So give your suggestions then since you seem to have all the answers. Worst by a Highlands team? Really, seems like an offensive line was called that a few years ago and a poster took abuse for it, but at the time it was probably pretty true.

 

Also define "soft" for me will you please? Lack of body size and skill level have little to do with being "soft" if you ask me.

 

First of all, I never claimed to have all, or any answers. Just made an observation.

 

Second, I said it was worst by a highlands team that I could remember. I stand by that statement. 2 Examples: on the on-side kick that Ryle returned all the way back to the 10 yard line. A HHS player ran up to the ball carrier and tried to arm tackle to returner around the shoulders around the 15 yrd line, and was thrown off the runner allowing the runner to gain about 5 more yards. Lower your shoulder and take out his legs. Simple.

 

On the next play, the running back ran through a hole on the left side. Either our LB or Safety filled the hole. Instead of again lowering his should, and using fundamental tacking skills, he tried to arm tackle the runner around the shoulders. He was thrown off the runner and the runner went on to score a TD.

 

Third, I know all to well about that offensive line you speak of. I also know that members of that offensive line were not happy to be labeled as one of the worst to come through Highlands. How did they respond? Oh, they went on to lead that team to a state championship? My point is they didnt sulk, and feel sorry for themselves when people told them they were bad. They got pretty mad about it and changed it.

 

Maybe this current Highlands team has been coddled long enough. Maybe they need to be told that what they are doing isn't working.

Although not a 'must win' for FTH, a win over X would be huge for their confidence before heading into conference games.

For the first time in many Years the Birds do not have the best athletes on the field. In the past several years this has helped them beat the 6A teams as they could out Athlete them. This year unfortunately you are seeing the big schools wear them down. Cooper and Ryle both exploded in the Second half after relatively competitive first halves. Saw St. X play Henry Clay and was not as impressed as I thought I would be as I thought they may challenge this year. Overall though I expect St. X to follow suit and wear Highlands down and run away in the end 35-21.

 

Not sure what game you watched when Highlands played Cooper, but the first half was not competitive. Actually the 2nd half was more compeititve as Coopers two way players were getting fatigued. First half it was 20-0 before Highlands scored.

Highlands fans keep saying they are down. They have over 80 kids this year. The past few years they had alot of injuries and still won with younger inexperienced kids. Maybe they need Dale to help out some way?

 

Surprised to see you say that. If Dale came back, SK would have to fill an open spot on its schedule.

Highlands fans keep saying they are down. They have over 80 kids this year. The past few years they had alot of injuries and still won with younger inexperienced kids. Maybe they need Dale to help out some way?

 

No eligibility left.

I would love to see the Birds get things turned around. Unfortunately I think its going to be very tough to do that this week against the 6A Tigers.

 

I thought the Birds looked good defensively when Hebel and Robinson were in the game. Their penetration allowed the linebackers to react and make some plays. As hard as the defense plays they just lack size and athleticism. If they could replicate Daugherty about 3-4 times I think they would be able to shut some teams down.

 

Offensively I dont like when they try and run Kendall between the tackles. He got popped pretty hard a few times in the Ryle game. If you want him for your Playoff run you better get him in space. I also think Hergott needs to be in the pocket and be given some intermediate routes to throw to in order to get his confidence up early. He throws a nice deep ball but it isnt always needed.

 

Good Luck Birds...Keep working hard and getting better.

First of all, I never claimed to have all, or any answers. Just made an observation.

 

Second, I said it was worst by a highlands team that I could remember. I stand by that statement. 2 Examples: on the on-side kick that Ryle returned all the way back to the 10 yard line. A HHS player ran up to the ball carrier and tried to arm tackle to returner around the shoulders around the 15 yrd line, and was thrown off the runner allowing the runner to gain about 5 more yards. Lower your shoulder and take out his legs. Simple.

 

On the next play, the running back ran through a hole on the left side. Either our LB or Safety filled the hole. Instead of again lowering his should, and using fundamental tacking skills, he tried to arm tackle the runner around the shoulders. He was thrown off the runner and the runner went on to score a TD.

 

Third, I know all to well about that offensive line you speak of. I also know that members of that offensive line were not happy to be labeled as one of the worst to come through Highlands. How did they respond? Oh, they went on to lead that team to a state championship? My point is they didnt sulk, and feel sorry for themselves when people told them they were bad. They got pretty mad about it and changed it.

 

Maybe this current Highlands team has been coddled long enough. Maybe they need to be told that what they are doing isn't working.

 

Yes things are not working, but what is not working? You talk about tackling at the knees or even below the waist, that is not how they are taught to tackle nowadays because of neck injuries and concussions.

 

Still do not see how all of this is "soft" though. You are taking an onside kick and the subsequent score as the only evidence that kids are soft?

 

I would ask why do you even onside kick there? You have 3 timeouts and a deep kick may have spelled trouble for Ryle since they had 9 guys within 15 yards of the ball. Kick deep, gamble on defense and hope you can create a turnover that leads to a quick score and then you onside kick when down only one score.

Everyone talks of needing to make changes, what should those changes be? I am interested to hear the thoughts of the many that get on these very airwaves and talk the talk, now lets walk the walk and discuss those changes.

JOAT. I believe it was you that stated we would not see the same Birds team like they were at Scott County. That seemed to imply there would be changes. Some, including myself threw out some ideas.

The kids seemed to, for the most part, have lost some intensity and drive from what I saw Friday. I saw a fired up Ryle team come out ready to fight after halftime and the other end of the field... Not so much. Score was tied and the Ryle bench was pumped and into the game. Didn't see that in the Birds side. Of course it's easier to see when they are right in front of you. Paging "Cowboy"... Get In That locker room and light a fire under their tails!!!

Im not going to go back and provide you with every instance in which they looked soft Friday night. The way in which they tackled, an unwillingness to come up and put a hat on someone when it needed to be done, is what makes me believe they are soft. I noticed this multiple times throughout the game Friday night. That is my unbiased opinion based on what I saw.

The QB position for X will determine the success of this team. He plays well it allows others to perform at a high level, he doesn't play well and you get a performance like the one against Central. A lot of pressure, but that's part of the position.

 

I feel like this applies as well to this HHS team. It's been mentioned by me and others that he is clearly a pocket passer. He can be very successful if he stays in that role. Shorten some routes, stay in the pocket longer (yes you might have to suffer a hit or two doing so but that's how good pocket passers are successful) and gain some confidence. In theory this might slow the rush a bit due to LBs having to stay home and then open the deeper routes. Which all in turn helps the running game. Easier said than done but you have to start somewhere.

Im not going to go back and provide you with every instance in which they looked soft Friday night. The way in which they tackled, an unwillingness to come up and put a hat on someone when it needed to be done, is what makes me believe they are soft. I noticed this multiple times throughout the game Friday night. That is my unbiased opinion based on what I saw.

 

In my experience a good hat is very important on defense...

 

Got to believe HHS is just a good 5A team this year by most standards. That might be competitive against less than a top 10 6A program (which would be a rarity for St. X to find itself). But that might be exactly what X is this year. Could be a competitive game if HHS can get some early momentum. Never seen HHS with a crisis of confidence, but that might be where the team is this year. Totally shocked and surprised by so much second guessing and back-stabbing by so called "Muellar die-hards, that would be a total embarrassment to Dale".

 

Can't believe I am rooting for the Birds, but my head says St. X by 20.

Is this the first meeting between these two teams some 2006?

 

I believe they have meet on the lower level since then though.

Is this the first meeting between these two teams some 2006?

 

I believe they have meet on the lower level since then though.

 

Yes. They last played a 2 year varsity series in 05/06. St. X won big in 05 in Louisville, and St. X won in a close game on 06 in Paul Brown Stadium.

Similarly to the BG series, I'm glad to see X and Highlands renew their series. It's great when top teams traditionally in the state play each other.