Its fun to go back and read the updates thread on this game. Everyone seemed to be in agreement. OHS speed & mix of run and pass killed Highlands in the first half. OHS questionable play calling in the second half at least made it easier for Highlands. Not taking anything away from their offense, because Hodge and company flat got the job done in the second half. I think fatigue was also a major factor in this one. Highlands depth was a big key in their comeback IMO.

Congrats to Highlands what a crazy past few years it's been! Glad to see them back on top, two years in a row the state game goes down to the wire; 2 years most of us are very wrong in the prediction thread.

 

Mr. Hoge, you are going to be dearly missed!

Bluebirds inspired by injured Abner

Wow! Just read they the update thread. That was crazy. And, yes this was like a movie script as corny as it sounds. And good ole Hellbird, I think he was the only outsider who called the comeback. Even before half. Lol!

 

What an incredible and emotional game for the players and fans. This one will be remembered for a long time by a lot of people.

 

Great job Birds! So proud of all the Birds!

 

#wonforthem!

 

#crownforcowboy

Great game. It was obvious Owensboro wasn't stopping Highlands. I was confident at halftime that the defensive coaches could make the adjustments to slow down Owensboro, but I wasn't convinced they could be totally shut out. I thought it would take turnovers to win. While Owensboro did make turnovers, they were made because Owensboro had to take chances in the air. The run adjustments were amazing. They completely shut down Owensboro in the 2nd half. The game went completely opposite of what I expected to see. I figured Highlands would get a big early lead with Owensboro making the score respectable late. The drive home was much more enjoyable than last year.

Is this game an illustration of what benefits playing a tough regular season schedule will do for you?

The Highlands experience of being down big at that half and coming back against Florida and Elder sure didn't hurt. It even helped the fans. Their was no doubt the offense was coming out fast and strong and the D would come out adjusted. The guys knew what they needed to do to take care of business. Had they not had that experience during the year, it may have been a different mindset coming out of half time.

Is this game an illustration of what benefits playing a tough regular season schedule will do for you?

 

I think it helped in keeping the Birds from panicking. They had battled back a few times this season so they knew it was possible.

I think it helped in keeping the Birds from panicking. They had battled back a few times this season so they knew it was possible.

 

My thoughts exactly. When you play a schedule that's built for success your flaws are found until you finally do have to play a tough opponent.

Thanks to Mike for all the great writes over the yrs, you are the best :thumb:

I wish I could of put a camera in the HHS locker room at halftime. The first half performance on D was about as worse as I have ever seen. I'm guessing coach W went in and lit some coaches up? Whatever happened it worked and the D looked like a totally different team in the second half. DJ Mills and Rocco Pangallo played a whale of a game on defense. Beau Hoge is about as cool and collected of a high school qb I have seen. The kid is special and will be missed next year that is for sure! I know Beau will do great things at BYU. Congrats to all the Seniors especially Big Country & Cowboy! :ylsuper:

Wow! Just read they the update thread. That was crazy. And, yes this was like a movie script as corny as it sounds. And good ole Hellbird, I think he was the only outsider who called the comeback. Even before half. Lol!

 

What an incredible and emotional game for the players and fans. This one will be remembered for a long time by a lot of people.

 

Great job Birds! So proud of all the Birds!

 

#wonforthem!

 

#crownforcowboy

I just had a very strong feeling they were going to win. You can tell when a team is panicking and when they are still under control and HHS just looked like a team that knew they could score at will even after falling behind by 3 TD's.

 

Beau is just too good to let anything phase him and HHS has too many kids who know how to win.

 

Good game Birds, and don't ever let anyone tell you I'm a hater

Da da da da...da da da...:thumb:

I watched the game but did not pay a whole lot of attention to how many guys for OHS went both ways. Does anyone know? I wonder if fatigue played a factor in the second half. OHS looked tired to me at times...

Still really collecting my emotions but just want to give a big shout out to my nephew Johnny "Big Country" Abner...

 

My favorite big guy of all time, so excited for you Johnny for being part of something really special and can't wait to see you play in the coming yrs at MSJ...:thumb: