64/60 Sports

There is a briskness to the evening air, leaves are fluttering and preparing to put on a display of colors fit for crayola. The night skies beg for illuminessence, and the voices of children that were echoing through neighborhoods now echo through hallways of sinder block and bulletin boards. High School Football season is upon us...

Every fall, A feeling of re-newment comes to me, and with it memories of days gone by, it seems as if the end of summer is a time of reflection, and a nod to yesterday. The last vestige before rebirth. There is perhaps no better measuring stick to mark the years than High School football. I also get a feeling of what could have been everytime a I see the Orange clad Helmets of Raceland and Ironton fill the friday night air. I can smell the aroma of the fresh cut grass choking the very life out of my lungs during grueling two a days. I can still feel that rash on my forehead left behind from sweat and bull in the ring from my helmet. I can hear Coach Dotson in the distance chanting 'Hey Bobba Lubba' as we run those bajas on the flood wall. And me having been a running back, I can still hear Ratchet Ass saying 'Dave Caldwell would have made that hole'. So as the Morining dew mixes with the dawn and blankets the England Hill Valley with a coat of Smoky Mountain-esque haze, I look to Football to mark the day. That, and the fact that the Independent has the High School Preview in today's paper.

Decent preamble there, not buckle your chin strap, it's time for some football...

Last year on this side of the river, the big story was The Tomcats finally getting what was getting to be a rather large primate of their backs by beating Ironton. In a game that had an atmosphere that I can only liken to a Rose Bowl type of lore, Ashland not only beat Ironton, they DESTROYED them. Now, The Cats are back with what could be the BEST Tomcat squad in the last 15 years. They have it all. They have size,they have numbers,dressing 87 for varsity,and they have speed. Leon Hart is like a gitty school girl, he has this weapon of mass destruction at his hands. He beat Ironton, and all signs point to a repeat of that this year as the Tigers are young and inexperienced. He also has D1 prospect Trent Hardy as his rock. You have to see this kid. A man child in every sense of the term. He will be the man on both the O line and the D line. Hardy stands 6'3'' and tips the scale at 235. The 2 year starter has been clocked at under 4.6 in the 40. Because of the no glory dynamic of being a lineman, alot of people may be unaware of his prowess, that will change. QB Sam Hunter will get to play with a lighting quick recieving corps that includes Cody Withrow, Ryand Whetsel, and sophomore speedster Malik Massey. I have seen Malik just farting around at Putnam during my nephews JFL games and during my Verity games. Unbelievable Athleticism. Ashland is by far head and shoulders above all the area teams. No Johnson Central flea flicker win, Russell won't even matter, Ironton is going to lose to them two years in a row, if the Ohio refs don't tank the game at Tanks Memorial, and Boyd County will look like roman christians being fed to their namesake. Deep Playoff run for the T-Cats.

The largest school in Eastern Kentucky. The worst football program I can think of. BC does have alot of young pups eager to play and earn respect. According to Coach Lee Evans, they are young but smart. Brains will not get the girl. The Young County is long since removed from the school's 2008 District Title, and that was only two years ago. Last season, the de-mained and at times de-clawed Lions mustered up only 2 wins. Larry Bryant and the putride 97 Lions record of futility was safe yet again. But, seriously, a school that large needs to get it's kids off OC's and out of the basement with the XBOX and onto the field. The rivalry with Ashland isnt anything but an afterthought, the days of their mid 80's glory is all but forgotten. Mark Meenach and Terry Keelin are not even recognizable names any more. Their biggest rivalry now is tiny Fairview and the kings of football futility Greenup County. Which is kind of fitting two schools that big are so bad. The Scarlet and White has to start over from scratch. There is no better indication on the level of athletes coming out, coache's son or not, that Sophomore Lee Evans is the starting QB. Evans is touting that his team alot faster than last years, even though they lack the size they had. That's not exacltly good Fucking news coach, you won 2 games last year. But, with youth comes depth. They have depth at all positions, but once again, they have inexperience and no size to go along with it. so it cancels out. The Lions can put their speed to use when they run scared from the opposition this season. I hope that is not the case, but the County is a long way from the 1993 4A playoffs. The County will use a triple option attack and attempt to utilize their speed, which is going to result in their young QB getting hit hard routinely, which means that they are hiding something in regards to his throwing arm by choosing to run the option and have a run heavy otherwise offense. Times could be tough again up on the hill in Cannonsburg. The Lions will attempt to avenge the loss to new Rival, and first in the schools history to Fairview on Sept. 10th. That is going to be the big game for BC. The Nightmare on Elm Street will continue when they tangle with Paul G. Mutha' Fuckin' Blazer on Oct. 29th. I hope my nephew just doesn't get killed out there...

