I have a question for those who are close to the Highlands football program: is Highlands (or will Highlands) give strong consideration to playing more teams from Ohio in the near future? I have heard some comments in the past few years that it has become more difficult for Highlands to fill out its varsity football schedule, on account of some Kentucky programs not being interested in playing the Bluebirds. In fact, Highlands recently went two years of playing the same opponent (Ryle) twice in a season in order to fill out its schedule. It seems this same phenomenon has also affected Louisville Trinity (although to a much greater degree with the Shamrocks), which has led to Trinity now playing more of a regional schedule than a state schedule.

 

With this in mind, is/would Highlands consider branching out geographically and playing more teams from Ohio? By this, I do not mean to suggest that Highlands should pack the schedule with the likes of Cincinnati St. Xavier, Colerain and Elder every year. But how about solid Ohio programs from Ohio Division II and III? A few years back Highlands played Columbus Saint Francis DeSales in a home-and-home series. The Bluebirds also played Trotwood-Madison in the "Herbie" in 2007. I realize travel cost/expenses figure big in these decisions, but at the same time Highlands has played in Danville/Boyle County, Lexington, Louisville, Somerset/Pulaski County, Richmond/Madison County and even Hopkinsville in the past decade, and those are not short trips.

 

From a fan's perspective, I hope this happens more in the near future. Also, I will add that my "dream match up" for Highlands would be a game against storied Massillon Washington. I think it's a long four-hour drive to Massillon, but at the same time how often can a fan get the chance to see the nation's second and fourth winningest programs face off? These programs have NEVER played against each other. Both programs have had head coaches (Paul Brown and Homer Rice) who are legends of the game. Also, I would have to think that in most years it would be a competitive game.

 

Plus, it seems that Coach Mueller and Highlands have shown interest in garnering more national attention in recent years. Clearly, playing more games against quality Ohio competition would give Highlands a better chance of receiving such notoriety, compared with playing a schedule consisting of nine Kentucky programs and one Ohio program every year.

Highlands might even have a hard time scheduling Ohio because of the Harbin system. I believe even the best Kentucky teams only provide mediocre Ohio teams point values. If I am not correct, please correct me.

I have a question for those who are close to the Highlands football program: is Highlands (or will Highlands) give strong consideration to playing more teams from Ohio in the near future? I have heard some comments in the past few years that it has become more difficult for Highlands to fill out its varsity football schedule, on account of some Kentucky programs not being interested in playing the Bluebirds. In fact, Highlands recently went two years of playing the same opponent (Ryle) twice in a season in order to fill out its schedule. It seems this same phenomenon has also affected Louisville Trinity (although to a much greater degree with the Shamrocks), which has led to Trinity now playing more of a regional schedule than a state schedule.

 

With this in mind, is/would Highlands consider branching out geographically and playing more teams from Ohio? By this, I do not mean to suggest that Highlands should pack the schedule with the likes of Cincinnati St. Xavier, Colerain and Elder every year. But how about solid Ohio programs from Ohio Division II and III? A few years back Highlands played Columbus Saint Francis DeSales in a home-and-home series. The Bluebirds also played Trotwood-Madison in the "Herbie" in 2007. I realize travel cost/expenses figure big in these decisions, but at the same time Highlands has played in Danville/Boyle County, Lexington, Louisville, Somerset/Pulaski County, Richmond/Madison County and even Hopkinsville in the past decade, and those are not short trips.

 

From a fan's perspective, I hope this happens more in the near future. Also, I will add that my "dream match up" for Highlands would be a game against storied Massillon Washington. I think it's a long four-hour drive to Massillon, but at the same time how often can a fan get the chance to see the nation's second and fourth winningest programs face off? These programs have NEVER played against each other. Both programs have had head coaches (Paul Brown and Homer Rice) who are legends of the game. Also, I would have to think that in most years it would be a competitive game.

 

Plus, it seems that Coach Mueller and Highlands have shown interest in garnering more national attention in recent years. Clearly, playing more games against quality Ohio competition would give Highlands a better chance of receiving such notoriety, compared with playing a schedule consisting of nine Kentucky programs and one Ohio program every year.

 

Check out the JV schedule this year. Looks like the birds have joined the GCL

Highlands might even have a hard time scheduling Ohio because of the Harbin system. I believe even the best Kentucky teams only provide mediocre Ohio teams point values. If I am not correct, please correct me.

 

I am not sure I understand the point you are making but I think you are wrong. KY schools are looked at the same way Ohio schools are for Harbin points. In other words, when and OH school plays a KY school the KY school's enrollment is used to calculate what division they would be in if the KY school were in OH and then the same Harbin points are given for a win over a KY school as if they were an OH school.

jb, The problem is smart Ohio schools only schedule KY schools when they are pretty confident they are going to win the game. X, Elder, Colerain and the like know there is a chance they could lose to Highlands but they know that most years they will beat them which is why those schools will schedule the Birds. When you step down in class in Ohio and look at schools that admittedly would be great games for both teams the problem becomes the chance of Highlands winning the game becomes too great for those schools to take a chance on playing Highlands. So to answer your question, probably not.

Highlands might even have a hard time scheduling Ohio because of the Harbin system. I believe even the best Kentucky teams only provide mediocre Ohio teams point values. If I am not correct, please correct me.

 

Not necessarily. It all depends on where the KY team classifies in the point system. Now that Highlands dropped a division I don't know if they would be a 4.5 or 4 point win value for an Ohio team. Trinity would be a 6 point win since they are in the highest class. Also, a huge part of it is how the team does the rest of the year. If Highlands is worth 4.5 points and they go undefeated it would still have value to most Ohio teams.

jb, The problem is smart Ohio schools only schedule KY schools when they are pretty confident they are going to win the game. X, Elder, Colerain and the like know there is a chance they could lose to Highlands but they know that most years they will beat them which is why those schools will schedule the Birds. When you step down in class in Ohio and look at schools that admittedly would be great games for both teams the problem becomes the chance of Highlands winning the game becomes too great for those schools to take a chance on playing Highlands. So to answer your question, probably not.

 

But if Cincy X or Elder plays someone else in Ohio the same caliber of Highlands they are faced with the same problem they have to win the game. A lot of the value comes from beating Highlands is the second level harbin points of Highlands going undefeated after the match up. Teams have to judge if the OH team is good enough to beat the KY team, but the KY team is better than everyone in KY.

Check out the JV schedule this year. Looks like the birds have joined the GCL

 

JB, this should answer your question. Dale has more or less joined the GCL South with his JV squad. You have to start somewhere and it appears Highlands is heading elsewhere for competition.

They may take some lumps with this schedule but when you have a 90+ Varsity roster and a 60+ Frosh roster you must expand, and I give credit to Dale for reaching out to the GCL.

I have said it before, Dale is a coach that as he gets older he gets bolder. Most coaches with his resume would reel it in and sit on his success and go out on top but not Dale, he is looking to leave his mark on Highlands as a program looking to get better and better every yr. WOW!!!!!

Can someone post the Highlands JV schedule for 2012?

There is a school in the Buffalo, NY area that would travel to play Highlands if the schools looked into it.

St. Francis of Athol Springs has trouble filling out it's schedule every year and they travel extensively.

They have played Cincy St. X several times and usually have games with St Ignatius & Lakewood St Edwards.

I know that a few years ago they tried to schedule a KY school but ran into problems with scheduling as they do not start play until after Labor Day.

The public schools in NY won't schedule them.

 

Mr. Smith's Site

Can someone post the Highlands JV schedule for 2012?

 

HHS JV 2012

 

Sat Aug 25th Trinity Home 11:00am

Sat Sept 1st Moeller Home 10:00am

Sat Sept 8th Ryle Away 10:00am

Sat Sept 15th Lasalle Home 10:00am

Sat Sept 22nd CovCath Away 10:00am

Sat Sept 29th open

Sat Oct 6th Withrow Home 10:00am

Sat Oct 13th Lex Cath Away 11:00am

Sat Oct 20th Elder Away 10:00am

Sat Oct 27th Ryle Home 10:00am

Edited May 14, 201214 yr by stinkyboy II
spacing

HHS JV 2012

 

Sat Aug 25th Trinity Home 11:00am

Sat Sept 1st Moeller Home 10:00am

Sat Sept 8th Ryle Away 10:00am

Sat Sept 15th Lasalle Home 10:00am

Sat Sept 22nd CovCath Away 10:00am

Sat Sept 29th open

Sat Oct 6th Withrow Home 10:00am

Sat Oct 13th Lex Cath Away 11:00am

Sat Oct 20th Elder Away 10:00am

Sat Oct 27th Ryle Home 10:00am

 

Wow. That is some schedule. Nobody could call that soft. The reserves will think they are on vacation when they get to varsity.

I'm not so sure Highlands is quite ready to make the big commitment of playing multiple teams from Ohio. Yes Highlands has proven as of late they can handle a team or two. I think it's a good balance the way they have it now. One or two teams form Ohio, mix in the mandated district teams, albeit not the best competition for the most part, (Ky's downfall in the National level respect dept.) and the rest with in State powers.

 

If Highlands played last year's Trinity schedule, pretty confident Highlands wins State, but not go undefeated. To load up with multiple powerhouse teams takes a program with some unlimited resources. Yes, Highlands is on its greatest roll right in it's history, and it looks to continue, but to load up too big just might have an adverse effect on the program. I bet most supporters would like to see the schedule continue as is for the most part (tweak a little) and to continue to have the success at the rate they are having.

 

I would like to see the admin. try and have a Nationally televised game every year. That is pretty cool. Highlands is special for a reason. Keepin it close to the vest! I think going too big would change that IMO.

But if Cincy X or Elder plays someone else in Ohio the same caliber of Highlands they are faced with the same problem they have to win the game. A lot of the value comes from beating Highlands is the second level harbin points of Highlands going undefeated after the match up. Teams have to judge if the OH team is good enough to beat the KY team, but the KY team is better than everyone in KY.

 

John, I understand all of that. I just didn't think it was necessary to go into that depth to answer the question. We all know the reward for an Ohio school beating Highlands would be huge because Highlands figures to win a minimum of 8 games every year but for schools of lesser football power than Cincy X or Elder the risk of losing the game to Highlands is too great which is why I don't think you will see too many teams step to the plate.

I'm not so sure Highlands is quite ready to make the big commitment of playing multiple teams from Ohio. Yes Highlands has proven as of late they can handle a team or two. I think it's a good balance the way they have it now. One or two teams form Ohio, mix in the mandated district teams, albeit not the best competition for the most part, (Ky's downfall in the National level respect dept.) and the rest with in State powers.

 

If Highlands played last year's Trinity schedule, pretty confident Highlands wins State, but not go undefeated. To load up with multiple powerhouse teams takes a program with some unlimited resources. Yes, Highlands is on its greatest roll right in it's history, and it looks to continue, but to load up too big just might have an adverse effect on the program. I bet most supporters would like to see the schedule continue as is for the most part (tweak a little) and to continue to have the success at the rate they are having.

 

I would like to see the admin. try and have a Nationally televised game every year. That is pretty cool. Highlands is special for a reason. Keepin it close to the vest! I think going too big would change that IMO.

 

Just to clarify, I am not suggesting that Highlands play multiple Ohio Division I teams every year. There are a whole lot of Ohio programs from Divisions II and III that would provide good competition without "biting off more than Highlands can chew," so to speak. However, the guru and others raised valid points about the Harbin system in Ohio that I did not think about... I can see where it could be a bit risky from a Harbin standpoint for an Ohio Division II or III program to play Highlands. It's a shame, though, since I think Highlands would probably need to play (and win) some more quality games against out-of-state competition in order to "take the next step" in national recognition/respect.

 

HHS' JV schedule looks daunting, but I think this is smart to do at the JV level, to allow the younger HHS players the chance to play top-tier competition while in the developing stages. Can someone post Highlands' freshman schedule for 2012?