What are the Graves County fans going to do without their own Blog to complain on?

Hahahahaha

I think Lone Oak  will win by 4 tds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I suppose I'll kick this blog off by once again supporting the purple flash. Naturally I feel a need to support and defend my high school alma mater, and thus I will do so. This post will obviously draw criticism, so let me go ahead and open the floor for debate....

Why has Lone Oak become the undignified red-headed step child of Western Kentucky? Seriously, for as long as I have followed Lone Oak sports, they have drawn nothing but criticism and hatred from opposing fans and media alike.  Lone Oak is the team that no one can ever be happy for.

It appears to me that whenever Carlisle Co makes the state basketball tournament, or whenever Reidland makes the state baseball playoffs (these are merely examples, and dont need to be critiqued nor criticized by readers) everyone is ecstatic. However, whenever Lone Oak achieves something great (other than in tennis) everyone is critical.

Why cant people be happy for the 2007 flash football team? They are 11-0, the best record in school history, and Corey Robinson is 4 passing touchdowns away from passing the national all-time record. Let me repeat, "the national all-time record".  Who cant be in favor of  Robinson passing this record?  For those of you without personal ties to Calloway County, why not be supportive of this team? (Seriously I want to know).

We all know that Lone Oak has played a weak schedule. This has been constantly pounded into every LO fan's brains for weeks. We get it. Everyone has their own opinion about LO's schedule. Why didn't they schedule stroner opponents? No one knows this answer except Jack Haskins, and the Lone Oak administration. And all of us know that neither of the two will be commenting on the matter.

I'm asking this question in all seriousness, and ask all responders to reply with honest opinions. I'm not looking for responses like "becuase Lone Oak sucks", or"because you are classlesss", I want actual examples.

LO Alum, It looks like from everything I have been reading, that most people are backing L.O. and think they will win and win BIG.  Lone Oak by 3 TDs!!!!!!!!

LOAlum, I don't buy into the argument that Lone Oak's schedule is weak, or at least not as weak as its critics like to profess. If you run the numbers across the state, it's actually pretty average. I think what happened was Lone Oak was winning by such HUGE margins that many critics just assumed they had to be playing a cupcake opponent. For example, funny how Caldwell got so much better AFTER it played Lone Oak.

Why isn't Lone Oak loved by its peers? This is PURELY anecdotal, but Lone Oakers seem by nature, shall we say, a little cocky. Before I get slammed for that, let me say that Mayfield and Marshall backers have always struck me the same way. And those schools don't seem to get a lot of love from their opponents either. So maybe that should be taken as a compliment. :-)

As a Laker fan I can be very happy for Lone Oak and Corey Robinson Friday night.  Robinson gets his 4 TDs to set the national record.  And oh yeah, Calloway gets the win 35-28.  See, everyone goes home happy!

I think you're carrying the chip on your shoulder for the entire LO fan base with this "poor us" post.  WKy people were happy for Lone Oak's basketball team when it won the region three years ago and cheered for them at state.  And, I think people have supported LO when their team has done well in baseball and advanced.  However, seasonal second-guessing would have happened then too if the basketball team was winning by 40 points per game and still pressing in the second half; or if the baseball program was up by 10 or more runs and still stealing bases.

The main reason the Flash football program has drawn criticism this year?  It's not the soft schedule.  It's running up the scores against the inferior teams.  People don't buy the "it's happened to us for so long" excuse.  And, the "you can't tell the kids not to play" line doesn't hold water either.  It's simply called sportsmanship.  Lone Oak could just as easily been 11-0 without humiliating teams with questionable play calling.  I know, I know - "our offensive scheme doesn't run the ball."  Bull.  When the game is obviously well in hand you can run the ball.

And, by letting off the gas in the second half, LO subs could have gained valuable experience in case needed this year, or certainly when they will be much needed next year.

For the record, Corey Robinson is a very good QB.  And, he is surrounded by a nice supporting cast.  Unfortunately for the team (i.e. players), they have been bashed because of the directive from the top that allowed the scores to be run up on lesser opponents.  

You asked the question.  That's the answer.

I would have to agree that LO could have slowed down their offense just a little.  Not only to show a respect for their opponents, but to allow their younger players to gain some valuable playing time.  It is a game and there are more than the 17-22 players that play almost every down.  The other kids could gain a feeling of contribution and value to their team if they played a little more.  And they will need that experience next year.  I don know however that they do have an explosive offense that can score points quickly, but it would be beneficial to let the backups start playing by mid to late 3rd quarter in a blowout.

But to say that their schedule is anecdotal just isn't right.  Name one school on their schedule that is routinely considered a dominant power in Purchase area football.  Beating schools with a record below .500 is fine if that is who you play.  But to brag about that perfect record and say opponents doesn't matter?....  

If other schools like Marshall County played a schedule that didn't include Graves, Mayfield, Bowling Green, McCallie TN, and instead played Reidland, Mulenburg North and such, they would be subject to the same ridicule that LO is facing.

I do have a question that I don't know the answer to.  And keep in mind that I do know that school class ranking doesn't always matter.  (  1A  Mayfield )  But does LO play anyone in a class above 4A?

