[Lamont Sanford]

Sadly...Just read where Trimble County High only had 9 kids report for practice so they originally cancelled the season, but public outcry is making them reconsider. So they are giving it one more shot at players coming out at 8AM in the morning, then they will see what they got, and decide whether to not play 2018-2019 season. Such low numbers is a safety concern I'm sure


Do you guys think the KHSAA could do something more than the current class ranking to level the playing fields? I know some rural mountain schools struggle with the situation of unemployment and economics, simply getting kids to and from practice every day is a struggle for some parents. Is the answer some type mathematical factor where urban and rural schools have a + or - factor based on population, example Subtract 5% of student body for rural schools +5% for urban schools and place the programs in the appropriate class using this method.

Just a thought I'm clueless as to what could equalize the divisions better, I'm afraid with economics and other factors with football being so expensive we'll see other school calling it quits.

[RAMDAD50]

Trying to “level the playing field” is what has caused this problem in the first place! Kentucky doesn’t need sixes classes!! We have watered down the playing field!

[Pulp Fiction]

Johnson Central had some of the lowest numbers in school history in '01, '02 & '03, but no seasons or games were missed. Rumor & innuendo was that the football program was going to be cancelled and the football field was going to be turned in to a parking lot if something didn't change by the 2006 season. Thank God for changes.

2001: 2-8
2002: 2-8
2003: 1-9

(Rumored season for the program to be cancelled)
2006: 13-1; 3A State semi-finalist.

Fast forward ten seasons to 2016 & JC brings home the 4A state football championship.

Every situation is different. What's going on with Trimble County is bad for the players, the students and the community that supports them. Hopefully they can field a team and be able to play at least some game this season and build towards the next year.
Johnson County finally made some much-needed changes in the BOE and got it together with a new superintendent (not sure of the year) and hired coach Matney after the 2003 season. The team that went 1-9 in '02 went 7-3 in '03.

[RunItUpTheGut]

Numbers usually reflect who's coaching on the sidelines.

And what type of feeder system exist if any.

Sometimes schools just get too small to play or compete. But then I look at schools like Williamsburg who dont have many kids at all dress out 50 to 60 kids and realize it's usually the culture that doesn't allow some of these other smaller schools to get it together

[E's Army]

Paintsville was in dire straits less than 10 years ago. Got to get the right coaches and a supportive administration.

[plantmanky]

The issue with Trimble isnt coaching related, but yes I do think you are going to see some of the smaller schools struggle to field enough players to safely have a team(s) in the near future.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

The issue with Trimble isnt coaching related, but yes I do think you are going to see some of the smaller schools struggle to field enough players to safely have a team(s) in the near future.

From what I'm hearing from some high level administrators, this is just the beginning. I've been told, High School sports over the next 15-20 years will fundamentally change, and to some degree be phased out. I've not been told that Football will be impacted, but many other HS sports being offered may find themselves eliminated.

That would be a shame

[Single Wing 77]

I think the opposite is more likely. Some smaller schools are looking at starting programs. sayre and Wolfe county are two that I hear are starting programs.

[Patriot1]

I think the opposite is more likely. Some smaller schools are looking at starting programs. sayre and Wolfe county are two that I hear are starting programs.

I agree take Phelps a few years back, if I am not mistaken they only had about 15 or 16 players but they have turned their program around. I also saw somewhere maybe even on here or Twitter that Jenkins only had 11 out may not be true but that may be a bad sign for them. Hope they can survive hate to see any school give up their programs

[Lamont Sanford]

Reading these post I have to say I 100% agree.... it starts with the administration I had forgotten about Johnson Central, rural school, easter Ky, same economy, and geographic situation as many other schools failing miserably; and they are succeeding on a big scale....Do they run some form of activity bus system to assist kids to and from practices, I know some schools utilize this method, I've heard pros and cons concerning it.....What do you guys think about activity buses....

[E's Army]

Jenkins and Phelps are two small rural schools in the dying coal fields. In twenty years we will lose some of these community schools much like Cumberland and Evarts. When the President decides to kill an industry it has a wide effect on people and communities.

[Pulp Fiction]

Jenkins and Phelps are two small rural schools in the dying coal fields. In twenty years we will lose some of these community schools much like Cumberland and Evarts. When the President decides to kill an industry it has a wide effect on people and communities.

Phelps is so far out in Pike County, the BOE would have to split the students up between Pike Central, East Ridge & Belfry and that would be VERY long bus rides for the kids. The drive from Pikeville to Phelps feels like you are eight miles and a left turn past the middle of nowhere.

Jenkins' students would have to be absorbed by Letcher Central. LCC has a big enough school that they wouldn't be overcrowded.

^^^^^^^^^^^
These are the only schools in the 15th region that I know of that could be consolidated. Projected status ten years from now.

Johnson Central. (Safe)
Magoffin County. (Safe, brand new school. Only high school in the county)
Paintsville. (Small, but Safe)
Lawrence County. (Safe, only high school in the county)
Floyd Central. (Safe, brand new school)
Betsy Layne. (Safe)
Prestonsburg. (Safe)
Shelby Valley. (Safe)
Pikeville. (Small, but Safe)
Belfry. (Safe)
Pike Central. (Safe)
East Ridge. (Safe)

Sheldon Clark has seen enrollment drop the past few years. SC has been moved down to 2A for the next realignment. The new Martin County high school (that feels like it has been under construction since the Truman presidential administration) will be completed this school year. I highly doubt the only (and brand new) high school in Martin County will close down due to enrollment, but you never know. Students would probably be transferred to Johnson Central, Paintsville, Lawrence County and/or Prestonsburg. It would be an absolute shame to see the SC classmates be divided up between four different schools.

Johnson Central & Paintsville - 28 miles.
Lawrence County - 28 miles.
Prestonsburg - 14 miles.

These distances are from high school to high school. Not sure how close the nearest West Virginia school is from Martin County, but I could see some kids from the Warfield area going that route if Martin County ever did close.

[pjdoug]

I agree take Phelps a few years back, if I am not mistaken they only had about 15 or 16 players but they have turned their program around. I also saw somewhere maybe even on here or Twitter that Jenkins only had 11 out may not be true but that may be a bad sign for them. Hope they can survive hate to see any school give up their programs

I'm a fan of Jenkins and always behind them. some people don't realize that these kids work just as hard as the ones on the big teams that win every year. Go Cavaliers!

[thsrocks]

There are a handful of schools in Jefferson County who should give up football. A bigger concern is there are several high schools that could be consolidated. There is so much money wasted on busing the kids all over the county. There are schools being kept open to satisfy the need for more teachers and administrators. Class size is not the determining factor. It is a huge money grab tax dollar wise. That is why I am hoping the State takes over running the JCPS.

There are inequities in how the school budgets are used. Some schools fund buses home for athletes after practice and games. Some schools do not. Some schools place their gate receipts in athletic budget. Most place in the general school accounts.

[HCS]

Sheldon Clark has seen enrollment drop the past few years. SC has been moved down to 2A for the next realignment. The new Martin County high school (that feels like it has been under construction since the Truman presidential administration) will be completed this school year. I highly doubt the only (and brand new) high school in Martin County will close down due to enrollment, but you never know. Students would probably be transferred to Johnson Central, Paintsville, Lawrence County and/or Prestonsburg. It would be an absolute shame to see the SC classmates be divided up between four different schools.

Johnson Central & Paintsville - 28 miles.
Lawrence County - 28 miles.
Prestonsburg - 14 miles.

These distances are from high school to high school. Not sure how close the nearest West Virginia school is from Martin County, but I could see some kids from the Warfield area going that route if Martin County ever did close.

Martin County is twice the size of several counties in Kentucky - plus every county in Kentucky has at least one high school.
No student in the history of the state has ever been moved by the state from one county high school to an independent district in another county, so the Paintsville option is impossible.
All the independent districts would be more likely to close than Sheldon Clark, plus Phelps.

[Patriot1]

I'm a fan of Jenkins and always behind them. some people don't realize that these kids work just as hard as the ones on the big teams that win every year. Go Cavaliers!

I agree they probably do work just as hard but I would just like them to get more kids involved

[WILDCAT NATION]

Numbers usually reflect who's coaching on the sidelines.

And what type of feeder system exist if any.

Sometimes schools just get too small to play or compete. But then I look at schools like Williamsburg who dont have many kids at all dress out 50 to 60 kids and realize it's usually the culture that doesn't allow some of these other smaller schools to get it together

This is 100% accurate.

[JerryGarcia]

If a bigger school lacks players then yes it would have a lot to do with coaching. But when you are a small class A school and have only 75-100 boys to pick from then I really can’t blame the coach

[pjdoug]

I agree they probably do work just as hard but I would just like them to get more kids involved

I would too. I feel bad for them.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

You're gonna see more school districts begin to phase out football over the next 3-4 years. mark it down. It's coming.

[plantmanky]

You're gonna see more school districts begin to phase out football over the next 3-4 years. mark it down. It's coming.

Once some districts see low numbers, and how much funding goes into the program, they will start cutting teams, this doesnt just go for football.

I look for wrestling to perhaps be one of the first sports hit by this.

[Real Badman]

Football participation is on the rise in America. Just FYI. Trimble suffered from an incompant administration whose entire district has declined 31% from 2016/17 to 2018/19

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Once some districts see low numbers, and how much funding goes into the program, they will start cutting teams, this doesnt just go for football.

I look for wrestling to perhaps be one of the first sports hit by this.

I agree wholeheartedly. The landscape of high school athletics is about to change.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Football participation is on the rise in America. Just FYI. Trimble suffered from an incompant administration whose entire district has declined 31% from 2016/17 to 2018/19

I’m sorry but this simply isn’t correct. Youth football participation is down nation wide. The drop is significant, in some places as much as 20%. Insurance companies, who for years have gladly offered general liability insurance for youth football associations are pulling out of the market place in droves. I will say this, you may see a rise in flag football league at the local level, but the drop in participation is REAL.

[TheHotSnakes]

The numbers for football in America indicate that it's down by roughly 3 million over the last decade. That's not a rise, at all.

Small school ball isn't easy. At all. It takes something special to be successful there, and even more special to maintain that success. Unless you're rolling with 75% participation and up, you're going to struggle with numbers. That's a mathematical certainty.

If there is an increase in small schools folding their teams, I wouldn't be surprised to see KHSAA adopt a co-op policy, allowing those players to play. Or possibly allow players to play for the nearest school who does offer football, while still attending their original high school.

[Westside]

Football participation is on the rise in America. Just FYI. Trimble suffered from an incompant administration whose entire district has declined 31% from 2016/17 to 2018/19

:biglmao:

Negative Ghost Rider.

[RunItUpTheGut]

Once some districts see low numbers, and how much funding goes into the program, they will start cutting teams, this doesnt just go for football.

I look for wrestling to perhaps be one of the first sports hit by this.

I've heard this talked about by many sources.
My question is how will cutting out certain sports effect title 9 issues?

It's no secret girls sports are the worst at showing no return. But it's my understanding that you cant cut one unless you cut both. For example if you cut girls golf, then boys has to go to or another girls sport has to replace golf?
Dont know the exact details of it...

[plantmanky]

I've heard this talked about by many sources.
My question is how will cutting out certain sports effect title 9 issues?

It's no secret girls sports are the worst at showing no return. But it's my understanding that you cant cut one unless you cut both. For example if you cut girls golf, then boys has to go to or another girls sport has to replace golf?
Dont know the exact details of it...

There is an "If students show interest clause" in Title IX.

Plus Football is technically a gender neutral sport (boys and girls can both play) just like wrestling.

[cj2561]

There is an "If students show interest clause" in Title IX.

Plus Football is technically a gender neutral sport (boys and girls can both play) just like wrestling.

both can play football. but how many girls really want to play football. and wrestling, there is a few girls come out for wrestling, i think these number will go up if there is girl wrestling teams. since they can make it to the Olympics in wrestling.

[E's Army]

Football is expensive to start up. To build a field with lights, bleachers, press box and concession stands is a huge cost. New lights are in the nearly $400,000 range for bare minimum. Equipment especially helmets is outragious. Coaching stipends are generally in the $15,000 to $20,000 range per year including middle school teams. The schools with the biggest issues like Jenkins are isolated and have a large traveling expense to find competitive games. Barbourville has made some noise about starting a program but this has failed to come to fruition because of these issues. Berea has had issues for the last decade and have been on the verge of giving up football. Have they ever got their stadium back in order. Schools with proud football traditions like Pineville, Harlan and Middlesboro have trended down in numbers and results on the field in recent years. Those schools are feeling a financial crunch with the loss of jobs. How long before they go the way of Harrodsburg, Cumberland, Whitesburg, MC Napier, Lynch and Evarts?