Sound Off on Sports Podcast

Episode 15 brings the return of Josh McKinney to the mic as he and Jamey reconnect with an old friend who's now in Russellville, who has some pretty good insight into those football Panthers as they prepare for the Pikeville Panthers in the Class A State Football Championship this Friday. The guys also recap the first few nights of high school basketball in the 58th district. How will the Floyd Central Lady Jags react to not having their former floor general this season? Prestonsburg girls off to a (2-0) start and they love the longshot. On the boys side, Floyd Central boys win their season debut at home. Prestonsburg falls on the road and Betsy Layne prepares for this Friday night against Shelby Valley. And just how "in-demand" was Mark Stoops anyway? Do you really think he had a chance to leave Lexington for those bigger blueblood football schools? The guys think Stoops pulled off the biggest heist in football with a new contract extension. Debate the breakdown.

Betsy Layne may be the greatest basketball tradition no one in the state knows about. Over 1,000 wins as a school. A state basketball championship. A storybook history with a strong local fanbase. This week our WMDJ sports guys visited "the hill" and the home of the defending 58th District boys basketball champion Betsy Layne Bobcats. Head Coach Derrick Newsome discusses the team's focus coming into this season, a new winning expectation and highlights his returning starting five that looks to put the Bobcats back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1980. The players tell of their real feelings about 5 a.m. practices! The players also feel like they are still under the radar in the 15th region and look to take care of some unfinished business. 

Our Sound Off on Sports Podcast guys visited Floyd Central High School to preview the upcoming Boys Basketball season. Head coach Alan Joe Moore is excited to see his team take the next step up to not only compete, but challenge for the 58th District crown and get the Jaguars back in the regional tournament for the first time in 3 seasons. Moore touches on new additions to the team and how the one-time hold rule will shape the Jaguars over the next few seasons, hopefully to build the foundation of the 5th-year program. The guys also talked to several of the players to get their reactions to summer ball and the upcoming season. 

The Cincinnati Bearcats are not in the College Football Playoff because they're brand isn't strong enough. Yes, they're undefeated, but they're not the national brand that ESPN wants in the CFP. Is there a path for the Bearcats to crash the party? Should they be included? The guys join in on the national debate. Congratulations to the Floyd Central Jaguars Volleyball team on winning the 15th Region Tournament. Talk about a brand, the Jags are local brand when it comes to volleyball. What in the wide world of sports happened at the Floyd Central / Betsy Layne regular season football finale? The case of the missing football! A situation that could've been handled better by the officials and schools. The High School Football Playoffs in Kentucky begin this weekend and the leading brands are heavy favorites in week 1. 

This is the first of our In the Gym features as the guys sat down at Prestonsburg Fieldhouse with new boys basketball coach Casey Huff. Coach Huff says the first order of business is changing the culture for Blackcat basketball and work on the things you can control each game. He also gives us some insight on why he's so intense on the sideline and in practice. You'll also hear from some of the Blackcat players as they prepare for a fresh start and the 2021-22 high school basketball season. Jamey and Byron also talk about the importance of this Friday's final regular season football contest for Floyd Central as they host Betsy Layne. 

When it comes to high school football, Paintsville is still Paintsville and Betsy Layne is still Betsy Layne. Same can be said about other district powers Belfry, Pikeville and Johnson Central. Will it ever change? Has Kentucky changed that perception in football? If you believe in moral victories, the Cats had one on Saturday at #1 Georgia, although some say it's still a loss, no matter how you spin the numbers. And the University of Kentucky will honor former men's basketball coach Tubby Smith this season. Is this long overdue? Favorite "Tubby Ball" memories? Patrick Sparks against Louisville. The 98 run with the Comeback Cats. And Jamey tells you about the worst prank you can pull on someone at a hotel, based on his own personal experience this week! 

When it comes to sports, sometimes all you need is a puncher's chance. It's what could separate you from an opponent. Just a couple of players improving at a given position? A missed play here or there? Catching a break in a game? Does Betsy Layne have a puncher's chance on the road at rival Paintsville in their big district matchup? Also, the guys discuss the idea of consolidating football regions in each class, in order to create better competition and help with scheduling. Would the KHSAA ever consider this? Also, does Kentucky football have a puncher's chance at No. 1 ranked Georgia this Saturday? Join Byron, Jamey and Jeremy for this week's edition of the Sound Off on Sports Podcast produced by WMDJ radio.

Byron and Jamey discuss the concept of "playing the jersey" when an up-and-coming opponent faces the mystique of a traditional program. Why is it so hard for teams that are currently having great seasons to overcome bias in the media and with fans? Kentucky Wildcats facing bias after defeating Georgia. Also, the "tale of two bobbleheads" story...Urban Meyer and Blake Snell. And which will happen first? Bengals win a Super Bowl or the Reds win a World Series? Kentucky Football win the SEC East or Kentucky Basketball win a national championship? The guys also go over Betsy Layne's search for R-E-S-P-E-C-T at Raceland, Prestonsburg looking to bounce back against West Carter and Floyd Central against Magoffin County in a flat-even matchup. 

The guys look back at the coaching career and legacy of Johnson Central head football coach Jim Matney, who passed away due to complications from COVID-19 this week. The guys talk with the public address voice of Johnson Central football, Kevin Conley, on the impact of Matney. The sign of a healthy football program is food in the press box? The guys explain... Also, Prestonsburg continues to roll with momentum leading to a big district game at Shelby Valley. Betsy Layne is (6-0) yet still looking for that first real test as they prepare for district play. Floyd Central still searching for that first win and returning numbers that have been missing because of COVID. Kentucky host Florida and the Curmudgeon Mullen better learn Wan'Dale's name. How much does Nick Castellanos love the Reds? Are Reds fans saying goodbye to Tucker Barnhart? 

Following last week's missing episode that no one will ever hear or watch, we follow up on our thoughts from the Prestonsburg vs. Floyd Central football rivalry that happened on Friday, Sept. 17th. Truly a rivalry renewed. Yes, we did an episode last week, but due to producer error (looking at Jamey) no sound was available! We kinda hint at what you missed and our apologies to our special guest that didn't get his time on our podcast - he will be invited back. How are we lookin'? We take a peak at Betsy Layne, Floyd Central and Prestonsburg at the halfway point of the football season. And the Reds, while fading away in the chase for the postseason, decided to renew the contract of manager David Bell. In the words of former Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman, we call this episode "How We Lookin'".