Highlands at Cooper Predictions/Updates

[FrankNicodemus]

The Semi Final War II (aka Redemption Day!)

Well here we are, what we have all been waiting for in NKY and in BGP a rematch of 371 days ago when Cooper ripped the heart out of a strong Senior heavy talented Bluebirds team on their home field. After the regular season matchup last year everyone (ok most everyone) in Bluebird Nation were already making plans to head south to Kroger Field for the first time in 9 years.  Well Cooper was able to shock Bluebird Nation to sneak out a victory and the very end of the game.

 

After last season everyone it seems has jumped on the Cooper freight train handing them the NKY domination trophy, they are loaded with talent with Cam, Austin, Keagan and Isaiah at the skilled position.  They have trained so hard to be able to redeem their State Championship loss at Kroger Field. Last year they were a little star struck on getting their and probably stopped to admire the environment instead of feeling confident that they could pull off the win. This year is different, they woke up the next day after that Championship game realizing they return virtually everyone from that State game team and said this is going to be our season when we DESERVE to be there. We aren’t the underdogs any more. The Title is ours…. 

 

Cooper has steamrolled thru the post season so far just like they have all year long.  They are such a talented team with so many weapons you can’t just stop 1 player and feel like you have a shot.  It’s a full team effort.  

 

I mean should we even play this game, got a feeling the poll will show that Cooper will have the full support of BGP land and the Birds will come into this with the cards stacked heavily against them.  Every position I can think off Coopers skilled position player is probably better then the Birds counterpart. Should we just throw in the towel? Birds are so short on Seniors this year, last year was their year.  Next year they have a better shot with the Junior and Sophomore classes that have so much more talent in #s.  I must say this journey this year was fun but it’s time to face the inevitable and get ready for defeat Birds faithful I am sorry but the road ends in Longbranch.

 

"Wake up Frank!! What rat poison have you eaten! " 

 

I am so sorry, I must have been in a nightmarish dream! OK Birds fans Let’s Ride!!! I have all the faith that the Birds will be ready and fired up.  In the 100 year history of Bird Football the greatest NKY football "tradition rich" program will accept the underdog label.  We are built for these moments, we are fed football as soon as we are able to take our first steps in the Fort.  We are taught at a very young age that school is your #1 priority (as the coach holds up 2 fingers) and Football is your #2 priority (as the coach holds up 1 finger).  That is how much this means to these boys.  We pulled Bob Sphire out of Georgia HS football to come back to the Bluegrass state to bring this program back from where they had found themselves the prior 5 years before he arrived.  The smart ones knew it wasn't going to be fixed overnight it would take a couple of years…. Well the wait is over, the program is built, Birds football is back at their rightful place in the State as an annual contender to head back to their 2nd home Kroger Field.  We almost pulled it out last year, now it’s time to do it when everyone doesn’t think it should happen.

 

How did they get here:

 

Cooper has been rocking and rolling with their studs Cam O'Hara who probably surpassed 3,000 yards passing last night (I haven't seen last nights stats yet).  You have Keagan Maher who has around 1,500 rushing yards, Isaiah Johnson who is over 1,000 yards receiving, then you have THE Austin Alexander who is just a phenomenal athletic specimen who is a threat on both sides of the ball at TE & DE...They have accomplished something that no other Cooper team has done before which is go into the Post Season undefeated, basically winning with the running clock almost every game.  The only 2 schools that made them really play a full game was their neighbors in Boone County the Ryle Raiders (21-14) and the upcoming opponent Highlands Bluebirds (24-21).

 

Now onto the Birds, they also have really put a hurtin' on their opponents throughout the season and playoffs with the exception of the same 2 teams mentioned with Cooper.  A loss against Ryle (28-34) in OT, and the nail biter at home against Cooper (21-24).  The Birds have orchestrated this season with somewhat a balance offensive attack with 2,571 yards in the air and 2,063 yards on the ground (not including last nights stats).  They might have a limited number of Seniors on this team but the ones they do have fit into the skill positions with RB Jack White and Receivers Adam Surrey & Jackson Arnold.  Rio Litmer has grown into a nice passer this season being smart with the ball throwing 27 TDs and only having 6 INTs (not counting last night).  Like I stated last week the X-Factor has got to be Tayden Lorenzen again, he continues to grow each and every week and it was on display last night against Pulaski, either running up the middle in the Wildcat formation or being an extremely big target for Litmer to pass to when you needed a big play for a 1st down.

