Good question DF, does anyone know what Cooper returns?

 

I spoke with one of their coach's from last year and he indicated the passing game will be the strength this year. He didn't give a lot of specifics, but indicated the receivers were the going to make a large impact.

I spoke with one of their coach's from last year and he indicated the passing game will be the strength this year. He didn't give a lot of specifics, but indicated the receivers were the going to make a large impact.

 

From what I have watched at Cooper and from the Borchers interview, I would say this is correct. They have a good hands team. There are multiple threats with speed and the ability to gain yards after the catch. Morgan is too good not to play, Fussinger is experienced, Youngblood will have folks talking. There are a few seniors who saw mainly special teams last year because of the players ahead of them being soooo good. I said it before, we lost TONS of talent but the kids stepping up are very athletic and capable. I can not wait for 8/23.

Like Adopted Purple, I have to disagree with this statement. It makes a HUGE difference, especially when you are playing teams that have enough talent where they can start 16-22 different kids between off and def. Just ask Anderson when they faced BG a couple of years ago and BG (from what I understand) pretty much had a starting 11 on O and different 11 on D or close to that, and ALL of them could play ball. And in 5A where Anderson plays, I think one of the issues they face as they go up the ladder and see the better teams is that most of those teams have more dedicated starters on each side of the ball. When you have 8 or 9 kids that are playing all the time against teams that don't have to do that, it get's tough.

 

It's one thing when you have the numbers and talent to just play one way. It's totally different if you don't have numbers and talent to just play one way. When you don't have the talent level and numbers like a BG it's better to play a few both eats if they are better than their replacements.

Many of Cooper's players were seniors and went both ways last year. However, I hear that they have the program on the right track. Once they don't have to play so many players both ways, they will be a major threat to go all the way. To their credit last year, they were very well conditioned and didn't give up at all against BGHS in the championship game.

 

I watched that game very closely. If Cooper doesn't play so many players both ways, they very well could have won that game. Their linemen were gassed in the second half, particularly the 4th qtr. (I watching the line play closely). The Cooper linemen played their hearts out, but they were wore out. Cooper's QB scrambling and ability to avoid the sack kept them in that game in the second half. That young man impressed me the most of anyone on the field in that game (and I'm including Fant). Until the Cooper program develops enough to not play so many players both ways, it will be extremely difficult for them to beat BG. BG has done an outstanding job developing depth and transitioning to the two platoon system. Kudos to their coaches and players.

It's one thing when you have the numbers and talent to just play one way. It's totally different if you don't have numbers and talent to just play one way. When you don't have the talent level and numbers like a BG it's better to play a few both eats if they are better than their replacements.

 

Don't disagree with that at all. Problem is, when you have to and the other team doesn't, it definitely creates an uphill battle.

Don't disagree with that at all. Problem is, when you have to and the other team doesn't, it definitely creates an uphill battle.

Yes, but not as big of a disadvantage as some let on it to be last year. As long as the kids are well conditioned then they will be ok.

I have to think you haven't played football to think the numbers don't matter that much. Conditioning is one thing but when you play a good team and you are taking the licks both ways it makes a huge difference, especially over the course of a season when those nagging injuries hang on. Notice how many players get leg cramps after a tough hit.

I have to think you haven't played football to think the numbers don't matter that much. Conditioning is one thing but when you play a good team and you are taking the licks both ways it makes a huge difference, especially over the course of a season when those nagging injuries hang on. Notice how many players get leg cramps after a tough hit.

Yes it does as you say but players that play one way only also get hit hard and hurt etc. I'm not saying it is the ultimate way to do things, but playing both ways isn't the end of the world either and not as huge as a disadvantage as some make it out to be if you have the players to do it.

 

Cooper last year showed that.

I have to think you haven't played football to think the numbers don't matter that much. Conditioning is one thing but when you play a good team and you are taking the licks both ways it makes a huge difference, especially over the course of a season when those nagging injuries hang on. Notice how many players get leg cramps after a tough hit.

 

Agreed! And you have to remember the other team is in good condition too. So if you have two teams equally conditioned, it's still extremely tough to overcome if one of those teams only has kids going one way. No matter how "conditioned" you are, the other team usually is too and their players have half the game off when they platoon.

Yes it does as you say but players that play one way only also get hit hard and hurt etc. I'm not saying it is the ultimate way to do things, but playing both ways isn't the end of the world either and not as huge as a disadvantage as some make it out to be if you have the players to do it.

 

Cooper last year showed that.

 

How many teams did Cooper play that fully platooned? BG we know. Anyone else?

How many teams did Cooper play that fully platooned? BG we know. Anyone else?

I have no idea.

The teams they played in the playoffs were

Anderson Co

Franklin

So Oldham

Harlan Co

BG

 

Now I never said it isn't better to have players go just one way, again all I've said is if you have some going both ways it isn't as tough as some like yourself make it out to be.

 

If you have 4 players playing both ways and those 4 are better than their replacements then how can playing worse players be better?

How many teams did Cooper play that fully platooned? BG we know. Anyone else?

 

Are you saying Cooper would of won against BG if Taylor Centers and AJ Collins and Tyler Morris didn't play defense?

If you have 4 players playing both ways and those 4 are better than their replacements then how can playing worse players be better?

 

I think the concept is that those players may be slightly deficient talent-wise, but by being able to focus on that position only in addition to providing endurance benefits, it closes or eliminates the gap. It then has the added bonus of allowing the better player to focus on the position they are best suited for, providing similar benefits. It doesn't apply universally, but it is undeniable that the teams that have switched to that system in recent years are having great success over those that aren't. I don't believe it's 100% talent, although that of course helps. I think an argument that is also made is that more players are willing to come out for the team because there are added opportunities to get on the field with a two platoon, giving you that much more of a talent pool to squeeze from. Maybe you find a few more diamonds in the rough that way that you can polish.

I think the concept is that those players may be slightly deficient talent-wise, but by being able to focus on that position only in addition to providing endurance benefits, it closes or eliminates the gap. It then has the added bonus of allowing the better player to focus on the position they are best suited for, providing similar benefits. It doesn't apply universally, but it is undeniable that the teams that have switched to that system in recent years are having great success over those that aren't. I don't believe it's 100% talent, although that of course helps. I think an argument that is also made is that more players are willing to come out for the team because there are added opportunities to get on the field with a two platoon, giving you that much more of a talent pool to squeeze from. Maybe you find a few more diamonds in the rough that way that you can polish.

I agree 110%. I've always believed if you have the talent level to do so then it is always better to just play one way.

 

I've never said anything differently. What I have said is if you don't have the talent level on the team to be able to put the best team on the field and only playing players one way then it's not as much of a detriment as some have said it is. If that were the case more teams would only have their players play one way no matter what the talent drop off was.

But that talent won't just show up. 4 kids won't just come out and the coach say, "Hey, we can two platoon now." You have to commit to it early and grow those players over time. If Cooper had done that two years before they could have fared a little better against BG.