Welcome to BGP @PFP859!

22 minutes ago, PFP859 said:

2 starters

Maybe but the numbers I posted came straight from the Head coach last week before the St. X scrimmage. Also, Welcome to BGP glad to have you!

A few takeways for Highlands:

1. Lorenzen earned a lot more time at QB

2. Kicking game protection needs a ton of work

3. The defense was solid

4. Online struggled with pass protection. Run game looked strong.

5. Need to avoid turnovers and late hits/ personal fouls

6. It felt like HHS could have run away with the game at certain points, but there were times when it seemed offensive playcalling held them back. However, I like that they stuck with the Lorenzen QB run in OT 2.

Just finished watching the FT Thomas Broadcast by the students. Very well done, but it’s hard to see how the plays unfold bc they switch cameras during plays. So my question was how do the Bird faithful feel about the kicking game? The only response was “when was the last time Highlands settled for 4 FGs”. I have no clue, but they did last night, so what would be the solution  to missing and blocked kicks? Sometimes you get into rock fights and have to rely on the kicking game, nothing wrong with that. The defense was top notch last night. 

Just now, Breds82 said:

Just finished watching the FT Thomas Broadcast by the students. Very well done, but it’s hard to see how the plays unfold bc they switch cameras during plays. So my question was how do the Bird faithful feel about the kicking game? The only response was “when was the last time Highlands settled for 4 FGs”. I have no clue, but they did last night, so what would be the solution  to missing and blocked kicks? Sometimes you get into rock fights and have to rely on the kicking game, nothing wrong with that. The defense was top notch last night. 

On the camera switching point, I agree.  That is an issue they need to tackle before the next broadcast.

1 minute ago, Breds82 said:

Just finished watching the FT Thomas Broadcast by the students. Very well done, but it’s hard to see how the plays unfold bc they switch cameras during plays. So my question was how do the Bird faithful feel about the kicking game? The only response was “when was the last time Highlands settled for 4 FGs”. I have no clue, but they did last night, so what would be the solution  to missing and blocked kicks? Sometimes you get into rock fights and have to rely on the kicking game, nothing wrong with that. The defense was top notch last night. 

Protection for the kicking game, specific to FG’s not XP’s, isn’t easy when the ball was placed on the hash both times and the kicker had to line up over the tackle to take the kick. Shortens the distance from their outside blocker by about 3 yards and the rest is history.
 

A lot to cleanup on special teams without a doubt. Part of that is on the players and execution, part of that is on coaching IMO. They ran one play before the would-be game winning FG.. and ran to the right and pushed the ball to the hash. Get it in the center of the field and the game may have not needed 2 OT‘s.

2 hours ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

I think Douglass has the potential to be a pretty good team if they stay healthy, but they are very inexperienced

Outsiders are thinking they are beating the Douglass teams of the past. Oh well. Games don't truly matter until November though. This is the season the coaching staff is going to have to show just how good their X's and O's really are.

1 hour ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

Maybe but the numbers I posted came straight from the Head coach last week before the St. X scrimmage. Also, Welcome to BGP glad to have you!

Some of the kids playing now did get in games last year but did not start truly. My cousin played DL for them last year so I know the DL is completely new because they were all seniors. The Works kid is at UK and the Busson kid is at Bucknell. Kenny clay’s boy is at Southern Illinois and that only leaves 5 spots. There’s new faces in that secondary so their number of returners has to be lower than 5. Maybe I’m wrong on saying 2 

15 minutes ago, PFP859 said:

Maybe I’m wrong on saying 2

LB Tacori Fields  (2027, Marshall and UofL offers)

S Cionne Conn (2027, EKU, Southern Miss, UT Martin offers)

Only returning starters from the 2024 defense.

 

OL Rahzeon Gillespie  (2027, EKU, Southern Miss, UT Martin, Grambling State offers)

RB Dakari Talbert (2027, Marshall, UT Martin, Southern Miss offers)

WR Terry Cayson ( 2026, Alcorn State basketball offer)

Only returning starters for 2024 offense.

3 hours ago, Breds82 said:

Just finished watching the FT Thomas Broadcast by the students. Very well done, but it’s hard to see how the plays unfold bc they switch cameras during plays. So my question was how do the Bird faithful feel about the kicking game? The only response was “when was the last time Highlands settled for 4 FGs”. I have no clue, but they did last night, so what would be the solution  to missing and blocked kicks? Sometimes you get into rock fights and have to rely on the kicking game, nothing wrong with that. The defense was top notch last night. 

Honestly I question why kids that kicked as middle schoolers and frosh do not get the opportunity to do it on Friday night.  The protection issue is addressed already.  Also don’t understand why you don’t speak to a guy that is at the high school almost every night and has experience at the next level to help on both the mental and physical aspects of kicking and punting.  

4 hours ago, thenamerobdigity said:

A few takeways for Highlands:

1. Lorenzen earned a lot more time at QB

2. Kicking game protection needs a ton of work

3. The defense was solid

4. Online struggled with pass protection. Run game looked strong.

5. Need to avoid turnovers and late hits/ personal fouls

6. It felt like HHS could have run away with the game at certain points, but there were times when it seemed offensive playcalling held them back. However, I like that they stuck with the Lorenzen QB run in OT 2.

Pretty accurate synopsis.  Point 1 showed out last year and early this year.  Dual threat that gets minimized to single threat.  Point 2 addressed already.  Agree on 3.  Still have questions regarding pass coverage but as a group they will get after you.  Point 4 results from formations and only being concerned with 22.  On first drive, 88 was wide open on backside and could have walked in.  Point 5 was not terrible, but happened in crucial situations.  Point 6 has been a concern for several years now.

13 hours ago, thenamerobdigity said:

A few takeways for Highlands:

1. Lorenzen earned a lot more time at QB

2. Kicking game protection needs a ton of work

3. The defense was solid

4. Online struggled with pass protection. Run game looked strong.

5. Need to avoid turnovers and late hits/ personal fouls

6. It felt like HHS could have run away with the game at certain points, but there were times when it seemed offensive playcalling held them back. However, I like that they stuck with the Lorenzen QB run in OT 2.

Point 1 is definitely an agree as he can really throw the ball as well; Litmer is a talented QB as well as evidenced by the beauty he threw to Cale Harris for the first TD.  I am concerned about the amount of time they have Lorenzen in motion and used as a blocker; that expends a ton of energy for not a huge return.

2. True ... but coaching decisions on the plays immediately preceding a potential FG also factor.

3. Amen; and thank goodness.

4. Agree.

5. Always.  Unsportsmanlike and unnecessary roughness need to be dealt with quickly.

6. They did show flashes and it was game 1.  I am a Bird's fan through and through so get it cleaned up and March on.

I know school just started and it's early for the broadcast crew too.  As noted by some the camera work needs to be cleaned up just a tad.  I did miss Brennan Bucher on the call as the new play by play guy needs to settle down and volume down.  When the other team has the ball and reaches third down let's not get overboard with "THIRD DOWN HIGHLANDS" because it's NOT.

He needs to be his own game caller and not try and mimic something he's heard before.

That said I will ALWAYS opt for the student run broadcast!

I didn't make the trip to the fort, but I surely was surprised when I saw the final score.

 We have all known and heard about number 22 for years for Highlands. Did any other players have a good or I say great game? Does H have any burners or any players that could considered above the rest?

If there is a problem in the kicking game, check out the soccer team.   Lots of good kickers came from there over the years.

 I'm not trying to degrade this team or any other previous teams, just trying to get the scoop.  Hope the Birds have a great season and no injuries. Congrats Birds, nice start to the season.