And how many games did Highlands play without Mitchell his senior year, including playoff games? That is no knock on Mitchell. You just helped make my point above that there isn't any one or two or three players on any Highlands team that would make game outcomes significantly different if he were not there.

 

Well back in 2004 I think Highlands and Covington Catholic were very evenly matched. Mike gave Highlands the definite edge in both games that year. I remember that team so well because it's one of the best teams top to bottom that CCH has had that didn't win a State Championship.

Well back in 2004 I think Highlands and Covington Catholic were very evenly matched. Mike gave Highlands the definite edge in both games that year. I remember that team so well because it's one of the best teams top to bottom that CCH has had that didn't win a State Championship.

 

Cov Cath's offense was not good that year. Their final regular season record was 6-4 and they were shut out both games against Highlands (regular season and playoffs). I know they lost to Elder and Highlands, but don't remember who else they lost to. The Cov Cath defense was stout, but I don't believe he was the difference between winning and losing. Also, he did not play in the state championship game. He should be mentioned, but he only played 1 year at Highlands.

 

 

 

A previous poster mentioned 1996 and Frisk. Interesting the simalarites between the 2004 and 1996 teams, both went to Bell County and won in a nail biter in the semi-finals. The teams were very similar, see below:

 

1996- Points for 576

Points Against 166

Difference 410

 

2004- Points for 501

Points Against 116

Difference 385

 

Both played stellar teams in the State Championship

 

1996 Hopkinsville I believe with Artose Pinner (UK and NFL) and Deonte Kenner (UC)

 

2004 Boyle going for a 6-peat with Chuck Smith as coach and Brandon Smith at QB.

 

I agree though, the difference between the 2 teams would probably be Justin Frisk.

And how many games did Highlands play without Mitchell his senior year, including playoff games? That is no knock on Mitchell. You just helped make my point above that there isn't any one or two or three players on any Highlands team that would make game outcomes significantly different if he were not there.

 

Mitchell only missed 2 games in '04. Ask any Bell County fan and they would say Mitchell was the difference maker in their close loss to the Birds in the Semi-Finals. As a Boyle fan, Mitchell did a great job vs. the Rebels in their regular season game.

 

I think the biggest change in personnel for the Birds between a good (not great) Bird team in '03 to being a great state champ in '04 lies in the addition of one player: Mitchell.

 

IMO that's the case I would make for having him on any list of impact players for HHS.