I think Highlands will make a statement in this one and do so with a 66-21 pounding of Ashland.

 

They've won what 3 in a row and 18 overall Championships? I'm pretty sure the statement was made a long time ago.

I quoted one person didn't I? Did I say typical pompous Highlands attitude?

Well, since you said "typical," I was just clarifying what you meant. A lot of people DO have that stereotypical view of all fans of programs like Highlands. So I was just trying to figure out if you were in fact aiming that at just the one poster in particular, that's all.

I think a lot of folks are selling Ashland short. Highlands is the better team, but Ashland will be no pushover. This is a decent Round two game.

HHS will name the score.

My prediction is based on previous years 2nd round games as I know nothing about Ashland. However, I will say that with Hayes and Harris in the backfield the Birds are lethal. I would expect Dale to go full go with starters as they prepare for the big showdown with who likely will be CovCath.

I think a lot of folks are selling Ashland short. Highlands is the better team, but Ashland will be no pushover. This is a decent Round two game.

 

I smell a trap myself. No blowouts here. Birds will do what it takes to win with as minimal effort required. Weapons will be reloaded for following week.

Round two of the playoffs are intented to be statement games for all those watching and who cares.

This typically is the week and round of playoffs that Dale knows his competition is solid and formidable. Shoot, 4 yrs ago if a ball doesnt bounce into the hands of a trailing OL of a play then Highlands gets beat in the 2nd round by a very good and more physical Bryan Station team at Highlands.

This is why we play the games but I can tell you this, this will not be an easy task for Ashland to come to Ft Thomas and win.

I look for Dale to fine tune his team this week in practice and strive for perfection in all areas of the game.

Highlands will win bigger then the score will indicate, Birds 42-14 in a statement win.:thumb:

^Actually, the Bryan Sation game was a first round playoff game, as BC was a 4 seed in their district and HHS a 1 seed. Highlands barely escaped that game, which would have been the biggest upset in KHSAA football history.

There is no doubt Ashland is good. I'm sure they have a great interior defense. But saying HHS better not try to run on them is a little silly. Now if you want to quantify that and say if HHS tries to line up and run the power I up the gut the entire game, then maybe they might have some difficulty. Maybe. However, HHS spreads you out and runs all over the field with speed that I'm not sure Ashland has seen. If they try the middle and its unsuccessful, I'm sure the have other run options. They have 4-5 backs that can make you miss and absolutely fly. And if you misjudge who has the ball, one of the backs will blow you up! Like it was said, they ran on Elder very successfully. They will be able to run on anyone in the state. Doesn't guarantee a win and I think it will be close for awhile, but still think the birds win 49-14.

Highlands by 21.

I would guess that Ashland will struggle to defend the pass, but I would also guess that Highlands better plan on throwing it, because I don't think that they'll have much success on the ground. Up front, Ashland is solid. Very solid.

 

Contrary to previous years, I would say this Highlands team is stronger running it than throwing it. They have several very good backs that they spread the carries out among so no single rusher's numbers may jump out at you but they can run the ball very well.

 

The Highlands offense is just too powerful. Covington Catholic has their best defensive team in a number of years and has 6 shutouts to prove that. CCH gave up just 6 points (to Beechwood) in their first 7 games versus Kentucky teams ... except Highlands scored 35 against them. Ashland will have to put up a lot of points to win this game and they aren't going to be able to do that. Looking at it from afar, Ashland looks to have their best team in several years but this is Highlands they are facing. I am going to say Highlands wins 48-21 with at least one, if not 2 of those Ashland TD's coming late.

The frosh played in the 3rd quarter..

 

This is not true. Eleven frosh got in for one defense play late in the 4th quarter.

This is not true. Eleven frosh got in for one defense play late in the 4th quarter.

Interesting.

This is not true. Eleven frosh got in for one defense play late in the 4th quarter.

 

Then I got bad info...Sorry Spin I was wrong..

I remember when we played Ashland. They are tough. Yes, it was 20 years ago but I am not going to predict a huge blowout. I say it'll be closer than everyone thinks. Too much respect for that program to think they'll lay down.