57 minutes ago, ChiefSmoke said:

John Schlarman as well... correct?

Schlarman was on that squad as well. He was RIDICULOUS good as you well know. But, as the DT for the Colonels that drew that assignment that day, I can tell you he was the best I ever went up against and it wasn't close. 

3 minutes ago, BrosefStalin said:

Schlarman was on that squad as well. He was RIDICULOUS good as you well know. But, as the DT for the Colonels that drew that assignment that day, I can tell you he was the best I ever went up against and it wasn't close. 

One of my favorite things about old guys and football... respect and acknowledging a worthy opponent, giving credit where credit is due. Thank you for sharing that. 

21 hours ago, ChiefSmoke said:

That was 2003 but yes, agree, that was an excellent football team. 

 

Didn't have a playoff game that week. It was cold and a really good football game between two really good teams.

1 minute ago, 9068 said:

Didn't have a playoff game that week. It was cold and a really good football game between two really good teams.

In 30 seasons as a head coach, that was the best game we ever had a team play. Kids played hard and played well. Thanks for saying that. 

21 hours ago, Breds82 said:

I believe Dan Ridder is an all time underrated coach in NKY. His Dayton teams were ready and willing to rip our heads off.

Trust me, he was like that as a player too.

Wow. This site filled me with so many great memories of teams, coaches, players, and games I was blessed to officiate. 

9 minutes ago, 9068 said:

Wow. This site filled me with so many great memories of teams, coaches, players, and games I was blessed to officiate. 

I sort of agree... but for this thread....tempting to find @BEChargers & punch him in the mouth. Lol

Just teasing. Agree, great memories. Some tough memories as well. Still, at the end of the day, super proud of the young men that played their guts out!

30 minutes ago, ChiefSmoke said:

Rob and I became friends. One time, he gave me a heads up on an issue he saw as a problem for me and wanted to make sure I was aware of what was going. Always appreciated his friendship & loyalty. 

He was a loyal friend for sure. I hope to open a bottle of Kentucky’s favorite Spirit that Rob gave to me about a year before he passed in his honor the next time his beloved Bluebirds win a State Championship. Hopefully in the next 3 years while my Son is playing for the Birds.

2013 Wayne County Cardinals

14-1, lost the 3A State Championship to Belfry, 3-0.

I’ll start off by saying that I’m very biased on this on as I was on that team for Wayne county. That aside, I feel that this was one of the better teams to come up just short. 

In an undefeated run to the championship led by 2013 Coach of the year Shawn Thompson and 2013 3A Player of the year, now Head Coach of the Cardinals, Tyler Guffey, the Cardinals had regular season wins over eventual 1A runner up, Williamsburg, and district powerhouses in Bell County and Corbin. After wrapping up the regular season 10-0 for the first time in school history, they started the playoffs at home against LaRue Co. and then Corbin in the second round, blanking the Redhounds 36-0. They then went on the road to Louisville Central where they put an end to the Yellow Jackets’ quest for 4-in-a-row by a score of 17-7. In the semifinals the following week, they made the long trek over to Paducah Tilghman and came home with a 34-10 victory, setting up a clash against Belfry in the championship.

On a cold and wet championship Friday, Wayne County’s best shot came up short with a 4th&1 dropped pass in the end zone just before half. Belfry knocked in a 35 yarder in the 3rd quarter for the games only score. 

 

Wayne County would also advance to the 4A semifinals in 2016, ‘17, and ‘18, falling to Johnson Central each time. Some special teams coming up short.

20 hours ago, Hatz said:

For Somerset, I would add the '82 team with Stephens, Neikirk and Sexton.  They beat Corbin handily but lost to Boyle by 1 and had to stay home from the playoffs.  I believe if they would have won they would have taken AA that year.  

Goes for me also.   82 Jumpers where loaded.  

2013 Male Bulldogs (12-2). They beat St. X and Trinity in consecutive weeks in the regular season and lost to Manual the following week. In the playoffs, they beat St. X and Trinity in consecutive weeks again. This state they lost to eventual state champion Scott Co. the following week. 

1999 Bryan Station lost to St.X in overtime they were loaded!

Eric Shelton at RB. Lost in OT. Watched that one on ole ICN6 in NKY. That was a classic.

The Paducah Tilghman team from 2003. They lost in the state semis to Boyle County 35-21. Tilghman finished the season with a record of 13-1 while averaging 42pts per game and allowing only 11. This team had Hunter Cantwell, who ended up at Louisville and spent a few years on a practice squad in the NFL, and is now the head coach of LCA.  Joe Casey was an All American before he decided to leave school right after the loss to Boyle. 

22 hours ago, Weasbird91 said:

Those guys were big, strong, fast......and crazy.  I know I've been told that Schlarman  told the team they won't lose again after the first Covcath lose. And they didn't.

As far as overall toughness goes, that may have been one of the best teams Highlands fielded. I know several teams under Mueller got a lot of spotlight, but this team was very good.