Laurel should be in the Mt. top 10 over Pikeville and I didn't argue that...it's a valid opinion...
Just never bought into the overlooked them excuse no matter where it came from. Especially in the playoffs where if you lose your season is over...

[Ramcat77]

I think Raceland choked against Pikeville, plain and simple. Raceland football has lost it's edge since Vanderhoof stepped down.

[Slic Ric]

Usually when you "overlook" a team or do not game plan properly.

Pikeville was the team who came back.


If someone is looking for any fault as to why Raceland relinquished the lead in the manner they did.. the most likely alibi would be coaching.... not the fact they were "overlooking" a team that wasn't capable of winning.

No one said Pikeville wasn't capable of winning...not properly planning/coaching had nothing to do with it. The coaches can't play a down for the kids...
I don't consider two onside kicks as proper adjustments, and i seriously doubt it was a part of the Pikeville gameplan, although in both cases they worked. The first one maybe because of the 12-0 defecit, but the second one was probably just a gamble which worked.
And to be honest, there was no dominance by either team in the game other than Raceland jumping out to an early lead.

Bottom line was Pikeville came back & won...Hats off to them; they have a classy coach & program. Having said that, i don't think last year's playoff game will have any bearing on a future playoff game between the two teams.

[Scotty_Bronson]

I said it was hard to shoot holes in his post, which it is. I also said opinions would vary, which they do. You said in another thread that N. Laurel should be in the Mt. top 10 over Pikeville and I didn't argue that...it's a valid opinion...
Just never bought into the overlooked them excuse no matter where it came from. Especially in the playoffs where if you lose your season is over...

I respect and consider your opinion about over looking a team. But these are HIGHSCHOOL kids, their egos run high after a big victory and low after a marginal loss. It's just the way it is. I still think Raceland laid an egg. Be it over looking the Panthers, conservative play calling, or whatever other reasoning/excuses have been made in the past, something has to give in Ramland. With that said I want to say this:

I always have and always will be a Raceland Ram, die hard, but I don't wear the orange colored glasses like many Rams do. BUT

I disagree on the statement, not sure who made it, that Raceland has lost their "edge" since Vanderhoof left. It was the same thing with him at the helm.

Through Hoof's last couple of years, he had some very talented players, very talented players, but he had a lot of MEAN players and SWAGGY players if you want to call it that. 06 had speed, brains, passion, and was one of the meanest and scoring defenses in school history, and probably the 2nd best special teams play in school history. They had to face New Cath in the region, and having to play Paris(again), LCA(again), on the way. The 08 team was overall, in my opinion the best team in Raceland history. They were BIG, FAST, football iqs were through the roof. The big thing they had was ATTITUDE. But you can't coach numbers(New Cath) and LCA had even more talent in 08. Those were hoofs last few years as Head coach.

The last 3 Raceland teams have had the talent to atleast win a district championship. But where in the world have the guts gone? I can respect a player/coach who keeps a level head constantly, not letting their emotions(be them happy, mad, or upset) get into their head and rattle them. But there has to be a certain tenacity and spirit to go along with the talent and speed. That's something I do commend Fairview for, though at times I feel it may go a bit too far, but, Fairview, no matter what kind of roster they fill, have an attitude. That's something that can be overwhelming and intimidating to other teams. Especially when your can back it up.

Fairview, much like Pikeville and Ashland last year, were very talented teams, but none of the three(IN MY OPINION), were THAT much better than Raceland. But they all had a PLAY TO WIN way about them and not a PLAY NOT TO LOSE. There is an huge difference between the two. Raceland needs to develop a kill or be killed, get someone on the ropes, FINISH THEM, attitude or nothing will ever change. Ok, i'm off my soap box.

[EKUAlum05]

No one said Pikeville wasn't capable of winning...not properly planning/coaching had nothing to do with it. The coaches can't play a down for the kids...
I don't consider two onside kicks as proper adjustments, and i seriously doubt it was a part of the Pikeville gameplan, although in both cases they worked. The first one maybe because of the 12-0 defecit, but the second one was probably just a gamble which worked.
And to be honest, there was no dominance by either team in the game other than Raceland jumping out to an early lead.

Bottom line was Pikeville came back & won...Hats off to them; they have a classy coach & program. Having said that, i don't think last year's playoff game will have any bearing on a future playoff game between the two teams.

The decision to onside kick (twice at that), the execution to do it precisely (twice), the timing of when to do it (twice), and the ability to piggyback that momentum into scoring drives are unequivocally a testament and credit to Pikeville's coaching staff and their preparation.

You can argue whether Raceland's staff was at fault or not.. I prefer to simply think that in the moment it wasn't that the Ram staff failed...but the Pikeville staff simply coached better. It takes guts to call an onside kick against a team you are losing to.. takes even more to call it a second time once the element of surprise should be gone. WADR, you don't see "bad" teams or poorly coached teams convert onside kicks in the playoffs at critical times. I would argue that Special Teams may very well be the ultimate barometer of coaching aptitude at the HS level.

The adjustment aspect comes in the way Raceland's staff was not able to counter or break the Panther momentum to stop them from scoring and taking over the game. Nether onside recovery scored a TD, Pikeville still had to finish the drive and put it in against a team that prior to that had done a very good job of keeping them out of the endzone. Noone can dare deny those recoveries were not the catalyst for momentum on a short field... but nonetheless it still requires offensive execution to finish the drive, then defensive execution to keep Raceland at bay so you can continue to close the gap.

[Live Maroon]

I was staying out of this "discussion" as both sides make good points. I will say this, even after the 40 point loss early in the season, Pikeville players and staff were VERY confident heading into the playoff matchup. A confidence that I didn't see a week later against Fairview. Raceland has a strong program and will, no doubt, be a factor in the Class A playoffs again in 2013. So will Pikeville. The point I agree with the most is Scotty Bronson's point that what happened in the playoffs last year has little affect on what will happen this year. This is a fun rivalry and I've enjoyed the respect and good natured relationship shown between the two teams. It's something that is sorely lacking in most rivalries today, unfortunately.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Agreed. I hated to see the regular season game go away. The rovalry kind of replaced Racleand/LCA matchups when they moved up to 2A. Good people at Pikeville, nice stadium, great competition. Wish them luck up until the rams are opposing them, through it all though i hope they remain injury free this year. Te addition of Kash really shakes things up. If he and the athletes that were there last year develop a chemistry and rhythm, look out.

[jetpilot]

I was staying out of this "discussion" as both sides make good points. I will say this, even after the 40 point loss early in the season, Pikeville players and staff were VERY confident heading into the playoff matchup. A confidence that I didn't see a week later against Fairview. Raceland has a strong program and will, no doubt, be a factor in the Class A playoffs again in 2013. So will Pikeville. The point I agree with the most is Scotty Bronson's point that what happened in the playoffs last year has little affect on what will happen this year. This is a fun rivalry and I've enjoyed the respect and good natured relationship shown between the two teams. It's something that is sorely lacking in most rivalries today, unfortunately.

I will go one step further...I believe it will have absolutely NO effect on what happens this year.:popcorn:

[Panther Thunder]

Only thing I will say is again about the "onside kicks" comments. There were no onside kicks. I think it was during district play, the switch to squib kickoffs was made, because simply put, kickoff coverage was terrible. Those kicks were no different than 80% of the kickoffs from about Week 8 to Fairview. The first kick was touched by a Raceland player while his feet were on the Raceland 30. The kick traveled 30 yards, if it was an onside kick, it was a pretty pathetic one. The second kick touched the Raceland player at the Raceland 25 yard line. The kick traveled 35 yards. once again, if it was an onside it was a terrible one. It is available to view, Pikeville was not lined up for onsides, and the kicks were not designed to be recovered. They were designed to give the cover team a better chance at limiting the return. Raceland just muffed both, and as a result Pikeville recovered.

[DevilWatcher]

I love reading the back and forth digs of Raceland fans and Fairview fans. Fact is that Raceland got beat at their own game IMO. Both heavily recieve players from elsewhere. Not as much as a bash on players from out of district as it is the pot calling the kettle black. Lol

[Scotty_Bronson]

I love reading the back and forth digs of Raceland fans and Fairview fans. Fact is that Raceland got beat at their own game IMO. Both heavily recieve players from elsewhere. Not as much as a bash on players from out of district as it is the pot calling the kettle black. Lol

Well the can of worms has opened officially. So here's my two cents. I agree with you to some point. Raceland has received a few players here and there from other districts. The argument I present that differs the situations between the schools is this:

Fairview, in multiple situations, have gotten players from the Huntington area or out of state. I think with Nate's ties to that area, from when he played at Marshall, is to much of a coincidence. Now with that said, I am not and have never accused Fairview of actually "recruiting". But I do believe that having a head coach that played division 1 college ball, with ties to the area, has a lot to do with the kids coming into Fairview. Need I remind you though, that I have never had any gripe with any player that has transferred to Fairview or anywhere else for that matter, that stayed there for several years (Devon Turner) wasn't originally from Fairview, but came in during JH. Devon is a great kid and a remarkable athlete. Great vision, speed, and toughness. I have a lot of respect for him. I think everyone's suspicions, stemmed from and concerned the "one and done-rs".

Raceland has had some kids from out of district, this is true. But a majority of them have stayed from their Freshman/Sophomore years until graduation. Now there were a few exceptions, with Sabastian Johanssen, but he was a foreign exchange student. He was a MAJOR factor on the field, and fought like crazy to find away to stay at Raceland because he loved the school and community. Many of us stay in touch with "The Swede". Jeremy Barr came in from North Laurel HS the following year as a Junior, do to his dad marrying into the community and moving for work. He sat out a season of football, then played his Sr year. After football season, he transferred to Greenup County to play Baseball. IMO he wasn't at Raceland for anything other than himself and out of his dad moving to the area. He was a great athlete but more of a baseball player than a football player. He stayed injured for the most of the football season. There was another transfer in Mason Rister, who went back and forth from Raceland to Greenup County. He left Greenup and came to Raceland, then after losing the starting job at qb to Tyler Farley, left and went back to Greenup.

In more recent years, Mac Boggs, Conner Messer and a few others have come into the Raceland system from Russell, but they came in as middle school kids. I honestly believe losing Messer stung the Russell program quite a bit. They say what he could be. But I know for a fact, from speaking with many parents from BOTH schools, that the mess that became known as the new Russell JFL and the intermural play, was a big cause to a lot of them leaving to come to Raceland. But these "Russell Kids" we have now, have been there since before their high school careers even started.

This is why it's not really a "pot calling the kettle black" situation. The only similarity lies within the fact that the teams have kids playing for them that didn't play for them in JFL. The only gripe I ever had is it just seemed a little convenient that two studs came in for one year and left, it just seemed odd.

Now, with all of this said, I have heard and read a few comments on this thread mentioning Fairview may be even better this year due to a more experienced offensive and defensive line, as well as a few extremely athletic transfers. Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

one more thing before I post this mess lol

I believe that none of this should matter! You can't control what other schools do. All of this talk just allows people to make excuses. What teams have they have, what they don't they don't. Prepare as best you can. Play with a kill or be killed mentality, play with pride and passion. Let the chips and players fall where they may. Can't wait for August!

[MattJonesKSR]

1.Beechwood
2.Mayfield
3.Williamsburg
4.Raceland
5.Pikeville
6.Fairview
7.Hazard
8.Frankfort
9.Russelville
10.HolyCross

[eastern]

Doesn't messer live on Jane hill with is considered Fairview or Russell district?

[eastern]

Doesn't Messer live on Jane hilll which is considered Fairview or Russell?

[MayfieldCardinal]

Like i said. I am not all that familiar with Russellville, just know they are a descent sized 1A club and they return alot of kids from a fairly good team last year. What do they return?

I caught that the first go round, was just trying to help out in the area I am most familiar with. No worries

[DevilWatcher]

I agree with you S.Bronson. IMO Fairview likes to "Push the Envelope" so to speak. One can say that kids want to come to a great program in Westwood but its the transfers who seem to make it a great program. Didn't Fairviw even do away with football at one time? The loss of Messer to Raceland wasn't a huge shock. Actually it fits him better and he is a good kid on and off the field. Boggs? Yea that kinda was a shocker lol. There have been a few Raceland greats in football from out of district. If you even look further back most say Hunt was one of their best backs. He lived in Lloyd. Russell is no different. I'm sure their Academic teams are full of out of district kids. Just saying its funny when talk of out of district kids comes up. We are all guilty.