I promise I don't want to sound like I'm whining.  But after the outstanding performance by the Lakers on Friday night and the fact that the score was so lopsided - I would have thought that you may have considered either placing Calloway in your top ten OR moving Mayfield down farther.  

i think lone oak would beat any of the teams ranked higher than them. and also if calloway wins at hopkins this week they probably should be at least #10.

i wish lone oak played better teams like mayfield or trigg just to prove ourselves. but no we have an easy schedule.

Jeff:  very disappointed in you and Greg.  Knox Central's 4-3, Bullitt East is 3-4 and North Bullitt is 5-3.  Are you planning to move south of Louisville or what?  How bout some love for your closer-to-home Lakers after a signature win?  Can't wait to hear your rationale on this one.  Yep, you knew you'd get it from the CC fans.  I'm sure I'm just the first of several.

Greg is coming up with his thesis on why we did what we did with the polls this week.  As for me...this was the hardest week we've had yet in putting in the top 10.

As for Kyle...saying there are people who are voting for Calloway, just no one from your local media is a bit silly.  I think it's pretty obvious we're not obligated to vote for only western Kentucky teams.  If that was the case, we'd just have Lone Oak #1 and Calloway #2 in 4A and be done with it.  I know it's hard for some people to think with their heads and not their hearts.  It's understandable.  I expect you to be biased.  That's the whole point of this thing.  You just have to pump the breaks sometimes.

As for Laker MoJo...Calloway is 4-3.  Yes, they've got Mayfield to hang on the mantle.  Aside from that...they've beaten Crittenden County, Muhlenberg North and Murray.  The combined record of those three is 6-17.  Mayfield was a great win.  Beat somebody else and I can pretty much guarantee you'll get in.

As for Laker Fan...we DID consider Calloway County for the top 10.  If we had a top 11 poll, they'd probably be in.  As for Mayfield, they lost to a 4A school with a freshman at quarterback.  I actually argued to drop them to 3rd, but Greg is bigger than me and wanted them 2nd.  We're pretty much convinced Mayfield and Beechwood are the two best teams in the state.  Whether they play the second week of December...time will tell.

We weren't that far from off from the other 16 voters in the poll.  Calloway got 8 votes this week.  The 10th place team got 25.  Even if we put them 10th this week, that means they would have 9 votes, and still wouldn't be sniffing the overall Top 10.  String a couple wins together, and you'll get all of us morons in the media to come around.  That can start this week with Hopkins Central in a very winnable game at home.

hey trav and all 'you' other blinded by the 'flash' think it's an accident mayfield (1a) tilghman (3a) hopkinsville (6a) murray (2a) and fort cambell (2a) suddenly disappeared from their normal yearly game schedule - and such of all years 'this' one - sure would change 'my' tune 'if' boasting victories over any of the teams mentioned were the case  instead of the factual scenario before us all but some-how viewed so differently - of course you also state in 'virtually thought' lone oak could beat any of the teams ranked above them so i guess that pretty much closes my case - dream on son for one day soon you and all the other you's will be rudely awakened and see the light finally once again all will - and it ain't gonna be purple boys & girls - hey kyle and all you other calloway bloggers, 'do' you see & understand what that o/t loss has caused 'me' and cost you guys - just amazing, absolutely amazing...      

Kentblue....We disagree here and there, but I didn't get a chance to reply to this under Bidwell's last blog, but how about our Kentucky Wildcats?!

Solid rankings, Bidwell and Miller.

Bidwell, does Penn State play football anymore??? You want one of my blue "Got Rich?" shirts yet? Just curious, Thanks.

Chumbler...yes the Nittanies DO still play ball.  You must have missed their huge win over a wildly overrated Wisconsin team this weekend.  If they end up 7-4 this year, it will be a miracle.  They have an A- defense...and a C+ offense.  Even in a worse than usual Big Ten, that offense just can't compete.

kentblue, there you go again. When was Lone Oak supposed to play the games you mentioned? The Flash did beat Hopkinsville in a preseason scrimmage.

Lone Oak had two district road games they had to play this season. It always plays Heath and Reidland, an every year tradition, and the Heath game is on the road. Lone Oak already committed to play in Caldwell's bowl. We're up to four road games now. The fifth road game, Obion Central, was added late in the summer, after your powerhouses had their schedules full. Maybe no one wanted or was able (schedule conflicts) to come to Lone Oak this year. And I don't blame them for not wanting six road games and only four at home.

