Is Donald Brooks a senior for T or did he graduate?

I'm sure if I could go back and search posts from a few years ago I'd find I speculated that Bo Hoge was going to have a hard time playing varsity QB because of his size. YIKES!

 

Cat is big. Anyone have frosh measurements vs today?

Is Donald Brooks a senior for T or did he graduate?

He is a senior.

I usually don't coment on uniforms but I really like what Trinity wore last night..............clean, simple and classy.

I'm sure if I could go back and search posts from a few years ago I'd find I speculated that Bo Hoge was going to have a hard time playing varsity QB because of his size. YIKES!

 

Cat is big. Anyone have frosh measurements vs today?

 

I am not saying that he is anywhere near as good so everybody doesn't go crazy, but his game has a Johnny Manziel feel to it. He is very instinctive in his scrambles and very agile. It got him in trouble last night at times, but even when he was sacked he made it fun to watch. He also has a very strong arm. Once he realizes that he can't over throw Venneman, watch out.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The two teams tend to expose opposing weaknesses like crazy.

That’s why the Highlands Bluebirds and Louisville Trinity Shamrocks own Kentucky-record 22 state championships each and are aiming to bring gold trophies back to their respective campuses this year. Trinity lost to Louisville Male in the Class 6A regional finals last year and Highlands fell to Collins in the 4A title game.

The Shamrocks have done that to the Bluebirds for five straight years in scrimmages. They won the three-quarter scrimmage, 31-6 Friday at David Cecil Memorial Stadium.

“We could have scrimmaged somebody else, scored more points than they did and left here feeling pretty good about ourselves,” said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Head Coach. “When you play a team like that, you’re so good isn’t good enough. We found weaknesses (Friday) that we thought we were better at. We’re trying to get to where we can have a lot of success against those guys.”

Highlands is breaking in many new faces on the offensive line this year after graduating 12 offensive linemen. That showed at times with some fumbles and pressure on quarterback Beau Hoge.

Trinity played a 4-3 defense for many years. But the Shamrocks switched to a 50 defense under new Defensive Coordinator Jay Cobb. Cobb previously served as head coach at Somerset and Campbellsville.

“It might not look like it as a fan. But (the offensive linemen) played well,” Weinrich said. “From our standpoint, they got better at what we need to get done. We had no idea what to expect from them. We had no game plan. We’ll work like crazy to get better.”

Hoge did make some plays with his feet. Hoge hit Alex Veneman for a 38-yard touchdown with 2:42 left in the third quarter for the lone Highlands touchdown.

“(Beau) was harnessed to keep him healthy,” Weinrich said. “We told him to stay in the pocket as long as he could. We worked on a lot of things that we were struggling with in practice.”

Highlands ran some read-option plays on the opening offensive series. Senior Griffin Urlage and junior Nick Kendall had some carries on that series.

Hoge threw most of the deep passes to Veneman. But other receivers like junior Chandler New and senior Jack Telek also made plays as well.

“Our routes are different this year,” New said. “We’re running a lot of shorter routes instead of trying to hit the home run every play. Going against Trinity will help because that’s the best corners we’ll see all year. They’re fast and athletic.”

Trinity scored quickly to open the scrimmage. The Shamrocks led 17-0 after one quarter and 31-0 entering the third quarter. Highlands missed some scoring opportunities in both quarters.

“We have an awful lot of work to do. For two quarters (Friday), I thought we played downhill really well,” said Bob Beatty, Trinity Head Coach. “In the third quarter, we lost our momentum a little bit. I like where we are. They’re kids are well-coached. They’re going to do well in their class. I hope we can continue to scrimmage.”

The Highlands defense also made some plays. Senior defensive lineman D.J. Mills had a couple quarterback sacks and senior defensive back Grayson Heck had an interception.

“The purpose of this is a practice for us,” said Shelby Jones, Highlands Defensive Coordinator. “A lot of guys got an opportunity to play. When you’re playing a really good team, they’re going to make some plays. It’s going to take a little time for us to get going. We’ll take a look at what we did well and build on it.”

Trinity started a sophomore quarterback in Larry Harper III. Highlands made Trinity earn its points not allowing big plays for the most part.

“This is good for us because it gives us an opportunity to go against someone other than ourselves,” said Patrick Schoepf, Highlands senior linebacker. “A lot of it was nerves because it was the first game. Other than that, I think we’ll be fine.”

Highlands has another scrimmage Friday at Cincinnati St. Xavier. It is the Week Zero for Kentucky teams, but Ohio teams do not start regular season play until the week of Aug. 29.

Newport Central Catholic 12, Covington Holmes 0:

The Thoroughbreds defeated the Bulldogs in their annual scrimmage Friday.

Neither team scored until late in the scrimmage. Sophomore Kole Carmack scored for NewCath.

“You always want a shutout,” said Dan Wagner, NewCath Head Coach. “It’s not always possible. They’re like us – still figuring things out. We have things to work on like everyone else.”

NewCath did hit a field goal earlier in the contest by junior Ryan Hans. The Thoroughbreds missed some other scoring opportunities throughout the scrimmage.

Wagner said the starting quarterback competition is down to two players after senior Grant Schilling went down with an injury Friday. Junior Erik Anderson and sophomore Patrick Henschen are vying for the spot.

NewCath opens the season Friday in eastern Kentucky. The Thoroughbreds travel to Ashland Blazer for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: Highlands, NC find area for improvement in scrimmages

Great photos AllenR and thanks for sharing. Just curious since it was mentioned in a couple posts. How does holding a position in student government have any bearing on the outcome of a football game.

 

"Check, check, better audible this guy is the student government pres." I wish the young man well on and off the field. Glad to see the Rocks fans supportive of the classroom as well. :thumb:

In mentioning it, my thinking was that he must be a good, mature kid with leadership skills and would accordingly be able to handle in a very positive way being beaten out as starting QB by a sophomore, including being ready when and if called upon.

I am not saying that he is anywhere near as good so everybody doesn't go crazy, but his game has a Johnny Manziel feel to it. He is very instinctive in his scrambles and very agile. It got him in trouble last night at times, but even when he was sacked he made it fun to watch. He also has a very strong arm. Once he realizes that he can't over throw Venneman, watch out.

 

I'm expecting that by playoff time he won't need to scramble so much.

But the Shamrocks switched to a 50 defense under new Defensive Coordinator Jay Cobb. Cobb previously served as head coach at Somerset and Campbellsville.

Had no idea he was up there...

I bet Dale got some calls this morning haha

I bet Dale got some calls this morning haha

 

Well if you look at it, T is a whole lot better than last year, and H faired a lot better with a lot of questions than last year. So I'm guessing the Bird will be just fine. I'm seeing this as a big year for these two big boys.

I bet Dale got some calls this morning haha

 

Maybe so.....

 

But I bet he didn't answer. I heard he went fishing!

I'm sure if I could go back and search posts from a few years ago I'd find I speculated that Bo Hoge was going to have a hard time playing varsity QB because of his size. YIKES!

 

Cat is big. Anyone have frosh measurements vs today?

 

"Beau" said 5'-4" & 135 lbs and proud of it. He said thanks for asking though! Lol...He showed me a screen shot on his phone of a post actually from his Freshman year that you made saying Beau may want to consider learning how to "Backpedal" I couldn't believe he has kept it this entire time. Says it reminds him of the people that said he wasn't ever going to be a good HS QB. Thought you would like to know that you are part of Beau's motivation.

Anyone have an up close view of the pass interference call in the second quarter in the south end zone?

 

Please tell me what you saw.

 

This is my take. Trinity passes the ball into the end zone - the flag was thrown and a few of the guys around me were complimenting the Trinity receiver for tackling Abner to make sure it was not intercepted. It was going to bring up a 4th and 7 or if the penalty accepted 3rd and 17. We were wondering if HHS would accept the penalty.

 

The official signaled pass interference on the defense. I was sure he just pointed the wrong way. Nope. They walked it off against the Birds and it gave Trinity a first down, the Rocks went on to tack on a score to make it 24-0 at that time.

From the Trinity section I saw the Highlands defender pull down on the arms of the Trinity receiver before the ball arrived. I immediately thought defensive pass interference. But I am a Trinity supporter.