DH tries to avoid skid while Highlands seeks to end one

Records: Highlands (3-2), Dixie Heights (2-2)

BGP Ranking: Highlands (#7 in 5A), Dixie Heights (unranked in 6A)

Series History: Highlands leads 66-9 all-time

Table Setter: After suffering its first loss in Week 4, Highlands has to get off the canvas once more after dropping a two touchdown decision to Ryle last Friday. Dynamic quarterback Charlie Noon was held in check and the Birds lost the battle in the trenches. With no running game to speak of outside of Noon's improvising and designed runs, the pressure is heaped on his ability to make throws, which was spotty against the Raiders.

Highlands will conclude the 6A District 6 portion of its schedule this week when they fly west to Edgewood to challenge Dixie Heights. The Colonels have had a week off to prep for this game after being smothered by CovCath's defense two Friday's ago. Dixie's offense has shown flashes of its potential, but they've also been stifled by the better teams they've faced. With Landers, Hawkins, Holbert, Rohlman, and a line anchored by WKU commit Evan Wibberly, you've got to believe it's just a matter of time before they put it together.

Highlands has clocked the Colonels the last two times they've met by a combined score of 96-6. Don't look for a continuance of that domination this Friday.

I think this will be a close one. I'll take Dixie since had week off and extra time to prepare.

HIghlands by 17. 

Highlands wins this game by 10+.

I'll give Highlands the slight edge here. 

14 hours ago, sportsfan41 said:

HIghlands by 17. 

 

40 minutes ago, The Double Deuce said:

Highlands wins this game by 10+.

Dixie is that bad huh?

6 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

 

Dixie is that bad huh?

They aren’t that they have had trouble like highlands if the highlands we seen the first 3 games is there Friday night they could win by 14 but if it’s the same highlands these last 2 games and the same Dixie we’ve seen then the game is either way 50/50.

4 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

 

Dixie is that bad huh?

I don't think we have enough info on Dixie to know yet.  

They do look pretty physical and that will be a problem for Highlands. 

24 minutes ago, theguru said:

I don't think we have enough info on Dixie to know yet.  

They do look pretty physical and that will be a problem for Highlands. 

 1.  Highlands got pushed around upfront against Ryle.  Will Dixie be able to push Highlands around the same way?  

2.  Noon has to stay in the pocket and see the open receivers.  And if/when he does decide to scramble, he must keep the ball up and his eyes up and downfield.  He's tucking it and trying to do too much on his own.  There have been plenty of times in both the McNich and Ryle games when he doesn't see and deliver the ball to the open receiver(s).  

3.  Highlands has to find a running game.  

4.  Highlands will have to pressure Landers and not let him throw it deep to their two deep threats.

5.  Highlands has to find a way to do more on special teams and gain better field position.

Dixie could be much better offensively if they utilized all their talent instead of relying on 3 guys.  They try to force feed Holbert and Hawkins on offense, and the CCH and Cooper game should show that that doesn't work against quality opponents.  If they incorporate Rice and Thelen over the middle along along with getting Hirth and Edwards the ball in space, plus throw in Diltz, and they could be dangerous offensively.  However, they continue to force balls to Holbert on the edges with out routes and go routes and Hawkins on slants/crossing routes.

57 minutes ago, NKYPrepSportsFan said:

 1.  Highlands got pushed around upfront against Ryle.  Will Dixie be able to push Highlands around the same way?  

2.  Noon has to stay in the pocket and see the open receivers.  And if/when he does decide to scramble, he must keep the ball up and his eyes up and downfield.  He's tucking it and trying to do too much on his own.  There have been plenty of times in both the McNich and Ryle games when he doesn't see and deliver the ball to the open receiver(s).  

3.  Highlands has to find a running game.  

4.  Highlands will have to pressure Landers and not let him throw it deep to their two deep threats.

5.  Highlands has to find a way to do more on special teams and gain better field position.

On the head but let me say this Highlands has a pure lockdown sophomore DB so one of them wr’s will be lockdown I’m sure he’s a sophomore #2 and let’s just say if they man or have him shadow either wr then it’ll be a long night for at least one of them and the qb doesn’t often target his way I’ve been to every game if they do throw it his way it’s zone and short route but if they let the wr’s ran every where and the lb’s leave that middle open like they did Ryle and not pressure the qb it’ll be a long night for highlands.

Highlands gave up 600 yards to SK, and 200+ rushing from one player. I think Dixie has enough weapons to win this game. 

Interesting reading.  #2 Boler is getting better and better.  You can’t have lb”s in coverage if you can’t stop the run.  Last week you started the game with two outside lb’s playing inside.  They went with a 4-3 as Ryle was running off big tackle.   It doesn’t get any easier with WKU commit #58 next week. A strong tackle for sure.  A few thoughts birds need to get healthy. Noon can’t be run 1st, 2nd and think about pass 3rd. Whoever return the ball on special teams run  North to South in a hurry no freeze frame action.  Find somebody to tote the ball.  Birds stop playing touch football, tackle…..

Two of the most frustrating teams this season with two of the biggest upsides if they figure it out. I'll give the edge to Dixie. They have had an extra week to get better, healthy, and they are almost a carbon copy of the Ryle team Highlands just saw up front. If Highlands has a chance it's that Dixie has a tendency to struggle offensively for whatever reason.

3 minutes ago, Finkle Ray said:

Two of the most frustrating teams this season with two of the biggest upsides if they figure it out. I'll give the edge to Dixie. They have had an extra week to get better, healthy, and they are almost a carbon copy of the Ryle team Highlands just saw up front. If Highlands has a chance it's that Dixie has a tendency to struggle offensively for whatever reason.

Is Dixie really as big and physical as Ryle upfront?  “Carbon copy?”

There can no doubt that the extra week helps.