What do the other schools have to do? Go get some players.

 

False, and lazy answer. Owensboro, South Warren and Pulaski have had plenty of players.

Judging by the first few posts of this thread it sounds like all they need to do is live in the past

:eyeonyou:

 

 

Seriously though... the first thing that sticks out to me when looking at Class 5A is the Feeder System and the state of the program from Top-Down

 

Bowling Green has really instilled their system well and their Middle School team has chosen to compete on a Statewide Level instead of just regionally.

 

Pulaski County, and even for that matter Graves County, the two other programs who have been in the 5A Finals recently also have followed similar routes. Pulaski Southwestern is starting to see the byproduct of this system as well. I fully expect South Oldham to be the next team to take a step forward for these same reasons. A program that is becoming very solid from the Top Down and has invested in quality coaches at the Feeder System ranks.

 

People talk about Highlands just not having the talent pool as before and I cannot help but think that the drop in their feeder system and playing only essentially a regional schedule correlates. Maybe I am wrong though...

But seriously... keep your eye on South Oldham.. that is a program that I see rising with a bullet

What do the other schools have to do? Go get some players.

I would agree with Cats that just getting some players isn't the answer.

 

Before Coach Wallace came to BG, BG was a run (primarily the veer) oriented offense. He implemented a more balanced offense so opposing Ds could not just load the box and try to wear down that run game. The offensive schemes have become more and more complex, seemingly adding new "wrinkles" every year designed to amplify the strengths of that years top skill players. On defense Coach Spader doesn't get enough credit in my opinion for running a base 3-4 defense that gives opponents multiple looks, but is IMO one of the absolute best in the state at making in game modifications.

 

I personally think it's more about BGs changes in the past 5 to 10 years and others haven't been able to duplicate that. Yes, they have had good players, but they have played good players as well.

 

So back to your question, what do they have to do?

 

Offense:

1. They have to generate a dynamic offensive package that is balanced enough to keep Coach Spader guessing. 1 dimensional = game over.

2. AND you have to have enough athletes to make it apples to apples comparison. (i.e. your player is at least about as good as mine). If you have better athletes, even better.

3. And your offensive line must be able to dictate at least 50% of your plays (i.e. Against Owensboro last week, 2 of the 3 O interseptions were caused in large part by the O QB under heavy duress and just threw it).

 

Defense:

1. Your defense has to give multiple looks that you check out of on occasion. BG QBs are VERY good at reading the coverage/sets at the LOS and audibling effectively.

2. Depending on the skill guys BG has, it's a little bit of pick your poison, as this years case who do you focus on? X rightfully so tried and successfully shut down BGs run game. Problem is that's only 50% of the offense and BG switched to the pass where they had much better athletes and exposed the X back 7. Pick something to shut down and do it. If you can't then you will lose anyway. But switch it up, blitz some, fake the blitz some, stunts, DLine out into zone coverage and blitz the corner, locust, flood - do something different!

3. Same as #2 above. If you have better athletes, even better.

4. Your DLine must dictate at least 50% of your plays and your LBs must fight off blocks. (i.e. last week against O, the shuttle pass turned bubble screen Jamale Carothers went 65 yards basically untouched). That is because of 2 things: a. Carothers is Mr. Football and b. The BG blocking schemes are VERY good.

 

Intangibles:

Your Not Done:

1. You have to work at least as hard as they do if you want to win. (i.e. go to Dalton, GA in Fire & Brimstone July Heat and battle some of the top teams in the SE in 7 v 7).

2. Their film work is Top Shelf. You better be as good as they are here too!

3. They develop their younger players better than most. This is where BG bests most teams. Most teams have an idea of the above and focus on neutralizing this. When the BG varsity gets up they put in their young guys and go over film with the young guys so they are much more prepared to step in when needed and I think that is a big deal. Other teams may do this to a degree, but not the degree BG does.

4. You have to be as mentally tough as they are. When the game gets tight; you must have the mental resolve to will yourself to get the win. Can you do it?

 

What do you think?

Judging by the first few posts of this thread it sounds like all they need to do is live in the past

:eyeonyou:

 

 

Seriously though... the first thing that sticks out to me when looking at Class 5A is the Feeder System and the state of the program from Top-Down

 

Bowling Green has really instilled their system well and their Middle School team has chosen to compete on a Statewide Level instead of just regionally.

 

Pulaski County, and even for that matter Graves County, the two other programs who have been in the 5A Finals recently also have followed similar routes. Pulaski Southwestern is starting to see the byproduct of this system as well. I fully expect South Oldham to be the next team to take a step forward for these same reasons. A program that is becoming very solid from the Top Down and has invested in quality coaches at the Feeder System ranks.

 

People talk about Highlands just not having the talent pool as before and I cannot help but think that the drop in their feeder system and playing only essentially a regional schedule correlates. Maybe I am wrong though...

I think you're right ATL! (Love the first 2 lines also!:laugh:)

Judging by the first few posts of this thread it sounds like all they need to do is live in the past

:eyeonyou:

 

 

Seriously though... the first thing that sticks out to me when looking at Class 5A is the Feeder System and the state of the program from Top-Down

 

Bowling Green has really instilled their system well and their Middle School team has chosen to compete on a Statewide Level instead of just regionally.

 

Pulaski County, and even for that matter Graves County, the two other programs who have been in the 5A Finals recently also have followed similar routes. Pulaski Southwestern is starting to see the byproduct of this system as well. I fully expect South Oldham to be the next team to take a step forward for these same reasons. A program that is becoming very solid from the Top Down and has invested in quality coaches at the Feeder System ranks.