I would like to start off first by saying that Corey Robinson is a phenomenal football player, I am very excited for him and the fact that he could break the national title.  Football isn't about who doesn't like who and who has to win.  It is for the guys out there playing their hearts out to win each and every game because it may be their last.  All of us fans are there to support our team thru the good the bad and the ugly.  I am really looking forward to traveling to Lone Oak for this repeat game.  Many of the games this season have had some really crazy game calling by the officials and most of it isn't onesided, they are consistently inconsisitent.  Casey Brockman has stepped up to the plate and has been a huge asset to this team and he can only get better.  Way to go Casey!!!!  The other guys on the team whether its Tyrell, George, Eric, Trey, Shawn, and all of the others on our team they have stepped up when it mattered and made the plays. I am especially sorry for Big Bill who got injured and cannot play this playoff game in his senior season, but he has worked his heart out this season and continues to lead the cheers from the sideline.  This has been an awesome season and no one can downplay that.   The big problem that is on our hearts and minds is the way that some of the fans reacted after the lone oak win at the calloway game.  I don't feel the players had anything to do with it but people should have enough respect for their team not to disrespect another teams field, players or fans.  Coach McKeel has took alot of time and talent to instill in our players that they should WORK LIKE A CHAMPION, PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION AND LIVE LIKE A CHAMPION.  These boys have worked hard to get where they are and have beaten the odds several times.  They don't deserve the acts that happened after the last matchup but I will tell you one thing, that it is still fresh in  their minds and they may forgive but they will never forget.  Whether they win or lose this game friday night they will walk out of that stadium knowing that they played the game and they will have their dignity, because they have been taught by one of the best. GO LAKERS !!!!!  21-20

Disagree, PP. You can't put your best players through a week of practice, then start the game, have them do what they're supposed to do, then tell them, "Sorry, you scored too many points, you don't get to play the second half."

I've seen every game. Lone Oak's starters have played till the end about two or three times this season. Murray State's Matt Griffin put it best when asked if UT-Martin ran up the score on him last week. He responded, "No, it's not their responsibility to apologize for my program."

Blame the schedule if you like, but at some point you have to put it on the other team to stop them. If that makes people mad, then maybe they need to look in the mirror.

A serious question to Pigskin, and others:

I've only seen LO play twice this season(Hop Central & Fulton City), as I live in Nashville, so I can't answer this question myself:

The general rule when in comes to running up the score, in football at least, is that the winning team will play their starters until the opposing team puts in their 2nd/3rd string defense.  It happens all the time--most recently Kansas just drubbed Nebraska, and kept the starting offense in until the 4th quarter because NU wouldn't pull their starters.  This is standard philosophy--you keep your starters in until the other team cries "uncle" by putting their scrubs in.

Has Lone Oak been doing the same thing?  I have no idea, it's just an honest question.  If other teams have been keeping their starters in to "try and keep it closer," and Lone Oak's starting offense is just that much better, I don't have any qualms about running up the score.  If Haskins has been doing it against 2nd/3rd stringers, that's a bit unseemly.

I also respect and understand the struggles that a coach must go through to bring a winning attitude to a perennial doormat team.  No kid growing up in the Lone Oak system EXPECTS to win.  I can say that from experience.  They WANT to win as badly as anyone, but don't expect it.  Anyone who's coached/played knows there's a difference.  It's a tough line for a coach to toe--teaching kids to practice good sportsmanship, and also instilling a swagger and winning attitude.  Should running up the score be a part of it?  Tough to say, honestly.  I've got no problem with a coach putting the attitude of his team(and the program's future) before the feelings of the kids on the other team.  Kansas (I keep using Kansas b/c I feel like that the two programs are similar--both run the spread O, both have been doormats in their conferences, both have new coaches) and their Coach Mangino are going through the same thing in the NCAA right now.  

Is doing that the proper way to run a team and instill a winning attitude?  That's something I can't answer, and only the next 4-5 yrs seasons will tell.

I hope everyone plays fair and no one gets hurt, by the way GOOOOO LAKERS!!!!!!!! I know you have it in you to win this game!!!!!

I disagree Loalum99.  When I played, the team leading would pull their offense first.  I can't ever remember seeing the offensive starters come out because the defense went to it's second string.  Lone Oak has been keeping it's starters in for almost the whole game, including blowouts.  You have to be careful about running up the score.  One day you may run into a better team who give you the same treatment just to give you a taste of your own medicine.

Nicely said Steve and LO Alum 99

Jeremy, no one said Lone Oak's schedule was "anecdotal." That wouldn't make sense. All I said was that it isn't as weak as some say it is, it's really quite average. Just look up the facts (Massey ratings is a good place).

LO Alum 99, I've seen every game this season and the opposition almost never takes out its starters when Lone Oak is playing its reserves (almost always by the fourth quarter). As a matter of fact, the reason Lone Oak has had only two shutouts is because some teams have scored against Lone Oak's JVs late.

Funny that Lone Oak gets a rep for running up the score but no one said anything about Calloway beating Fulton County 55-0. Because Calloway ran the ball? Maybe they should have had their players fall down after gaining a first down. That would be the "sporting" thing to do, wouldn't it?

The scoreboard is going to read 35-28 Calloway but this time Calloway County fans will show Lone Oak how to win a game respectfully! That is obviously something they do not teach there students at that school.Go Lakers!!!We believe in you!!!!

"Lone Oak has been keeping it's starters in for almost the whole game, including blowouts."

Wrong again, Jeremy. Maybe you should look up a fact or two before you post.

Lone Oak has scored almost 600 points this season. With the exception of the Calloway game, they've scored only 37 points in the fourth quarter of the other 10 games this season, almost all of those by second and third teamers. Besides the Calloway and Hopkins Central games, I can't think of another game where the starters were in at the end.

Calloway, Calloway, Calloway...................lol

I am sorry that after we win all we will ever be to Calloway is "Classless" cause thats all LO ever is to anyone else is "classless". Oh, and I am sorry that you don't like our flag in your field we just thought you would like a parting gift after that come back. And I am sorry that on Friday you get to leave the field handed a loss at the "Graveyard"!!

Lone oak 42         Calloway 28

Alex,

Thanks for proving our point.

Ive heard somone else say this before "winning and being liked dont usually go together"

After seeing LO be a doormat for so many years people cant handle the fact that they are actualy a good team this year. Pure jealousy, instead of agreeing that LO looks pretty good this year they have to pick apart the schedule or gripe about the constant passing and short kicking game. LO is handing out the beatings that they used to recieve.

Oh and by the way.. I was a senior during the 2001 season when LO went 0-10 so dont get me started talking about class Laker fans. I distinctly remember CC being up by 50+ and calling a time out with minutes to go to bring in the field goal team

dont really get why everyone complains that lone oak runs up the score on teams.

umm if your getting the score ran up on you then obviously you need to play better.

it isnt lone oaks fault that we play and win by alot.

against a decent team then it will be an actual game not a beating.

like for instance the first calloway game.

they actually played good, and gave us a run for our money.


lone oak 35 calloway 21

i just dont get it. do people really have nothing better to do than come up with reasons why lone oak is good.

i mean really, come on. we run up the score... well so did you when you were good.

were classless and disrespectfull....... not anymore than any other school.

were  playing easy teams........ im sorry that the teams we play arent good. we use to be exactly in there situation, for not one season, but decades. and our schedule isnt the easiest... its average.


were cocky?............ well answer this? if your team is 11-0 and you have one of the best QB's you wouldnt be somewhat cocky? you know you would.


really do people just sit down and come up with random reasons they can tell people why there team isnt as good as lone oak this year to make them selves feel better?

if you say any of that go ahead, im not stoping you. whatever you wanna say to make yourself feel better.

I also have seen the Lone Oak fans during baseball...they have several "regulars" come in and argue calls, act disrespectful and rude...makes you guys look bad.    So these "unclassy" acts are not imagined by a few football fans...they are real complaints  but mostly on a handful of people...not the whole community of Lone Oak or the students at LOHS.  Not that Laker Fans are perfect, but I have NEVER seen them run out and stick a flag in the opposing team's field...you have got to see their point on that one.  And as for rookie99...Calloway has also been a football doormat, as you called it for MANY years.  We have not ever been a solid powerhouse, like Mayfield...even in 2001 so if we did win the game you speak of, it was likely one of the few for the season.  It has been 10 years since we made it past the first round of any football playoffs...so we both have something to prove Friday night.  That is why the tempers are flaring so.  Let the boys decide this one...I doubt if all the bloggers here could do the job for them any better than they will do Friday night...  Now maybe that is an idea , Jeff B...have the bloggers duke it out...Lone Oak fans versus Calloway Laker fans... since we are so knowledgable on how it all should be done?  See ya'll at eh game...i will be the one in red.  Peace out.  :)  

Oh Alex.  You had me at hello...and lost me at "even WPSD tries to avoid talking about Lone Oak."

I only wish I got paid a nickel every time I said ANYTHING about the Lone Oak football team this year.  My kids would have had a much better Christmas that way.

I completely agree with LO Alum 99 in that it isn't the leading team's responsibility to pull their starting offense. The whole arguement about the offense allowing its players to get valuable playing time can go both ways. Does the losing team's defense also not need to gain this valuable experience? Why expect LO's offense to not let their first string do their thing (which is score), if the losing defense keeps their first string in and lets them keep doing their thing (which is usually let LO score)?

As I've stated in previous posts, I played for Lone Oak during the "down" years (which for LO has pretty much been all of the years). During several games of my sophomore season I was a second string corner back. That season we got smoked by the likes of Madisonville, Hopkinsville, and Tilghman. I can destinctly remember playing during the 3rd and 4th quarters of those games for at least several series each against these "powerhouse's" starting offenses.

Why hadn't these team's scout teams been in the game at this point? Why? Because we (Lone Oak) hadn't stopped trying to prove that we could stop their offense!  We hadn't accepted that we couldn't stop them....that they were just a better team than we were.

Typically, or at least in my experiences, whenever the headcoach decides he doesn't want to keep trying against the offense that is beating him, it is then that he throws in the white towell and puts in the second-string defense. Having seen this, the opposing head coach will then follow suit by sending his backup offense.

Second-string, is second-string. No matter what level, or what sport; middle school, high school, or college; basketball or football.  No matter what the talent level. Whenever second string gets in, you can pretty much count on the game coming to a standstill. This is because these players have no experience,  and "game" decision's dont come natural.  

It doesn't matter which side of the win you are on. These boys are called "back-ups" because they don't normally get to play. These are the future players of the program and getting them experience is a must.

However. BOTH teams must exercise the unwritten rule of playing your second-string whenever the game is out of reach.  It isn't fair to ask Lone Oak's 2nd string offense to play against Union, Caldwell, Obion Co, Todd Cen, Reidland, Muhlenburg, Fulton City, or Heath's starting defense just so these teams can prove something to themselves. If one team is going to play their back-ups, the other team must subside and do the same.

I've only been to 3 Lone Oak games this season (one of which was against Calloway) and I never saw Lone Oak's offense trying to beat up on a back-up defense from either Fulton city or Hopkins Central.  I also fail to believe they have been doing this against opponents during games in which I have not seen.

I know I just posted, but I cant resist the urge to finally voice my opinion about a comment that "former laker baseball mom" posted.

She writes, " Not that Laker Fans are perfect, but I have NEVER seen them run out and stick a flag in the opposing team's field...you have got to see their point on that one".

I do see your point former laker mom.  Having an opposing team plant their school flag in our turf would have me upset too.  I know this has been the spark that caused the forest fire, and has turned the Lone Oak vs Calloway matchup from a friendly rivalry (neither of these teams really cared about each other in the past; mainly because Calloway always won) into a heated hatred.  But we have to look at the reality of the situation and view it logically.

This was a one time incident, from a kid who wasn't thinking straight, that was spured by the adrenaline of victory. The way Calloway fans have reacted to the ending of the week 4 game is completely rediculous.  That game was the first Lone Oak game I have attended in 5 years, and my emotions were going crazy. I couldn't imagine being a teenager, and dealing with the same emotions.

The game was a roller coaster from the start. LO trailed 21-0 early in the game, only to tie the game late in the 4th quarter with twenty some odd seconds on the clock. On the second play in overtime LO intercepts the pass, and then wins the game on the first play on offense.

What a roller coaster of emotion within a 15 minute time-span. To go from certain defeat to victory in a matter of minutes must feel pretty overwhelming. Who can honestly say that they wouldn't have celebrated the way LO did.

I'm sorry that fans and faculty ran onto the field to embrace the victory with the team they had driven an hour in their cars to support, but what fan base wouldn't do this?  Had Calloway won the game do you think their fans woulnd't have been pouring onto the field from every direction?

And then there comes the Flag incident........

I've thought this over seveal times myself. I truly believe that the young man that stuck that flag in the field was not doing so to offend the entire Calloway County fan-base. I watched he whole thing. Some student was waving that flag around all game, and whenever Lone Oak won the game he ran down to the field to celebrate.  Somehow one of the players got the flag, and about 5 minutes into the hoopla walked out (maybe to the 30 yd line) and stuck the ground.  When he did this he constantly looked at the Lone Oak crowd and urged them to cheer.  He didn't look toward the Calloway fans, nor the team (I  don't think they were still on the field) to taunt or ridicule them.

The player who did this did it out of passion and excitement, not out of cockiness and insult.

Alex....I bleed purple right there with you, but me being an employee at WPSD, I can tell you that WPSD has covered Lone Oak a TON this year! And I couldn't be happier with our coverage of Lone Oak!

Who's up for human checkers at halftime in our newly painted endzone?

Ok, i guess i should have rephrased what i said....

what I meant to say was the paducah sun likes to avoid lone oak (my bad WPSD i was tired yesterday)

for example every time we win a game, except for a few, the article is like (corey robinson passed, lone oak won)

Example Dusty Luthy picking Union and Calloway to beat us????


Oh, and BTW if you say Lone Oak is disrespectful for rushing the field I have a question for you

Are you a Kentucky fan?

Remember, LSU  vs Kentucky, Louisville vs Kentucky....

I see nothing wrong with rushing the field after your team has done something amazing.............i.e. Lone Oak coming from 21-0 and winning in overtime

it doesn't show "classlessness" it shows passion

I think the entire media coverage issue could be settled if Jeff Bidwell and former LOHS alum Joey Fosko wore purple to the game on Friday night.

After reading today's Paducah Sun..more comments on the "Flag" issue! Please let it rest!! Lone Oak Alum 01 said it best.....please Coach McKeel and Lakers Fan READ the comments open minded reflect back to your teen-age years and reflect on perhaps an incident that you might have done out of emotion and exitement something you might regret. These are young adults who should be in some of the happier times of their lives! This player and the young student who brought the flag did this out of excitement and school spirit NOT with MALICIOUS INTENT. The fact that Coach McKeel has a picture on HIS desk concerns me......LET IT GO what example are you setting?? That you carry a GRUDGE and cannot reflect on a time in your youth that perhaps you did not make the wisest decisions? Are you PROUD of your comments on your radio show after the event? I believe perhaps you are taking this to personally. If LO has apologized as the Paducah Sun states it is time to MOVE forward. This is not healthy competition and sadly appears to be spearheaded primarily by the adults and sadly even the Coaches. Let these football players put it on the field, stay safe and ENJOY these times as they will be over way to soon! The adults in these situations need to ACT like adults and set the EXAMPLE. Enough is Enough

Oh Chumbler, human checkers.  Don't still punch line, it's not cool dude.

Man, Murray is a-buzz today. Emails going out, everyone's pumped up for tomorrow.

And by the way, where does LO's principal get the nerve to "mandate" a pre-game handshake??? Those dressing out in the red, white, and blue have enough class to shake hands after the game, and I hope Coach McKeel and his staff do not agree to this pre-game non-sense.

I do believe LOAlum01 said it best. It is time to let the flag incident go. Let these kids enjoy these times with passion and excitement. The real issues are small children at a football fame and witnessing, now questioning parents about  a "naked streaker" running through the crowd and on the field? That does define "classless" and should have been an embarrasment to the home team. I think Coach McKeel needs to LET IT GO. Upon picking up today's Paducah Sun once again they quote Coach McKeel about the flag and the fact he has a photo on his desk as a reminder.....Please re-read what LOAlum01 says...read it with open mind.
Nothing was done with the flag with Malicious or intent just sheer excitement. It is time the adults "lead by example" and TEACH our students about victory and defeat. Coaches, parents, fans, students, let us see a game friday night worthy of the sport with no injuries. Quoting the Laker Football Mission Statement on the website: "To have fun playing the game of football", "Living right in all areas of our lives", "Being smart on and off the field", "LOVING each other" and most importantly
WORKING, LIVING, AND PLAYING LIKE CHAMPIONS. OK Adults LEAD

I had to make just one comment to LO Alum 01. I don't know what football game you where at but the game that I was at your so called "Player who did this, did it out of passion and excitement, not out of cockiness and insult"  was also the same boy that was screaming like a lunatic "Go home!" while sticking the flag in the field.  It was rude, disrespectful, and deliberate.  Also, nothing was done to the disrespectful kid.  He should have been made to send a formal letter of apology to CCHS.  That kind of behavior is not acceptable at our school we teach our kids respect.  If you need the recap of this, I am sure you can call the CCHS they have coverage of the so called passionate, excited individual doing this in front of the camera.

