Im sticking with my gut and saying Dixie pulls of the upset tonight. And to me it really not that big of an upset. They play really good defense and love to get after teams. I have been saying it since the Boone loss, against a good defensive team, I have no reason to pick Holmes until they show me something. They lost to NCH and that was legit. They lost to NCC and shouldn't have. They lost to Boone and shouldn't have. They beat a bad Conner team. They struggled with Beechwood, and then got blown out by CovCath.

 

Many people from Bulldogland want to think everything is just fine and dandy, but I can't buy it. I hope am wrong, and I'll be the first to eat my crow, but I feel confident about this pick. Maybe by the end of the night I'll have a totally different opinion about how the bulldogs are looking.

 

My opinion about the Dogs hasn't changed.

Nice call NKYBOY. Impressive.

Nice call NKYBOY. Impressive.

 

Thanks Crossbar. So far I'm 2 for 2. Feeling good about my chances for tommorrow and the rest of the week. We should have made this a contest.

I agree with that one. Although I think I would have been 1 for 2. I thought Holmes would still win this one. Not surprised to see them out, but I just had the feeling they would win. Dixie should make the finals.

NCC defeats Conner thanks to Kiernan inside and the sharpshooters from the outside being too much for the Cougars.

Dixie will beat Holmes because of the revenge factor and the seniors don't want to go out in the first round of the tournament.

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Pretty good predictions for the first two games, Colfan.:thumb:

Let's recap the past 3 years shall we? Heeeere we go:

 

2003 - St. Henry steals the 9th region crown from favorite Highlands. Everyone thinks they go down to powerhouse Mason County. SH's big man takes a fall in the first quarter and is unable to return. They lose to Mason County by 2. Mason goes on to win the state championship by 20+.

 

2004 - Covington Catholic dominates the 9th and goes to Rupp not expected to do much. They turn out to beat a weak Carlisle County team, then somewhat upset power PRP. They lose to Warren Central by 4, after a very very close game, which came down to a classic finish. Warren Central goes on to win later that day by 10 for the state championship.

 

2005 - Holmes Bulldogs go to Rupp arena after manhandling the Conner Cougars in the 9th region final. They lose to Warren Central by 2 points and Warren Central winds up with a chance to defend their title, losing to a very good South Laurel team.

 

So in 2003, 9th region team loses to state champion by 2. 2004, 9th region loses to state champion by 4. 2005, 9th region team loses to state runner-up by 2.

 

Now, call me crazy, but it seems the 9th region has been doing pretty good as of late in the state tournament.

I guess if you equate losing with doing well then I guess the 9th ranks right up there. How about a 9th region team actually gets to the finals or (dare I say it) win the thing. Thats competing for a state championship. Talking about how close you came to beating the eventual champs is pitiful. Someone explain to me why the 9th can't produce a winner. I think Highlands can win the 9th region, but in reality they have virtually no shot to win the state title. Good thing such mediocrity is not accepted by the football programs up here

Mcrunch. You said the 9th is "historically weak" in the state tournament. While the 9th never seems to get over the hump and win the whole thing... we definitely compete up here. And I threw out valid points over the past 3 years of 9th region teams doing very well against the state's top teams and almost beating them. The 9th always competes.

I agree... simply going to Rupp Arena and competing is not good enough in my book either. Why cant we win a state title? With all the AAU ball and kids playing year round.... why should we just succumb to the Louisville teams or teams like South Laurel, Warren East, etc... I think it is about time we go down there with the intent on winning the thing. I also agree I don't see any teams up here this year as having a chance to win the state title.