Conner beat Highlands 20-17 in week seven. Can Cougars beat the Bluebirds twice? Or, have the Bluebirds improved enough to get a first round victory?

I think the Birds won’t put in the back up QB in this one and will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. Conner is a good squad with a quality coach though so it will be a back and forth game.

 

Bluebirds 24

Cougars 21

Immediately following the regular season game, my gut told me Highlands would handily win the rematch, but they've done nothing since that game to bolster my confidence.

 

Neither team is coming in hot. This could go either way and should be one of 5A's most competitive first round games.

I was at the first match up, and I'll take Highlands here.

I like Highlands a lot in this game, even on the road in Hebron.

I was at the first match up, and I'll take Highlands here.

 

I like Highlands a lot in this game, even on the road in Hebron.

 

I will third the motion for Highlands, I like the Birds by a couple of scores.

I like Highlands a lot in this game, even on the road in Hebron.

 

I will third the motion for Highlands, I like the Birds by a couple of scores.

 

Highlands very well may win. However, I'm curious on why you all think by a lot or a few scores. What exactly have they done or shown since that lost, that makes you all think that this outcome will be different and on the road no less?

 

Has their offense improved since that game? Remember their offense only scored 10 points their first game against Conner. Then they were shut out against Covcath and scored only 14 against Cooper. With most of their yards coming on 2 plays, and only had a total of 6 yards passing.

 

So besides having the name Highlands on their chest. What have they done since that defeat, that makes you all believe they win pretty easily? Highlands very well could win, but Imo it is two very evenly matched teams and will come down to who has less turnovers in this one.

Highlands very well may win. However, I'm curious on why you all think by a lot or a few scores. What exactly have they done or shown since that lost, that makes you all think that this outcome will be different and on the road no less?

 

Has their offense improved since that game? Remember their offense only scored 10 points their first game against Conner. Then they were shut out against Covcath and scored only 14 against Cooper. With most of their yards coming on 2 plays, and only had a total of 6 yards passing.

 

So besides having the name Highlands on their chest. What have they done since that defeat, that makes you all believe they win pretty easily? Highlands very well could win, but Imo it is two very evenly matched teams and will come down to who has less turnovers in this one.

 

I said a couple of scores.

 

In short, I thought Highlands was better when they played and Highlands was still in the process of finding their identity as a team.

 

As to Conner, the Cooper win the next week was a nice feather in their cap but the Cougars ended the season with two bad losses, one because of margin and one because of the opponent.

 

Give me the Bluebirds in Hebron Friday night!

I said a couple of scores.

 

In short, I thought Highlands was better when they played and Highlands was still in the process of finding their identity as a team.

 

As to Conner, the Cooper win the next week was a nice feather in their cap but the Cougars ended the season with two bad losses, one because of margin and one because of the opponent.

 

Give me the Bluebirds in Hebron Friday night!

 

So my question again is what has Highlands done since that defeat that makes you think they are now a few scores better on the road? You said they were still trying to find their identity in that first game. Did they find their identity while getting shut out by CovCath, and then being out gained by Cooper? I get what you are saying about Conner not finishing the season strong, but it doesn't seem like Highlands really did much since their lost to Conner either. So it seems to me that it really is basically the same two teams playing, except this time it is at Conner on grass.

 

I believe the biggest difference from last game that is being overlooked. Is Conner is not going into this game asking themselves can they beat the team with the name Highlands on their jersey. They already now know they can beat them, because they already did. I think that probably played a role into Highlands getting off to a quick 14 to 0 lead last time. Then once Conner realized hey we can play with this team, it didn't matter what name was on that chest anymore. So the advantage Highlands may have had going into it last time of Conner maybe not knowing if they could play with them is gone. Those Conner players know they can, because they already did. They are two very evenly matched teams, and I think it comes down to the end on who protects the ball better.

One thing they did since Conner was hold juggernaut Cov Cath to 13 points.

 

Highlands had Cov Cath that next week so definitely overlooked Conner. Now the target is on Conner. I think it’s a one score game and Highlands defense impresses. If the offense is as vanilla as it’s been, it will be really close, 50/50 type of deal. If they put two backs in the backfield and protect Hollingsworth Highlands should win by 14 or more.

So my question again is what has Highlands done since that defeat that makes you think they are now a few scores better on the road? You said they were still trying to find their identity in that first game. Did they find their identity while getting shut out by CovCath, and then being out gained by Cooper? I get what you are saying about Conner not finishing the season strong, but it doesn't seem like Highlands really did much since their lost to Conner either. So it seems to me that it really is basically the same two teams playing, except this time it is at Conner on grass.

 

I believe the biggest difference from last game that is being overlooked. Is Conner is not going into this game asking themselves can they beat the team with the name Highlands on their jersey. They already now know they can beat them, because they already did. I think that probably played a role into Highlands getting off to a quick 14 to 0 lead last time. Then once Conner realized hey we can play with this team, it didn't matter what name was on that chest anymore. So the advantage Highlands may have had going into it last time of Conner maybe not knowing if they could play with them is gone. Those Conner players know they can, because they already did. They are two very evenly matched teams, and I think it comes down to the end on who protects the ball better.

 

Again, a couple scores and that still fits even though I believe you are including the score differential from the first game now.

 

Obviously Highlands' performance against CovCath was much, much better than Conner's performance and call me crazy but I think that "Highlands" on their chest does mean something. :idunno:

Again, a couple scores and that still fits even though I believe you are including the score differential from the first game now.

 

Obviously Highlands' performance against CovCath was much, much better than Conner's performance and call me crazy but I think that "Highlands" on their chest does mean something. :idunno:

 

I agree and I think it meant something the first game they played this year. Which helped play a part in Highlands jumping out to the early 14 to 0 lead. Then once Conner realized they could play with them, and it didn't matter that Highlands was on the opposing teams jersey is when things changed. Going into this game, I don't think Conner is worried that is says Highlands on their jersey, because they already shown that they can not only play with them, but that they can beat them too.

 

It should be a good one on Friday.

I agree and I think it meant something the first game they played this year. Which helped play a part in Highlands jumping out to the early 14 to 0 lead. Then once Conner realized they could play with them, and it didn't matter that Highlands was on the opposing teams jersey is when things changed. Going into this game, I don't think Conner is worried that is says Highlands on their jersey, because they already shown that they can not only play with them, but that they can beat them too.

 

It should be a good one on Friday.

 

I sure hope so fc. I am rooting for a highly competitive game with no injuries and may the best team win!

I think Highlands wins but will be competitive game. I’ll say Highlands by 10.

Highlands by 21.