Russell is taking it's time. Ivan Mcglone has been around long enough to know what to do. Is laid back mantra for this season only says one thing to me, Russell has got nothing in the cupboard. However if any team can make the most out of youth and inexperience, it is the Red Devils. The land of preps and and spoiled bitches do play some good football. Russell has been on a steady decline for the past few seasons, 5 years ago they had a 14-1 mark, the last two has seen them put up a 7-5 and 6-5 record. Still, a record of 41 and 15 for the last 5 is not bad at all, but it's the last two years that concerns the Doctors and Alumni. Ivan may need to ride off into the sunset...I do expect the Red Devils to over-achieve slightly all because of sophomore QB/DB Googie Hayes. Best name in Area Football hands down. Interestingly enough, I see Russell playing their best game of the season when Ironton comes to Henry Evans. Ironton rolled Russell last year 45-0. Ashland should win what is by far the best Rivalry Game in eastern Kentucky again this season. The New look Raceland should come away with another victory over their ass hole neighbor again too. Looks like Tarpin is gonna have a long season pacing the sidelines in Russell....... "He's Deh-yud"

Greenup County hopes that a new found toughness and returning QB Mason Rister can turn things around for the Musky Queers this season. The land of Tractors and Locks and Dams is another school like BC that amazes me in it's student body size and lack of success in sports in recent years. Hopefully, The Musketeers have bought into Coach Mike Copley's system and can start righting the ship down in Lloyd. However, this is a squad that beat a much more talented Raceland foe last season, and it appears as if their is starting to be some parity in the Greenup County schools amongst the 3 teams who call it home. Greenup is on the upswing. In a sign of good things to come, The football program has welcomed other sport athletes Austin Strinfield and Michael Hampton to the squad, while they may be new, athleticism never hurts.

They say you can't talk football in the wood without mentioning Zach Segina and Jared Hutchinson. Then, thank God I mentioned them. Fairview must be getting very tired of losing to Lexington Christian and Raceland, although I doubt the residents of Westwood have noticed, they seem to be busy with other things these days. I don't like Westwood, but I do like Fairview's team this year. They have some very athletic recievers, a few of which are on the all name roster. Chris Kimbro and Devon Turner are going to excite corwds with their quick steps, and hopefully for QB Ty Lowe it will translate to lighting up the scoreboard. Both of those two are transfers from Huntington High(Kimbro) and Ashalnd(Turner) respectively.You can't catch these gazelles that is for sure, but let's see how they perform after getting hit a few good times. And yes, Kimbro has had issues with staying out of trouble. We will see if the Mohawked Segina (6'3'', 230) can force his will on the the opposition, or if he turns out to be a cupcake.

TJ Maynard is going to settle in to his first year as Raceland Coach by not changing a thing. The Hal Mumme esque Raceland Air Raid offense is going to be the bread and butter for the Rams. The Raceland Program, and job, have probably turned into the most lucrative and one of, if not the mose sought after in the area. Maynard, a long time assistant will look to continue the rambler's successful ways set in place by Bill Tom Ross and Randy Vanderhoof. They don't return alot, but with the type of offense they run all they need is speed, which seems to be a growing trend in the area, which has for the better part of 10 years has lacked kids with any type of size on a routine basis. QB Tyler Farley will lead the Rams this season from under center. He amassed over 2200 yeard last season airing it out. Tim Couch style bitches. With the balls to the wall passing game Raceland employs, they are lacking on defense. The inexperience of the D will be the achillie's heel all season for them. Of course they will factor into the playoffs, but and ultimate loss to LCA is looming for them I fear.

The Dawgs down in Louisa returned to juggernaught status last season posting a 12-1 record. They had lost a bit of thier aura, but have spit shined themselves back into shape. The LC play a smash mouth brand of football, and those boys from the hills and backwoods are tough muther effers. You definately have to man up each time you go to play in the coal-fields if you want to have any hope of being more than just a Bulldog chew toy. A more fitting name for them may be Pit Bulls with the traditional toughness and Legion of Doom clothesline you granny style they play. And, their fans are as, if not more rabid. A man can get killed in Louisa. The fans sit along the backs of the endzones and do nothing by threaten the lives of opposing players and their families in their lawn chairs. It's Hatfields and Mccoys shit. Just pray you are not there at night if you beat the Dawgs. Ironically, with all those big bad coal miners, the runt of the Dawgs litter is the head of the kennel. 5'11''(and that is generous) 170(If you hose him down with chicken fat) Turner O'Brien may not look like he could do much, but he is the perverbial stick of dynamite. Little package, big explosion. The Sr. safety is the driving force of a squad that appears to be primed and ready for another year of bashing skulls and hiding bodies... You sure do have a pretty mouth...