 

I have faith the Cinderella slipper is going to be slipped onto these Birds feet if they can stay composed and not shoot themselves in the foot.  Stay disciplined and focus at the mission at hand.

 

Boy this is going to be a fun week to think about what Friday is going to be like.

 

I know my main man @Brennan_Bucher will be live on Bluebirdsradio.com, which I am sure he will post a link later on.  I am guessing their might be some Video Livestreaming coverage as well, we will see.

 

Let's go!!!!

 

Now enjoy this Pregame speech by my old ancestor William Wallace, who will have me wanting to run thru a wall on Friday night...

 

[Bluebird]

I am so glad that we play the game on the field!  Let’s go Birds!

[BigTuna6]

I’m going to take Cooper. As of now, weather looks cold and clear. I think this will be Coopers closest game in the playoffs.. I’m going to say 35-24 Jags. 

[futurecoach]

1 hour ago, FrankNicodemus said:

The Semi Final War II (aka Redemption Day!)

Well here we are, what we have all been waiting for in NKY and in BGP a rematch of 371 days ago when Cooper ripped the heart out of a strong Senior heavy talented Bluebirds team on their home field. After the regular season matchup last year everyone (ok most everyone) in Bluebird Nation were already making plans to head south to Kroger Field for the first time in 9 years.  Well Cooper was able to shock Bluebird Nation to sneak out a victory and the very end of the game.

 

After last season everyone it seems has jumped on the Cooper freight train handing them the NKY domination trophy, they are loaded with talent with Cam, Austin, Keagan and Isaiah at the skilled position.  They have trained so hard to be able to redeem their State Championship loss at Kroger Field. Last year they were a little star struck on getting their and probably stopped to admire the environment instead of feeling confident that they could pull off the win. This year is different, they woke up the next day after that Championship game realizing they return virtually everyone from that State game team and said this is going to be our season when we DESERVE to be there. We aren’t the underdogs any more. The Title is ours…. 

 

Cooper has steamrolled thru the post season so far just like they have all year long.  They are such a talented team with so many weapons you can’t just stop 1 player and feel like you have a shot.  It’s a full team effort.  

 

I mean should we even play this game, got a feeling the poll will show that Cooper will have the full support of BGP land and the Birds will come into this with the cards stacked heavily against them.  Every position I can think off Coopers skilled position player is probably better then the Birds counterpart. Should we just throw in the towel? Birds are so short on Seniors this year, last year was their year.  Next year they have a better shot with the Junior and Sophomore classes that have so much more talent in #s.  I must say this journey this year was fun but it’s time to face the inevitable and get ready for defeat Birds faithful I am sorry but the road ends in Longbranch.

 

"Wake up Frank!! What rat poison have you eaten! " 

 

I am so sorry, I must have been in a nightmarish dream! OK Birds fans Let’s Ride!!! I have all the faith that the Birds will be ready and fired up.  In the 100 year history of Bird Football the greatest NKY football "tradition rich" program will accept the underdog label.  We are built for these moments, we are fed football as soon as we are able to take our first steps in the Fort.  We are taught at a very young age that school is your #1 priority (as the coach holds up 2 fingers) and Football is your #2 priority (as the coach holds up 1 finger).  That is how much this means to these boys.  We pulled Bob Sphire out of Georgia HS football to come back to the Bluegrass state to bring this program back from where they had found themselves the prior 5 years before he arrived.  The smart ones knew it wasn't going to be fixed overnight it would take a couple of years…. Well the wait is over, the program is built, Birds football is back at their rightful place in the State as an annual contender to head back to their 2nd home Kroger Field.  We almost pulled it out last year, now it’s time to do it when everyone doesn’t think it should happen.

