Published: August 07, 2008 12:05 am      

EKC sets grid

Northeastern Kentucky conference dates to 1930

A long-standing high school football tradition in the area is once again set to start up.

The Eastern Kentucky Conference, established in 1930 when it was known as the Big Eight, will have its preseason Grid-O-Rama on consecutive days next week, kickstarting yet another season.

“With 10 teams in football and 10 teams in basketball, it’s staying pretty stable as one of the few conferences left in the state of Kentucky,” EKC Commissioner Gary Kidwell said.

Kidwell took over for Jack Fultz, who passed away at the age of 81 in December, as the conference’s commissioner in 1991. Since then there has been some tweaking of the conference, but overall Kidwell says it has been a good thing for northeastern Kentucky players.

“There’s a lot of good with it. If they don’t get into the playoffs they still have something nice to play for,” Kidwell said. “It also helps having the Web site (www.ekcsports.org). A lot of college coaches will find out about players they may not have seen or heard about.”

The Grid-O-Rama scrimmages start on Aug. 22 at Raceland. West Carter will take on Fairview at 6:30 p.m. while Raceland and Morgan County will square off at 8 p.m.

The following night, Aug. 23, games will pick up at Rowan County. Fleming County takes on East Carter at 5:30 p.m. while Nicholas County will take on Lewis County at 7 p.m. Rowan County vs. Bath County will be the nightcap at 8:30 p.m.

Each scrimmage will have a regular first half (two 12 minute quarters), a five-minute halftime and one more 12-minute quarter. Admission will be $5.

Bath County is the defending EKC champion with a 5-0 conference record in 2007. The 2008 season starts on Aug. 29.