Comparing Highlands' O-line to previous HHS squads

[jbwill2]

It seems that HHS has a pretty good O-line this year. They have a great deal of playing experience, and (unlike past seasons for the 'Birds) they have some size this year. I realize it's early in this season, but how does this year's O-line stack up to HHS O-lines from previous years? Is this one of the best groups the 'Birds have ever had?

[garfish]

They block well move well and play smart. They have an advantage in that Kramer hits the hole as fast as any back at Highlands in a while and Clay Cecil does a good job of getting out of trouble when pass rushed. They all move well for their size and can block downfield in the open field. Rate compared to previous lines 75th percentile.

[SLINK]

I have never known Highlands to not have a good offensive line. Some years they may be a little better than others. That is one of the reasons they are one of the top 3 programs in the state.

[Bluerunner]

This line is the best all around that Dale has had. I believe the '92 line was the best in at least the past 20 years. My knowledge of HHS football doesn't allow me to comment on lines before 20 years ago.

[gamer31]

This line is the best all around that Dale has had. I believe the '92 line was the best in at least the past 20 years. My knowledge of HHS football doesn't allow me to comment on lines before 20 years ago.

 

 

That line was pretty impressive with John Schlarman, Rob Reynolds, Chuck Herfel, Drew Meyer and others rotating in. I believe the 96 line was just as impressive when Toby"Class Presdient" Hlad, Jason"Too Cute" Pratt, Brandon"Fix it" Bush Scott"Buckeye Bound" Kuhnhein, and Nathan "China Rat"Lindeman, led the birds to a 15- 0 record. Another year that was very successful was the senior year of Lorenzen & Co Inc. when Zack Horbach at 6'7 200lbs played center with Dave Laber at a guard along with Brandon Cook at tackle, and a cast of others including Matt Raaker when he wasnt falling apart, blocked for a team that scored 801 points in a season.

[BluegrassFtBll]

What about (I think the 2001-or 2002 line) with Rob Smith and Sean Sester (i think that was his name) how do they compare to this one and previous years?

[Henry521]

I've been told that the Highlands '70 O-line was one of the best. I was waaaaaaay to young to remember so I'll just go with my favorite, which happens to be the 2006 Highlands o-line.

[leatherneck]

What about (I think the 2001-or 2002 line) with Rob Smith and Sean Sester (i think that was his name) how do they compare to this one and previous years?

 

 

Smith was the real deal in high school that's for sure. I think Reinstatler was also on that team and also was good. Sester was probably a sophomore on that team (01, when Smith and Reinstatler were seniors).

 

I know this sounds crazy, but I never thought Sester was that good in high school. Had a great frame (6'7" or so), but I don't think he had grown into his frame in high school. Seemed slow (foot speed) and wasn't that strong. Now admittedly, he's turned into quite a college player at Purdue and I think will make it in the pro's. After his redshirt year (when he got considerably stronger) he started as a redshirt freshman for Purdue and made the Big 10 All Frosh team. He starts again this year at the left tackle position (generally considered the most important o line position in college and the pro's, as he protects the qb's backside). He has turned into a very good lineman. But I never thought he was as good as hyped in high school. Personally, I think Ronnie Ashton on this year's team is a much better high school tackle than Sester was when he was in high school. Ronnie's "problem" is that he's 6' or 6'1" instead of 6'7".

 

JB, to answer your question, its really impossible to tell which o line was the best. When you compare the better years with one another it becomes so subjective. Plus a lot of it depends on the type of offense being ran. I think I'll just say this year's o line is pretty good at every position from tackle to tackle. Plus Stine at TE gives them another very good blocker. If they have an argument that they are the best line ever Highlands, in my opinion its because they are good if not very good at every line position. No super stars at any one position, just very solid at every position which makes it possible for Dale to run effectively inside and out, right and left. Plus this year's o line is quicker for their size than prior years. We've had big lines that were powerful, but slow. We've had small lines that were quick but couldn't knock the defense off the ball. But this year's team is big and quick. And they can get better and will need to do so if the Birds are going to win State.

