Marksberry has done a very nice job and I do think all the moves you outline worked well at Simon Kenton. However, there is one other major factor, probably the biggest factor of all, that has led to Simon Kenton's success - demographics. Simon Kenton's district has been a boom town over the past 15 years. From 2000 to 2010, Independence has grown by 65%. At one point it was one of the 100 fastest growing cities in the United States. Huge growth with nice homes. That gives you a lot more good kids and families to work with. IMO, this is reason #1 for Simon Kenton's improvement.

That is a very valid point as well. Sounds like the perfect storm for football in Independence.

Highlands does not have to answer to a public school board and administration. There is no district executive that tells you when you can practice, where and when you can travel and they don't tell what you can do with the money your program raised.

 

No one has had to build anything at Highlands in decades. They only had to maintain the culture that was there. Big difference. We in Independence know where we came from and as a result we retain our humility. Some have much difficulty in this area.

 

What in the world are you smoking. Highlands has all that to answer to. I coach there. Just got reprimanded for having a work out on Wednesday nights. That's considered an church night and we aren't allowed to schedule anything after 6pm. So tell me we don't deal with city school boards and administrations. We are exactly the same. It's hilarious the perceptions people have.

Highlands is Independent, like Beechwood and Walton-Verona. They are not part of Campbell County School District. They get to make way more decisions locally.

 

Please explain!

Marksberry has done a very nice job and I do think all the moves you outline worked well at Simon Kenton. However, there is one other major factor, probably the biggest factor of all, that has led to Simon Kenton's success - demographics. Simon Kenton's district has been a boom town over the past 15 years. From 2000 to 2010, Independence has grown by 65%. At one point it was one of the 100 fastest growing cities in the United States. Huge growth with nice homes. That gives you a lot more good kids and families to work with. IMO, this is reason #1 for Simon Kenton's improvement.

 

BINGO!

Jeff has done a wonderful job. It's hard to believe he's the longest tenured HC in NKY. It would be interesting to see if we won 56 games combined in the 80s and 90s.

You ask what the best way to build up a program? I like what Marksberry is doing but there are others that have done better IMO.

Highlands is the perfect example of a team in this area that showed how to build through schedules. CCH is the next one I would think of.

 

 

How has Highlands ever had to "build?" They've always been good. And whenever it may have been in the past — as I'm sure some HHS old-timer is happy to trot out some story about how difficult it was in 1950 or whenever the last time was that the Bluebirds truly struggled — none of that applies now.

 

Highlands fans have no frame of reference for the question of "building" a program. They've never dealt with real struggles. They've only known one way, and that's sustenance, continuing to build upon a granite foundation. It's just not like that everywhere.

 

CovCath fans should listen to this as well. While their times haven't been up to standard in recent years, the foundation is still there.

Marksberry has done a very nice job and I do think all the moves you outline worked well at Simon Kenton. However, there is one other major factor, probably the biggest factor of all, that has led to Simon Kenton's success - demographics. Simon Kenton's district has been a boom town over the past 15 years. From 2000 to 2010, Independence has grown by 65%. At one point it was one of the 100 fastest growing cities in the United States. Huge growth with nice homes. That gives you a lot more good kids and families to work with. IMO, this is reason #1 for Simon Kenton's improvement.

 

Population growth has been pretty explosive in Boone County as well. How are those large school programs doing? Connor and SK both graduated D1 quarterbacks. Who was better prepared for continued success?

Simon Kenton also does a couple of things that other coaches are afraid to do. Platoon and balance the offense.

I don't think other coaches are afraid to platoon. I think

It has more to do with not having enough players to do so. If they had the numbers I would say just about all of the coaches would prefer to platoon.

 

This is the first year Cooper is getting. Numbers and now only has a couple playing both ways compared to years past where most played both ways.

 

SK has an advantage over a lot of schools. They have the numbers. That doesn't make the coach a genius.

Population growth has been pretty explosive in Boone County as well. How are those large school programs doing? Connor and SK both graduated D1 quarterbacks. Who was better prepared for continued success?

 

Conner is still 5A in size. SK still

Has more kids.

How has Highlands ever had to "build?" They've always been good. And whenever it may have been in the past — as I'm sure some HHS old-timer is happy to trot out some story about how difficult it was in 1950 or whenever the last time was that the Bluebirds truly struggled — none of that applies now.

 

Highlands fans have no frame of reference for the question of "building" a program. They've never dealt with real struggles. They've only known one way, and that's sustenance, continuing to build upon a granite foundation. It's just not like that everywhere.

 

CovCath fans should listen to this as well. While their times haven't been up to standard in recent years, the foundation is still there.

Never said they has to build. I said the way they schedule has helped lead to

Their success.

 

If we are praising SKs schedule. Let's first point to HHS schedule who does it better.

Never said they has to build. I said the way they schedule has helped lead to

Their success.

 

If we are praising SKs schedule. Let's first point to HHS schedule who does it better.

HHS new schedule will look different in the next few years.

Highlands is Independent, like Beechwood and Walton-Verona. They are not part of Campbell County School District. They get to make way more decisions locally.

 

What? Okay I know we have had this discussion in so many threads but beng an Independent school district just means you are a public school system that runs like every county school system. No difference. Man when will we ever learn. Yes they are independent of the county school system but they get no advantage or different set of rules to go by.

Population growth has been pretty explosive in Boone County as well. How are those large school programs doing? Connor and SK both graduated D1 quarterbacks. Who was better prepared for continued success?

 

Cooper High School ... enough said.

Cooper High School ... enough said.

 

Why is it enough said? Ryle has an almost identical enrollment as SK. Why would they need more students to accomplish the same success.

Cooper High School ... enough said.

 

 

There are 5 High Schools in Boone County.and 7 in Kenton County.