Well said. I am trying to understand what everyone is referencing that occurred in this year that did or did not occur in previous seasons. Spring football has been brought up and no there was no spring football. The facility was not useable until just before the first practice after the dead period. And when I say facility, I mean the football field and the locker room.

JOAT, from an outsiders perspective, my take is this particular Highlands team was ranked #1 in the Preseason by most (I know BGP they were) for 5A. WHY? Because how could or why would you doubt any team with such a strong run as Highlands has pulled off. It didn't have anything to do with this Highlands team saying we want to be #1 as that was "put on them" because they are Highlands. This years team simply didn't have the horses to pull the wagon as high up the mountain as 23 other teams have. They did pull it one rung below where they were going though!

So why is it dumb? You felt the need to reply and obviously there are people talking about a lack of spring practice as a potential issue. So where would they practice at the Fort?

 

 

As far as why I responded to this? I know I'm disappointed in myself for responding to dumb topics, i just can't help it sometimes. Boredom can be a killer sometimes.

 

Where would they practice at the Fort? I don't know maybe one of the several fields there. Heck, maybe they would have gotten lucky and the soccer team would let them use that pretty new turf field they just got. Ya know, it would kinda be like the soccer team repaying the football team for all the times soccer was on the football field. But, in the event that the soccer team was on the turf, there are plenty of other open fields to have a practice.

 

There is also a weight room (kinda) there, as well as multiple basketball courts for bad weather days.

 

Come on, I know you have been to the Fort before. You have to acknowledge that there is space up there for a football practice.

Bring back coach Duffy.

As far as why I responded to this? I know I'm disappointed in myself for responding to dumb topics, i just can't help it sometimes. Boredom can be a killer sometimes.

 

Where would they practice at the Fort? I don't know maybe one of the several fields there. Heck, maybe they would have gotten lucky and the soccer team would let them use that pretty new turf field they just got. Ya know, it would kinda be like the soccer team repaying the football team for all the times soccer was on the football field. But, in the event that the soccer team was on the turf, there are plenty of other open fields to have a practice.

 

There is also a weight room (kinda) there, as well as multiple basketball courts for bad weather days.

 

Come on, I know you have been to the Fort before. You have to acknowledge that there is space up there for a football practice.

 

I am not denying anything that you are saying here.

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...

 

Comical to say the least. :lol2:

 

Highlands going back to 4A to win state titles?

Highlands worrying about Trinity's state titles?

The bolded made me spit out my drink.

Highlands plays up more often than not, and definitely doesn't bounce around solely for the purpose of winning state titles. Ask your friend how many state titles Highlands would have over the last 100 years, if Highlands had played in the class that they belonged in, instead of playing up a class or two.

 

One more thing, Highlands doesn't hate Trinity. (heard this somewhere)

 

This person you have close to the program doesn't know much about Highlands football. :lol2:

JOAT, from an outsiders perspective, my take is this particular Highlands team was ranked #1 in the Preseason by most (I know BGP they were) for 5A. WHY? Because how could or why would you doubt any team with such a strong run as Highlands has pulled off. It didn't have anything to do with this Highlands team saying we want to be #1 as that was "put on them" because they are Highlands. This years team simply didn't have the horses to pull the wagon as high up the mountain as 23 other teams have. They did pull it one rung below where they were going though!

 

Why was Highlands ranked number 1 for each of the previous 10 plus seasons? Because they were Highlands. It was all about reputation and those outside of Fort Thomas did not know what they did or did not have going for them during the offseason, during the preseason and/or during the season.

 

To me it is a lot like the various all state teams that come out every year. There are kids on these teams because of name recognition and not necessarily because they have had the best of seasons.

 

There was a discussion during the preseason as to why Highlands had elected to play up to 5A. I was very open and honest that they wanted to be in a district with CovCath and to have a more local district that would help cut down on travel costs. Same reason that the schedule became more local in nature as opposed to other years.

 

To answer the question at hand, Highlands is not going to drop back down for any reason other than financial purposes.

Correct me if I'm wrong as I don't know Highlands statistics very well, but hasn't Highlands won 7 or 8 of the last 9 or 10 state championships? Pretty good run, if you're counting :sssh:. Many were saying the sky was falling during the season against very good 6A schools. I don't know but I didn't see anyone quit. Made the State Semifinal game and was 1 quarter away from the State Championship game in a season most knowledgeable Highlands fans knew would be down off the referenced gravey train run. I'd say this 2015 team overachieved given the cards they were forced to play. Would you take, at least, the State Semifinal game each year? I sure would...

 

Doggone it PP88, there you go again putting things into perspective. That's no fun!

Colerain, Cincy St. X, Trotwood Madison, Lou. St. X, Trinity, Moeller, Elder are just a few that Highlands has played in the last decade. Won some and lost some, while a few were nationally ranked in the top 25 in the nation. A couple of loses to BG isn't going to send Highlands back to 4A, ask anyone "close to the program."

I have enjoyed all the haters coming out this year to happily proclaim the death of football in Fort Thomas. Our down year is a trip to the 5A state semis.

Highlands Football (players & coaches) don't worry about playing up or down or Trinity's state championships. They don't worry about Valdosta's win total or any of that stuff. Its all about Winning the state championship this year, like all great programs do.

 

In 5A there are a couple of great programs in Bowling Green, Owensboro and Pulaski Co, but that is a good thing. Highlands isn't going to win state every year with that kind of competition whether they are down or up. The run of championships was great but that is a rare thing.

 

Highlands will be back, it might not be next year. But you never know, being a part of a tradition like that and coming up short in many ways leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. There are probably peeved birds hitting the weights hard right now. Also I think Weinrich's offseason is going to be brutal, almost Duffy-esque. Look for the #s to drop and grit to rise.

Colerain, Cincy St. X, Trotwood Madison, Lou. St. X, Trinity, Moeller, Elder are just a few that Highlands has played in the last decade. Won some and lost some, while a few were nationally ranked in the top 25 in the nation. A couple of loses to BG isn't going to send Highlands back to 4A, ask anyone "close to the program."

 

I'd love if they played Trinity again; that tied record needs breaking. I know it won't happen next year, but 2017 would be a great time for it.

Didn't Cov Cath also move up to 5a? If so, I find it hard to believe they moved up to have a local district.. You could have had a Highlands/Cov Cath/Scott/Holmes district in 4a.. As it was you had Cov Cath/Highlands/Dixie/Grant Co.. Where's the geographic advantage for either Highlands or Cov Cath?

Scott only got to 4A as a result of teams moving up to 5A.

I do not believe the average fan understands the complexity of a program deciding to play up or not. There are many factors that play into that decision. These are just a few of many factors not in any order.

 

1. Money: Football funds other sports in the district. If your district opponents do not attend games well, the gate will be low. If you play teams in your district that travel well and attend games, the gate will be high. This is a rather large factor in any decision to move up or stay. HHS vs covcath brings in a lot more money than HHS vs Harrison Co. If you lose two or three big gates a year, it is a big deal.

2. Travel: Teams that have to travel further for their district games incur more expense. Taking four buses to Harrison Co from Fort Thomas costs more than going to Dixie. Again, back to money.

3. Rivalry maintenance. HHS wants to maintain its rivalry with covcath. If covcath moves, HHS will at least consider moving to maintain that rivalry.

4.Winning championships. This is important, but obviously it is on a lower rung. HHS understood that staying in 4A and playing JC, Ashland, and Scott would be an easier road to a ring than playing Pulaski, BG, Owensboro, North Laurel, and Fern Creek.

 

I am probably missing at least two other important factors. HHS cares about winning, but there are also other factors to consider when running an entire athletic department.

Didn't Cov Cath also move up to 5a? If so, I find it hard to believe they moved up to have a local district.. You could have had a Highlands/Cov Cath/Scott/Holmes district in 4a.. As it was you had Cov Cath/Highlands/Dixie/Grant Co.. Where's the geographic advantage for either Highlands or Cov Cath?

 

Cov Cath is the second largest school if they were in 4A only behind Johnson Central. I believe they will grow and would fall in 5A next alignment. I am not sure how much schools share there plans but Conner and Cooper were suppose to be in 5A. Dixie was 6A. When Conner and Cooper moved up Dixie moved down.

 

If only Cov Cath and HHS moved up you would have a district with Cov Cath, HHS, Cooper and Conner.