I did hear that they talked to Tilghman about a game but Tilghman's only opening was when Lone Oak was already committed to honor their game at Caldwell. Maybe they can ask you to put together their schedule for them next year.

kent blue... lone oak could possibly beat every team that is ranked higher than them... and you mentioned the ot win over calloway. well when playoffs come and we play calloway again which we probably will, we should beat them.... again.

Corey Robinson

hey steve and now addressing your questions - lone oak has traditionally played the 'teams' i mentioned for years right along with heath & reidland - i know because i have a son that played for lone oak previously and have sit & cheered for the flash @ all type of sporting events - so believe 'me' i've taken my licks and have paid 'my' dues fully & thoroughly - and yes they have district classification games that must be on the schedule - think that equates to a total of (3) 4a squads - so none not 'one' on their schedule what-so-ever are of 'stone' consequence to be played - 'they' made the schedule 'changes' and 'they' cherry picked the other games other than what the move from 3a to 4a forced on the schedule - which of my view allowed ditching opponents that certainly would have 'proven & earned' all the hoopla - stats most likely wouldn't have been as impressive as they are currently but 'that' we'll never know will we steve so moot that is - the practice scrimmage with (hop'town) well i'm choosing to just leave that one alone and i hope that's okay with ya - scheduling is done with plenty of thought and planning and although a 'conflict' often developes between teams, such doesn't take place or happen with one's schedule such as lone oak has this year and 'all' the associated deletions & additions - hey and by all means 'every-body' may your hearts beat faster when you capture the  'partial' county championship - constantly hung up on the reidland / heath  match-up but never understanding paducah tilghman makes up and counts as part of 'our' very own mccracken county's (4) high schools, not (3) there's (4) people -  but hey i get it, they 'could' have beat them with-out a doubt also right travis - one win guys, 'one' win that 'salts' my tomato and very impressive that calloway come back was -  lone oak's numbers do mean a lot to many and i understand that when 'looking' @ numbers alone - how-ever do you all understand or argue this point, many others  state-wide could have 'impressive' stats also 'if' schedules were trade - sure you'd argue that - but see & understand this, 'i' live in the real world people - all the maybe this & that's, could of's & should of's, probables & possibles, would haves, etc...forget all that stuff please - facts, look @ the facts - they don't lie and they  paint a colorful picture 'if' only you'll look - go purple flash - oh and calloway also...                      

Well, the schedule is what it is, no changing it now. I guess we'll see come playoff time how good Lone Oak is.

Jeff:  OK, we'll play your game and I still contend you didn't do your homework.  The Lakers SHOULD be ranked ahead of Bullitt East (3-4) and North Bullitt (5-3).  Why?  The combined wins of Bullitt East's 3 victims is 10.  The combined wins of North Bullitt's 5 victims is 11.  The win total for the teams Calloway defeated is 12.  And, there has not been a single game that the Lakers have not been able to win RIGHT DOWN TO THE FINAL HORN.  Furthermore, you haven't seemed to consider that Calloway is a team that's been improving each week.  Finally, as media you should know more about the local teams, which USUALLY results in more votes from the local media members.  I think an 8 or 9 rating was very much in order over either Bullitt Co. team.

Bid,
I was just stateing fact. Calloway recieved votes but not from you. You are CC's local media that has a vote.

hey bid, well i for one thought your anticipated blogger's 'beating' was rather mild following this weeks released rankings - looking forward my-self of gmills explanatory 'thesis' though - should be a good 'read' - now for 'all' the regs on here which does include you bid & gmill, i have a request of all of you which 'i' thought could prove interesting 'if & when' personal time allows  - let's take the area teams say such as the 'most' chattered about on here - lone oak, calloway, mayfield, graves co., marshall co., and i guess fulton city which would about cover the teams mostly discussed constantly - now 'on' a scale of say 3 (weakest) to 12 (strongest) 'rank' their respective schedules per strength, challenge, toughness etc...and 'no' bloviating guys - c'mon kyle, eric,  steve, mark, and any-one else whom would like to participate - personally 'i' think such should be a major consideration when 'ranking' teams of any sport verses wins / losses / numbers and a few other factors - 'who' dares to go first....7:37 a.m. / tuesday / 10/16            

Massey has already done this, and they still rank Lone Oak third overall in 4A.