 

How did they get here:

 

Cooper has been rocking and rolling with their studs Cam O'Hara who probably surpassed 3,000 yards passing last night (I haven't seen last nights stats yet).  You have Keagan Maher who has around 1,500 rushing yards, Isaiah Johnson who is over 1,000 yards receiving, then you have THE Austin Alexander who is just a phenomenal athletic specimen who is a threat on both sides of the ball at TE & DE...They have accomplished something that no other Cooper team has done before which is go into the Post Season undefeated, basically winning with the running clock almost every game.  The only 2 schools that made them really play a full game was their neighbors in Boone County the Ryle Raiders (21-14) and the upcoming opponent Highlands Bluebirds (24-21).

 

Now onto the Birds, they also have really put a hurtin' on their opponents throughout the season and playoffs with the exception of the same 2 teams mentioned with Cooper.  A loss against Ryle (28-34) in OT, and the nail biter at home against Cooper (21-24).  The Birds have orchestrated this season with somewhat a balance offensive attack with 2,571 yards in the air and 2,063 yards on the ground (not including last nights stats).  They might have a limited number of Seniors on this team but the ones they do have fit into the skill positions with RB Jack White and Receivers Adam Surrey & Jackson Arnold.  Rio Litmer has grown into a nice passer this season being smart with the ball throwing 27 TDs and only having 6 INTs (not counting last night).  Like I stated last week the X-Factor has got to be Tayden Lorenzen again, he continues to grow each and every week and it was on display last night against Pulaski, either running up the middle in the Wildcat formation or being an extremely big target for Litmer to pass to when you needed a big play for a 1st down.

 

I have faith the Cinderella slipper is going to be slipped onto these Birds feet if they can stay composed and not shoot themselves in the foot.  Stay disciplined and focus at the mission at hand.

 

Boy this is going to be a fun week to think about what Friday is going to be like.

 

I know my main man @Brennan_Bucher will be live on Bluebirdsradio.com, which I am sure he will post a link later on.  I am guessing their might be some Video Livestreaming coverage as well, we will see.

 

Let's go!!!!

 

Now enjoy this Pregame speech by my old ancestor William Wallace, who will have me wanting to run thru a wall on Friday night...

 

 

I do hope the bluebird faithful  doesn’t try to act like this is an us against the world type situation, no one believes in us, etc. Mostly everyone had Highlands as a top 5 team entering this season. I know I personally said Highlands was the wild card team entering this year that could play spoiler depending on how quickly their young talent adjusted to varsity play. Highlands lost two close games against Cooper and Ryle, and beat CovCath. So please let’s not do this why should this game even be played, no one believes in us talk lol. Highlands has shown they are one of the best teams in the state.

This will be two great teams playing Friday night. Both teams very capable of being State Champs this year. I do think Cooper will win again though. Cooper has a great coaching staff and the players experience from last year will pay off. As they look to finish the deal this year, much like BG last year when BG lost in the state finals the year before.  I think we see a little more scoring than last year semi finals game though. 
 

Cooper 35

Highlands 24

(I think this is the last time Highlands loses a game until at least 2026 though. As I think they go undefeated and win the 4A title next year)

[FrankNicodemus]

17 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

 

I do hope the bluebird faithful  doesn’t try to act like this

No they won't BUT I WILL!!!

Just like Hulk took down Andre the Giant in the biggest WWF upset, David vs Goliath match!

[Mr. Sixer]

3 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

 

I do hope the bluebird faithful  doesn’t try to act like this is an us against the world type situation, no one believes in us, etc. Mostly everyone had Highlands as a top 5 team entering this season. I know I personally said Highlands was the wild card team entering this year that could play spoiler depending on how quickly their young talent adjusted to varsity play. Highlands lost two close games against Cooper and Ryle, and beat CovCath. So please let’s not do this why should this game even be played, no one believes in us talk lol. Highlands has shown they are one of the best teams in the state.

This will be two great teams playing Friday night. Both teams very capable of being State Champs this year. I do think Cooper will win again though. Cooper has a great coaching staff and the players experience from last year will pay off. As they look to finish the deal this year, much like BG last year when BG lost in the state finals the year before.  I think we see a little more scoring than last year semi finals game though. 
 

Cooper 35

Highlands 24

(I think this is the last time Highlands loses a game until at least 2026 though. As I think they go undefeated and win the 4A title next year)

Couldn’t have said it better myself. No one, or at least anyone with the smallest of football knowledge, is drinking “The Poor Little Underdog” kool-aid. Highlands has and always will be viewed in the highest regard with the capability to beat anyone on any day so nice try @FrankNicodemus 😃

Cooper will continue to do what they have done all year in working off the philosophy of “Nobody Cares, Work Harder!!” 
 

Last year is last year and has been put to bed. No one on Longbranch is thinking about last year’s games, in fact, not even thinking about the game in the regular season because the staff isn’t remotely letting that happen. To the contrary, the Jags have been locked into the present of going 1-0 since the playoffs started. 
 

This will be a battle between 2 of the best teams not only in 5A but in the entire state. 

[futurecoach]

1 minute ago, Mr. Sixer said:

Couldn’t have said it better myself. No one, or at least anyone with the smallest of football knowledge, is drinking “The Poor Little Underdog” kool-aid. Highlands has and always will be viewed in the highest regard with the capability to beat anyone on any day so nice try @FrankNicodemus 😃

Cooper will continue to do what they have done all year in working off the philosophy of “Nobody Cares, Work Harder!!” 
 

Last year is last year and has been put to bed. No one on Longbranch is thinking about last year’s games, in fact, not even thinking about the game in the regular season because the staff isn’t remotely letting that happen. To the contrary, the Jags have been locked into the present of going 1-0 since the playoffs started. 
 

This will be a battle between 2 of the best teams not only in 5A but in the entire state. 

Completely agree!!!

[se7ens]

I am probably most interested in seeing if the defenses hang as tight as they did earlier in the year. Each team scored their second lowest amount for a game on the year in the first matchup. 
 

I think Cooper needs to score more than 24 this time around if they expect to win, something they are fully capable of. Give me Cooper 35 to 28.

[MaddenCurse44]

Cooper should win! But it might be an upset from the Birds.

[Brennan_Bucher]

I think that @FrankNicodemus has had that write up ready for 371 days haha!

I plan on being there on bluebirdsradio.com …. Waiting on official confirmation before I put a post out

Personally, I typically don’t put out personal takes like this on here - but the first half of the game yesterday was a great wake up call for my bluebirds. I love the way the rest of that game was played/coached. 

Give me Highlands 31-28. 

[859sports]

Hasn't the home team lost in each of these last three meetings?

[Brennan_Bucher]

30 minutes ago, 859sports said:

Hasn't the home team lost in each of these last three meetings?

Yes. Interesting stat.

[NKY-guy]

1 hour ago, futurecoach said:

 

I do hope the bluebird faithful  doesn’t try to act like this is an us against the world type situation, no one believes in us, etc. Mostly everyone had Highlands as a top 5 team entering this season. I know I personally said Highlands was the wild card team entering this year that could play spoiler depending on how quickly their young talent adjusted to varsity play. Highlands lost two close games against Cooper and Ryle, and beat CovCath. So please let’s not do this why should this game even be played, no one believes in us talk lol. Highlands has shown they are one of the best teams in the state.

This will be two great teams playing Friday night. Both teams very capable of being State Champs this year. I do think Cooper will win again though. Cooper has a great coaching staff and the players experience from last year will pay off. As they look to finish the deal this year, much like BG last year when BG lost in the state finals the year before.  I think we see a little more scoring than last year semi finals game though. 
 

Cooper 35

Highlands 24

(I think this is the last time Highlands loses a game until at least 2026 though. As I think they go undefeated and win the 4A title next year)

Though I do love your prediction for the birds next season , it’s only right to make sure you know these two will still be playing after this season. 

[El Diablo]

Highlands 45

Cooper 42

 

[theguru]

Just now, El Diablo said:

Highlands 45

Cooper 42

 

Will you have that @El Diablo magic two weeks in a row!?