I know that Highlands two platoons and are now even more successful than in the past ( I know hard to believe). What happens if the don't have enough talent for all positions to be as successful as they are now? Does Coach Dale (can't remember how to spell his last name) make a change and have a very good talent go both ways or does he let it play out even if it might cost him some games.

I know that Highlands two platoons and are now even more successful than in the past ( I know hard to believe). What happens if the don't have enough talent for all positions to be as successful as they are now? Does Coach Dale (can't remember how to spell his last name) make a change and have a very good talent go both ways or does he let it play out even if it might cost him some games.

 

Don't know? It hasn't got to where there isn't enough talent to win yet.

Don't know? It hasn't got to where there isn't enough talent to win yet.

 

I figured that would be your response LOL.

I do think the talent drops off in some positions from an A to a B, but they are all trained so well it doesn't matter. It's like 20k Marines coming thru a desert their going to be productive because their trained well.

I know that Highlands two platoons and are now even more successful than in the past ( I know hard to believe). What happens if the don't have enough talent for all positions to be as successful as they are now? Does Coach Dale (can't remember how to spell his last name) make a change and have a very good talent go both ways or does he let it play out even if it might cost him some games.

 

I would tend to think that Coach Mueller is more committed to winning than he is committed to the two-platoon system.

I figured that would be your response LOL.

 

I can't speak for Dale. Once you think you have him figured out he does something different. I do believe though if he didn't think he could win with the kids he has in the 2 platoon system he would let some kids go both ways..But you never know what the "Mad Scientist" might do..

I know that Highlands two platoons and are now even more successful than in the past ( I know hard to believe). What happens if the don't have enough talent for all positions to be as successful as they are now? Does Coach Dale (can't remember how to spell his last name) make a change and have a very good talent go both ways or does he let it play out even if it might cost him some games.

 

 

Good question....there are guys that play offense at Highlands that would be the best player on defense for sure and the same goes for defense to offense. For example...Zach Harris would be the best linbacker on the team IMO.

I do think the talent drops off in some positions from an A to a B, but they are all trained so well it doesn't matter. It's like 20k Marines coming thru a desert their going to be productive because their trained well.

 

I think this is the best answer. They are not a big school, but they have complete "buy in" from the players. They believe in the formula and it works. Obviously, at some point, some are more talented than others. However, the less talented are so trained in technique at their position that they can get buy with putting in less talent here and there with the belief that it will pay off by the end of the game. When it's crunch time, the more talented players are fresh and ready to finish the game against the other team who is not so fresh.

 

They have former unbelievable offensive talented kids that end up on their defense. They choose one or the other. If they think they can get on the field sooner playing on defense, a kid may give up his tailback career to maybe become a middle linebacker or defensive back. Now you have an extremely talented kid focusing on defense and not sitting behind an upper class running back.

 

You have to drill your players with training and trust that it will pay off to not always have the most talented kids on the field ALL the time.

I think this is the best answer. They are not a big school, but they have complete "buy in" from the players. They believe in the formula and it works. Obviously, at some point, some are more talented than others. However, the less talented are so trained in technique at their position that they can get buy with putting in less talent here and there with the belief that it will pay off by the end of the game. When it's crunch time, the more talented players are fresh and ready to finish the game against the other team who is not so fresh.

 

They have former unbelievable offensive talented kids that end up on their defense. They choose one or the other. If they think they can get on the field sooner playing on defense, a kid may give up his tailback career to maybe become a middle linebacker or defensive back. Now you have an extremely talented kid focusing on defense and not sitting behind an upper class running back.

 

You have to drill your players with training and trust that it will pay off to not always have the most talented kids on the field ALL the time.

 

I agree. That is why in high school good technique beats out size 99% of the time.

I can't speak for Dale. Once you think you have him figured out he does something different. I do believe though if he didn't think he could win with the kids he has in the 2 platoon system he would let some kids go both ways..But you never know what the "Mad Scientist" might do..

:thumb:

I know that Highlands two platoons and are now even more successful than in the past ( I know hard to believe). What happens if the don't have enough talent for all positions to be as successful as they are now? Does Coach Dale (can't remember how to spell his last name) make a change and have a very good talent go both ways or does he let it play out even if it might cost him some games.

 

I agree with some of the other posters. Mueller will do what it takes to win. If he feels like he can platoon and win, he will. If he feels that playing some player both ways and win, he will. He is very good at adjusting. There are some defensive players I would really like to see on the offensive side and vice versa. But he is the one with all of the state championships.

I know that Highlands two platoons and are now even more successful than in the past ( I know hard to believe). What happens if the don't have enough talent for all positions to be as successful as they are now? Does Coach Dale (can't remember how to spell his last name) make a change and have a very good talent go both ways or does he let it play out even if it might cost him some games.

 

This is actually a very good question MSF...one I had not really considered. My initial thought was now that Dale has developed a system of two platoons, he will not go back. However, one of Dale's biggest strengths IMO is his ability to adapt to his talent. Some years he throws it ALOT and other years he runs it ALOT...just depends on what his team that year does best. He really does a great job figuring out what his players do best and then putting them in the best position to win.

 

While I doubt he would have someone go both ways the entire game, I could envision a scenario where he would have a great athlete play the other way in certain situations - like a receiver playing DB in certain passing situations if he thought the kid could handle it. Or maybe big RB playing middle LB in goal line/short yardage situations.

I know that Highlands two platoons and are now even more successful than in the past ( I know hard to believe). What happens if the don't have enough talent for all positions to be as successful as they are now? Does Coach Dale (can't remember how to spell his last name) make a change and have a very good talent go both ways or does he let it play out even if it might cost him some games.

I have actually put a lot of thought in to this, and even asked some of the Highlands fans their thoughts. Not to offend anyone, but I don't think all the Highland players are the state's best athletes. I think the Highlands coaching staff makes each player as good as he can be at his position. In other words, I don't' think they necessarily have the talent to platoon, I think they develop the players to platoon. I think platooning is a priority for Highlands and they have committed to it.

I have actually put a lot of thought in to this, and even asked some of the Highlands fans their thoughts. Not to offend anyone, but I don't think all the Highland players are the state's best athletes. I think the Highlands coaching staff makes each player as good as he can be at his position. In other words, I don't' think they necessarily have the talent to platoon, I think they develop the players to platoon. I think platooning is a priority for Highlands and they have committed to it.

 

Agree 100%. They get some great athletes, but all of them aren't "great". This is where the "system" and palyer "buy in" comes into play.

Are there many multi sport athletes playing football at HHS? Does the football culture discourage multi sport participation so that football can be the focus all year round?