http://nationalhsfootball.com/2014/05/louisville-trinity-adds-two-out-of-state-high-school-football-contests/​

 

Basically, Trinity had to pay a third party to find two opponents-one from Florida and one from Pennsylvania. The GCL members, with Moeller the only exception, have told Trinity thanks, but no thanks. They cannot afford the potential loss as long as Harbin system rules the roost in Ohio.

 

At 0-5 all-time, it is easy to see why Scott County is not interested. The same goes for the northern Kentucky teams. So, Trinity will continue to use a "head-hunter" or promoter to find games for the next several seasons-the Don King of high school football.

Interesting.

I tried to post the link and it failed. This is from the National High School Football blog site. Dallas Jackson used to run the Rivals top 100 site and now has his own. I do not feel he is a direct competitor of this site because his site is NATIONAL. He does this practically full time. He is located in Nashville and has a nationwide panel of people who help him. I think this is interesting and explains how many of these cross country games come together.

 

 

How Louisville Trinity filled its schedule with OOS games

Posted by: Dallas Jackson May 27, 2014

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Within its home-state Louisville (Kent.) Trinity has separated from the pack.

 

Its 102-9 record against Bluegrass foes in the last decade has regularly forced the program to look to neighboring states for games. During that same time period the Shamrocks have played 30 out-of-state games and won a National Championship with six non-Kentucky teams on its schedule but the 2014 slate has two unique twists which has raised eyebrows.

 

 

Trinity has finalized its schedule for 2014 with seven out-of-state foes.

Trinity has finalized its schedule for 2014 with seven out-of-state foes.

Last week the school confirmed the schedule which was first reported as complete in January with unfamiliar foes: Philadelphia (Pa.) Imhotep Charter and Cocoa (Fla.) High.

 

Brian Hercules and his team at Hercules Sports Management negotiated both contracts for the school and explained how Trinity went from 30 games against teams in Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana to hosting programs from Pennsylvania and Florida.

 

“Trinity was honest with me from the beginning that they didn’t have a preference for who they played so long as it was a good game and since they have had such a hard time getting games I was able to be creative with the process,” he said. “I have done games from coast-to-coast and the basics are the same because I want to make sure my games are fairly matched.

 

“We try to put teams with similar ability and similar goals against each other so that each side is testing themselves. In my opinion there have been too many blowouts happening because of poorly matched games. Often people arranging the game think that since the teams have a similar number of elite athletes that the programs are similar and that hasn’t worked out. I am really proud that the overwhelming majority of games done by HSM have been close contests — we haven’t had many blowouts and I am not sure we have had a running clock game.”

 

Hercules said that he often reaches out to NationalHSFootball.com for recommendations and evaluations of teams and then with the parameters in place he is always on the lookout for the right fit.

 

Funding plays a role in what teams he can have travel over defined distances and that once each team shares what they have to offer and what they need to get it becomes easier.

 

After the money is in place it is about the right date, the right ticket increase — if there is to be an increase at all, and then getting the right publicity to make sure the fans are excited and support the game.

 

“It isn’t just selling the idea to the coaches and the administration that this is a team they should be playing it is making sure they are selling the excitement about the game to the fans,” Hercules said. “There are a lot of passionate fans that follow high school football and many of them are well educated about their team but when you announce a game from an area of the country they are unfamiliar with then there is a bit of ‘who are they’ that you need to overcome.

 

“For Trinity, in particular, these games are easy to sell. Imhotep is a fast-rising program from what many consider to be a traditionally strong state for football. They had success last year reaching the state finals and will be competitive. Cocoa is nationally-ranked, they have a young quarterback like Trinity is going to have, and they are a name-brand school that people should want to see.”

 

Imhotep Charter was the Pennsylvania Class Double A runner-up in 2013 and finished No. 15 in the final state rankings.

 

The team came to Hercules looking for its next opportunity.

 

“Imhotep reached out to me because they were looking to take the next step with their program,” he said. “I asked them to explain where they were with their growth and what they thought they could handle and after a few conversations Trinity was on a short list that I presented to them.

 

“They took some time to discuss internally and then came back with Trinity as their first choice. I presented the idea and it was pretty simple from there.”

 

Imhotep made its first venture into legitimate out-of-state competition last season as it defeated Youngstown (Ohio) Cardinal Mooney but fell to Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian and is slated to travel into Harry Jansing Field at Marshall Stadium for a contest on Sept. 5.

 

Cocoa is much more familiar to fans that follow high school football on a national level.

 

The Tigers burst onto the map when they kicked down the door as a Class 2A program in Florida defeating defending Texas 5A Division I champion, Abilene High in 2010.

 

Cocoa has since added wins against Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic, Olive Branch (Miss.) High, and Jefferson Hills (Pa.) Thomas Jefferson as well as suffering defeats against Cincinnati (Ohio) Colerain, West Monroe (La.), and Dallas (Texas) Skyline.

 

It finished last year at No. 21 in the state of Florida and figures to start higher this season, with the potential to be inside the Preseason HSFB100 rankings.

 

Cocoa coach John Wilkinson is a regular on the call list for Hercules.

 

“We talk every year but haven’t found the right fit since I was able to send him to Pennsylvania a few years back, but this game worked out great for everyone,” Hercules said. “Wilk is an ambassador in that he uses football to get his kids out of their area. They want to travel every year to open eyes and show kids that there is more out there than just Cocoa.

 

“The team is always competitive and they are easy to get travel funds because they only bring 50 people with them.”

 

Wilkinson jokes that being cost effective has helped with finding opportunities.

 

 

Cocoa has agreed to a contest on Sept. 19.

Cocoa has agreed to a contest on Sept. 19.

“We are a cheap date,” he said. “We don’t ask for much because we travel so light and we have a great community that supports what our kids do.”

 

Trinity had to wait five months to officially announce Cocoa was on its schedule because it was waiting approval from the Brevard County school district.

 

Wilkinson said that he appreciated the patience from Trinity Director of Finance and Administration, Rob Saxton, and Hercules as both could have moved on from the game.

 

“They waited for me and it took longer than usual,” Wilkinson said. “It shows what kind of character they have that they stuck to their word.”

 

Being honest with all parties, according to Hercules, has to be part and parcel with how he operates his business.

 

“Doing one game is easy but I want to be building relationships and trust so that I can do multiple games with schools and they know I am being above board with them,” he said. “Once we start talking and looking for games it is all about being truthful. From their end I need to know the honest finances and how willing they are to contribute and for them I think they need to know I am looking out for their best interest and doing my research to find them good games.”

 

Trinity will still be taking on Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth, Carmel (Ind.) High, Cincinnati (Ohio) Colerain, Indianapolis (Ind.) Cathedral, and Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller as no teams from Kentucky wanted to add the Shamrocks to the schedule.

 

The team is coming off of a 6-6 season and looking to rebound back to its title-winning ways.

 

With one of the most difficult schedules nationally, it may be a rocky road back to the top of the high school football mountain.

 

“Trinity has had so much success that it is going to be looking for games,” Hercules said. “I have had teams tell me that they don’t think they are ready to play Trinity — and that happens to a lot of high-profile teams. Sometimes that makes it easier on me because once you have a willing partner the game gets done but sometimes finding a willing partner is tough.

 

“I figure Trinity is going to keep looking locally because trips to Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Nashville are easy and they won’t need me for that but from our conversations this year I feel like there will be more national contest coming for Trinity and its fans.”

http://nationalhsfootball.com/2014/05/louisville-trinity-adds-two-out-of-state-high-school-football-contests/​

 

Basically, Trinity had to pay a third party to find two opponents-one from Florida and one from Pennsylvania. The GCL members, with Moeller the only exception, have told Trinity thanks, but no thanks. They cannot afford the potential loss as long as Harbin system rules the roost in Ohio.

 

At 0-5 all-time, it is easy to see why Scott County is not interested. The same goes for the northern Kentucky teams. So, Trinity will continue to use a "head-hunter" or promoter to find games for the next several seasons-the Don King of high school football.

 

As far as no N Ky teams goes, I will tell you that Cov Cath scheduled St X a few years back when they were tall timber - and they already play GCL teams every year. They end the home and home with Moeller this year.

Interesting stuff. Do they use a gate split formula of some kind to pay promoter and opposing team, and if so, what is it?

Wonder how many clients he works with each year.

I sure hope the Rocks will be up to the challenge this year, in both ability and leadership.

As far as no N Ky teams goes, I will tell you that Cov Cath scheduled St X a few years back when they were tall timber - and they already play GCL teams every year. They end the home and home with Moeller this year.

All the 6A schools were offered financial incentives to play home and home and opted not to play. I am glad CovCath is on the way back. Maybe someday. I understand you all still have a fight to get lights installed.

I understand you all still have a fight to get lights installed.

 

Funny, it feels like I was somewhere where this was being discussed recently, hmmmm. I remember Irish music, beer, Scotch eggs and a green phallus being present too? How bizarre.

All the 6A schools were offered financial incentives to play home and home and opted not to play. I am glad CovCath is on the way back. Maybe someday. I understand you all still have a fight to get lights installed.

 

Interesting. I would have thought that at least one of the 6A teams would take that on. Talk about a measuring stick.

 

Yes- the outside fighting is done. City and neighborhood fine with it- now just a matter of raising the money for not just the lights, but the stadium as well.

Interesting. I would have thought that at least one of the 6A teams would take that on. Talk about a measuring stick.

 

Yes- the outside fighting is done. City and neighborhood fine with it- now just a matter of raising the money for not just the lights, but the stadium as well.

 

Not really think about it, if your a non district 6A team, knowing that more than likely the state title goes through Trinity, why play them in the regular season, why risk the playbook, game plan, or injuries, when you more than likely will have to play them again.

Not really think about it, if your a non district 6A team, knowing that more than likely the state title goes through Trinity, why play them in the regular season, why risk the playbook, game plan, or injuries, when you more than likely will have to play them again.

Teach them to fear their possible playoff opponent.

As far as no N Ky teams goes, I will tell you that Cov Cath scheduled St X a few years back when they were tall timber - and they already play GCL teams every year. They end the home and home with Moeller this year.

Has CovCath tried to schedule Trinity lately? Or Trinity CovCath? They have played only 3 times & that was over 40 years ago, the first game of the season for Trinity from 1970 to 1972. Rocks won all 3, all looked competitive, last one was the biggest margin, 19-0, & that was the start of Trinity's 2nd state championship year.

Teach them to fear their possible playoff opponent.

Male sure sized us up pretty good last year in the reg season game & embarrassed us in the playoffs. Of course T and H are in same district, but still the principle is sound. In 2012, Rocks beat St X 34-7 in reg season then managed to escape by a point in the playoffs due to an incredible defensive effort. Yeah, James Quick was knocked out of game on T's first O series but still, they had guys who could step up. X's premier back, Charles Walker, broke his leg later on. Both teams were banged up. The truth is St. X used that reg season game to completely figure us out & they were ready.

From everything being said, it sounds like T will be loaded for bear this year. Can't imagine any T fan not being excited about the upcoming schedule.