Beechwood would be better to schedule Lloyd, Newport, NCC, Holmes, WVerona type teams. Not the powers that SK, Dixie or CC is, but, still decent teams that'll challenge them.

 

How do you get better winning by 35 plus every week?

If Beechwood and NCC want to keep playing the good 6A programs, then they will have to figure a way to get more kids on the field, if not full platooning. Having kids go against bigger, fresher opponents for 48 minutes is a formula for injury, and getting crushed in the 4th quarter. I think BW in particular needs some out of the box thinking if they are going to beat Mayfield. The "We are too small to platoon" thinking needs to be shelved and roster depth needs to be developed, even if BW has to put sophomores on the field who at the beginning of the season are not ready for varsity minutes. I agree with the poster who suggested scheduling WV, Lloyd, NCC. BW could develop roster depth against these type of opponents and not get inexperienced players overwhelmed or injured. I believe a couple of cycles of a reduced schedule would be beneficial to developing roster depth. Then reevaluate and consider adding 1 6a program , or Cov Cath.

I ask the question because the way I see it we are getting to a crossroads in N. Ky. It may be different elsewhere in the state. I see N. Ky. 6A taking a big step forward over the past couple years. In Cincinnati, I don't know of any small schools that play big schools and vice versa. Now, the Harbin system surely has a lot to do with that. But the fact is in Ohio small schools can't beat the good big schools. The big schools play platoon football and have too much size and depth. In N. Ky. 6A is on that path.

VOR, this supports the argument that I have been making for years and ofter get quiet a bit of push back on: The difference is football is not enrollment of the school, it is if you platoon or do not platoon. That is why Beechwood, and other 1A and 2A schools have been able to compete with, and beat 4A, 5A and 6A schools. When the playing field is level (neither team platoons) Beechwood, and NCC, have been very competitive with, and beaten, much larger schools. But, when the 5A or 6A school is able to platoon, Beechwood, or other non-platooning schools, struggle and seldom win. That reason is why you don't see non-platooning schools in Cincinnati play the platooning large schools in Cincinnati.

 

With the improvement of football in Kentucky, you are seeing more schools make the move to a platoon system. That is a good thing, and hopefully we will see more schools doing it soon. It takes a leap of faith on the part of the coach, many say "we don't have the numbers", but that is an excuse for most schools, but that is a different topic.

 

In summary, Beechwood, and other smaller schools need to find quality, non platooning, winning teams to schedule to prepare for the playoffs.

Beechwood and NCC play each other every year already correct?

Beechwood and NCC play each other every year already correct?

Yes

NCC has a proud tradition of taking on all comers. One down season (and it is not over yet, so it can still turn around) should not be a factor in keeping traditional rivalries alive for the Breds.

Again the question should not be should NCC and BW continue to play 5A AND 6A schools.......they will because it will make them better. The question is why would 5A and 6A teams keep scheduling BW and NCC if they can find better competition????

 

I understand the NKY 5A and 6A has not been all that great compared to the Louisville competition and has been subject to up and down years (heck 4-5 years ago I thought Ryle was going to dominate 6A in NKY for the next 10 years).

 

But I think the NKY 6A teams should only be playing 1 game at most against small school competition if they have any designs on becoming state contenders consistently..

NCC has a proud tradition of taking on all comers. One down season (and it is not over yet, so it can still turn around) should not be a factor in keeping traditional rivalries alive for the Breds.

 

Almost all comers.

NCC has a proud tradition of taking on all comers. One down season (and it is not over yet, so it can still turn around) should not be a factor in keeping traditional rivalries alive for the Breds.

 

A big reason that caused me to start this thread is that it is not one down season. Since 2011, the Breds are 1-9 versus 5A/6A schools. That is not necessarily because the Breds are down. I see that as proof that 6A, and 5A, have taken big steps forward in their programs making it much more of a challenge for NCC to beat them.

 

I agree with the posters above that Beechwood and NCC need to keep big schools on the schedule. I am just wondering and considering whether it should be 5A schools and not 6A. This pertains more to NCC, as Beechwood currently has Dixie Heights as their only 6A opponent.

 

Thinking out loud further here, and perhaps reconsidering to some extent for Beechwood, I am leaning toward keeping Dixie. I say this because honestly I am not convinced Dixie will sustain what they have done the past two years. They lose a large and talented senior class again this year, just like last year. Considering that plus this being a bit of a rivalry with many of the kids playing together at younger ages in youth football and knowing each other because of the schools being so close, if I were Beechwood I think I would try to keep Dixie on the schedule. I really like the addition of 5A Franklin County to the schedule and hope that game stays. Cov Cath is not going off the schedule unless Cov Cath says no. I am ok keeping 4A Holmes. Personally, I would drop 2A Holy Cross and try to schedule 5A Scott in their place. Keep the Skyline game as that has been good matchups. Definitely keep the New Cath rivalry game rolling on. That series has been awesome for both schools IMO. That gives you 7 good non district opponents that fits Beechwood's needs pretty well. And I think that overall is an upgrade if you can get Scott in place of Holy Cross. There are 2 games that likely will be very tough to win in Cov Cath and Dixie (if they continue down their current path) but you have to have a couple of those games on there. You will likely also be underdogs versus Franklin County and in the Skyline game. I like that schedule.

 

Now, what say the New Cath fans? What would you like to see your schedule looking like for the next two years. Keep all those 6A schools or switch a couple for 5A schools?

Here is what drives me nuts. Everyone says that the 2 a schools are playing bigger kids. How are they bigger. Just because the player goes to Dixie, Ryle, Campbell County, Trinity, or Male does not make them bigger. these kids are all about the same age and size. Now what is true is that a AAAAAA school does have more players (that's why they are 6A) and has the ability to platoon their team. I think that is what gets these smaller schools is the playing both ways VS platooning. I would think this is where your injuries become a factor. The QB from NewCath is a perfect example of playing booth ways vs platooning. I do believe that when you play the bigger schools your team learns how to play the distance and is better prepared for a playoff run against the better schools. blowing teams out A) does nothing to improve your team B) can lead to unnecessary injuries C) the 8th graders get varsity letters.

I have no problem with NewCath's schedule. Keep it they might surprise one of these teams

I think the N. Ky. 6A schools have their programs in line. They are mostly two platooning. Neither New Cath nor Beechwood has beaten a 6A school in the past two seasons. With schedules being reworked this year, I think it is time for these two small school powers to downsize their schedule. All they are going to get out of playing the N. Ky. 6A schools is injuries. What do you think?

I don't know about that. I think it depends on what 6A team they play. Beechwood and NCC can't hang with a SK or Dixie most of the time but I bet they could definitely take care of business against Ryle or Boone.

 

Then the questin is, do they get anything out of playing a Boone or Ryle?

Because it is extremely hard to make a schedule. There are enough 5A and 6A schools to make a schedule in NKY but all the schools won't play or can't make it work on open weeks they have. Its very tough to schedule Ohio schools on a two year contract because the week you play them, Week 3 for example, might be different on successive years. If you travel you kill your gate and unfortunately football has to make money for the rest of the high school programs. Why do you think Highlands wanted to get back to playing NKY teams? It was more of a gate issue than anything else. So you are left with very good 1A and 2A programs that are willing to play you to make their programs better.

 

Making a schedule is a lot more difficult than most people think. I do agree they shouldn't play because for the big schools they are in a no win situation. Win and your suppose to and loose god forbid and your a terrible program. Never mind that they are Championship caliber teams. As others have stated the gap between the big schools and smaller schools does seem to be getting wider.

 

If you can find better competition that meets all your needs than do it. I venture to say that they are the best competition available when all variables are looked at.

 

Again the question should not be should NCC and BW continue to play 5A AND 6A schools.......they will because it will make them better. The question is why would 5A and 6A teams keep scheduling BW and NCC if they can find better competition????

 

I understand the NKY 5A and 6A has not been all that great compared to the Louisville competition and has been subject to up and down years (heck 4-5 years ago I thought Ryle was going to dominate 6A in NKY for the next 10 years).

 

But I think the NKY 6A teams should only be playing 1 game at most against small school competition if they have any designs on becoming state contenders consistently..

A big reason that caused me to start this thread is that it is not one down season. Since 2011, the Breds are 1-9 versus 5A/6A schools. That is not necessarily because the Breds are down. I see that as proof that 6A, and 5A, have taken big steps forward in their programs making it much more of a challenge for NCC to beat them.

 

I agree with the posters above that Beechwood and NCC need to keep big schools on the schedule. I am just wondering and considering whether it should be 5A schools and not 6A. This pertains more to NCC, as Beechwood currently has Dixie Heights as their only 6A opponent.

 

Thinking out loud further here, and perhaps reconsidering to some extent for Beechwood, I am leaning toward keeping Dixie. I say this because honestly I am not convinced Dixie will sustain what they have done the past two years. They lose a large and talented senior class again this year, just like last year. Considering that plus this being a bit of a rivalry with many of the kids playing together at younger ages in youth football and knowing each other because of the schools being so close, if I were Beechwood I think I would try to keep Dixie on the schedule. I really like the addition of 5A Franklin County to the schedule and hope that game stays. Cov Cath is not going off the schedule unless Cov Cath says no. I am ok keeping 4A Holmes. Personally, I would drop 2A Holy Cross and try to schedule 5A Scott in their place. Keep the Skyline game as that has been good matchups. Definitely keep the New Cath rivalry game rolling on. That series has been awesome for both schools IMO. That gives you 7 good non district opponents that fits Beechwood's needs pretty well. And I think that overall is an upgrade if you can get Scott in place of Holy Cross. There are 2 games that likely will be very tough to win in Cov Cath and Dixie (if they continue down their current path) but you have to have a couple of those games on there. You will likely also be underdogs versus Franklin County and in the Skyline game. I like that schedule.

 

Now, what say the New Cath fans? What would you like to see your schedule looking like for the next two years. Keep all those 6A schools or switch a couple for 5A schools?

 

Since 2012.....

 

2011 NewCath beat:

Dixie 42-13

Cinti McNicholas 23-13

Campbell Co. 42-17

Simon Kenton 24-14

I don't/can't see BW or NCC scheduling down just to get wins. Those programs are too proud. They know what they have to do to be competitive in their class and don't seem to care about regular season losses if it means playing for a title in November.