Birds will once again be loaded this coming season. The jr to be class is absolutely loaded and the baby Birds have some talent as well.

 

Did I mention the Sr class led by Christon, Collinsworth, McCoy, Seidl, Streeter, and Turner is pretty good too?

 

I said it two years ago...if the Birds don't win 7 in a row, I will be surprised. (This is assuming they stay healthy) Highlands is in the middle of a very special run that will be looked back on as one of the greatest dynasties ever in state history. (T is right there as well)

 

Before the HHS faithful start sand-bagging, I know my expectations are very high but having followed these kids since middle school, I know what they can accomplish.

 

I think this is a fair assessment. The junior class could probably win on it's own. But when you throw in an excellent senior class and a good sophomore class, there is a lot of talent and depth. I don't believe in all of the sandbagging and secrecy that can happen in these threads. It will be interesting to see how things materialize.

I think this is a fair assessment. The junior class could probably win on it's own. But when you throw in an excellent senior class and a good sophomore class, there is a lot of talent and depth. I don't believe in all of the sandbagging and secrecy that can happen in these threads. It will be interesting to see how things materialize.

 

I think they lost to much talent.

I do hope Nick True has a good season he is a huge TE and only a Junior.

It was my understanding that the JV schedule was not completed yet, so perhaps they will have all 4 of them on the schedule. It has been indicated that the JV and Varsity will have 90+ players on the roster this year and approximately 40 frosh. Absolutely incredible number given the overall size of the school. Dale has certainly continued to raise the bar each year and the kids, parents and community have bought in 100%

 

When Dale hit the booster up last month for some extra funds for extra equipment he said 92 var and 62 Freshman.

I think they lost to much talent.

 

 

That's what you get for thinking again...:lol:

When Dale hit the booster up last month for some extra funds for extra equipment he said 92 var and 62 Freshman.

 

So 150+ kids in the program, that is awesome.

 

The Receiving corp will be absolutely loaded. Collinsworth, Christian, Turner, Greene, Hergott, to name a few. Seidl I think you will see also split out in the slot from time to time. Harris is a mule in the backfield and will tote the pigskin a bunch, he also can catch out of the backfield. Houliston and McCoy will both get a lot of snaps this season IMO. With several blowouts you can bet Drew gets in the game early and often to rest McCoy and keep him healthy. Heck Houliston saw a ton of time last season.

 

The line will re-load with Coach Turner once again turning boys into men and they are big and beefy. I heard the Whitford boy is being recruited by WKU and now stands 6'4 295lbs, 6'5 on his tiptoes. :lol:

 

I am not too familiar with who will be on the defensive side of the ball. I know Jr to be Seth Hope 6'2 190lbs got a lot of time on the DL. Blake Schutte looks like he has put on 10lbs or so and will likely roam the secondary as a returning starter. Streeter will be a very good DB and Q Murray also returns as a starter back there.

 

It will be interesting to see who moves to the Defensive side of the ball this year because IMO they had too much talent on offense last year and that is a lot of athletes getting minimal playing time.

So 150+ kids in the program, that is awesome.

 

The Receiving corp will be absolutely loaded. Collinsworth, Christian, Turner, Greene, Hergott, to name a few. Seidl I think you will see also split out in the slot from time to time. Harris is a mule in the backfield and will tote the pigskin a bunch, he also can catch out of the backfield. Houliston and McCoy will both get a lot of snaps this season IMO. With several blowouts you can bet Drew gets in the game early and often to rest McCoy and keep him healthy. Heck Houliston saw a ton of time last season.

 

The line will re-load with Coach Turner once again turning boys into men and they are big and beefy. I heard the Whitford boy is being recruited by WKU and now stands 6'4 295lbs, 6'5 on his tiptoes. :lol:

 

I am not too familiar with who will be on the defensive side of the ball. I know Jr to be Seth Hope 6'2 190lbs got a lot of time on the DL. Blake Schutte looks like he has put on 10lbs or so and will likely roam the secondary as a returning starter. Streeter will be a very good DB and Q Murray also returns as a starter back there.

 

It will be interesting to see who moves to the Defensive side of the ball this year because IMO they had too much talent on offense last year and that is a lot of athletes getting minimal playing time.

 

All great points and observations. The only thing I think you might be off on though is the mop up duties at QB. This could be a very frustrating yr for Drew as Dale normally plays his Soph QB when it comes to finishing a game out during blowouts. Unless Dale changes his preperation philosophies with playing the Soph then Beau Hoge (son of Merrill Hoge) will get his turn on Fri nites and then next yr he will either battle or take his seat and the next Soph Qb steps in.

Towles was an exception to the rule here by playing 2 1/2 yrs.

Usually if the backup QB wants to be on the field his JR yr then he better make a sacrifice and change posiitons. Too bad because Highlands backup QBs could start on about 75% of all teams in KY.

 

Either way, Highlands will again have a nice problem to manage. :thumb:

 

All great points and observations. The only thing I think you might be off on though is the mop up duties at QB. This could be a very frustrating yr for Drew as Dale normally plays his Soph QB when it comes to finishing a game out during blowouts. Unless Dale changes his preperation philosophies with playing the Soph then Beau Hoge (son of Merrill Hoge) will get his turn on Fri nites and then next yr he will either battle or take his seat and the next Soph Qb steps in.

Towles was an exception to the rule here by playing 2 1/2 yrs.

Usually if the backup QB wants to be on the field his JR yr then he better make a sacrifice and change posiitons. Too bad because Highlands backup QBs could start on about 75% of all teams in KY.

 

Either way, Highlands will again have a nice problem to manage. :thumb:

 

What is the Hoge boys size? In the eyes of the HHS loyal supporters, is he the future starter?

What is the Hoge boys size? In the eyes of the HHS loyal supporters, is he the future starter?

 

He has as good of a shot as anyone. One thing is for sure, the best will play. That goes for every position. I hope for great success for all of the boys.

What is the Hoge boys size? In the eyes of the HHS loyal supporters, is he the future starter?

 

Not sure what you mean. At the moment he is a bit undersized but I am sure he will mature and grow over this summer. The problem with people debating size of HHS qbs they tend to make quick comparisons to guys like Towles, Lorenzen and Guidughli. Those kind of sizes, accomplishments and careers are pretty special for any KY HS QB and even more special and rare that they all played at Highlands.

Highlands has many average sized HS QBs over their storied program and I would imagine that Hoge will fall into the average size qb sooner then later.

His football knowledge is off the charts when it comes to understanding the game, add in the fact that he has talent and is an athlete I would have to say he will develope nicely into a starter someday for the Birds.

Dale will design an offense around his projected starter based on his capabilities and abilities to help Highlands win.

Nothing is automatic though, perhaps their is another one of the phenoms I mentioned above right now cutting his teeth in the FTJFBL.

How big is Donovan these days?

How big is Donovan these days?

 

Very good point. IDK 5'11 or 6' at tops. Nice body size and very strong. Pretty much an average size KY HS QB.

Very good point. IDK 5'11 or 6' at tops. Nice body size and very strong. Pretty much an average size KY HS QB.

 

Thanks, and he was smaller two seasons ago when he had to step in when Pat hurt his ankle. Worked out ok as I recall. :sssh:

On O, you have four o linemen that either started all the time or started part of the time/got significant playing time (for the first time in a long time, there was a heavy rotation done on the o line); two RBs that either started all the time or started part of the time/got significant playing time; 3 WRs that started all of the time or started part of the time/got significant playing time. Really it's only at the QB and TE spots that the starters this year did not get significant playing time last year. Having followed McCoy over the years (and particularly in last year's Elder game) I'm not worried about the QB position (as odd as that seems when we are talking about replacing Towles). Several very talented players competing for the TE spot, but none of them have proven themselves yet on the varsity level that I can recall.

 

Defensively, we have two d linemen that either started part time and got significant playing time. At LB, I can think of one returning that got significant playing time. Someone will have to help me out on that position if there are others. In the defensive secondary, there are two that either started all of the time or part of the time/got significant playing time.

 

Lost a lot of seniors but with the heavy rotation used by Highlands, they always have a lot of high quality players returning with experience.

 

In terms of position only, the TE from last year will be very, very tough to replace. He was like a running back in the open field every time he caught the ball in the flat (I realize that he was a converted running back). Towards the end of the year, and especially after the injury to their top receiver, he added a very dangerous weapon in the middle/shallow 1/3rds.

So 150+ kids in the program, that is awesome.

 

The Receiving corp will be absolutely loaded. Collinsworth, Christian, Turner, Greene, Hergott, to name a few. Seidl I think you will see also split out in the slot from time to time. Harris is a mule in the backfield and will tote the pigskin a bunch, he also can catch out of the backfield. Houliston and McCoy will both get a lot of snaps this season IMO. With several blowouts you can bet Drew gets in the game early and often to rest McCoy and keep him healthy. Heck Houliston saw a ton of time last season.

 

The line will re-load with Coach Turner once again turning boys into men and they are big and beefy. I heard the Whitford boy is being recruited by WKU and now stands 6'4 295lbs, 6'5 on his tiptoes. :lol:

 

I am not too familiar with who will be on the defensive side of the ball. I know Jr to be Seth Hope 6'2 190lbs got a lot of time on the DL. Blake Schutte looks like he has put on 10lbs or so and will likely roam the secondary as a returning starter. Streeter will be a very good DB and Q Murray also returns as a starter back there.

 

It will be interesting to see who moves to the Defensive side of the ball this year because IMO they had too much talent on offense last year and that is a lot of athletes getting minimal playing time.

 

He's in the 6'2"-6'3" range but he's definitely still growing. I'd put him in the 260ish range. He sure looks sore walking down the driveway, so I know that he's been pushing hard this offseason