Now that it's over, here are some of my thoughts about 2006 for the 'Birds:

 

1. The strategy of Highlands' scheduling clearly failed. They scheduled a bunch of tough teams and lost all of them, in the hopes of getting better prepared for the district/playoffs. The result: a bunch of HHS losses in the regular season, a loss AT HOME to district rival CCH, and getting beaten badly by CCH in the playoffs, a loss that was probably HHS' worst to a district foe (points-wise) in 10+ years. Clearly, the strategy of sheduling all those tough teams did no good for HHS.

 

2. Heading into the season, expectations were VERY high for HHS. It seems that their most impressive win was against Southwestern. Every close game they played in, they lost, and they lost two games that weren't even that close (Saint X and CCH in the playoffs). What happened?

 

3. This is the most painful to write, and probably one that many won't like much. Since Gino Guidulgi's class left (after the 2000 season), HHS has really only fielded one very solid team, and this team won HHS' only title from 2001 through 2006 (and counting). That year (2004) had some real studs on it who did not start their football careers at HHS (Nevels, Mitchell, and Stowers). I know that Mitchell did not play in the title game, but does anyone here actually believe that if those 3 guys were not on the team, HHS would have won in 2004? When will HHS win another title without the help of transfers, which the KHSAA is clearly taking a very critical look at now?

 

4. I hope that HHS did not overshoot when they petitioned to play up 2 classes, instead of staying put or playing up 1. Also, for two straight years HHS has been beaten in the playoffs handily by catholic private schools... perhaps this portends things to come, since the KHSAA did not separate the privates from the publics.

jbwill - I've seen now where you've mentioned the public vs private thing in 2 threads. I think (hope) that Highlands wants to play the best of the best, and that's why they moved up 2 classes & why those around Ft. Thomas have not made a big deal out of the public vs. private issue.

 

I understand it was a disappointing loss today, but only 1 team in 3A can end their season with a win. HHS had a fine season and, despite today's performance, is without a doubt a top team in the state of Kentucky.

 

And now I feel sick. Something about defending Highlands just doesn't settle that well.

jbwill - I've seen now where you've mentioned the public vs private thing in 2 threads. I think (hope) that Highlands wants to play the best of the best, and that's why they moved up 2 classes & why those around Ft. Thomas have not made a big deal out of the public vs. private issue.

Well, why didn't HHS just got full out and move all the way up to 6A??? I am sure the KHSAA would have been more than happy to oblige them, and let them deal with the likes of Male, Saint X, and Trinity.

IMO, Highlands moved up two classes because 5A on their side is unbelievably weak.

Now that it's over, here are some of my thoughts about 2006 for the 'Birds:

 

1. The strategy of Highlands' scheduling clearly failed. They scheduled a bunch of tough teams and lost all of them, in the hopes of getting better prepared for the district/playoffs. The result: a bunch of HHS losses in the regular season, a loss AT HOME to district rival CCH, and getting beaten badly by CCH in the playoffs, a loss that was probably HHS' worst to a district foe (points-wise) in 10+ years. Clearly, the strategy of sheduling all those tough teams did no good for HHS.

 

.

 

I don't see how you say it didn't help them. In addition, I'd ask if it hurt them (other than padding their win-loss record).

 

I applaud them and say it did not affect their season.

I don't want them to change a thing. I love their scheduling top competition and moving up. I think it does work and it's a lot more fun to watch a game against St X, Elder, CCH, etc than a game they win 50-7. They simply weren't the best team in their district this year and different scheduling wouldn't have changed that. As for moving up to 6a, they have to know their limitations. They will compete year in year out in 5a but rarely put a team on the field that could win 6a. When you get to the big 3 it's simply a different world.

IMO, Highlands moved up two classes because 5A on their side is unbelievably weak.

 

IMO that thought has never entered their mind.

jbwill - I've seen now where you've mentioned the public vs private thing in 2 threads. I think (hope) that Highlands wants to play the best of the best, and that's why they moved up 2 classes & why those around Ft. Thomas have not made a big deal out of the public vs. private issue.

Not all Highlands fans share the sentiments expressed by jbwill. We believe in scheduling the best, and have no problems with private school teams. I think we like our rivalry with Cov Cath, and I think it's good for both teams. What good is a rivalry if one team wins every game, every year? This year, Cov Cath fielded the better team -- simple as that. Good luck to them as they represent NKY in the playoffs.

 

I do think there is a fundamental problem that needs to be addressed with our team. I'm not a football genius; but even I could see that there are serious issues with our offense. They need to be addressed, and I dare say, may require some personnel decisions.

jb,

 

This is very simple, Highlands can't throw the ball, end of story.

jb,

 

This is very simple, Highlands can't throw the ball, end of story.

Bingo! Although, I think it's a combination of can't, and just won't.

jb,

 

This is very simple, Highlands can't throw the ball, end of story.

 

He's better than I thought he was. He threw OK today. He's not a pocket passer but throws a nice deep ball and throws well on the rollout. They lost today because they couldn't run the ball very well. CCH D really did well today.

He's better than I thought he was. He threw OK today. He's not a pocket passer but throws a nice deep ball and throws well on the rollout. They lost today because they couldn't run the ball very well. CCH D really did well today.

I think a big part of their inability to run was the fact that they couldn't sell the pass.

Not all Highlands fans share the sentiments expressed by jbwill.

Let me say, for the record, that I'm pretty sure that NO other HHS fans on this website express the same opinions that I have. I've brought this stuff up in the past, and every time it's me against the entire Bluebird nation.

 

I don't pretend to know a tenth of what HHS guys like Birdsfan, LN, RuntoState, Oldbird, or Henry521 know when it comes to football.

 

But, I do know that all HHS fans now have to sit back and watch to see if someone can knock off Trinity so that they don't pass up HHS in title count. When is the last time that HHS has not at least been tied for the lead in KY in titles??? It's been awhile, I'm sure. It would have been nice if HHS could have taken care of their business, won no.17, and not had to worry about someone beating Trinity.

I think a big part of their inability to run was the fact that they couldn't sell the pass.

 

Fair enough. You guys see HHS more than I do and it probably wouldn't hurt HHS to mix in the pass more (other than the screen to #4).

 

Cecil will be a top 2 or 3 player in NKY next season.

Fair enough. You guys see HHS more than I do and it probably wouldn't hurt HHS to mix in the pass more (other than the screen to #4).

 

Cecil will be a top 2 or 3 player in NKY next season.

Not trying to take anything away from the CCH defensive effort, which was formidable.