In the past both Cov. Cath and Dixie have had series with LaSalle. Even though I don't remember either ever winning, I thought they were good series for both. I doubt that LaSalle will continue to perform at the lofty level they had recently; therefore, I think this is a good matchup for any of the better NKY teams.

Lasalle just lost their dream team, they will come back to earth but it's still a GCL team. They will be as good if not much better as a Sycamore, who Ryle has played in recent years, annually.

In an interesting twist, LaSalle and Sycamore play each other in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at Nippert Stadium on Friday Aug. 26th. Would be a good game to check out if your team isn't playing that night.

 

-CardinalsFan

I just don't think playing a big Ohio team is a good idea play a team you can compete with first.

 

I applaud them as well. I would always encourage a measuring stick on your calendar. People say "what good does it do to get blown out?" Well I think a lot. It definitely helps you identify your weaknesses. Even things that you may have thought was a strength may get exposed a little and you can tweak it. You have to prepare to play the best and be the best. If you're not, you are settling for mediocrity. Also, I think it helps the future teams coming. When you get exposed to elite or someone that is way better than you, you get to see what you can be. You set goals and use that game/team as motivation and something to strive towards. If you expose yourself to those things, your program will get better because kids see what's it's really about and want to work harder. If you end every year at 8-2, but played mediocre competition, your program isn't getting exposed to much that helps them want to get better. You might have a great banquet and feel good about your record, but you really did nothing to show the kids they can compete at the next level if they step it up. I have always said, I'd rather be 500 and tested than having a great record with not many challenges. As a coach, it's my job to expose them to situations that make them better. Sometimes that takes time. And sometimes it takes some bumps and bruises before you get there. But I truly feel if you consistently challenge your teams, they will naturally start to get better...regardless of what the outcome is of those challenges.

Granted, NewCath isn't playing D1 OHIO schools but they play teams that are similar to this and it seems to help a ton.... sooooo

 

No NCC does not play any teams similar to this. They play a different brand of football in Cincy. Where a big athletic kid is the norm and not the exception like in NKY.

Harbin cow - THAT'S an image...

 

Ohio HS football at the high D-I/D-II level is very good - talent, coaching, and commitment are all exceptional. That said, the parochial schools are generally a notch above. A lot of people feel that LaSalle has been the best HS football program in Ohio over the last 2 years, and could have beaten Lakewood St. Edwards (D-I champion).

 

Ryle has a nice program but they won't be able to run with LaSalle. I think scheduling a game against a public school like Sycamore may be less glamorous but more productive.

 

Oak Hills and Princeton would also be a good barometer of Ryle's talent.

It is only 2 years if Ryle feels like they are on the rise go for it. Its not like you are scheduling the whole GCL. You can survive 1 beat down.

No NCC does not play any teams similar to this. They play a different brand of football in Cincy. Where a big athletic kid is the norm and not the exception like in NKY.

 

By similar, I was implying they play bigger and better teams that they shouldn't be playing not similar teams.

It is only 2 years if Ryle feels like they are on the rise go for it. Its not like you are scheduling the whole GCL. You can survive 1 beat down.

They took this same philosophy with Colerain. After our two games, and knowing that these uber-talented classes were on the way, my understanding is that our coach reached out and offered to renew the 2-yr deal and was summarily dismissed. No interest whatsoever.

 

My $0.02...this is a good matchup for Ryle. LaSalle is a private school in the GCL-South but they are a Division II size school. Meaning, they roughly 500 boys, grades 9-11 (Seniors are not counted in official counts as they are leaving and are not used to determine classification in future years).

 

I am all for playing good contests. However, and I've said this before, I think there is an upper-limit to what you should schedule. You don't have to win every game, but you should be competitive.

 

For that reason, I would argue that under no circumstances should anyone in NKY schedule the following schools:

• Colerain
  
• Elder
  
• St. Xavier
  
• Moeller
  

There just simply isn't a scenario where any team in Boone, Kenton or Campbell county is going to compete with these schools, even in their best years. There are a hundred other excellent football programs to call on that are better fits for teams in the Bluegrass than the above four.

 

By the way, I think we are already seeing that realization sink in on both sides of the river. This is the first time in recent memory that none of the above schools have a game with NKY. A prudent move, IMO.

 

-CardinalsFan

"There just simply isn't a scenario where any team in Boone, Kenton or Campbell county is going to compete with these schools, even in their best years."

 

Highlands vs the GCL in the past 20 years.