Check out masseyratings.com (Then click Football, High School, Kentucky)

geeez yerkes, thanks for the passed along info / website - but hey 'i'm' interested in how 'we' rank 'our' teams of conversation, not massey - and not over-all - simply their strength of schedule 'which' dictates / allows every-thing else numerical wise 'i' think - by the way yerkes, why did 'you' not mention massey's lone schedule ranking - you point out (3rd) over-all but i didn't seem to notice the number (28th) any where in your remark - go ahead brother, 3 to 12 rank'em - i double dog dare ya...  

We know you have a problem with Lone Oak's schedule, you mention it in virtually every post. You got anything else?

I'd like to first begin with a short English lesson. This is for you kentblue, so pay attention. Periods, and commas are a good thing. They help distinguish when you should pause, and begin again. This is also aided by CAPITALIZING words, especially when begining a new sentence. And 'lastly', it isnt 'necessary' to put 'quote marks' marks 'around' everything.  

P.S. When typing extremely large posts, us paragraphs. It helps the reader know when you are enterring into a completely different thought.

Now as for me, I'm a Nashville resident. I havent lived in Paducah since I graduated from Lone Oak in 01'. I played football for the flash, and was a 3 year starter, but since I've left, havent really payed a lick of attention to the football program. This year however perked my intrest in my alma mater, as the flash have been dominating everyone they play. Since week one I've followed the season, and kept up with their state ranking. I've seen them play (what should have been there toughest games) at Calloway and Hopkins Central

Here is my opinion as to why the flash are as good as their rankings show, and its their game to lose no matter who they are playing.

1.) They have the best ingredients of a sucessful program. They have a good coach, a good offense, good fan support, and most noteably, a reciever in Jamariel Brown (not sure on the spelling),who can run faster than any defense, and Corey Robinson,that can throw it farther than anyone else. In high school football if you can put this combination together, and your team runs with it, the sky is the limit.

In 1998 Lone Oak had the best quarterback-reciever combo in Western Kentucky with Tim Burrows, and Nathan East in both passing and recieving yards  ["East the Beast"; unknown author; The Paducah Sun; 1997]. Lone Oak went 4-6 that year, in a schedule that included a district of Lone Oak, Hopkins Central, Calloway County, Paducah Tilghman, Hopkinsville, and Union County. At least 4 out of 5 of those teams were ranked in the top ten in the state that year for most of the season. Three out of those 5 games were played down to the wire, but we just couldn't pull it off.

Why?

Because current coach Courtney Neel refused to put the weight of the team on Burrows and East's shoulders. Although they were the best, Neel never utilized them to dominate other teams. Haskins is a coach that plays on this philosophy, and is quick to recognize what is going to win ballgames: Just keep Brown running faster than the defense, and keep Robinson safe in the pocket until he can throw it to him and have him catch it. It's a simple plan. Throw  a cast of role players around these two, and add a "better than average" defense, and you've got the recipe for success.

Lone Oak has put up 34 plus in every game this year, scoring 50 or more in 5 of the 7. I don't care what your strength of schedule is, but it takes a hell of a team to beat opponents the way Lone Oak has. Also, it's not like Lone Oak can just hand pick their schedule any way they want. They cant just say "well were gonna play all our district games, and then we'll also play Mayfield,Tilghman, Murray, Hopkinsville, and Fort Cambell.  

Lets be realistic. Until this year (maybe counting last year), who was Lone Oak? They were an above-average team at the best in previous years. Maybe, just maybe, these other teams didn't want to play Lone Oak. Maybe they thought that if they did, people (like the ones in this blog) would say "yeah, Tilghman is 5-1, but they did play this team, and that team, and Lone Oak!" No team ever plays the "perfect" schedule, but the way Lone Oak has beaten the teams they have played, they are obviously the real deal.

2.) Lone Oak as a community (my parents still live there by the way) is going crazy about the success of the flash football team. Lone Oak football has NEVER seen anything like this. State ranking? Division one prospect players? Fan support?  I graduated from Lone Oak, and although we had decent fan support no one ever "truly" believed that were good, or that we would win the big game. That's because as a community no one really believed. And why would they? Lone Oak's sports history (in all sports, baseball, basketball, football, etc) can all be characterized as "what might have been".  We were always close in everything, but never quite there.

This team is for real. The team believes, the fans believe, and for once the two have joined forces to truly make an awesome football atmosphere. As said earlier, I went to the Calloway and Hopkins Central games, and couldn't believe amount of people cheering on the flash; even though both games were 1hr+ trips from Lone Oak. Calloway didn't lose the game, Lone Oak won it.  When everything looked like it was falling apart, the flash believed. The team believed, the fans believed, and in end the end they proved they were the real deal, and a great team.

No team in class 4a wins like Lone Oak does. No matter what the strength of schedule. No team beats other teams on average by 40+ points. High school kids are high shool kids. On any given Frida night a "weak team"  can put up 14, 21, or even 28 on any team (even superiour teams), but no one, other than Calloway has done that against Lone Oak.

Lets just sit back and see how the season turns out.

i hope yall go to apollo and that shou8ld be a selection 4 game of the week graves vs appolo if we win(graves) we be the district champs!!! if yall dont go out there thats a huge problem so hopefully yall will travel to apollo. dissapointed bout game of week choices with us not being on there

Is anybody ever NOT disappointed in here?

Well said LO alum 01.  The only thing that I would add is that the other receivers starting for LO make it possible for Jamarielle to get the longer passes.  If you look at the stats on their web sites, you will see that Corey is doing a great job of spreading out the receptions.  If the other receivers weren't such a threat, every team could just key on Jamarielle.  This is definitely a team effort.  These boys have more heart than any team I've seen. Your exactly right that these boys believe in not only themselves, but in each other.
I hope that the Calloway-Hop Central game lives up to the hype.  It should be a great game.

"Is anybody ever NOT disappointed in here?"

Hey, I think you guys do a great job. I always look forward to Gridiron Glory after getting home from the game.

I think you guys have been fair with your rankings. Who else publicizes their ballot? I'm sure you'll make the Calloway backers happy after they beat Hopkins Central.

(OK, where's my koozy?)

Thanks Mike, I wasn't trying to leave out the other players of the Lone Oak offense in my post, thats why i mentioned key "role players" that have helped their offensive success (honestly, if I had begun talking about everyone else, my post would have been twice as long).  Edwards, Hobbs, Hickman, et al, have helped make this offense practically unstopable.

If you check Lone Oak's stats, their time of possesion in tremendously  lower than  most opponents. This shows the flash can score at will. How can you beat teams 51-0, 56-3, 59-6, 69-19, 45-14, and 56-6, and have a lower time of possesion for the season than all of your opponents?

Logic would say that if you are beating teams by 40+ points week end, and week out, that surely you would hold the ball longer (as scoring so much takes time). But Lone Oak has managed to quickly score, and thus force its oponents to run out the clock.

How many other teams can claim this?

my friend the lo alum - i apologize for 'my' poor blogging effort - apparently though some-how you've managed to read a line here or there as your feathers seem to be ruffled a bit - amazing what the human brain is capable of - your are certainly entitled to an opinion as are we all - don't really have any further football bones to pick with ya bud other than a couple - you pretty much self - clarified every point i've attempted to make of all the drummed up hoopla and craziness surrounding this years team - i've credited their numbers countless times on here along with the 'one' terrific win - but hey you did a very good job tooting your own horn and the teams praises - sure right you are man 'all' the other teams you mentioned not on their schedule this year suddenly got a case of fear-the-flash syndrome i suppose - and that's really odd because as far as i can remember lone oak has never 'ever' beat a single one of those teams whom as 'you' say maybe didn't want to play the flash this year - 'if' you can't recognize all the 'cherry' picked opponents for '07 other than the required few district classed games along with the reasoning / logic behind jumping to the 4a class (comma) well maybe another good hard 'look' might un-cloud your purple skies a bit - where in the name of football do you get saying lone oak before 'now' was an 'above average program' alum - i some-how missed all 'those' seasons / years that established that point - hey and i also think 'you' cut the school's other sports program awfully short - crap the baseball team, the basketball team, the tennis squads by far have out-shined the football accomplishments routinely alum - fact is their weak schedule is ranked 28th out of 35 state-wide 4a teams - and 'you' & stevie contend that means nothing - the 'real-deal' you go on to call them alum - dream on fellows dream on - go lone oak , break a hundred for 'us' friday night - all the smoke will clear up soon enough...                                        

back @ ya lo alum as i've just finished reading 'your' second posting - hey it's great alum - just loved the scoring recap minus the calloway game - suppose that was because 'they' did put a defensive unit on the field until they went in to 'shock' - and 'right' you were again alum, 'logic' sure says a lot and speaks loud & clearly - nice job alum - hey i was just curious and have a question for you about that 'above-average' 4 & 6 '98 squad before i'm off to dream once again about an '07 partial mccracken county championship - i remember that season well and i know 3 of the four victories included the dismantling of reidland, heath, & murray - but take my breath away alum (comma) who in the world was that precious 4th win against - i have a 'logical' guess but i'd rather just hear factually from a statistician - thanks again for 'all' your help - i'm really gonna try to do better - go flash...              

'I' think what LO Alum 01 'was' trying to say 'was' that Lone Oak was widely 'speculated' to have a 'solid' team 'this' year.  Because 'Lone Oak' has traditionally been 'viewed' as a 'weaker' team, what 'motivation' do the 'big' teams you 'mentioned' have to 'schedule' them?  

If 'Tilghman' or 'Mayfield' plays the 'Flash' and beats them, they've only 'beaten' a traditionally weaker 'opponent.'  If they 'lose' to the Flash, then they are 'villified' by their fans and 'have' another loss on their 'record.'

The 'result?' From these teams 'perspective' there are only 'negatives' to be 'had' when 'playing' the 'Flash.'  Makes it 'tougher' to 'schedule' the right 'teams' for the 'Purple Flash.'  Luckily there is a 'playoff' so we'll all soon 'know' how 'good' the Flash 'is.'  Just don't be 'surprised' when they're able to 'outscore' most of the 'state.'

I tried putting this in the proper format for you to grasp it, kentblue--hope it helps.

GC FAN...Just curious. How can you honestly think that Apollo and Graves should be the game of the week? Personally, there are at least two games that are more interesting than that one...Calloway at Hopkins Central and Fulton City at Mayfield. If Graves win, congrats on home-field advantage (which I admit does help), but with this new 6-class playoff system, that's basically all that's at stake.

LO Alum...great thoughts. Some of which I haven't even thought of and I'm a Lone Oak follower.

Eric,

Even though I voted for HCCHS vs. CCHS, all that's at stake is home field advantage. In fact we already know these two teams will meet in the first round. All this game will determine is whether its in Murray or Madisonville.

lo alum 99 i do appreciate the interpretation of lo alum 01 comments - but man i sure didn't get 'what' you did from his former high school alma mater recap - covering self career & team high-lites, coach bashing, questioning community support then praising  it on the other hand, cutting all the other sporting programs throat while declaring the football program 'above average' until now, etc...any-how alum 99 i absolutely loved your 'format' and although 'i' haven't managed to 'grasp' totally your offering, i'm reaching ok - now i pose a question for you - haven't the 'very-same' plus & minuses which 'you' discussed always existed for teams who meet competitively - i mean hey the 'shoes' may change feet, but so what - i think the university of michigan experienced a lesson earlier this year of just that - but i adamantly do not believe such had any-thing to do what-so-ever with lone oak not playing this year as they always have in the past mayfield, tilghman, etc...and there certainly was room & dating for such - i'm truly sorry for this and my heart goes out to all those blinded and misguided due to self vaingloriousness - as hair-pulling as the annual scheduling task can be just as 'you' say alum 99, jack sure did a whale of a job with this years - right my old buddy 'steve yerkes' - now ears on 'all' - i'm as tickled for the purple flash success & numbers this year as the rest of lone oak is currently - besides maybe a very proud and understandably so group of the players parents / parent / grand-parents respectively - i'm also very excited of our beloved ky wildcats this season - please understand the difference to me though 'is' this - they have proven them-selves recently to me and the rest of the country where lone oak just has not as of yet that's all - so 'yes' alum 99 looking forward to the play-offs i am as are you - thanks again...                    

Kyle, good point. I also voted for HCCHS and CCHS, but that still seems more appetizing than Graves County and Apollo.

I've followed Lone Oak athletics for about 16 years now, ever since my older brother's senior basketball season at Lone Oak in '91. I've played basketball and baseball for LOHS, and I've announced their basketball and football games for the last 6 years. I never thought I'd see internet sights such as WPSD's sports blog, Kentucky Preps, and Bluegrass Preps covered in Lone Oak football talk. Mainly about if they'll go undefeated during the regular season and do well in the playoffs. It's a dream come true! But it's become rather comical and repetitive. I agree with both sides. I believe Lone Oak's very talented, and yet I believe their schedule has been rather lax. Do I think that should take away from the respect they've earned this season? No, but I'm biased. Can't we just agree that Lone Oak is very talented as well as Calloway? And can't we agree that the better team will win come 2nd round of the playoffs at Flash Field? And can't we enjoy the fact that the Kentucky Wildcats are in BCS Championship talk for the first time ever? Go Cats!

seeing 'both' sides of the story is all i ever wanted people to see & understand ec - 'i' kentblue (comma i think) with one hand on a football and the other on a basketball (comma) totally 'agree' with your posting points man - now what about 'this' ec (comma) espn hosting saturday's college game day program 'live' from commonwealth stadium - ain't that some-thing - just about had a heart attack this past saturday - and just might come 'this' saturday - who would have ever 'thought' in the same year purple & blue would look so good together...      

look eric if graves wins it will be the 1st district championship since 93 thats history. it needs at least a chance to be on there.

I've been out of the office the past few days, but I felt it was only right I throw my two cents into the ring.

1.  The Rankings.  LakerMoJo, contrary to your beliefs that we did NOT do our homework, we did and that's why I had a hard time including Calloway County in our Top Ten.  For me, the on-the-field results are the only thing I look at.  The "woulda, coulda, shoulda" stuff is garbage.  You came CLOSE to beating Marshall, Graves and Lone Oak.....but the bottom line is you DIDN'T.  Your wins come against a winless 4A, a 2A and two 1A schools (one of which happened to by #1 Mayfield.)  While that Mayfield win is impressive, it doesn't replace the fact you're still only 4-3.  On the other hand, North Bullitt is 5-3 with all five wins coming against teams all 4A class-size or bigger.  I think there's no arguing they deserve to be ahead of the Lakers.  I can see your argument for the Bullitt East and Knox County teams.  Here is why I had them just edging Calloway out.  Bullitt East has played a much tougher schedule and why, yes, they have lost 4 of 7.....three of those losses came against ranked teams, each by just ONE point.  I know I said it only matters what was done on the field, but rating Bullitt East's losses against Calloway's losses (which were against good teams,) BE's were closer and against better teams so I gave them the nod.  As far as Knox County, the teams they beat were better than the teams Calloway beat.  Take away Mayfield's 6-1 record and the Lakers competition in the other three wins is 6-17.  The teams Knox County have beaten are 15-17.  I felt their wins across the board were a bit better.  Now, with all this said, a win Friday by Calloway and I will much more willing to bump either Knox or Bullitt East depending on how they fare this weekend.  Hope this satsifies, but I going to assume it doesn't.  Either way, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

2.  And to the GCFans that continue to gripe.  Please quit the pity party!  We are well aware what is at stake for the Eagles Friday night and that is why we are doing everything in our power to be in Owensboro tomorrow night.  For the record, we have had highlights of every Graves County game this season on Gridiron Glory except for their game at Daviess County.  We have nominated plenty of their players for Performance of the Week.  Off hand I can remember Ely Collins, Jordan McManus and Ryan Williams all each receiving honors this year.  I don't know of any other school that can say three DIFFERENT players have earned those honors.  And I know for a fact NO SCHOOL HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN OUR GAME OF THE WEEK MORE THAN GRAVES COUNTY!  The Eagles were part of it in Week two, three and four.  We are not disrespecting Graves.  We are not ignoring them.  I'm not sure what your expectations are, but facts are facts.  We are showing them just as much love as everyone else in our area.

As far as games I'm looking forward to, check out my blog on the Gridiron Glory page!