It's no secret that Rowan County hates Morehead State. They dont want the college there at all, they support it even less, and quite frankly they want it out of their Mayberry existence. Most College towns have a strong pressence in high school sports. Generally, college towns attract a certain demographic to it's limits and it translates into athletic success. This has not been the case in Morehead. But as recent years suggest, the times they are a changing. No more whistling the theme to Andy Griffith on the way to the fishing hole, These kids are are strutting to T.I. Darrell Cross fits the bill to a T for what an athlete should look like. Darrell Cross...Junior... Last season the man with rough and tumble Jersey blood in his veins ran for over 1600 yards and he knows how to make people miss. Maybe the best back in this area since Chris Jennings,(Fairview grad, Arizona Wildcat, current Clevland Brown...What's up Arliss?) He has a good pedigree as his father, Darrell Sr. was the 1990 New Jersey player of the year, and recieved a full ride to Kansas State. Alot of people may not know about Cross even with his numbers, but with a good O Line to block for him, that will soon change. Playing in Rowan County prolly don't help, but that is about to change. Look for several highlights to come form Junior this season, in the return game especially. And, I really dig The Vikes head coach ShaDon Brown.

Johnson Central has gained a reputation for producing great running backs down in the mountains. This year is no exception. They return the explosive backfield from last season that totaled over 4000 yards and 45 TD's. JK Hall will once again line up under center with his two familiar running mates behind him, tailback JJ 'Hey' Jude and Tanner Bratton at fullback. A rough 0-4 start for the bigger of the two schools located in Paintsville was tough to swallow for a fan base that has become acustomed to winning, but the Eagles bounced back niceley and soared into the playoffs after running off 8 straight including a 1 point victory on a flea flicker against Ashland to clinch a 4th straight District Title. Johnson Central edges out Raceland for the honors of top program in the area over the last 5 years. With no one player in particular for opposing D's to zero in on, Johnson Central looks to be ready to run it down the throats of the opposition and in turn running up a few scores here and there.

There is a sign in Jacksonville, Florida that reads 'If you are from Carter County, Kentucky, do not stop here'. As if that wasn't embarassing enough, The Grayson have to endure East Carter football. Now, to be fair, East Carter was stepping up and returning to the 4A circuit, which after reclassification a few years back, is not the 4A of old, but still fairly large none the less. The World's biggest Truck Stop and Swap Meet looked to be turning a corner 5 years ago and putting a winner on the field. Going 8-4 in '05 in part of the Boyd/East football revival led by the Damron family. They left like thieves in the night and left both schools scrambling for dignity. East, like Boyd, has not found it yet. But damn it they are trying. Last year East Carter only scored more points than one other school in it's class, with 98. Louisville Atherton took the dubious distinction home with 77. The D faired little better, might even say worse by allowing on average the other school to push them around and put up roughly 30 a game on them while they scored close to nill. SR. QB Kyle Smith feels as if the Raiders were not that fair behind the talent level of their foes, it was off field prep and in-fighting amongst players that was the problem. Coach Aron Baldwin says that it was due to the fact that the projected and planned starters only were able to take 3 snaps as such all year. After graduating 13 from a team that showed inexperince and youth all season, the times may get even leaner this season. East is an about the same position as they were last season with the level of talent and the know how of the players. Things are going to stay ugly in Grayson for the immediate future. East Carter football won't be any better.

Their neighbors to the West in Olive Hill are fairing a little better these days. The Comets came close to making a run at the playoffs at 5-5 and played above expectations with a 1 point defeat to Russell. The Flaming Rocks in Space will have to learn how to win in October, after dropping 3 in a row in the month of Goblins and Pedafile posioned candy, as those loses kept Olive Hill in town listening to Tom T. Hall records and not enjoying a post season. There is however a bright spot to the drug money in Carter County. A local pharmascist donated some fundage to improve on the Comets weight room facility. Bond.... Harrison Bond, SR, 5'10'' 160 lbs, will lead the Comets taking snaps after winning a 3 player QB race in the offseason. Danny Cline will look to build on his 5 INT's on D, and his 570 rushing yards on the other side of the ball.

Those bastards from Sodom and Gamora have to be mentioned in any local football preview. Bob Lutz and the Tigers are going to do what they have down every season since Adam ate the apple. Run the Ball. Some say that Lutz is getting more laid back and open to new ideas in his old age. This may be true, but I don't think you are going to see any flea flickers or other Shenanigans from the Tigers. Warner, Wilks and Hager are all shouldering the hopes of a football crazy town as the keys to the Ironton Running game. Hopefully for the douchers and patrons of Frogtown and the End Zone, Ironton will take better care of the ball this season. Hager style of lay is all or nothing, and if he can keep his self injury free, will be a big part of any success Ironton may have, which should be substantial. However, I still like The Tomcats taking a W out of Tanks Memorial. Ironton should be able to handle Russell, and once again leave the Devil's to the same old tired routine of excuses and denial...Should be another year of bad calls at Tanks, sucker punches at the Fuzzy Duck, douche bags at crusing and a very dark table at Shenanigans...along with some I-Town wins...

Lewis County and Paintsville have teams too. Ashland's JFL would dismantle them though.

If you live in the coverage area of Time-Warner Cable, you can catch 4 games this year on a tape delayed broadcast on River Cities 23...The Line up includes Ashland/Russell, Ashland/Ironton, Coal Grove/Rock Hill and one other game, which I am thinking is Ashland/Waverly... I will have to get back to you on that one...