While Flynn didn't have as many tackles as was attributed to him by a poster, he still had 8 or 9 which is still extremely good. For obvious (at least to those who know me) reasons, I spent a lot of time watching him during the game and on tape afterwards. He played a very good game and in my opinion is one of, if not the, best linebackers we have played against this year. I am sure he will be determined to get even more tackles in two weeks and sure that the people assigned to block him will be equally determined to make sure he has less tackles. Should be a great rematch.

 

Much will be posted about what adjustments the coaches will make for the rematch. My guess is little. On offense, both teams went to their strengths: Highlands running the ball and CovCath passing the ball. Any adjustments will have to come on the defensive side. But when you examine what can be done to stop the opposing offenses, I really don't see much that can be done. If the Birds put too much emphasis on Bovard and Sutton, it opens up the run for CovCath and they can run it better than most think. They just don't run it as well as they pass it. Put too much emphasis on stopping the pass, and they will run it effectively enough to win. Someone mentioned making sure Sutton does not get off the line. Problem with that is Peter is bigger and faster than any one we'd put on him. And if you try to double him on the line, it weakens the other aspects of your d and CovCath will burn you there.

 

Same goes with adjustments by CovCath's D. They did a good job on Kramer, but in doing so, allowed Cecil and Conner to run. If they slack off on the attention to Kramer to focus more on Cecil and Conner, then Kramer will burn them. My guess is that they'd rather let Conner and Cecil get running room than Kramer. No dis to Conner, but if that had been Kramer that got open on those two long runs, he'd have taken it to the house. With it being Conner, he was able to be caught and in the case of the first run, we ended up coming up with zero points on that drive, so it was a game saving tackle. Plus as Highlands somewhat but sparingly demonstrated, they can pass the ball when necessary. If CovCath makes too much of a committment to stop Kramer, Conner and Cecil, they will get burnt by the pass.

 

Thus, I really expect both teams to come out and do pretty much the same thing they did this past Friday. Both teams played well enough to win and any major adjustments by either team may backfire dramatically. Sure they will be some minor adjustments, but I think both teams are going to go with their strengths on O and not make many big adjustments on D.

 

Interestingly enough, and its not been commented upon on here yet, but the biggest factor in determining the outcome of the game may have been the coin toss. CovCath got the ball 4 times in the second half and scored on all 4 possessions. Two field goals and two touchdowns. Birds got the ball 3 times and scored touchdowns on each possession. If the Birds had gotten the ball first in the second half instead of CovCath and gotten four possessions to CovCath's three, based on what how the second half was played, looks like the Birds would have won. And no I'm not making excuses for the Birds loss. Don't have to. We played a heck of a good football game against a good football team and got beat at the last second by a pass that probably 8 out of 10 times is unsuccessful.

 

I'll not respond to the coaching criticisms. I don't agree with the criticisms but bashing one another on here won't change anything other than cause problems. On to South Oldham boys. If you want revenge, you first have to beat the Dragons. Lose to them, and you won't get the chance to avenge the loss.

 

 

LN... coint toss was very pivotal....it would have also given our Defense in the 1st qtr the chance to make a stop and gain some confidence. Your analysis was very good of the game in regards to both teams taking what they were given but I don't think you mentioned anything about field position in your post. Not necessarily on kickoffs but on the fake punt where clearly we could have pinned them wiht their backs against the wall on that opening drive, given our Defense a chance to get a good stop deep in their territory. Any thoughts?

 

Could that have been something that Cecil saw while lining up.... only reason I mention it is there was a reference in the Enquirer yesterday to Corey Farris pulling off a 4th and 20 fake punt on his own 30yrd line.

Did HHS win the coin toss or lose the coin toss?

Did HHS win the coin toss or lose the coin toss?

 

Lost it. CCH won it and deferred to the second half I was told. I wasn't paying attention so I don't know that for a fact (Henry was asking me some question about the band I think:laugh: ).

This was probably the best post yet on this game. No bashing of anyone or either team. Just a great observation and interpretation of both teams. Very refreshing. Thank you.

 

I second that, classy post. :thumb:

If CovCath makes too much of a committment to stop Kramer, Conner and Cecil, they will get burnt by the pass.

 

.

 

What pass? Cecil on threw for 44yds if I am not mistaken

LN... coint toss was very pivotal....it would have also given our Defense in the 1st qtr the chance to make a stop and gain some confidence. Your analysis was very good of the game in regards to both teams taking what they were given but I don't think you mentioned anything about field position in your post. Not necessarily on kickoffs but on the fake punt where clearly we could have pinned them wiht their backs against the wall on that opening drive, given our Defense a chance to get a good stop deep in their territory. Any thoughts?

 

Could that have been something that Cecil saw while lining up.... only reason I mention it is there was a reference in the Enquirer yesterday to Corey Farris pulling off a 4th and 20 fake punt on his own 30yrd line.

 

As to the fake punt, it was a gutsy call made from the sideline, the type I'm used to seeing from Dale. If it works and we end up scoring on the drive, Dale's a genius (much like the Bengals passing deep to Johnson on fourth and one two games ago). Dale obviously saw something in prior CovCath games he thought he could exploit. It didn't work due to two interior defenders on CovCath's team doing a great job. We had the pressure man and the outside man blocked, but two interior guys really hustled to tackle Cecil. Our d still ended up holding them to the 47 yd field goal. Personally I liked the call.

What pass? Cecil on threw for 44yds if I am not mistaken

 

 

I don't understand your question. I said that if in the second game they try to put too much emphasis on stopping Cecil, Kramer and Conner from running the ball (Highlands had 334 yds rushing on Friday), it will open up the pass. And contrary to what people think, Highlands can pass the ball pretty well they just don't do it when they can run the football. They scored one of their tds on a approx 35 yd pass to Draper that was a thing of beauty. Cecil also had another nice pass to Simons over the middle on a critical third down. He barely overthrough a long pass to Little in the first half down the sidelines that was a touchdown if it had been caught. I hope for Highlands sake the CovCath coaches don't think we can pass. A lot of people didn't think Vick could pass yesterday against the Bengals either and we know how that game turned out.:banana:

LN-shhhh! Keep repeating, "we have no pass offense, we have no pass offense".

LN-shhhh! Keep repeating, "we have no pass offense, we have no pass offense".

 

 

We have no pass offense, we have no pass offense.

If I were you guys, I'd be more concerned with pass defense.

 

:banana:

If I were you guys, I'd be more concerned with pass defense.

 

:banana:

Har-dee har har:D

 

There's one in every crowd:lol:

As to the fake punt, it was a gutsy call made from the sideline, the type I'm used to seeing from Dale. If it works and we end up scoring on the drive, Dale's a genius (much like the Bengals passing deep to Johnson on fourth and one two games ago). Dale obviously saw something in prior CovCath games he thought he could exploit. It didn't work due to two interior defenders on CovCath's team doing a great job. We had the pressure man and the outside man blocked, but two interior guys really hustled to tackle Cecil. Our d still ended up holding them to the 47 yd field goal. Personally I liked the call.

LN I agree with you almost all the time, but on this call I can't... You have to play field position in a game against CovCath.. They have the best kicker in the state. This was a bone head move...I know you always stick up for Dale, but this was a horrible call. Hopefully he kicks the ball deep on kickoffs also. Personally I think Dale lost the game ....not the players. GO BIRDS!!!!! :ylsuper:

Great post Leatherneck.

 

I really think that again the game will come down to special teams. The Team from Ft. Thomas lost that match up and thus the game. CovCath "D" will need to step up a bit and The Team from Ft. Thomas "O" will need to step up a bit, but if both do it, the game will still come down to special teams, and I think this is where CovCath has an advantage over The Team from Ft. Thomas. Another close game......

I Does anyone else think that Kramer was little under-used in this game? The first half in paticular.

 

Dale did what he had to do. CCH appeared to be saying "we're taking Kramer out of the game so beat us with someone else if you can." Had Dale been hardheaded about it, HHS would have been blown out.

If I were you guys, I'd be more concerned with pass defense.

 

:banana:

 

We are.