22 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Just read Highlands has a lineman that is 6'6 320 his name is Mason Howard. 

Those numbers are correct. Just laying in the Weeds. The Birds have Nine Varsity lineman ready to go. 285lbs is the Average across those Nine. Of those Nine only Two are Sr's with One of them missing most of the season last year with an ACL tear against Covington Catholic.

Long time Highlands O-line Coach Scott Turner has said that this Group the next couple of years will be his Biggest. His best yet is still to be determined! 

39 minutes ago, THUNDERBIRDS said:

Those numbers are correct. Just laying in the Weeds. The Birds have Nine Varsity lineman ready to go. 285lbs is the Average across those Nine. Of those Nine only Two are Sr's with One of them missing most of the season last year with an ACL tear against Covington Catholic.

Long time Highlands O-line Coach Scott Turner has said that this Group the next couple of years will be his Biggest. His best yet is still to be determined! 

Wow!!  Thanks for that @THUNDERBIRDS, I am so excited to get this season rolling!

Problem is none of those big slow kids can block Austin Alexander.  Cooper wins AGAIN!

1 hour ago, Cousin Chris said:

Problem is none of those big slow kids can block Austin Alexander.  Cooper wins AGAIN!

Highlands rushed for 416 yards first game and 178 second game and ran right at him both games If anyone can block him it’s the birds, turnovers were the difference in the 2nd game. Max Merz dominated that battle last year , Mulvi and Lonaker were the defensive difference makers the 2nd game. 

Couldn’t have been too much domination because the last time I checked Cooper won that 2nd game.  We will find out very soon.

7 hours ago, Cousin Chris said:

Couldn’t have been too much domination because the last time I checked Cooper won that 2nd game.  We will find out very soon.

I forgot you can’t dominate an area of the game and loose at the same time , I guess O’Hara didn’t torch the highlands secondary the first game throwing for 400 plus because Cooper lost. You make no sense , everyone knows who won and lost, Highlands blocked Alexander very well last year , that’s the facts. 

1 hour ago, NKY-guy said:

I forgot you can’t dominate an area of the game and loose at the same time , I guess O’Hara didn’t torch the highlands secondary the first game throwing for 400 plus because Cooper lost. You make no sense , everyone knows who won and lost, Highlands blocked Alexander very well last year , that’s the facts. 

Which by having to try to focus on making sure he was blocked. It then allowed other guys to be more free to make plays. No matter how you cut it, even if he isn’t physically making the plays. Trying to focus on him opens up other guys to make plays. Which holding  great offense like Highlands last year to just 15 points is something. Especially after considering how the first game went. 

47 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Which by having to try to focus on making sure he was blocked. It then allowed other guys to be more free to make plays. No matter how you cut it, even if he isn’t physically making the plays. Trying to focus on him opens up other guys to make plays. Which holding  great offense like Highlands last year to just 15 points is something. Especially after considering how the first game went. 

I agree with FC here. I will also add that both defenses adjusted tremendously from game 1 to game 2. It was a fantastic game with possibly the craziest last 2 minutes I have ever seen in a HS game. But enough about last year. Both of these teams are strong. Cooper has more returning starters (very good players) but HHS had very good depth last year and those players now have their chance to shine. The District #1 seed is very important this year as Scott Co. should be very strong and you want to avoid going to their new Stadium in week 2 of the Playoffs. 

Depending on RPI and the playoff draw, these teams are both good enough to be in the final 4 again this year at a minimum. Should be a fun season and it is almost here!

3 hours ago, futurecoach said:

Which by having to try to focus on making sure he was blocked. It then allowed other guys to be more free to make plays. No matter how you cut it, even if he isn’t physically making the plays. Trying to focus on him opens up other guys to make plays. Which holding  great offense like Highlands last year to just 15 points is something. Especially after considering how the first game went. 

Who said what they did wasn’t impressive? He said “can’t block Alexander “ I said they did. There was no more focus placed on him the 2nd game opposed to the 1st. Ran straight at him both games, there was no added emphasis on blocking Alexander as opposed to any other defender throughout the year. I though there defense played great !

13 minutes ago, NKY-guy said:

Who said what they did wasn’t impressive? He said “can’t block Alexander “ I said they did. There was no more focus placed on him the 2nd game opposed to the 1st. Ran straight at him both games, there was no added emphasis on blocking Alexander as opposed to any other defender throughout the year. I though there defense played great !

I know Highlands was fantastic up front last year, and I would really have to rewatch that second game to confirm it... buuuuut, I just have a really tough time believing they didn't send a double to him at least a time or two, or even slid their protection to him to have a couple bodies responsible. 

It's not a knock to have to game plan for Alexander. If anything it would show me that Highlands was very prepared for what they had to deal with.

3 hours ago, FirstTimeLongTime said:

I agree with FC here. I will also add that both defenses adjusted tremendously from game 1 to game 2. It was a fantastic game with possibly the craziest last 2 minutes I have ever seen in a HS game. But enough about last year. Both of these teams are strong. Cooper has more returning starters (very good players) but HHS had very good depth last year and those players now have their chance to shine. The District #1 seed is very important this year as Scott Co. should be very strong and you want to avoid going to their new Stadium in week 2 of the Playoffs. 

Depending on RPI and the playoff draw, these teams are both good enough to be in the final 4 again this year at a minimum. Should be a fun season and it is almost here!

Completely agree! Which for what it’s worth I personally have Highlands ranked number 3 in the state entering this season right behind Cooper at 2. I know I said all off season while Highlands lost a ton, this younger group coming up is extremely talented so I expect them to be right in the mix. Which I agree getting that one seed will be huge to avoid having to see Scott County in round two. 

24 minutes ago, NKY-guy said:

Who said what they did wasn’t impressive? He said “can’t block Alexander “ I said they did. There was no more focus placed on him the 2nd game opposed to the 1st. Ran straight at him both games, there was no added emphasis on blocking Alexander as opposed to any other defender throughout the year. I though there defense played great !

Well considering they ran for 250 yards less and only scored 15 points. That strategy of running right at him again the second time didn’t seem to work much then. He didn’t have to be the one making the tackle for him to be effective considering there was rarely any openings to actually run through. Which as a DL getting hands on and squeezing down the hole is winning the matchup. A DL doesn’t have to be making a tackle to be winning a matchup. 

8 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Completely agree! Which for what it’s worth I personally have Highlands ranked number 3 in the state entering this season right behind Cooper at 2. I know I said all off season while Highlands lost a ton, this younger group coming up is extremely talented so I expect them to be right in the mix. Which I agree getting that one seed will be huge to avoid having to see Scott County in round two. 

Spot on Coach....Both teams should both have exceptional years. Too bad but also good that Two of the better teams in NKY in my opinion will be playing one another for High Stakes. Let's get it rolling already!

On 8/7/2024 at 2:04 PM, THUNDERBIRDS said:

Those numbers are correct. Just laying in the Weeds. The Birds have Nine Varsity lineman ready to go. 285lbs is the Average across those Nine. Of those Nine only Two are Sr's with One of them missing most of the season last year with an ACL tear against Covington Catholic.

Long time Highlands O-line Coach Scott Turner has said that this Group the next couple of years will be his Biggest. His best yet is still to be determined! 

I came up with 286 Thunderbirds, but I’m not into splitting hairs! lol!

So, anyone doing anything tonight?