Now to mix it up a bit.....

 

With the new alignment in place starting next year, the average number of teams per district naturally shrinks allowing for teams across the state to have the option to be more flexible with how they schedule.

 

What trends would you expect to see develop with the new system?

 

Will this result in a greater disparity between your top tier teams and bottom tier teams? Now your better teams will continue to play more challenging games that may not have been available in year's past, whereas the bottom tier teams will be left in the cold to play each other.

 

Could this be a positive for teams like, say, Trimble County? Who has been synonomous for scheduling weaker teams to build their record and confidence...and in the process garner more community support because they are a winning team finally?

I'm somewhere in the middle on this one, I agree that tougher teams make you play up to competition and expose weaknesses to work on but this is'nt golf or basketball or baseball. This is a contact, physical sport and as Colonel Fan said two straight years now in a 4 or 5 week period CCH plays Elder, rivals Dixie and Beechwood, Cincy St. X and then immediately after X gets THUMPED by Watterson in a game that means nothing. Two straight years they are up for those games physically and mentally and by the time Watterson rolls around they are spent. Both years pivotal guys have also gotten hurt (last year Joe Casteneda and Kurt Bovard and Brandon Brown this year). Guys were beat down pysically and mentally and that's when you get hurt. I'm ok with playing a couple of these games but you have to space them out better and playing 3 of them plus Highlands, and your natural rivals of Dixie, Beechwood, and NewCath is probably a little much. CCH and Highlands have 500 boys and dress what 50 not like St.X and Elder who dress 120, have 2 to 300 in the program and have 1500 boys in the school.

No question a tough schedule better prepares a team in a number of ways. Look at all your 3 small school powers (Danville, Mayfield and Beechwood) and look at their schedules, all are tough.

:fight:

Now to mix it up a bit.....

 

With the new alignment in place starting next year, the average number of teams per district naturally shrinks allowing for teams across the state to have the option to be more flexible with how they schedule.

 

What trends would you expect to see develop with the new system?

 

Will this result in a greater disparity between your top tier teams and bottom tier teams? Now your better teams will continue to play more challenging games that may not have been available in year's past, whereas the bottom tier teams will be left in the cold to play each other.

 

Could this be a positive for teams like, say, Trimble County? Who has been synonomous for scheduling weaker teams to build their record and confidence...and in the process garner more community support because they are a winning team finally?

 

All right, I have to come out fighting on this one. :fight: Back in 2004, Trimble went 0-10. We played 5 of the same teams that we do now. Additionally, we played 2 first year varsity teams - and gave them their first win. The only thing different in the schedule this year is that we are on the winning side of the scoreboard.

 

I know that this was not the point of the thread and that no disrespect was meant, but the phrases "synonomous for scheduling weaker teams" (if we did this in the past, we did a really crappy job of it) and "winning team finally" made my blood boil. We had our first winning season in 28 years and last year came off a 0-27 run. I cannot understand how anyone can put this turn around in anything but a positive light.

:fight:

 

All right, I have to come out fighting on this one. :fight: Back in 2004, Trimble went 0-10. We played 5 of the same teams that we do now. Additionally, we played 2 first year varsity teams - and gave them their first win. The only thing different in the schedule this year is that we are on the winning side of the scoreboard.

 

I know that this was not the point of the thread and that no disrespect was meant, but the phrases "synonomous for scheduling weaker teams" (if we did this in the past, we did a really crappy job of it) and "winning team finally" made my blood boil. We had our first winning season in 28 years and last year came off a 0-27 run. I cannot understand how anyone can put this turn around in anything but a positive light.

Yeah, I chose words poorly.

 

You actually illustrated the point I wanted to convey perfectly. Trimble, didn't schedule Beechwoods, Larger schools, etc...but scheduled teams that were first year programs or having the same struggles as themselves and as a result put themselves in position to be successful and it translated in a "turn around" which I am sure you would agree has not only the team more positive, but the entire school, and community.

I would agree with you to a great extend...I just wanted it to be clear to those that don't follow the program that our type of schedule really hasn't changed...however we do have a new coach and some talented players (contrary to popular belief, I am neither!)...that has been the difference in our success!

 

However, once you start on that winning path, I wouldn't expect the very next year that one would jump to a drastically different caliber of a schedule. As you improve, you continue to take steps up that ladder - not leaps!

Weak schedule or not TRimble did play the #3 team in class A down to the wire actually leading 8-6 with 7 minutes to go in the game. Like true blue and gold said we lost badly to all those teams 2 years ago.

It sure makes things alot easier when you win to build a program. Like I said earlier Trimble is 2 years removed from the states longest losing streak at 26 games in which they lost 1203 to 164. Once the program gets rolling then we can play the Shamrocks and St. X, but let us get going first.

 

Trimble RB David Bird can play for almost anyone!!! :thumb:

I, for one, was very impressed with all the things I read and heard about Trimble County this year. I wish them nothing but the best and hope that we can possibly get them back on our schedule in the not too distant future.

I, for one, was very impressed with all the things I read and heard about Trimble County this year. I wish them nothing but the best and hope that we can possibly get them back on our schedule in the not too distant future.

Who are we? Ludlow? We playing Ludlow in the first game of the season in the Henry Co. Bowl next year. :thumb: Thanks for the good words.

Within reason, scheduling tougher opponents is very important. I am not one that subscribes to you have to play the best-of-the-best in order to be successful. It does not good for really small schools to attempt to schedule beasts of opponents.

 

I also think timing of opponents is important in high school football. Long stretches of games going up against inferior opponents does a lot more harm than playing the same amount of inferior opponents in one season once every 2nd or 3rd week.

I don't think you have to play heavyweights every week, but I think every team needs to schedule at least one or two very good opponents each season. Of course, some of that is dependent on the state of your program.

Who are we? Ludlow? We playing Ludlow in the first game of the season in the Henry Co. Bowl next year. :thumb: Thanks for the good words.

 

Yes we are Ludlow and I think it's great that we are playing again. I look forward to it. I had heard we were playing in a bowl next year, but not who we would be playing. Good luck to you all.

Week 10 and Week 11 are not supposed to contain district games.

 

So now, how do you schedule your week 10 and 11 games, cupcakes? byes? tough games?

 

Which would be best for your team? Cupcakes, rest the starters?

A sidebar to this question is what a team learns from the tough games they play. Playing very tough competition exposes weaknesses the team must then work on in preparation for playoff time. The secret to success with this strategy is making the corrections/changes in time for the district and playoffs.

 

Also, if a team consistently plays against physically superior competition, that team runs the risk of having some guys beat up (physically and mentally) come playoff time. It can be a gamble.

 

I agree. However, if you are in a tough district where every game is going to be a battle, you'd be nuts not to get two easy games on the schedule for two reasons. A) Playing weaker competition gives you a chance to work on things that have been exposed by stiffer competition. Look at NewCath. They played against a pretty tough early season schedule and averaged 2 int's and numerous fumbles a game. They then turn it around against the bottom of their district by working on their running game and getting their timing down in the passing game. B) It allows you to build depth. Starters don't play as long and reserves get valuable game experience against less competition that hopefully allows them to taste a little success. Now, if you play in a weak schedule, a team has to schedule tough competition to have something to draw on in the playoffs.