2000 Elder L 21 14

2001 Elder L 35 14

1997 Moe L 21 20

2004 Elder L 25 15

2005 Colrn L 45 14

2006 Elder L 21 18

2008 Colrn L 33 18

2009 St X W 7 12

2011 Elder W 29 34

2012 Elder L 38 24

2013 Elder L 30 27

2014 Elder L 49 35

 

Try again.

"There just simply isn't a scenario where any team in Boone, Kenton or Campbell county is going to compete with these schools, even in their best years."

 

Highlands vs the GCL in the past 20 years.

2000 Elder L 21 14

2001 Elder L 35 14

1997 Moe L 21 20

2004 Elder L 25 15

2005 Colrn L 45 14

2006 Elder L 21 18

2008 Colrn L 33 18

2009 St X W 7 12

2011 Elder W 29 34

2012 Elder L 38 24

2013 Elder L 30 27

2014 Elder L 49 35

 

Try again.

 

You are using a 2-10 record from a 26-time State Champion to make your point?

 

Maybe YOU should try again. Wow...:ohbrother:

 

-CardinalsFan

Oak Hills and Princeton would also be a good barometer of Ryle's talent.

 

Probably but those are still massive schools, albeit not Ohio powers, no KY team wants to see them. Would be a good gauge for Ryle in a up year.

I guess you need to define "compete" to further this discussion.

 

A Cincy big school margin of victory of 9 ppg over 12 games says HHS competed very well to me. Using GCL scores only it is a 6 ppg margin. HHS learned something, and got better every time they challenged themselves. Scrimmages versus Trinity and St X serve the same purpose.

 

Ryle coaches and admin get it. Scheduling Lasalle, Sycamore, or any other large school from Cincy helps the program. The Ohio schools are the ones that judge the benefit of these games by getting a W and Harbin points, the KY schools need to judge the results based on just getting better for a deep playoff run.

You are using a 2-10 record from a 26-time State Champion to make your point?

 

Maybe YOU should try again. Wow...:ohbrother:

 

-CardinalsFan

 

Regardless what the record is, the scores show that a much smaller school from NKY competed and got better because they played them. Twist it all you want.

You are using a 2-10 record from a 26-time State Champion to make your point?

 

Maybe YOU should try again. Wow...:ohbrother:

 

-CardinalsFan

 

CF - not to be hyper-technical, but you are just plain wrong. You overplayed what is a very good hand and got corrected because of it. Simply responding by saying "you know what I mean and sorry for overstating the case" would have been a better approach.

 

1st, had you said "beat" rather than "compete with," you'd still be wrong.

 

"There just simply isn't a [note the singular here] scenario [note: this brings in the possible rather than just what has actually happened] where any team in Boone, Kenton or Campbell county is going to [beat] these schools, even in their best years."

 

A - HHS is a team in Campbell County

B - In 2009 and 2011, HHS beat St. X and Elder

As such, not only is there "a scenario" in which a team from Campbell County could beat 1 of the 4 schools listed, it actually happened. This, of course, means a reasonable person can envision unlimited "scenarios" where a similar result could occur.

 

2nd, since you did say "compete with," you're even more wrong.

 

"There just simply isn't a [note the singular here] scenario [note: this brings in the possible rather than just what has actually happened] where any team in Boone, Kenton or Campbell county is going to compete with these schools, even in their best years."

 

A - HHS is a team in Campbell County

B - In 2009 and 2011, HHS beat St. X and Elder

C - In 2000, 1997, 2006 & 2013, the margin of victory / loss was a TD or less

D - A reasonable person can believe that staying within 1 score of another team constitutes "compet[ing] with" another team.

As such, not only is there "a scenario" in which a team from Campbell County could compete with 1 of the 4 schools listed, it actually happened 6 times. This, of course, means a reasonable person can envision unlimited "scenarios" where a similar result could occur.

Regardless what the record is, the scores show that a much smaller school from NKY competed and got better because they played them. Twist it all you want.

 

I get what you're saying. I do. But ultimately, it doesn't help to get your head beat in physically year-in and year-out by bigger, faster, stronger teams than yourself.

 

Colerain wanted to continue the series' with both Ryle and Highlands and were rebuffed. If "playing up" helps make you better, why wouldn't they do it?

 

The answer is obvious, but not a popular one to share. :sarcastic:

 

Best of luck to Ryle against LaSalle. Trust me, nothing would make me happier to see the Raiders kick some Lancer tail.

 

-CardinalsFan