[mexitucky]

That line was pretty impressive with John Schlarman, Rob Reynolds, Chuck Herfel, Drew Meyer and others rotating in. I believe the 96 line was just as impressive when Toby"Class Presdient" Hlad, Jason"Too Cute" Pratt, Brandon"Fix it" Bush Scott"Buckeye Bound" Kuhnhein, and Nathan "China Rat"Lindeman, led the birds to a 15- 0 record. Another year that was very successful was the senior year of Lorenzen & Co Inc. when Zack Horbach at 6'7 200lbs played center with Dave Laber at a guard along with Brandon Cook at tackle, and a cast of others including Matt Raaker when he wasnt falling apart, blocked for a team that scored 801 points in a season.

 

You forgot Phil Scherer at TE. I don't remember playing against Lindeman at guard. I thought that he was purely a LB that year. The next year he was a guard. I loved playing against him, he always made you play at your highest level.

[Qryche11]

Smith was the real deal in high school that's for sure. I think Reinstatler was also on that team and also was good. Sester was probably a sophomore on that team (01, when Smith and Reinstatler were seniors).

 

I know this sounds crazy, but I never thought Sester was that good in high school. Had a great frame (6'7" or so), but I don't think he had grown into his frame in high school. Seemed slow (foot speed) and wasn't that strong. Now admittedly, he's turned into quite a college player at Purdue and I think will make it in the pro's. After his redshirt year (when he got considerably stronger) he started as a redshirt freshman for Purdue and made the Big 10 All Frosh team. He starts again this year at the left tackle position (generally considered the most important o line position in college and the pro's, as he protects the qb's backside). He has turned into a very good lineman. But I never thought he was as good as hyped in high school. Personally, I think Ronnie Ashton on this year's team is a much better high school tackle than Sester was when he was in high school. Ronnie's "problem" is that he's 6' or 6'1" instead of 6'7".

 

JB, to answer your question, its really impossible to tell which o line was the best. When you compare the better years with one another it becomes so subjective. Plus a lot of it depends on the type of offense being ran. I think I'll just say this year's o line is pretty good at every position from tackle to tackle. Plus Stine at TE gives them another very good blocker. If they have an argument that they are the best line ever Highlands, in my opinion its because they are good if not very good at every line position. No super stars at any one position, just very solid at every position which makes it possible for Dale to run effectively inside and out, right and left. Plus this year's o line is quicker for their size than prior years. We've had big lines that were powerful, but slow. We've had small lines that were quick but couldn't knock the defense off the ball. But this year's team is big and quick. And they can get better and will need to do so if the Birds are going to win State.

 

 

I don't know the history of Highlands' offensive lines but I will give my vote to this year's squad as one of the best as a unit. They all seem to be on the same page, they are very quick for their size and they are hitters. They are always making contact and driving and not missing too many blocks. They are disciplined and the best thing about them... they take PRIDE in being lineman. Like Leatherneck said, recent years past where they have had small lineman they have been very quick but just undersized and couldnt get a surge.

[LUCK]

That was one quick line today.

[stick1]

The little bit of the game I got to watch today, I was VERY impressed with some of the licks Highlands line was laying on St X players. I mean knock them off their feet licks. Highlands always has a GREAT line and usually a really quick defense!

[malachicrunch]

With the new addition of blocking TE # 87 Richard Koop, this years line just got stronger. Now they just need to to throw his way

[Qryche11]

With the new addition of blocking TE # 87 Richard Koop, this years line just got stronger. Now they just need to to throw his way

 

Thank you for clarifying who the mystery #87 was yesterday. I kept searching through the program and to no avail. That is a very, very thick line when you have bookend TE's in Koop and Stein and then the rest of the interior guys.

[malachicrunch]

Thank you for clarifying who the mystery #87 was yesterday. I kept searching through the program and to no avail. That is a very, very thick line when you have bookend TE's in Koop and Stein and then the rest of the interior guys.

Yea thick, pretty tall and athletic. These guys are good individually and great as a unit. HHS has produced many great O-lineman, but I think collectively this is the best unit to come through. Some of the greats have been mentioned here, and I think when all is said and done a couple of the current lineman will included in that club. I love the Hogs:thumb: