As I mentioned in the other thread on the 9th, I wasn't able to make it to St. Henry last night, so I have no first-hand knowledge.  This is certainly an upset, although not on the level of Dixie's win over Ryle, but it sounds like the overflow crowd in Erlanger were treated to a hard-fought, tough game between two fairly evenly matched rivals.  Highlands' season ends at 18-5-1, with some great wins along the way (over Dunbar 5-2 among them), but you have to feel badly for the Bluebird seniors who got to don their kits for the last time last night. 

CovCath, who has had a well-chronicled up and down season (10-8-5 against a good schedule), but who have been consistently tough to score against, do just enough to get through to a rematch with Dixie for the 9th Region title.  Dixie won the regular season game at 1-0 on September 30th.  

In spite of the regular season result, I think CovCath has more top-end quality, and certainly a lot more depth, so I'd put them as a mild favorite on Saturday at 4:00 at Boone County.  Should be a great game, and will certainly be a huge crowd in Florence to see who can capture the 9th Region Championship.

I know I am going to come across as a bitter old man when I say this and you touched on it a little on the Dixie v Ryle thread BUT that field was an absolute JOKE of a pitch to determine who survives and advances and whose careers might be over!

The grass was literally like 6 inches high.  For the record I BELIEVE if my memory serves me correctly I griped about this location as SOON as it was published that this would host the Semifinals.  

With all the Turf fields to potentially choose from the 9th Region people picked St Henry’s grass goat ranch to play the Semi’s at.  What’s next Holy Cross and NCC are going to host the Girls Semi’s and Finals next year.  

WHAT A JOKE!  Yes I am bitter.

Congrats to the Colonels, I realize the response that will quickly be made is both teams played on the same field, Yada yada yada.  I just hate that in all the preparations that these teams do throughout the season they have to endure themselves to play on a surface like that in a do or die game.  We should have done better for these kids.

Let me pile on again.  This is totally different than dealing with curveballs that you get from “Mother Nature” ie, Rain, wind, snow, etc.  You can’t control those issues and you have to deal with them.  This field issue IS CONTROLLABLE.  You either pick a site that is worthy of a Semifinals matchup or you make sure your site meets playing standards that you would want to have.  It is WELL KNOWN that St. Henry’s field is NOT a quality Pitch to have a soccer match on PERIOD!

STILL BITTER 

I can't tell you if this is true or not, maybe a Ryle or Dixie parent can attest, but I've been told by 3 different people that at the end of the Ryle / Dixie game the center ref realized there was NO penalty spot painted on the SOCCER ONLY field.  They apparently had to scramble to paint a spot onto the pitch before they started the rounds of penalties to decide the 9th Region semi.

That is almost too absurd to make up, so I have to believe my information is correct, but if it is not true, someone please correct it.  If that is in fact accurate, on SHDHS' SOCCER ONLY pitch, that is beyond ridiculous.

1 minute ago, The Double Deuce said:

I can't tell you if this is true or not, maybe a Ryle or Dixie parent can attest, but I've been told by 3 different people that at the end of the Ryle / Dixie game the center ref realized there was NO penalty spot painted on the SOCCER ONLY field.  They apparently had to scramble to paint a spot onto the pitch before they started the rounds of penalties to decide the 9th Region semi.

That is almost too absurd to make up, so I have to believe my information is correct, but if it is not true, someone please correct it.  If that is in fact accurate, on SHDHS' SOCCER ONLY pitch, that is beyond ridiculous.

Your statement is correct!  Spray paint was used to make PK spot, BEYOND RIDICULOUS in so many ways!

@FrankNicodemus

 I assure you that if Saint Henry's field truly was a goat ranch the grass would not be 6" high. Goats are offended at that statement.

Sorry, couldn't resist. ?

I’m still bitter!

I can only assume they cut the grass today before the rain and the weekend LOL.

2 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

I’m still bitter!

I can only assume they cut the grass today before the rain and the weekend LOL.

I wish you would tell us how you really feel Frank.