HHmmmm? Lex Cath, Trinity, Highlands (of old), Boyle, Bardstown, Male, Owensboro Cath, Pburg I think I've listed enough teams that have been on the carpet as of late! Even teams like St X + Beechwood have opened it up a little at times to spread it out and open up their running games.

 

For real, and I can't let you forget Breathitt County. They seemed to figure it out and find the players to execute it to the tune of 3 state championships.

 

And consider this, pertaining to Breathitt County...

 

Pre-spread: I'm pretty sure they'd never advanced past the second round of the playoffs.

 

After switching to the 4-wide, shotgun offense in '95, they've won 3 state championships, 4 regional titles, 2 regional runner-ups, and 6 district championships (I think those numbers are right...in any case, they're close and they make my point). That span also includes a 42-game win streak, 3 undefeated seasons and 4 undefeated regular seasons.

 

Not bad. And trust me when I tell you that it wouldn't have happened without switching to the spread offense.

 

I will add one note on the flipside; when Breathitt switched in '95, the offense was relatively new and quite rare in high school, so they had the additional benefit of running an offense that few teams ever faced and weren't equipped to deal with. Now that it's becoming much more prevalent in KY high school football, most teams are much better prepared to face the spread, which puts a higher premium on having better athletes to plug into the system and having players that are intelligent enough to better execute the system.

 

But, to say the spread won't work is absurd, and is not up for debate. The facts and results over the past 10 years speak for themselves.

BELFRY and RUSSELL the "spread killers". BELFRY should market their defense vs. the spread like Franklin markets the spread offense. :thumb:

 

These teams most effective weapon against the spread is their offense, IMO...they pound the ball down the field and chew up half a quarter or more on a scoring drive. It limits the opportunities for the opponent, and, if they score, it puts more pressure on the opponent when they do get the ball.

 

But, it still comes down to the players on the field, and Belfry and Russell have had the cream of the crop for the last 3 years.

 

All schemes look better when you have the right pieces to plug in.

BELFRY and RUSSELL the "spread killers". BELFRY should market their defense vs. the spread like Franklin markets the spread offense. :thumb:

Yeh those guys would have killed Lex Cath, Highlands, Trinity etc:rolleyes:

The point about making money off the defense is funny though. I've been thinking of calling the 5-2 defense mine and seeing if I can make that kind of dough that he was rolling in!

I will add one note on the flipside; when Breathitt switched in '95, the offense was relatively new and quite rare in high school, so they had the additional benefit of running an offense that few teams ever faced and weren't equipped to deal with. Now that it's becoming much more prevalent in KY high school football, most teams are much better prepared to face the spread, which puts a higher premium on having better athletes to plug into the system and having players that are intelligent enough to better execute the system.

QUOTE]

I agree with all of your points but this was a HUGE difference I think. Hats off to Coach Holcomb for being on the innovative side and going out on a limb.

These teams most effective weapon against the spread is their offense, IMO...they pound the ball down the field and chew up half a quarter or more on a scoring drive. It limits the opportunities for the opponent, and, if they score, it puts more pressure on the opponent when they do get the ball.

 

But, it still comes down to the players on the field, and Belfry and Russell have had the cream of the crop for the last 3 years.

 

All schemes look better when you have the right pieces to plug in.

 

Keeping the ball is part of the game and like you said it is not with the spread offense. The bottom line is winning.

Yeh those guys would have killed Lex Cath, Highlands, Trinity etc:rolleyes:

The point about making money off the defense is funny though. I've been thinking of calling the 5-2 defense mine and seeing if I can make that kind of dough that he was rolling in!

Never played so we will never know?

 

Good idea about making some money. :thumb:

 

Also you are right that Coach Holcomb was ahead of the times with the spread, especially in eastern Kentucky. Good job Coach Holcomb. :thumb: