6 minutes ago, FrankNicodemus said:

What does this say about the feelings towards the RPI in regards to playing Out of State competition?  

For the last several years with the RPI system, I have heard so many people disgruntled b/c the system doesn't take into consideration the level of Out of State competitions.  A win against Elder wouldn't be weighted any greater than a win against a winless terrible Out of State team.  I guess a loss has the same effect.

Therefore, is this just a trend where the ADs of these Ky schools just threw out the need for a quality RPI supported opponent, and said I want to play the best to be the best regardless of the ramification of the RPI benefit?  Do I have this right?  I'm not a RPI expert....

 

I think some of the top programs figure if you schedule tough in state it won’t hurt as bad to take a big out of state game. The point of scheduling regular season games is to get your team battle tested heading into playoff football. I don’t see to many teams being more battle tested than these Blue Birds

4 minutes ago, NkyGuy22 said:

I think some of the top programs figure if you schedule tough in state it won’t hurt as bad to take a big out of state game. The point of scheduling regular season games is to get your team battle tested heading into playoff football. I don’t see to many teams being more battle tested than these Blue Birds

I totally get that, but my point is with how the "home" field designation for the State Quarterfinal and State Semifinal game are based on your RPI, I thought the whole uproar about the RPI is that these Out of State games do not benefit you as much as playing and winning against an In State team.

So could these Ky schools be shooting themselves in the foot by playing Out of State teams (I.e. Elder) when we get down to the Quarterfinal/Semifinal matchup where RPI matters, could be the difference between playing at Home or playing Away b/c of your game vs Elder instead of playing a Ky school and winning.

That's all that I am saying....based on these schools scheduling Elder, it seems to me that the schools said we will take the risk, b/c the reward of being battle tested outweighs the benefit of keeping the Home field advantage in the Quarterfinal/Semifinal round b/c of the RPI hit we will take playing an Out of State school....  Or am I missing something in regards to the RPI???

FWIW:  I love the matchup and probably will be there painted BLUE (for the Birds of course!), I have never been to the Pit so I will be looking forward to the experience.

I also realize that I believe this game was potentially put together b/c of Holmes dropping out of District play and we had a hole to fill so maybe it was a game more of a necessity than really thinking of the ramification of the RPI....  Having a game is better than not having a game...

19 minutes ago, FrankNicodemus said:

What does this say about the feelings towards the RPI in regards to playing Out of State competition?  

For the last several years with the RPI system, I have heard so many people disgruntled b/c the system doesn't take into consideration the level of Out of State competitions.  A win against Elder wouldn't be weighted any greater than a win against a winless terrible Out of State team.  I guess a loss has the same effect.

Therefore, is this just a trend where the ADs of these Ky schools just threw out the need for a quality RPI supported opponent, and said I want to play the best to be the best regardless of the ramification of the RPI benefit?  Do I have this right?  I'm not a RPI expert....

 

In my opinion, this is the perfect spot for HHS to play an out of state game. 1) Holmes cancelled so you are limited on who you can fill the game slot with. 2) A win vs. Holmes at that point in the season is not going to raise the RPI much. In fact, RPI may go down with a win. 3) This gives the Birds a quality opponent in the last half of the schedule heading into the playoffs. 

Every team has a strategy around RPI. If you feel your team is good, the outside KY opponents and the impact on RPI shouldn't matter as much. Getting your team ready for the playoffs is more important. With the gauntlet of 4A this season, it seems the Birds have gone with the "let's Get Ready For The Playoffs" strategy. Should be fun. 

26 minutes ago, FrankNicodemus said:

What does this say about the feelings towards the RPI in regards to playing Out of State competition?  

For the last several years with the RPI system, I have heard so many people disgruntled b/c the system doesn't take into consideration the level of Out of State competitions.  A win against Elder wouldn't be weighted any greater than a win against a winless terrible Out of State team.  I guess a loss has the same effect.

Therefore, is this just a trend where the ADs of these Ky schools just threw out the need for a quality RPI supported opponent, and said I want to play the best to be the best regardless of the ramification of the RPI benefit?  Do I have this right?  I'm not a RPI expert....

 

If Elder wins it helps them make the playoffs with the way the Ohio system is.

I believe that win or lose against Elder it's rated the same. The rate will be higher than what Holmes would be. First time is on it...

Does anyone know what type of team Elder is projected to have in 2025? I am sure they will be competitive, as they are always well-coached and have talent, but this could also be a situation where HHS, CCH, and Lou. St. X might think they have a better shot at knocking off the Panthers. The Panthers were 7-5 in 2023 and 6-6 in 2024. 

7 minutes ago, AC Slater said:

Does anyone know what type of team Elder is projected to have in 2025? I am sure they will be competitive, as they are always well-coached and have talent, but this could also be a situation where HHS, CCH, and Lou. St. X might think they have a better shot at knocking off the Panthers. The Panthers were 7-5 in 2023 and 6-6 in 2024. 

There is a thread in regards to Elder that was started today.  You can read a little bit about what they have in 2025 there.  Other than that, I can't help.

Great schedule, but tough as nails.

Just thankful that I'll be here hopefully, to see all of the Birds games. The future looks bright for me and the Birds.  Go Birds!!!

This Varsity schedule is a tough egg to crack.  What will the sentiment in Fort Thomas be if the Birds lose 4 or more of the 7 tough games during the season and do not win a State Championship?   

33 minutes ago, En Fuego Hombre said:

This Varsity schedule is a tough egg to crack.  What will the sentiment in Fort Thomas be if the Birds lose 4 or more of the 7 tough games during the season and do not win a State Championship?   

A few things to unravel here.  I think people will be able to look past the regular season schedule WINS OR LOSSES if come December we are playing at Kroger Field.  I don't believe you will find anywhere in the trophy cases at Highlands any recognition of a team that had a great record but failed to get to the Championship game, whereas you will find PLENTY of State Championship trophies with disregard to the success of the Regular Season record.

If this team stays healthy and we go to Kroger Field with 100% of our weapons then the expectations are extremely high that we raise the trophy.

Until then let's pray for a fun healthy season and we can discuss expectations later on in the season on what the Ft Thomas faithful will tolerate.

Until then #SCIT!!!

#GO BIRDS

56 minutes ago, FrankNicodemus said:

A few things to unravel here.  I think people will be able to look past the regular season schedule WINS OR LOSSES if come December we are playing at Kroger Field.  I don't believe you will find anywhere in the trophy cases at Highlands any recognition of a team that had a great record but failed to get to the Championship game, whereas you will find PLENTY of State Championship trophies with disregard to the success of the Regular Season record.

If this team stays healthy and we go to Kroger Field with 100% of our weapons then the expectations are extremely high that we raise the trophy.

Until then let's pray for a fun healthy season and we can discuss expectations later on in the season on what the Ft Thomas faithful will tolerate.

Until then #SCIT!!!

#GO BIRDS

I will give you permission to use #SCIT this time....LOL! J/K

2 hours ago, THUNDERBIRDS said:

I will give you permission to use #SCIT this time....LOL! J/K

I thought that phrase belonged to Sweeperboy.  

9 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

A few things to unravel here.  I think people will be able to look past the regular season schedule WINS OR LOSSES if come December we are playing at Kroger Field.  I don't believe you will find anywhere in the trophy cases at Highlands any recognition of a team that had a great record but failed to get to the Championship game, whereas you will find PLENTY of State Championship trophies with disregard to the success of the Regular Season record.

If this team stays healthy and we go to Kroger Field with 100% of our weapons then the expectations are extremely high that we raise the trophy.

Until then let's pray for a fun healthy season and we can discuss expectations later on in the season on what the Ft Thomas faithful will tolerate.

Until then #SCIT!!!

#GO BIRDS

I don't know.  If the team loses 4 or more games, will they have the mindset and mental toughness to overcome the disappointment of that record and become a championship level team?