 

People talk about Highlands just not having the talent pool as before and I cannot help but think that the drop in their feeder system and playing only essentially a regional schedule correlates. Maybe I am wrong though...

 

South Oldham will also have to platoon and balance their offense out if they want to get to that level and win. I haven't seen them this year so I don't know if they do or not.

South Oldham will also have to platoon and balance their offense out if they want to get to that level and win. I haven't seen them this year so I don't know if they do or not.

 

Cats, if you had to pick between South Oldham and Fern Creek this year, who would you take? I think they are in the same district?

One thing that sticks out that some have mentioned is the feeder system. I was once told that Highlands ran some of their plays flawlessly because those players had all been running the play the exact same way for a decade by the time they got to varsity. Continuity of the system is a big deal, in terms of what offense and defense you're running, coaching stability, etc. It all begins in the feeders. Get the kids to buy in, be consistent, and just keep up that support system. That'll help the numbers, and numbers are important.

 

Second, and this isn't an absolute, but I think you have to platoon to be able to realistically challenge Bowling Green. They have over 110 guys out for the team. I just looked at their two-deep for the Warren Central game. There is nary a guy playing on both sides of the ball, as there has been for most years. Granted, there are some guys that will see spot work, like Vito, but they're not in the two deep. They only have four guys that are listed multiple times. A couple of those are backups for multiple positions, while a couple are starters at a position and then a backup for another position. But 40 players represent 44 spots on the two-deep, none on both sides of the ball. That affects endurance, continuity in practice, ability to specialize in the playbook, etc. What assists even more, of course, because they're Bowling Green, is that they have the talent to do that. But that is something that so few teams can match.

 

Three, and this was mentioned a bit in the feeder system part a bit, is coaching. Bowling Green has had two head coaches since 1984. They have 12 regional titles, 9 state title appearances, and five state titles in that time. The Purples have flourished under that steady leadership, and then on top of that, have carved out one of the best staffs in the state (I'm sure some would argue THE best). A lot depends on the Jimmys and Joes, but the Xs and Os? They matter a great deal. The Purples prepare amazingly well, and they make outstanding adjustments during the game. Any program wishing to truly compete with them consistently had better bring it on their staff.

 

When I look at 5A, the schools that I see that are best placed to truly compete are your traditional powers like Highlands, CovCath, and Owensboro, and then perhaps your new school teams like Pulaski County. I think Christian County could do it, but something really seems to be holding them back, and the fun back and forth they have going on with Hopkinsville in all sports really hurts. They bled one of their best players to Bowling Green this year, and obviously they can't be losing their best guys and expect to be able to catch up. There's not really any other teams outside that group that I believe could realistically, year in and year out, really attain equality with Bowling Green. For the times when they get a transcendent player at the right time, as Graves did with Cody Crider, maybe in a single year. But the Bowling Green that was caught in 2014 is going to be the exception, not the rule.

 

Narrowing further, if any team were to do it, my guess would be Owensboro. They just have to get the higher-up pieces figured out. They're one of the very few that are competing on lower levels, and they have proven recently (though not this year) to be able to compete at times on the higher levels.

Edited September 14, 201610 yr by DragonFire

Cats, if you had to pick between South Oldham and Fern Creek this year, who would you take? I think they are in the same district?

 

If Fern Creek and South played Friday I would still take FC. We will learn a bit more about them when they play Desales this week.

Judging by the first few posts of this thread it sounds like all they need to do is live in the past

:eyeonyou:

 

 

Seriously though... the first thing that sticks out to me when looking at Class 5A is the Feeder System and the state of the program from Top-Down

 

Bowling Green has really instilled their system well and their Middle School team has chosen to compete on a Statewide Level instead of just regionally.

 

Pulaski County, and even for that matter Graves County, the two other programs who have been in the 5A Finals recently also have followed similar routes. Pulaski Southwestern is starting to see the byproduct of this system as well. I fully expect South Oldham to be the next team to take a step forward for these same reasons. A program that is becoming very solid from the Top Down and has invested in quality coaches at the Feeder System ranks.

 

People talk about Highlands just not having the talent pool as before and I cannot help but think that the drop in their feeder system and playing only essentially a regional schedule correlates. Maybe I am wrong though...

 

How does playing a region schedule affect Highlands? Seems like BG does the same thing. As long as our regional schedule includes good 6A teams like SK, Ryle,X, Cooper, Scott Co and Campbell Co I think they're getting all the prep work they need to succeed in 5A.

 

Had not heard about the drop in the feeder system. How so?

 

No doubt the talent is off but those close to the program assure us that it's a temporary thing and there is some major talent coming up in the pipeline. They seem to know what they're talking about, given their past history so I'll count on them being right again.

How does playing a region schedule affect Highlands?

Think he's talkin about the Middle School Team.

Well......................... Everyone tells the rest of 6A outside of Louisville you just have to work harder.

 

...and that statement gets old after awhile. It is not like teams are twindling their thumbs during the off-season. They are working their tales off just as much.

How does playing a region schedule affect Highlands? Seems like BG does the same thing. As long as our regional schedule includes good 6A teams like SK, Ryle,X, Cooper, Scott Co and Campbell Co I think they're getting all the prep work they need to succeed in 5A.

 

Had not heard about the drop in the feeder system. How so?

 

No doubt the talent is off but those close to the program assure us that it's a temporary thing and there is some major talent coming up in the pipeline. They seem to know what they're talking about, given their past history so I'll count on them being right again.

 

Regional Schedule at the feeder system level... not HS

Hope there bus breaks down and they have to forfeit.

...and that statement gets old after awhile. It is not like teams are twindling their thumbs during the off-season. They are working their tales off just as much.

I agree with you 100%.