Seriously, folks, the fact that Highlands made the state semifinals without beating a team with a winning record all year underscores how weak some of these six Kentucky football classes are.

Highlands + Scott (assuming they still qualify) + 2 others that would involve some travel and no history = No 4A

 

Highlands + CovCath +Dixie + maybe another NKY team dropping from 6A = YES 5A

4A has 2 NK - Holmes, and Scott with

Bourbon County, Harrison County, Mason County

 

5A District is Covington Catholic, Dixie Heights, Grant County, Highlands

 

Dixie is 6A school that choose to move down and play 5A

 

Highlands is middle 4A school playing up

Cov Cath 2nd largest 4A (just behind Johnson Central) playing up

I was told recently by someone very close to the program, that the only thing that matters is being tied or ahead of Trinity in the number of state titles. If this 4 year stretch of 5A doesn't pan out as they originally expected, I think Highlands will be back in 4A on the next realignment. Especially if Trinity gets a title or two during that span and starts to pull away.

 

IMO going back to 4A would be a horrible statement to make...if Highlands were to do that it would mean that they no longer think they are elite statewide and will be happy just to drop down to collect state titles. I hope they stay at 5A and slug it out with BG and others for years to come, that is the best thing for football in Kentucky...

 

Jumper, you know I love ya, but I have never heard anyone say "keeping up with Trinity" is all that matters. And as a HHS fan, I could care less what T does. And I don't think anyone that I would know would make that the number one priority at all. I'm not saying that who you talked to doesn't think or believe that whole heartedly and maybe many others do believe that, but that's certainly not what I measure them by.

 

With that said, my opinion is they would never move down unless logistically it made since. Like some of the reasons regarding districts that are talked about. Other than that, no way. Has HHS ever backed down from a challenge? They have played up a class almost every year they have been allowed. They always played a challenging schedule and begged the state to let them play up. Name another school in the state that asks to play up?

 

I think several people are looking at this one season with tunnel vision. You can't look at one or two years of a program that has the vast history of HHS. They have had this before...plenty of times. And they always seem to bring it back. Why in the world would this be any different. Did they have a challenging year this year, yes. Is it possible to have another next year, yes. But there were some on here that predicted this two years ago. These two classes just weren't as deep as they are accustomed to having. It happens. But it's coming again soon.

 

HHS would only move down if there were no local district teams or they were forced by the state.

I would think it would depend on CCH and local district opponents. I believe the only local 4A school is Scott? If so I expect HHS will continue to play up where they at least have a complete district locally.

 

Highlands + Scott (assuming they still qualify) + 2 others that would involve some travel and no history = No 4A

 

Highlands + CovCath +Dixie + maybe another NKY team dropping from 6A = YES 5A

 

Spot on.

 

HHS administration is not petitioning to play up or down based on the competition throughout the state. A complete local district is the key.

According to KHSAA data for determining class shows Trinity (1,294 boys - Avg 4 yrs) the second largest school in the state 6A class only behind St Xavier (1,377).

 

HHS is a 4A size 454 boys playing 5A with a range of 529 to 698 boys.

 

Given the size of HHS playing up in class you can expect some years will not be as strong and will show when playing mostly 6A schools outside of district teams.

 

I believe their decision to move up to 5A was due to district opponents in 4A vs 5A.

This will not set well with 4A fans but if Highlands did play in 4A they would meet South Warren 9 out of 10 years. I really don't see any competition for South Warren in 4A.

 

South Warren fans may not like this but if your biggest competition in regular season is Franklin and/or Greenwood that is not considered a stellar schedule. Their playoff run will only be faced with little friction from possibly Hop town.

 

If you ever wanted to be in a class, I think 4A is it the next few years.

 

Before the fans jump on this post, tell me I am wrong. Franklin, Greenwood??

 

Oh no. You're not wrong. How can FS, or anyone, think they can compete with South Warren?

South Warren will not be nearly as good next year. They lose a lot of senior leadership and talent. They will not be as dominate as this season. Franklin Simpson and Hopkinsville fielded very good teams this year and return a lot of players. Everybody seems to have forgotten about the Wildcats of Franklin Simpson. South Warren will not be a lock to win 4A every year, as many on here think. Looking forward to finding out next season.

I remember when Highlands lost in the Mud Bowl, it was all over, the program is finished. I remember when Highlands lost to Collins, it was all over, the program is finished. Highlands is going to have a bad season or two from time to time. They'll be back. Worst team in 20 years rallied and made it to the semi finals.

I remember when Highlands lost in the Mud Bowl, it was all over, the program is finished. I remember when Highlands lost to Collins, it was all over, the program is finished. Highlands is going to have a bad season or two from time to time. They'll be back. Worst team in 20 years rallied and made it to the semi finals.

 

You forgot they were dead when Rockcastle spanked them, and when LexCath shut them out at home and when J Lo's group left and when Gino's group left and when.....

4A does nothing for HHS to ever get better. No competition, more travel to have competitive games. This is a recurring event up or down, based on enrollment and competition.

 

For those not on the HHS fan base...it's not that gloomy in Ft Thomas, but keep on trying to bring that black cloud

I was told recently by someone very close to the program, that the only thing that matters is being tied or ahead of Trinity in the number of state titles. If this 4 year stretch of 5A doesn't pan out as they originally expected, I think Highlands will be back in 4A on the next realignment. Especially if Trinity gets a title or two during that span and starts to pull away.

 

IMO going back to 4A would be a horrible statement to make...if Highlands were to do that it would mean that they no longer think they are elite statewide and will be happy just to drop down to collect state titles. I hope they stay at 5A and slug it out with BG and others for years to come, that is the best thing for football in Kentucky...

 

Only if they did so without winning a title. If they lose local district opponents to either 6a or 4a, then you have to move to 4a to save on the travel costs, IMO.

The freshman team at Highlands was pretty strong this year and the word is that the incoming Freshman will be even better. Because of this, I would guess that we will see the Birds very much in the 5a mix in a couple years. Maybe not next year, but in 2017, they will be competitive.

 

Most important, and I know that this puts too much pressure on kids, there are stars coming up. Having talent depth is great, but you need kids who can dominate their one-on-ones and make plays. That is what is exciting is that there will be game changers coming along.

I was told recently by someone very close to the program, that the only thing that matters is being tied or ahead of Trinity in the number of state titles. If this 4 year stretch of 5A doesn't pan out as they originally expected, I think Highlands will be back in 4A on the next realignment. Especially if Trinity gets a title or two during that span and starts to pull away.

 

IMO going back to 4A would be a horrible statement to make...if Highlands were to do that it would mean that they no longer think they are elite statewide and will be happy just to drop down to collect state titles. I hope they stay at 5A and slug it out with BG and others for years to come, that is the best thing for football in Kentucky...

 

So SK winning the next four or five 6A championships will benefit Highlands? Oh well.

The Birds have not lost a district game in a decade, lost their 1st (EVER) game to a 5a team this season after a run of 8 consecutive years in State Championship Games in 5a and 4a...They were definitely down this year. I believe after an unprecedented run of success some players and coaches can get a bit apathetic? Maybe they did this season in preparation, etc?....BUT, I believe this group showed great resiliency to bounce back the way they did. I wouldn't be too quick to write off the relevance of Highlands Football as a power throughout the state in all classes. This season could be the necessary suffering it takes to get back to where they want to be.