Congrats to Pulaski Co! I thought the much bigger Maroon OLine wore down the H defense and allowed Gregory to dictate things in 2nd half, but Johnsons takeaway for Halls underthrown TD pass in 3rd was a turning point for me. H couldnt find any answers on offense in second half.

Enjoyed meeting GCHS and Lawnboy! Good game to watch!

You just argued for a Defense that gave up 42 in a half in a State game and then, as a FTH fan, argued the validity of a win against GRANT Co., and beating a 5-7 Cov. Cath team.

 

This is surreal.

 

Scored 42 in a half and then lost.

 

And you really think he was justifying anything with a win over Grant? He was saying there were doubters that this team would even get by them.

 

In your rant, are you saying PC is not a good team? Because most felt they saw a great game today against a defending state champ and a team that no one felt was worthy of being on the field with them just a few weeks ago.

 

What is comical is seeing haters. But we've seen those kind many times before. They'll go away eventually.

Another question I have is why didn't the Birds blitz from the edge more? It seemed like Riley had all day back there after they figured out how to keep Robinson at bay.

 

Why Hebel and Daugherty weren't in on every defensive snap from the mid 3rd qtr to final horn point is mind boggling. JD is the most aggressive tackler they have, period and I saw him standing on the sidelines. Why? He doesn't even play offense! He's a Sr playing in his final game and he's standing. Same with Hebel, you ride those horses til they quit and I know there ain't no quit in those two kids.

Another point that should be made. HHS needed to vary the snap count & cadence in the 2nd half. Once PC stacked the box and dared HHS to throw the ball, #8 and #44 were coming "downhill" on every play with a running start. Never changed the snap count or cadence to slow that down or draw a penalty for a much needed free 5 yds.

 

In the past, HHS's very strong offense & 2-platoon system made running the hurry up offense work to their advantage. Either they moved the chains and drove the ball down the field while wearing the defense out OR they struck quickly and demoralized the defense. When your offense is not so potent, the hurry up has the opposite effect, particularly when playing with a lead. You run NO clock, you frustrate your offensive players who feel they have hardly played and you put your defenders back out there tired and frustrated because they barely had a chance to get a drink.

 

I realize the coaches want the offensive players "on attack" and when you slow that down, you can lose momentum from how they are used to playing (much like the old 4 corners in basketball). However, that is coaching. You need to make sure your team is comfortable playing both ways. When the difference is 25 seconds between snapping as soon as it is set ready for play and just before a delay penalty is called, you can really shorten the game. Also, if you can do it successfully, a 5 or 6 minute drive can really get a defense to hang their head because they feel the game slipping away from them.

Another point that should be made. HHS needed to vary the snap count & cadence in the 2nd half. Once PC stacked the box and dared HHS to throw the ball, #8 and #44 were coming "downhill" on every play with a running start. Never changed the snap count or cadence to slow that down or draw a penalty for a much needed free 5 yds.

 

In the past, HHS's very strong offense & 2-platoon system made running the hurry up offense work to their advantage. Either they moved the chains and drove the ball down the field while wearing the defense out OR they struck quickly and demoralized the defense. When your offense is not so potent, the hurry up has the opposite effect, particularly when playing with a lead. You run NO clock, you frustrate your offensive players who feel they have hardly played and you put your defenders back out there tired and frustrated because they barely had a chance to get a drink.

 

I realize the coaches want the offensive players "on attack" and when you slow that down, you can lose momentum from how they are used to playing (much like the old 4 corners in basketball). However, that is coaching. You need to make sure your team is comfortable playing both ways. When the difference is 25 seconds between snapping as soon as it is set ready for play and just before a delay penalty is called, you can really shorten the game. Also, if you can do it successfully, a 5 or 6 minute drive can really get a defense to hang their head because they feel the game slipping away from them.

 

BINGO!!

The coaches lost the game for HHS! You want to talk about being out coached this was a text book case...Pulaski made great adjustments and Highlands made zero! It was extremely frustrating watching the second half.. Horrible!!!

 

BINGO!!!

Sorry for the double bingo but in hind sight they both were right. I think three series in a row two runs to the same hole then have to try and pass third and long. Got way too predictable and as many said out coached in the second half. Congrats Pulaski and best wishes on a win next week. Awesome games by 16, 7, 2 and 44. I'm sure others as well but those stood out to me.

Now for the important thing. LA WILDCAT arrives late and still gets a seat on the 50 yard line.

After reading the pregame post and now reading all the post game posts, my question is, Was Highlands schedule really tough and that is why they lost those games, or is it because they were down? I thought they were very good team and equally as talented Pulaski. So, is it that Highlands Sturges winning when they aren't obviously the most talented team on the field? #8, 54, 55 ,74 10 were all studs for HHS. Just wondering. Also big shout out to HHS administration and game managers. Nothing but class. Definitely know how to host a high school football game.

On to a few of the Seniors I have had the pleasure to be around a little over the last couple years. Not only some pretty good players but even better kids. Mitchell Cain, Jared Dohrerty, Nick Kendell and Austin Beal. Proud of how you represented the "H" over the past 4 years. You didn't hear of these kids out doing things that were way out of line or embarrassing. Throwing pies at cars, drinking and the like. Instead they were doing things like helping Mitchell's grandmother put up her Christmas tree on Thanksgiving. Just good kids. Maybe not perfect but pretty close. Hate that their season and high school career has come to an end but bright things ly ahead for these gentlemen.

 

The hurt will take a while to heal but the preserverence shown this season will carry you to much bigger accomplishments in the future. I'm sure there are plenty of others that could be mentioned here but I wanted to give those kids a shout out. It has been a crazy ride this year and in the midst of what could have been a dismal season, you rose to the occasion and wrapped it up as one of the best four 5A teams in the state. Pretty proud Alumn here. Thanks for all the effort!!!

Now for the important thing. LA WILDCAT arrives late and still gets a seat on the 50 yard line.

 

Royalty!

After reading the pregame post and now reading all the post game posts, my question is, Was Highlands schedule really tough and that is why they lost those games, or is it because they were down? I thought they were very good team and equally as talented Pulaski. So, is it that Highlands Sturges winning when they aren't obviously the most talented team on the field? #8, 54, 55 ,74 10 were all studs for HHS. Just wondering. Also big shout out to HHS administration and game managers. Nothing but class. Definitely know how to host a high school football game.

 

This whole DOWN garbage is because some in Fort Thomas believe that every team in the last 101 years of football should not lose a game. Don't let anyone fool you, this team had talent, it just took a bit to figure out where that talent could be used the best. That happened at the bye week and the results showed.

After reading the pregame post and now reading all the post game posts, my question is, Was Highlands schedule really tough and that is why they lost those games, or is it because they were down? I thought they were very good team and equally as talented Pulaski. So, is it that Highlands Sturges winning when they aren't obviously the most talented team on the field? #8, 54, 55 ,74 10 were all studs for HHS. Just wondering. Also big shout out to HHS administration and game managers. Nothing but class. Definitely know how to host a high school football game.

 

Kind of a loaded question for HHS fans to answer. But I'll give you a stat (not sure if it's exactly right, but close) HHS has lost to only one NKy team in about 10-12 years and that was a very good Ryle team from 4-6 years ago in the last game of the regular season. They also beat that same Ryle team pretty bad in the first game of that same season. But my point is, NKy really wasn't much (if any) stronger than any of those other years and they lost to 3 NKy teams badly.

 

I absolutely think they got better over the course of the season, and it was great to see the fight in these kids. But looking back, I'm not sure how loaded the schedule even was. IMHO. It was a good schedule for a good 5a team. But not sure I would consider it "loaded" in hindsight.

This one game reminds me of the final HHS game from the 2013 season and the 2014 season, but for completely different reasons.

 

This 2015 Pulaski teams reminds me of the 2013 Collins team. About 6 or 7 very good players. Game changers. Team in a two-platoon system that allows these 6/7 players to be substituted in on the other side of the ball when needed. Jackson got several snaps at safety ( great wide out ). Helton ran the wildcat and made the crucial first down catch (LB). Mosely inserted at slot back or tight end (OLB). There were others but you get the point. Collins HS did the same thing in 2013 to end the Birds string of state championships.

 

I am reminded of 2014 as both that game and this game were a tale of two halves. I now know how the Owensboro fans felt after last years state game. Last years adjustments and second half domination by HHS, became this years signature for the Maroons.

I have no dog in the fight but there were a lot of people in the stands complaining about HHS coaching decisions. I don't know enough about the team to comment but that's what I heard .

 

I do believe the fake punt decision in the 3rd quarter was a bad idea.