To Alum 01... in response to your latest rationale about the teenager pumped up on adrenaline. LO fans forget how much time they spent on our field, screaming at our players and Head Coach to go home.  Hmmm.... we were home, and they rung their cowbells in front of our fieldhouse. If one of my children had ever gone onto an opponents field and screamed that out, and stuck a flag in their field, I would have jerked him/her off the field and embarrassed him/her in front of our opponent.  And that teenager did do it out of cockiness or else he wouldn't of been waving his arms at Calloway screaming, "Go home"  That was the pathetic part of that situation.  But, not everyone has "dwelled" on the scene that LO caused that night. Some of us fans just want to watch the Lakers have a good season (for once in a long time).  I pray for both teams to have fun Friday night (just playing the game).  I pray for the boys to be safe and injury free. The safety and well being of both teams players should be first...  Go Lakers!!!  

After listening to both sides chirp for the past two months, and certainly during the past week, it's amazing to see how one incident can polarize the two camps.  The Lone Oak faithful think the Calloway folks need to move on and get past the flag incident.  Meanwhile, the Laker nation looks at it as a huge slap to their collective face and they want redemption tomorrow night.

I'm not saying either side is right or wrong...but as an innocent bystander, it's been interesting watching both parties and their differing perspectives.

And for you Lone Oak fans who don't want to hear about the flag anymore, I'd suggest taking about a 90 second nap tonight during the 10pm news.

Yeah, Coach Mc should just "get over it."

Or, maybe he remembers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QwlfKXVuKU

This is ridiculus!!!  I was at the game . . . and yes, I went on the field to congratulate the boys as I feel like a 2nd mom to many of them.  It was exciting and thats all there is to it!!!  I didn't hear anyone saying  "GO HOME", although I accept that it must have happened since it is being said over and over again.  No, I don't think that statement was a smart thing to say.  I know who the kid is that "in his excitement" stuck the flag into the field.  I haven't heard that "he" yelled "GO HOME".  However, I do know that both of  his parents and the LO coaching staff had a talk with him.  It wasn't overlooked.  After the comments made by the Calloway Coach I don't expect that they thought it was necessary for him to apologize anymore than Calloway thought the Calloway coach should apologize to LO for his rudeness. To say that LO is "classless" really makes me mad.  I certainly do not consider myself classless!! Yes, we do have some classless people, as does every other school in every other state, town, community.  As for "Former Laker Baseball Mom",  I probably know exactly who you are talking about in the LO fan(s)  who have acted badly at baseball games.  Believe me, the LO crowd doesn't like it either.  However, as an adult there is little that you can do to control another adult.  I have asked in the past for these "FEW" to stop hollering at the umpires.  IT DOESN"T WORK!!  So, all I'm saying is that you shouldn't judge a whole community for a few bad apples.

Hey, here's something no one seems to wanna talk about. The game ON THE FIELD.

In the first meeting, Lone Oak tried to surprise Calloway by running the ball in the first series. The result? Stuff, stuff, incomplete pass, bad punt. Will the Flash try that again with Big Bill Cornett apparently out?

In the first meeting, Calloway didn't run the ball well, but Casey Brockman had an incredible half throwing the ball (I think he was 11-for-13 or 12-for-14 in the first half). Will the Lakers be more successful on the ground or will they go to the air?

Any thoughts?

afcoskid, i heard j.fosko had been phoning coach mckeel all week pleading his case to dress out full pads & uniform and somehow put in to actual game play friday night - have you ever heard the old j. fogerty tune which goes something like this: 'put me in coach - i'm ready to play'...

hey bid, there's a right and wrong with the flag incident - why not toss in your personal opinion - you have one - you spoke 'once' of the on-side (pooch) kicks & two point conversion attempts then backed up a step or two politely - same for gmill after attending a game - couldn't you do the same about the flag - can't you see and understand the positive influence your opinion might just have...

if you won't in print on your blog 'why' is such news-worthy again this evening in the first place - it can only the stir boiling stew with more air-time regardless of the segment's nature and content...

Thank you for Kyle472 posting the following utube recap maybe these Lone Oak fans can see it again, and they can see why Calloway County says that they have no class, the video says enough.I would not want anyone like that representing my school.

Man, John, let someone else use your wise humor! If you're going, can I at least use the gold checker? I look better in gold.

Like I've said over and over and over, I'm a Lone Oak fan. I've announced games at Lone Oak for years now (including this Friday night). And all I have to say to my fellow Oakers is let the Calloway fans continue to focus on this issue. Coach McKeel said it best in the Paducah Sun today:

"What happened then is in the past. If we get bogged down in all that, we're in trouble." (Referring to the flag incident, obviously)

I have high respect for Coach McKeel and the Laker squad. They realize that it's in the past. Some of their fans should take note.

27 hours til kickoff!

Everyone was talking about CC possibly over-looking HCC. Could LO be over-looking CC?

I mean, it's understandable for a high school student, being 11-0, blowing out MOST opponents to think they're invinsable and they should just walk right through this one.

Calloway has gotten much better since the last meeting, and that was a 6 point game i n OT.

I think you'd better get there early if you want a seat...

Ok, for anyone who cares...here's what I think about the flag incident.

I loved it...and hated it at the same time.  How's that for some fence-sitting?!?

As a 32-year-old father of two, when I first heard about the incident I shook my head in one of those "was that really necessary?!?" kind of ways.  Whether it was classless or just overzealous, that can certainly be debated.  I leaned toward unnecessary.

After watching the video today, I think the "Go Home!!" part bothered me as much as anything...only because I'm watching that thinking that you're going to have a full-fledged melee on your hands in the heat of the moment with so many excited and disappointed people milling around the field.

On the other hand, the sports fan in me enjoyed it.  After covering literally hundreds and hundreds of football games here since 2002, I can probably only remember a handful of games that actually stuck with me.  I can guarantee, 10 years from now, I will have not forgotten any of this...no matter how tomorrow turns out.

Sports is at its best when you have a rivalry...and you get two teams playing at a high level.  September 21st we had that.  Calloway and Lone Oak put on a show that certainly has to be considered one of the games of the year.  On that night you had Lone Oak...the up-and-coming team who rallied to escape with a win and stayed unbeaten.  And you had Calloway County...a good team that felt like they let one got away.  Then...the flag.  And a budding rivalry suddenly got cranked up to an 11 on a scale of 1-10.  That's what I love.

Because of that flag, nearly everybody on both sides has had November 16th circled on their calendar for two months.  That has me excited as a sports fan.  Talking to the players this week, they are excited to play the game...not because of some flag, but because they're both in the second round of the playoffs for the first time in forever.  The flag is for the fans.  And if that gets everybody cranked up a little more tomorrow, and Flash Field is a little louder than usual, so be it.  That will be an atmosphere the players will never forget.

One other thing NOT to forget...this is still a high school football game.  Somebody will win, somebody will lose...and then we all go home safely.  

I know some Lone Oak fans want Coach McKeel to get off the soapbox about the flag.  I have absolutely no problem with him harping on it.  His job is to help his team win a football game.  If using the flag as a motivational tool to get his kids up for the game...kudos to him.  He could just sit there and say "Wow! Lone Oak is 11-0 and they're really good...we could be in trouble."  But how much fun is that?!?  Only he knows for sure how much this really bothers him...but somehow I wonder if it really is bothering him as much as he's letting on.  He's not only a good coach...he could be a heck of an actor.

Let's think back to Rocky IV.  Ivan Drago kills Apollo Creed in their exhibition match.  Now it's time for Rocky to avenge Creed's death.  So every day he's in Russia training...Rocky looks at a picture of Drago on his mirror for motivation.  I suppose Rocky could have ignored his friend's death and just focused on how the big Russian was undefeated, but that wouldn't have made as good of a movie.  

Now I'm not trying to paint the Lone Oak folks as communists...but do remember a key element from the end of the movie.  Rocky single-handedly ended the Cold War... and he and Drago hugged after the fight.

Hopefully, we'll get a similar display of respect tomorrow from both teams...no matter if it's Rocky or Drago who ends up winning.

Good luck to everybody.

This rivalry building is all good and stuff, but whoever wins is in for a huge letdown next week. Believe it or not, one of these teams will play again next week. I hope it doesn't cost one of them a chance to advance in the playoffs.

Steve...if there is a letdown, I don't think the winner will be alone.  EVERY team in the state is playing a district rival this week in the 2nd round.  Emotions will be high everywhere.

Again, I think most of the angst this week is fan-related.  The kids just want to play and win.

To paraphrase the old saying goes..."If you can't get up for the state quarterfinals, there must be something wrong with you."  I think the winner will be fine next week.

For all of you Lone oak fans out there who think the Flash have played a "quite average" schedule, here are some numbers for you.  Taking some advice from Steve Yerkes, I went on Massey' ratings website.  Here's what I found.

The ten teams that played Lone Oak this year had a combined record of 37 wins, 62 losses during the regular season.  Now included in that group was one of the few teams according to Masseys that had an easier schedule than Lone Oak and that's 8-1 Fulton City.  Fulton City has the 148th easiest schedule in the state.  If you removed FC from the count, Lone Oaks Opponents only won 29 games.  Three of their opponents only won one game during the regular season and obion never won a single game.  "Quite Average."

Now Massey ranked Lone Oaks shedule 25th toughest in the 4A class of 35 teams.  They had the 124th toughest schedule in the state.  Now there are 222 football teams in Kentucky High School football, so the average would be 111.  Lone Oak comes in 12% below average.  I then took the schedule rankings for every team in the purchase area and averaged them together. The purchase area averaged to be 105.  So Lone Oak is 18% below the purchase area average.  Out of the 16 local Ky teams, Lone Oak has the 11th toughest schedule.  Oh yeah, Calloway has the 6th toughest in 4A and 67th toughest in the state.  Here's a list of the local teams and how they rank in the state for toughness of their schedule.

1 Hopkinsville (18)                         9 Tilhman  (106)
2 Marshall Co. (20)                       10 Heath  (115)
3 Graves Co.  (34)                        11 Lone Oak (124)
4 Calloway Co. (67)                      12 Murray (140)
5 Mayfield  (77)                            13 Fulton Co.  (145)
6 Trigg  (90)                                14 Fulton City  (148)
7 Crittenden Co (98)                     15 Reidland  (188)
8 Caldwell Co. (105)                     16 Ballard Mem.  (206)

Lone oak has had a fine season and I don' t wish them any bad luck, but you cannot say that they have played a tough schedule.  Their schedule isn't really that average even on paper.  11-0 is great but not a feat of giants when you play the opponents they play.  Calloway is quite capable of beating them, whether they will or not is another question.

As far as all the other talk about flags and classless acts, I wasn't there, I didn't see it, so i have only on thing to say about that.  Let the players play a good clean game and leave it on the field.  

Who cares about Lone Oak's schedule of strength? If you see above, two of the top five teams with a tough regular season schedule is now sitting at home this week. I just think strength of schedule is extremely overrated!

yeah jeremy our schedule isnt hard.. we know this. but we are 11-0 for the first time. so im excited. i dont give a crap how easy our schedule is. when the time comes for us to play good teams, we will, will win, and will quiet doubters. im behind my school no matter who there playing.

Jeremy, schedule strength means nothinwg at this point in the season.  12 and 0 after tomorrow nite is all that matters.   We've already beaten the team with the 11th toughest schedule in 4A and tomorrow will make that twice.  That should help our percentages don't you think?  I also get a chuckle that 30% of the teams you list with tougher schedules will be watching from the stands this week.

If Lone Oak had lost all of its games this year, its opponents' record would be 48-51. No one said their schedule was strong. Your fine research shows that it's not as bad as some believe.

my my bid, would you have any interest @ all running for public office - or even better, entertain the possibility of obtaining a law degree - loved it...

jeremy, fine job dumping pure sugar on an already heavily frosted cake - nothing new to me but i 'still' appreciate your extra effort - however such will be disputed, count on it - the facts have been all year...  

Loved your Rocky IV analogy Jeff, especially the part about Rocky and Drago hugging AFTER the fight.  

Perhaps someone else will read this (paging Principal Donna Wear), really take it to heart, and end the PRE-GAME handshake ritual.

Saying in effect that you expect problems between the teams after every hyped-up game would seem to only be adding fuel to the fire.

Any other opinions out there on the pre-game handshake?

I'm glad somebody liked my Rocky IV analogy.  I'm actually kind of frightened that I was able to somehow compare the two.  When I told my wife how all of my Rocky watching over the years was finally paying off, she almost hurt herself rolling her eyes.  

As for the handshake...I can understand it, but I don't agree with it.  I think it defeats the point of being a good winner AND a good loser.  It just gives the kids an "out" to not act like they should when a game is over.

to "lo 82 alum":  I agree with what you said...thus why I said it was mostly a handful of people.  I am so so aware of the power that a few adult fans can do to destroy a team or a reputation.  This whole issue will and should be desolved on teh fiels tomorrow night as long as there is FAIR officiating (I believe in the LO win against us there were at least 3 touchdowns called back on Calloway which may or may not have been questionable calls...I have not seen a HS team yet that does not HOLD on about every play).  I am proud of our Lakers and I am proud Lone Oak has had a good season...no matter the rivalry.  I know all this negativity is effecting the players, it has to be.  Not a good example we ALL are setting, is it???  Like there is nothing to look forward to in life but this game???  SAD.  

first off..  about 3 years ago when lone oak was loosing 50-0 almost every game.. NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE!? .. second of all everyone says all these teams are so "great" until lone oak beats them then they are just a "weak" team and lone oak has a "weak" schedule.. before we beat hopkins central they were a "tough team" by everyone.. before we played fulton city they were a "tough team" but now its just that we have an easy schedule.. and as far as the calloway game.. we scored quite a few touchdowns in a very short amount of time.. if we come in playing the hole game like we did the last 8minutes of the 4th last game, we will have this one easy. Yes i will say last time our boys weren't ready at the start, but they will be this time.. lastly corey robinson is phenomonal end of story, "easy schedule" or not he's still got to make the dang passes now doesnt he?.. boys yall are doing great, keep up the good work!!!

I am extremely disappointed in you, Jeff Bidwell and WPSD TV for starting off the Sports this evening with the highly controversial video of ONE Lone Oak student acting foolishly.  It is irresponsible of you and the news staff to add fuel to a fire that should have long ago been distinguished.  How about the irresponsilbility of the Calloway coaches words on his Murray station, how about the Calloway county half time "Streaker", how about their skate boarder that continuously skated thru Lone Oaks cheerleaders and multiple other fans acting badly (ie . . going up to the radio booth and threatening coach Haskins)?  I don't believe you will find many Lone Oak fans that thought that the actions of the boy on the tape was acceptable.  Just as you probably wouldn't find that many Calloway fans that would want you to show a tape of their "Streaker".    To bad nobody had that on tape for you to throw on the News tonight,.  How disappointing it is that you would intenionally make Lone Oak look "classless" by using a tape that is all about one individual!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mainly folks, the difference is the Calloway "streaker" was not disrepecting your school personally...he was showing his...well any how.  He was punished by the school administration...will not attend prom or walk during graduation (it is his senior year) due to his actions.  Did your fan get the same treatment or a slap on the hand?  So, before you toss stones, get the whole story.  Watch the You Tube video...it shows why the flag act was called classless (Laker players, fans and coaches were still close by...contranry to popular belief PER VIDEO COVERAGE) and I did not see the news tonight, so cannot comment on the coverage.  And it was the action of one that ruined the win in our eyes...sorry, but that is the facts.  And the action of one Laker that you guys remember as well.  Tomorrow hopefully will end this all, and it will not reinvent itself during basketball or baseball, or soccer, tennis or tiddley winks...paper, rock, scissors anyone???  Last time...GO LAKERS.  No injury...and good sportsmanship from BOTH sidelines and stands tomorrow night.  

Mr. Bidwell,

I thought the video was good, keep up the good work, yall are doing a great job and it makes football enjoyable...The video was entertaining and it isn't like nobody has seen the video anyway most everyone has seen the video so it isn't that big of a deal.  Great job

To lakerfan4life, I didn't say that the"flag" incident wasn't classless.  What I am saying is that Calloway wants to hold a grudge against ALL of Lone Oak and make statements about the whole community based on this ONE individuals actions!!  I cannot believe that Calloway (and obviously Bidwell) continues this vendietta over the actions of one stupid teenager!!  I'm sure that you have several of those in your community as well.  If I, or MOST of the other LO adults had known what he intended to do, we would have put a stop to it.  We do remember more than one Laker behaving badly, and being disrespectful, we just don't keep bringing it up!  And yes, I am ready to see the game tonight and hopefully there won't be any needless acts from the spectators tonight.  But I'm telling you that the way this has been blown out of proportion, it will carry over into Basketball and even tiddley winks.  It won't just "go away" when football season is over.  Bidwell and the rest of Calloway will see to that.

