What does Highlands need to do to improve in 2007? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

They need to diversify their offense in 2007. I think that last season there was a bit of a shortage of depth at the receiver position, and this, along with the strong O-line and solid running game led to HHS becoming too reliant on the run. Hopefully, this is being addressed this offseason.

 

Highlands has a tradition of working hard and practicing hard, and of course this contributes in a significant way to the program's success. I am sure that this trend will continue this year.

 

One wildcard is the new alignment (they are playing up two classes, and will be in Class 5A). CCH will be there as well, but some other former AAA champions like LexCath and Boyle County will not be. It's tough to predict how this will affect things, since it's such a new system being put in place for 2007. Also, HHS' schedule is markedly different from last year's. One of HHS' games is not yet finalized, but overall the schedule seems much less brutal.

 

All in all, look for HHS to finish the season with a record better than they have had for the past 2 years, and given how much talent/experience/coaching is being lost by the defending champ CCH, HHS' chances of winning 5A are definitely as good as any team's.

What does Highlands need to do to improve in 2007? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

 

I think the biggest thing is going to be getting the players who are switching to different positions, along with the younger players, comfortable and confident with the physical and mental aspects of the change. I especially think that it is crucial to get the offensive and defensive lines working together and being productive after losing so many seniors at those positions.

 

Concentrating on more of the skill positions, we will need to develop a more consistant set of recievers who are reliable in catching the ball and blocking on running plays. That (consistantly catching the ball) seemed to be a big weakness last season. Also, Conners will need another runningback to balance out the backfield and give him breathers when he is winded.

 

Most of all, Highlands will need to get the punting/punt return game figured out. That was probably the biggest problem last season when they couldn't count on anyone to kick the ball over 20 yards or catch a punt. But like always, Highlands usually figures these things out and has a very successful season, which I expect this year.

1st and for most Highlands needs to change QB nothing against Clay but he isnt a natural Qb... maybe number #19 should be the QB

 

2nd they need to work on the mid-range passing game

 

3rd their D needs to get back to the way the 04 teams d was... they need to believe in the coaches... their coach on d will have them ready for every game... they need to believe that they are better than the team they are facing and most of all score points on d with there o they need to score points on d...

 

4th They need one player to step up and be the true leader... make sure everyone is ready to go and pick them all up when they are down... it doesnt have to be the best player just a great leader... for example Brad Bardo on the 04 team wasnt we best player but he was a great leader and made the rest of the team confident in each other....

 

P.S. to everyone who thinks they should run the less is wrong Highlands has won at 2 state championships with running teams...

The Birds will be extremely tough next season. The unselfish decision of a couple of the big men to switch to the O line is huge. They are big, strong and fast. The O line will be a force to be sure.

 

As for the earlier post about the receiving corps, some of the receivers last season had just been switched to that position. That will make for some missed balls on occasion. But now those receivers will be second year starters at that position and we can expect some balls to be caught this year that perhaps fell incomplete last year. Also, I'm not convinced that Nick Simpson is done with football just yet. If he returns, that really shores up the receiver position.

 

Cecil is very capable at QB and Draper can step right in if Cecil has problems. I bet the starting QB job is one big battle come springtime.

 

Defensively, the Birds need to shore up the D back positions but I think this will sort itself out in the springtime too.

The Birds will be extremely tough next season. The unselfish decision of a couple of the big men to switch to the O line is huge. They are big, strong and fast. The O line will be a force to be sure.

 

As for the earlier post about the receiving corps, some of the receivers last season had just been switched to that position. That will make for some missed balls on occasion. But now those receivers will be second year starters at that position and we can expect some balls to be caught this year that perhaps fell incomplete last year. Also, I'm not convinced that Nick Simpson is done with football just yet. If he returns, that really shores up the receiver position.

 

Cecil is very capable at QB and Draper can step right in if Cecil has problems. I bet the starting QB job is one big battle come springtime.

 

Defensively, the Birds need to shore up the D back positions but I think this will sort itself out in the springtime too.

 

 

I thought Guidugli was going to be a factor at QB?????

I thought Guidugli was going to be a factor at QB?????

 

 

As of right now, Cecil is projected to be the starting qb next year. I respectfully disagree with ksc05 about Cecil not being a natural qb. I thought he did a great job passing and running the ball last year, particularly when you consider he did not take a snap in practice or in a game as a sophomore (he started at olb) and when you consider that he only split time at qb as a frosh with Draper. By the end of the season, he had developed very good qb mechanics and skills. With us expected to have a better receiving corps in 07, I expect him to be an even more accomplished passer (heck he passed for about 1300 yards last year which wasn't too shabby).

 

That having been said, if either Draper or Guidugli prove that he is a better qb than Cecil in Spring football, during two a days and the scrimmages, I don't think for a moment that Dale wouldn't select that one to start in front of Cecil. Dale places a lot of emphasis on the qb spot and if one of them is better, they will start. But at this point, Cecil remains the starting qb.

Is Sparky even thinking about QB? Probably not. If Cecil is the choice, and apparently he is, then full steam ahead with him. Groom Guidugli to lead the 'Birds to the 18th state title! Sparky Draper needs to concentrate on WR. His lack of PT behind the center should have the "clue phone" ringing loudly! Although I STILL believe that Draper @ QB and Cecil at WR/HB is a more potent combination! Sparky needs to get comfy exploding on routes and catch/tuck/running. He could develop into a great possession reciever!

