So for the sake of this thread, what in your opinion is the problem at Highlands?

My opinion is two fold.

1. they definitely don't have those Division I, difference makers that clearly are the best players on the field each game. Think about it, just at the QB position, they have had a run of special athletes. (Hodge,Towels, Houliston, McCoy, Guidugli, etc.)They have had players that go to Notre Dame, Kentucky, Cincinnati, BYU, Central Michigan, Illinois, etc. That's unbelievable to have that many of those kind of players. Good players can really cover up a lot of mistakes. And, they have a ton of players who have gone to places like Georgetown, Wittenberg, Dayton, etc. This past year, the only senior being recruited is Michael Dunn. Don't get me wrong, they still have great high school players. But, they are regular HS players that every HS has, but the HHS regular kids work so hard and eat right and instead of being a 5'10 160 pounds, they develop themselves into a 5'10 195 pound, lightning fast, football player who "drinks the kool aid" and becomes a great high school player. When you have all the normal, HS players who over achieve, and then throw in those special players that they have had in the past, you win 7 or 8 State Championships in a row.

2. My opinion is that they didn't have enough guys to play just one way. Its definitely ideal to two platoon, but sometimes you just don't have enough guys to do it. Especially, if you have a year that you have a great number of injuries. We had JV games this year that we didn't have enough lineman, so we had to put a running back in at guard just to have 5 lineman. That indicates to me that we didn't have enough kids to two platoon. Another JV game, both our sophomore running backs played so much on Friday night, we had to teach a defensive back the offensive plays 30 minutes before the game. That's not Highlands Football.

We all know about opinions, but that's just my take. The good news is that kids are coming. I think the QB this year will be a Division I player. I believe Hudleston is a Div. I player. The young Hergott is really good. Just to name a few. Help is on the way.

So for the sake of this thread, what in your opinion is the problem at Highlands?

My opinion is two fold.

1. they definitely don't have those Division I, difference makers that clearly are the best players on the field each game. Think about it, just at the QB position, they have had a run of special athletes. (Hodge,Towels, Houliston, McCoy, Guidugli, etc.)They have had players that go to Notre Dame, Kentucky, Cincinnati, BYU, Central Michigan, Illinois, etc. That's unbelievable to have that many of those kind of players. Good players can really cover up a lot of mistakes. And, they have a ton of players who have gone to places like Georgetown, Wittenberg, Dayton, etc. This past year, the only senior being recruited is Michael Dunn. Don't get me wrong, they still have great high school players. But, they are regular HS players that every HS has, but the HHS regular kids work so hard and eat right and instead of being a 5'10 160 pounds, they develop themselves into a 5'10 195 pound, lightning fast, football player who "drinks the kool aid" and becomes a great high school player. When you have all the normal, HS players who over achieve, and then throw in those special players that they have had in the past, you win 7 or 8 State Championships in a row.

2. My opinion is that they didn't have enough guys to play just one way. Its definitely ideal to two platoon, but sometimes you just don't have enough guys to do it. Especially, if you have a year that you have a great number of injuries. We had JV games this year that we didn't have enough lineman, so we had to put a running back in at guard just to have 5 lineman. That indicates to me that we didn't have enough kids to two platoon. Another JV game, both our sophomore running backs played so much on Friday night, we had to teach a defensive back the offensive plays 30 minutes before the game. That's not Highlands Football.

We all know about opinions, but that's just my take. The good news is that kids are coming. I think the QB this year will be a Division I player. I believe Hudleston is a Div. I player. The young Hergott is really good. Just to name a few. Help is on the way.

 

 

Finally, some excellent insightful information

 

I can live with answers like this and hope others will take your opinion as advice

So for the sake of this thread, what in your opinion is the problem at Highlands?

My opinion is two fold.

1. they definitely don't have those Division I, difference makers that clearly are the best players on the field each game. Think about it, just at the QB position, they have had a run of special athletes. (Hodge,Towels, Houliston, McCoy, Guidugli, etc.)They have had players that go to Notre Dame, Kentucky, Cincinnati, BYU, Central Michigan, Illinois, etc. That's unbelievable to have that many of those kind of players. Good players can really cover up a lot of mistakes. And, they have a ton of players who have gone to places like Georgetown, Wittenberg, Dayton, etc. This past year, the only senior being recruited is Michael Dunn. Don't get me wrong, they still have great high school players. But, they are regular HS players that every HS has, but the HHS regular kids work so hard and eat right and instead of being a 5'10 160 pounds, they develop themselves into a 5'10 195 pound, lightning fast, football player who "drinks the kool aid" and becomes a great high school player. When you have all the normal, HS players who over achieve, and then throw in those special players that they have had in the past, you win 7 or 8 State Championships in a row.

2. My opinion is that they didn't have enough guys to play just one way. Its definitely ideal to two platoon, but sometimes you just don't have enough guys to do it. Especially, if you have a year that you have a great number of injuries. We had JV games this year that we didn't have enough lineman, so we had to put a running back in at guard just to have 5 lineman. That indicates to me that we didn't have enough kids to two platoon. Another JV game, both our sophomore running backs played so much on Friday night, we had to teach a defensive back the offensive plays 30 minutes before the game. That's not Highlands Football.

We all know about opinions, but that's just my take. The good news is that kids are coming. I think the QB this year will be a Division I player. I believe Hudleston is a Div. I player. The young Hergott is really good. Just to name a few. Help is on the way.

 

How deep in the playoffs do you expect next year's team to advance?

So for the sake of this thread, what in your opinion is the problem at Highlands?

My opinion is two fold.

1. they definitely don't have those Division I, difference makers that clearly are the best players on the field each game. Think about it, just at the QB position, they have had a run of special athletes. (Hodge,Towels, Houliston, McCoy, Guidugli, etc.)They have had players that go to Notre Dame, Kentucky, Cincinnati, BYU, Central Michigan, Illinois, etc. That's unbelievable to have that many of those kind of players. Good players can really cover up a lot of mistakes. And, they have a ton of players who have gone to places like Georgetown, Wittenberg, Dayton, etc. This past year, the only senior being recruited is Michael Dunn. Don't get me wrong, they still have great high school players. But, they are regular HS players that every HS has, but the HHS regular kids work so hard and eat right and instead of being a 5'10 160 pounds, they develop themselves into a 5'10 195 pound, lightning fast, football player who "drinks the kool aid" and becomes a great high school player. When you have all the normal, HS players who over achieve, and then throw in those special players that they have had in the past, you win 7 or 8 State Championships in a row.

2. My opinion is that they didn't have enough guys to play just one way. Its definitely ideal to two platoon, but sometimes you just don't have enough guys to do it. Especially, if you have a year that you have a great number of injuries. We had JV games this year that we didn't have enough lineman, so we had to put a running back in at guard just to have 5 lineman. That indicates to me that we didn't have enough kids to two platoon. Another JV game, both our sophomore running backs played so much on Friday night, we had to teach a defensive back the offensive plays 30 minutes before the game. That's not Highlands Football.

We all know about opinions, but that's just my take. The good news is that kids are coming. I think the QB this year will be a Division I player. I believe Hudleston is a Div. I player. The young Hergott is really good. Just to name a few. Help is on the way.

 

In reference to Part 1- Highlands does a good job of getting kids to work hard in the offseason at becoming those special HS players who exceed expectations. However, you still have to have coaching that recognizes where those kids belong and how to get them sold on your plan. I am not so sure those kids these past 2 years were sold. Dale always did a great job of not only keeping his teams disciplined but also believing they were world beaters.

 

I saw a bunch of heads hanging these past 2 seasons which tells me the kids don't believe in themselves or that they cant respond to adversity in games. IN the past you had teams make a big play or score on a long play and the next series it was Towles finding Sheehan for a bomb or Hoge rolling right and turning a sprint out pass into a 75 yrd gain. The confidence was always there and I just didnt see it these past 2 seasons. I saw a lot of kids who looked defeated out there and that is where this "Culture" thingy keeps rearing its head.

I will say this DM was impressive. Kids would line up to catch his spit and he liked to spray. The darn water boys thought they were the best in the business. The boys had moxie and arrogance in a good way. Boys would argue who was the best tackling dummy. Call it a culture or a thingy but hope we get the mojo back. I do think talent is there moving forward!!