I think a huge advantage is the amount of game experience the Birds have. Seniors are approaching 60 games, including almost 20 playoff games.

I think that's wrong. As far as game experience if the players played in every game since they were sophomores that would be closer to 45 games including playoff games. The fact that Highlands platoons and mostly upperclassman play I doubt very many seniors have played in a lot of games since their sophomore years except when running clocks were in play.

 

They don't have that much of an advantage over other teams when it comes to experience, maybe because the way Dale runs the program, players from other tams they face in the playoffs may actually have more games under their belts where they actually saw a lot of playing time.

I think that's wrong. As far as game experience if the players played in every game since they were sophomores that would be closer to 45 games including playoff games. The fact that Highlands platoons and mostly upperclassman play I doubt very many seniors have played in a lot of games since their sophomore years except when running clocks were in play.

 

They don't have that much of an advantage over other teams when it comes to experience, maybe because the way Dale runs the program, players from other tams they face in the playoffs may actually have more games under their belts where they actually saw a lot of playing time.

 

I'm talking about the environment, senior birds are on close to their 60th game and 19th playoff atmosphere. While other teams may have a deer in the headlights moment it's a lot less likely to happen to HHS.

I think that's wrong. As far as game experience if the players played in every game since they were sophomores that would be closer to 45 games including playoff games. The fact that Highlands platoons and mostly upperclassman play I doubt very many seniors have played in a lot of games since their sophomore years except when running clocks were in play.

 

They don't have that much of an advantage over other teams when it comes to experience, maybe because the way Dale runs the program, players from other tams they face in the playoffs may actually have more games under their belts where they actually saw a lot of playing time.

 

 

It doesnt matter how many games the kids have played in...its how much Blue Koolaide they have consumed...Just sayin:thumb:

 

There have a whole bunch of games and a whole bunch of drink over the last 19 yrs..and that is the difference imo

 

Iam going to go with Highlands kids have the advantage in the experience department and nobody can disagree with this fact...

I think that's wrong. As far as game experience if the players played in every game since they were sophomores that would be closer to 45 games including playoff games. The fact that Highlands platoons and mostly upperclassman play I doubt very many seniors have played in a lot of games since their sophomore years except when running clocks were in play.

 

They don't have that much of an advantage over other teams when it comes to experience, maybe because the way Dale runs the program, players from other tams they face in the playoffs may actually have more games under their belts where they actually saw a lot of playing time.

If you look at it from the standpoint of strictly playing experience in games, they may not have any more than their opponents.

 

Game planning and preparation over those 60 games is another facet of the difference. Highlands coaches do a fantastic job preparing the game plan each week, so 60 weeks of preparation is a significant difference.

Let's talk strengths and weaknesses.

 

Highlands has a very balanced offense and could probably score utilizing either facet on offense. Defense has been stellar since the Warren Central game. CCH did run a little on the 'Birds.

 

What's LC look like? Passing or Running? How's the defense?

I'm talking about the environment, senior birds are on close to their 60th game and 19th playoff atmosphere. While other teams may have a deer in the headlights moment it's a lot less likely to happen to HHS.

 

It doesnt matter how many games the kids have played in...its how much Blue Koolaide they have consumed...Just sayin:thumb:

 

There have a whole bunch of games and a whole bunch of drink over the last 19 yrs..and that is the difference imo

 

Iam going to go with Highlands kids have the advantage in the experience department and nobody can disagree with this fact...

 

At least for this game you shouldn't get any 'deer in the headlight' reaction. This group of LexCath seniors have been in the last three semis - against HHS of course. Some of the seniors have been starting since they were sophomores. So they have some solid playoff experience under their belts - including games against the strong Bluebirds.

Let's talk strengths and weaknesses.

 

Highlands has a very balanced offense and could probably score utilizing either facet on offense. Defense has been stellar since the Warren Central game. CCH did run a little on the 'Birds.

 

What's LC look like? Passing or Running? How's the defense?

 

Junior Reese Ryan is QB. He has been starter since last year - taking over the position halfway through the regular season game against Boyle County. He has completed over 60% of his passes this season and has had efficiency ratings over 180 the first 3 games of the playoffs. Favorite receivers are senior Dave Bouvier and sophomore TE Sam Letton.

 

Running backs include H-back senior Marcelis Logan who has 4.3 speed and is amazing in the open field. F-back has primarily been senior Noah Mitchell. Both of these backs have averaged over 7 yards a carry. The other F-back is junior Carter Gray. Gray averaged over 13 yards on over 30 carries during the regular season.

 

Defensively, the Knights have played some of their best D in the post season, especially containing the run. In the first two games they held a somewhat pass-oriented Rockcastle to negative 25 yards rushing and strong running Russell County to 63 yards total running. So that was an average of only 19 yards per game total. They held a good running Mercer County team to 164 yards.

Junior Reese Ryan is QB. He has been starter since last year - taking over the position halfway through the regular season game against Boyle County. He has completed over 60% of his passes this season and has had efficiency ratings over 180 the first 3 games of the playoffs. Favorite receivers are senior Dave Bouvier and sophomore TE Sam Letton.

 

Running backs include H-back senior Marcelis Logan who has 4.3 speed and is amazing in the open field. F-back has primarily been senior Noah Mitchell. Both of these backs have averaged over 7 yards a carry. The other F-back is junior Carter Gray. Gray averaged over 13 yards on over 30 carries during the regular season.

 

Defensively, the Knights have played some of their best D in the post season, especially containing the run. In the first two games they held a somewhat pass-oriented Rockcastle to negative 25 yards rushing and strong running Russell County to 63 yards total running. So that was an average of only 19 yards per game total. They held a good running Mercer County team to 164 yards.

 

That's some good stuff BGC!

Junior Reese Ryan is QB. He has been starter since last year - taking over the position halfway through the regular season game against Boyle County. He has completed over 60% of his passes this season and has had efficiency ratings over 180 the first 3 games of the playoffs. Favorite receivers are senior Dave Bouvier and sophomore TE Sam Letton.

 

Running backs include H-back senior Marcelis Logan who has 4.3 speed and is amazing in the open field. F-back has primarily been senior Noah Mitchell. Both of these backs have averaged over 7 yards a carry. The other F-back is junior Carter Gray. Gray averaged over 13 yards on over 30 carries during the regular season.

 

Defensively, the Knights have played some of their best D in the post season, especially containing the run. In the first two games they held a somewhat pass-oriented Rockcastle to negative 25 yards rushing and strong running Russell County to 63 yards total running. So that was an average of only 19 yards per game total. They held a good running Mercer County team to 164 yards.

 

All good, but can we pump the brakes on the 4.3 stuff?

At least for this game you shouldn't get any 'deer in the headlight' reaction. This group of LexCath seniors have been in the last three semis - against HHS of course. Some of the seniors have been starting since they were sophomores. So they have some solid playoff experience under their belts - including games against the strong Bluebirds.

 

That's true, the extra games against a team that's made it as far as LC would not be that significant but it would still equate to maybe 4 or 5 additional playoff games for the seniors. Both teams should be plenty comfortable Friday night.

It will be interesting to see who spends more time on the field this game, Highlands D, or Letton? I've never seen a coach walk on to the field of play more than he did last year.

Anyone know if the issue from last year (see below) was ever addressed between the coaching staffs? I think they played on the JV and Frosh levels this year which makes me think it was addressed. Just trying to find out how, if at all, it was resolved.

 

 

http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/highlands-lex-cath-245486.html

If you haven't already guessed by now from the weakness of this thread, it's quite a hot potato. The issues ran deep between these two squads last season but I'm sure they've been handled for this week's game. Look for some tight lipped folks to open up during post game chatter especially if this game is another "homer". Until then, the whole topic's been shelved.

Are there Pre Sale tickets on sale for this game? Or are they not needed?

If you look at it from the standpoint of strictly playing experience in games, they may not have any more than their opponents.

That is the only type of experience that matters. Just saying theyhave more espereicne because they watched mroe games is stupid.