1st and for most Highlands needs to change QB nothing against Clay but he isnt a natural Qb... maybe number #19 should be the QB

 

2nd they need to work on the mid-range passing game

 

3rd their D needs to get back to the way the 04 teams d was... they need to believe in the coaches... their coach on d will have them ready for every game... they need to believe that they are better than the team they are facing and most of all score points on d with there o they need to score points on d...

 

4th They need one player to step up and be the true leader... make sure everyone is ready to go and pick them all up when they are down... it doesnt have to be the best player just a great leader... for example Brad Bardo on the 04 team wasnt we best player but he was a great leader and made the rest of the team confident in each other....

 

P.S. to everyone who thinks they should run the less is wrong Highlands has won at 2 state championships with running teams...

 

 

I disagree with your 1st point and only after talking to some of the Highlands faithful who have true insight in to the program. Cecil has developed into a leader and has also developed his QB mechanics. Yea, he doesnt look like Dan Marino when he throws but he scats like Doug Flutie and being a double threat is more effective than being a straight drop back passer like Guidugli.

 

Other points you made seem somewhat in line but it all depends on what the coaches want to do with the offensive playbook and what SR. wants to step up and be the vocal leader.

I disagree with your 1st point and only after talking to some of the Highlands faithful who have true insight in to the program. Cecil has developed into a leader and has also developed his QB mechanics. Yea, he doesnt look like Dan Marino when he throws but he scats like Doug Flutie and being a double threat is more effective than being a straight drop back passer like Guidugli.

 

Other points you made seem somewhat in line but it all depends on what the coaches want to do with the offensive playbook and what SR. wants to step up and be the vocal leader.

 

Believe me I am one of the Highlands faithful and they dont need a running QB when they have two or three good backs year in and out... the only time you need a dual threat QB is when your running backs are not producing and Highlands seems to never have that problem...

Believe me I am one of the Highlands faithful and they dont need a running QB when they have two or three good backs year in and out... the only time you need a dual threat QB is when your running backs are not producing and Highlands seems to never have that problem...

Amen:thumb:

Believe me I am one of the Highlands faithful and they dont need a running QB when they have two or three good backs year in and out... the only time you need a dual threat QB is when your running backs are not producing and Highlands seems to never have that problem...

 

Well, lets just say he is the guy that the other teammates and coaches can count on the most and they can trust to do the job and lead the team to victory. Whether he is a running QB or whatever, it doesnt matter.

Well, lets just say he is the guy that the other teammates and coaches can count on the most and they can trust to do the job and lead the team to victory. Whether he is a running QB or whatever, it doesnt matter.

 

 

Very true he is a great high school player and could help the team more playing somewhere else... maybe RB/WR/LB/CB and on some trick plays that Dale loves so much:dancingpa

Believe me I am one of the Highlands faithful and they dont need a running QB when they have two or three good backs year in and out... the only time you need a dual threat QB is when your running backs are not producing and Highlands seems to never have that problem...

 

 

As to whether they need a qb capable of running the ball is all a matter of the offensive philosophy you are going to have for the team. A lot of defensive coordinators believe one of the most difficult things to defend is a qb who can pull the ball down and run with it. Such puts an immense amount of pressure on the linebackers and they don't drop back as far or as quickly because of the concern about the ability of the qb to run. It also stops the d linemen from pinning their ears back on the rush. So much emphasis must now be placed on containment and filling the running lanes. When that happens, it helps the passing game open up. Think Justin Burke of LexCath. He was a great passer no doubt, but his ability to run the ball extremely well made him an even more effective passer because the linebackers and d linemen had to be very focused on his running ability and containment.

 

The question becomes: do you go with a qb that can run well, but can't pass effectively or do you go with the great passer but the poor runner. If you have to make that choice and you are also blessed with great running backs, I think you and I would both probably go with the great passer, poor running qb. But in the case with Cecil, I think he's become as good of a passer as either Draper or Guidugli. Thus, you go with Cecil because he's a much, much better runner than either of the two. Having a great running qb also permits you to operate out of a one back or even a no back set because you can use the qb to run the ball. That allows you to really spread out the field. By spreading out the field, you thus open up the running lanes up the middle for the qb. By having a one back or no back set, it obviously enables you to get more receivers on the field (if you have them) which improves the passing game. The defense has to guard the extra receivers with linebackers (which is usually an advantage for the receivers) or they have to take linebackers out and replace them with additional defensive backs (which makes a running qb even more of an asset). This year, I think we'll have the good receivers that will enable us to take advantage when we spread the field. And with Cecil's running ability, we'll have the ability to take a running back out of the backfield to add a receiver without hurting the running game.

 

I'm not saying your thinking is wrong, its just a philosophical difference as to what type of offense puts the most pressure on the defense and whether you have the talent to run that type of offense.

 

I know this: this year's offense is really going to be an explosive one. While I liked the running game we had last year, this year I think a wide open offense will be better suited for our talent. And if Dale is good at nothing else, he"s good at adjusting his offense to take advantage of his talent.

 

Peace and keep supporting the Birds. Is it time for Spring ball yet?:ylsuper:

 

I know this: this year's offense is really going to be an explosive one. While I liked the running game we had last year, this year I think a wide open offense will be better suited for our talent.

 

 

Your Sand Bags are ready L/N ! Where do ya want them delivered to !:lol: