[99PIRATEFAN]

When you have a good program kids transfer in to play for you all our staters live in Ky but two and they pay to go to school over.

[Crossbones]

Dang guys, I'd comment on this topic but it seems like this is more about Belfry than MC irateSho

This one went off topic big time, lol.

Anytime West Virginia is brought up, people come out of the woodwork to pounce on Belfry. Some can't seem to understand that the school is only 2 miles from the boarder. Shoot, you can see Williamson when you are sitting in the bleachers. If I lived in Mingo County my kids would still go to Belfry. I would rather drive 3 or 4 miles to Belfry than to see my kids get on a bus and ride 40 to 45 minutes to Mingo Central. That is a pretty tough drive since Pike County has aquired all the new roads. Mingo hasn't had that luxury and still have the two lanes and winding mountains.

[Bulldogs4Ever]

In all seriousness, if I lived in Williamson, I'd send my kid to Belfry as well regardless if he or she played sports. Belfry is a super nice school. Awesome facilities. Awesome people over there as well.

[PaytoPlay]

I grew up in the Belfry area and played tons of youth sports in Williamson. Hell KY elementary schools had teams that played in Williamson's youth leagues. It has always been this way.

When they put Mingo Central so far away from the County seat they basically made Williamson East Belfry by default.

[EKUAlum05]

I grew up in the Belfry area and played tons of youth sports in Williamson. Hell KY elementary schools had teams that played in Williamson's youth leagues. It has always been this way.

When they put Mingo Central so far away from the County seat they basically made Williamson East Belfry by default.

You old Town Trojan you.....

[Crossbones]

In all seriousness, if I lived in Williamson, I'd send my kid to Belfry as well regardless if he or she played sports. Belfry is a super nice school. Awesome facilities. Awesome people over there as well.

Mingo Central built a beautiful school on top of that mountain and I have no doubt they are state of the art. But the drive to get to it is crazy. The football field and stadium is lacking IMO but the school itself is amazing. And I totally agree, sports or no sports I would rather my kids be at Belfry. Academically I would in all honesty would have my kids went to Pikeville, but I will not drive 25 miles that way either.

[MCMiner247]

I grew up in the Belfry area and played tons of youth sports in Williamson. Hell KY elementary schools had teams that played in Williamson's youth leagues. It has always been this way.

When they put Mingo Central so far away from the County seat they basically made Williamson East Belfry by default.

And thats the whole problem with Williamson folks, they felt
as if they were "entitled" to having a school in the county seat.
Can't wait til this older generation moves on or passes on cuz it'll
help the attitude adjustment we need around here.

Trying to convince folks in the 25661 zip code that Mingo Central
is a good thing is like trying to say Belfry isn't any good at football :insane:
(Im giving you guys credit there, not trying to joke!)

[RicFlair]

In all seriousness, if I lived in Williamson, I'd send my kid to Belfry as well regardless if he or she played sports. Belfry is a super nice school. Awesome facilities. Awesome people over there as well.

Just looked up some pics of Mingo Central's school. That place is nicer than Harlan County!

[Crossbones]

And thats the whole problem with Williamson folks, they felt
as if they were "entitled" to having a school in the county seat.
Can't wait til this older generation moves on or passes on cuz it'll
help the attitude adjustment we need around here.

Trying to convince folks in the 25661 zip code that Mingo Central
is a good thing is like trying to say Belfry isn't any good at football :insane:
(Im giving you guys credit there, not trying to joke!)

Mingo Central is a good thing, but the location is not. You have to at least agree on that. I'd rather they would have built two schools on each end of county than the one. It really is a beautiful and very up to date school and even being on top of that mountain strip is beautiful, but it is really out of the way for some people. Mingo County is a big county, bigger than most realize.

[PondCreekToWestwood]

I see nothing wrong with doing what is best for your kid and being their biggest promoter. My kids go to school out of district and choose to not compete in their sport of choice for the school, I drive them four days a week to practice with a USATF track/cross country team in Huntington. Ya gotta do what is best for yours, not what is best for the school you live closest to.

[E's Army]

Good school. Good coach. Great community support. I'd be begging my parents to take me there if I wanted to play football.

[Fundamentals]

Mingo Central's location is ridiculous. The commute for kids in Williamson is probably anywhere between 35 minutes to an hour. Not to mention it being on top of a mountain miles away from any Healthcare facility. Would you rather pay tuition for a school that is better in most academics and sports or have them there. Not to mention if you were to drive your child it would probably be cheaper just to pay tuition.

[99PIRATEFAN]

Just looked up some pics of Mingo Central's school. That place is nicer than Harlan County!

I have been to both places and Mingo is nice but isn't even close to Harlan Co.

[proud44pirate]

this is funny

[MCMiner247]

Mingo Central's location is ridiculous. The commute for kids in Williamson is probably anywhere between 35 minutes to an hour. Not to mention it being on top of a mountain miles away from any Healthcare facility. Would you rather pay tuition for a school that is better in most academics and sports or have them there. Not to mention if you were to drive your child it would probably be cheaper just to pay tuition.

Anytime the time argument comes up, I must chime in.....

If you drive normally, you can be from the coal house in the middle of
Williamson to the front doors of Mingo Central in 27 Minutes.....worst
time would be 35-40 minutes if you get behind some idiots that won't
get over in the passing lanes on Buffalo Mountain, lol.

And, I wouldn't be so fast to say the academics are "better"....just sayin'.:eyeroll:

[Tomcat Pride]

Anytime the time argument comes up, I must chime in.....

If you drive normally, you can be from the coal house in the middle of
Williamson to the front doors of Mingo Central in 27 Minutes.....worst
time would be 35-40 minutes if you get behind some idiots that won't
get over in the passing lanes on Buffalo Mountain, lol.

And, I wouldn't be so fast to say the academics are "better"....just sayin'.:eyeroll:

Miner every time this is brought up they have ever excuse in the world but the fact is for the last 10-15 years they get more transfers in than any school in the eastern part of this state and maybe a little further. Some of their excuses are down right hilarious.

[Tomcat Pride]

When you have a good program kids transfer in to play for you all our staters live in Ky but two and they pay to go to school over.

Can you list the recent all staters from Belfry? I'd like to see that list.

[Crossbones]

Miner every time this is brought up they have ever excuse in the world but the fact is for the last 10-15 years they get more transfers in than any school in the eastern part of this state and maybe a little further. Some of their excuses are down right hilarious.

What are these excuses you mention? No one is giving excuses, just the plain truth. No one has denied Belfry has had transfers. The thing is this school is closer than their own state school. Can the same be said for Ashland who themselves has transfers from a much larger area and pulling kids from the Huntington, WVa area, which is a lot farther than Williamson is to Belfry.

[Tica]

Budget cuts caused Mayfield to have to close its northwest Tennessee and eastern Missouri student information offices.

[RicFlair]

I have been to both places and Mingo is nice but isn't even close to Harlan Co.

Seriously? I was just speaking for the school itself, not athletic facilities. Harlan county does have an unreal place there but this place looked amazing

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

Let's be honest here folks. Hasn't Pikeville dipped into the Mingo and surrounding area pools and accept kids that can play.

MC need to look in the mirror due to kids deciding to play for different school's.

That's EXACTLY the point I've been making about parents making a choice to send their to kids to Pikeville rather than a county schools for years.

[IronMan86]

Miner every time this is brought up they have ever excuse in the world but the fact is for the last 10-15 years they get more transfers in than any school in the eastern part of this state and maybe a little further. Some of their excuses are down right hilarious.

We've provided you with the facts you're just too ignorant to understand.

[Brooks4Prez]

We have as many WV players as Ashland would if they didn't suck.

Maybe my favorite BGR quote ever

[PHSForever]

Can you list the recent all staters from Belfry? I'd like to see that list.

Not a Belfry supporter. But because I'm enjoying my popcorn too much with this little squabble, here's what I found:

2014 AP All State football team:

Belfry: Austin Hatfield, 1st team LB
Drew Mullins Honorable Mention O Line
Ray Horton Honorable Mention D Line

Ashland: Quinton Baker, 1st team RB

2013 AP All State team:

Belfry: Sani Warren 1st team DB

Ashland: Quinton Baker, Honorable Mention RB

That's just last year and the year before. I could do more, but that'd just be piling on. This should be enough to get the feathers flying again. nicker:

[MtnHSFootballFan]

Can you list the recent all staters from Belfry? I'd like to see that list.

I think that he mispelled "staRters". Originally Posted by 99PIRATEFAN [Image: http://www.bluegrassrivals.com/forum/ima...ewpost.gif] When you have a good program kids transfer in to play for you all our staters live in Ky but two and they pay to go to school over.

I guess he also meant pay to go to school over here.

[Fundamentals]

And thats the whole problem with Williamson folks, they felt
as if they were "entitled" to having a school in the county seat.
Can't wait til this older generation moves on or passes on cuz it'll
help the attitude adjustment we need around here.

Trying to convince folks in the 25661 zip code that Mingo Central
is a good thing is like trying to say Belfry isn't any good at football :insane:
(Im giving you guys credit there, not trying to joke!)

While I get what you are saying it's kind of mean to say you can't wait till a generation passes on just because they don't agree with the location of a school. Especially when Williamson has most likely had the most trophies and all state athletes in the county. Merging the schools was long over due ,and I can see why they chose the location (Gilbert). However, I know the school couldn't be located in Williamson but you would think it would be a little more reasonable.Gilbert, Matewan, and Burch all have a 10-15 minute drive if I'm correct? I'd love to see MC and Belfry do well ,but as long as parents keep paying that tuition to come to Belfry (2 minutes down the road) we sure will take em

[VELVET CLOSER]

I grew up in the Belfry area and played tons of youth sports in Williamson. Hell KY elementary schools had teams that played in Williamson's youth leagues. It has always been this way.

When they put Mingo Central so far away from the County seat they basically made Williamson East Belfry by default.

I also grew up in Ky, in the Belfry area, attended school in the belfry feeder system and played sports in WV. Little league baseball, babe ruth and legion baseball. I also played a year in the Mingo co football league. Growing up and still to this day I had and have as many friends In WV as I do KY. My father attended Williamson and my mother attended Belfry, it is just the way it is in this area. We had many students and athletes that chose to not attended Belfry and take there skills to nearby Williamson WV. and vice versa. Williamson had a all American basketball player that was from Belfry and there have been players crossing the river since the sixties.

Belfry has a top notch football program that any parent would want there kid to be apart of if that is there sport of choice. It's NOT GOING TO CHANGE, as long as it's done within the rules of the KHSAA, and trust me all transfers will be attending with in the rules! So get over it and move on, it's beating a dead horse. NEXT THREAD!

[proud44pirate]

Your AP all state list is wrong. That's Louisville courier journal lists. AP Bentley was first team all state. Mullins was all state 1st team also.

[pikechamp001]

Why would a player / student that lives in Williamson, that can get to school in 4 min, (if they dont hit the red light at walmart) , go to Mingo that is a 30 min haul across the mountain ? Anyone would do that especially if they win, and not (intentionally) lose.

[PHSForever]

Your AP all state list is wrong. That's Louisville courier journal lists. AP Bentley was first team all state. Mullins was all state 1st team also.

Feel free to post it. I just listed from first two that came up and it said CJ AP all state team. Pardon me. I will just let you Belfry fans aggravate the Tomkat fans. Lol