I watched the video and you have a right to say he is classless.  As a parent who recognizes this child, I would say that his actions are clueless.  The child has basically had absolutely no parental support throughout his life.  Without a support system at home, he will surely founder in life as his actions have shown.  Pray for him, don't persecute.
Good luck to all the boys.  I read that there will be a pre-game handshake again.  I hope that the boys rise to the occasion and show the adults what good sportsmanship is all about by shaking hands after the game too.  They are the key to healing what has become a rift between these 2 communities.  
We need to keep in mind that although this is a big game, that is all it is, a game.

lo mom, well 'if' your comment doesn't paint the horse a 'different' color, nothing ever will - thank you so much for posting and sharing your comment...

most parents / parent along with the majority of students of any high school certainly can / will grasp and fully understand your explanation of the incident...

i'm quite sure the very same would apply to so very many of 'like' situations...

may the birth of a 'new' great rivalry live on for many years 'due' to the forgiveness warranted, shared & displayed on behalf of both schools, fans, and students alike...

let's 'all' allow the isolated actions of a few to die - so close yet so far away the very simple but logical explanation and solution was all along - finally brought to light and our attention by a mother...

appreciate you i sincerely do 'lo mom' - pray for 'all' concerns of the evening i for one surely will - thanks again ma'am...




 

 

lakerfan4life--I'm not sure what the punishment was for the fan on the YouTube clip, or the flag staker.  It was probably not as severe as what the streaker got, but keep in mind, the streaker broke the law.  It's against the law to run around naked in public.  It's not against the law to make an @ss of yourself by taunting another team.  It's very unbecoming conduct, but clearly there's a difference.

My senior year 2 of our seniors streaked through a soccer game and were met with a similar punishment.  That's just what happens when you go streaking in high school.  

I also disagree with my fellow Lone Oak fans who's reaction to the flag/youtube incident is to respond by saying "Well, they had a streaker, and a skateborder..."  That doesn't excuse the behaviors of some of our fans, ever.   Not only should people have personal accountability, we should also hold ourselves as a fan base to a higher standard.  

DISAPPOINTED--hop down off that soapbox for a minute.  WPSD is a news station--they're gonna run the stories that will bring in the most viewers.  The Lone Oak/Calloway rivalry is a big story, and made bigger by the flag controversy(Plus, don't take them for granted--I live in Nashville and WPSD is better than all of 3 of the stations we have here, particularly in regards to weather).  

Plus, I applaud WPSD for running that story, and all the LO/Calloway coverage.  It's certainly going to help bring a bigger group of people to the game.  It's not about Purple, or Red.  It's about Green.  And the LO football program can use all the funds it can get.

Kudos to the LO mom, as I support Calloway I cannot help but be compelled to respond to your last insertion. It is so disheartening too see children who have had no parenteral support.  I could not imagine not being there for my children in the past and future.  I'm the first one to defend them and condemn them for anything they have ever done wrong.  I would also like to see a safe... yet exciting game tonight. I wish both teams good luck, but cannot help but be partial to the Lakers!!!  

Without the flag incident, what would have Calloway used as motivation for this game? I know Al Starnes at Crittenden County has always used the Paducah Sun picks "against his team" as a disrespect type of thing, "Let's prove 'em wrong". Doesn't always work, but sometimes it has. Coaches use what they think works.
   In the grand scheme of life, here we are with the economy headed for recession, there's a war in the middle east, and a lot more serious stuff going on in this world besides this matchup. Keep it all in perspective, and be thankful you live in a country that still has more freedoms than most of us deserve.
   Here's to a great game, may nobody get hurt, and may the best team win. The really cool thing is that I can watch it again on the web after it's over.

Dear Coach McKeel,

Do not agree to this pre-game handshake non-sense.  You know, aswell as everyone in this county, that your boys are respectful and a class act. I have no doubt that win or lose, you will line up your men to shake hands. The Lone Oak principal's actions are to keep her own team from doing something foolish if they lose. We all know what being a Laker means and I know you will do the right thing tonight.

GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeff Bidwell, I would like to say I liked what you wrote about Rocky, that was very good. I just want to say the PRE-GAME handshake is not teaching good sportsmanship or selfcontrol.  We have been tought since T-Ball that after a game you shake the other persons hand out of resepect and being a good sporstman, it also teaches selfcontrol. I feel part of what is wrong with this country, is people not wanting to teach selfcontrol, they feel they can change the rules and help make things all "warm and fuzzy".          And also.......GOOOOOOOO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, the streaker was not "naked". He was wearing a t-shirt and a jockstrap.

thank you, Kyle.  Almost naked...but not naked.  GO LAKERS!!  

Just for the record, the flag incident enflamed the whole episode AFTER Lone Oak refused to shake hands at the end of the game. The flag was really an afterthought which made the situation even worse. Even though bad calls negated their touchdowns which could have eliminated the overtime and the fact that the Laker defense fell apart in the second half and the OT, Calloway still attempted to display sportsmanship by offering their hands to the victors. I agree with other bloggers who seem to want us to believe in each school's ability to show class. If this is the case, I urge both coaches to set the example that real men can exhibit good sportsmanship win, lose or draw at the conclusion of the game by congratulating each other on a hard fought game.

@football fan

I go to Lone Oak i talked to one of the players, they celebrated breifly and then lined up but Calloway had already left.....We didn't refuse you just left

Key for the Lakers: Willis needs to keep healthy, hydrated and rested.

I just want to say that Lone Oak played a heck of a game and they deserve to move on.  I wish them the best of luck next week.  

Jeff Bidwell, I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU for all the coverage you and WPSD has done on the Calloway football team this year. Its been a great season for the Laker Nation. Keep up the good work Jeff!!!!  I would also like to tell the Long Oak team you have done a great job so far and I wish you the best on your way to State. One last thing, I was so very proud to see both teams line up and shake hands after the game, both teams showed true sportsmanship.