This is one of the worst offensive Hoptown teams in years. Terrible. Went the way most people expected.

The talent level of Hoptown doesn't bother me. That happens.

 

What should bother Hoptown fans as it did me is that I've never seen a team look more disinterested in getting the opportunity to play a high school football game than this bunch. Before the game, I noticed a lack of energy and it continued throughout. I was by the lockerroms at the half. HHS gathered at the door, yelled "Red Dog" and then came running out as a unit. At the same time, Hoptown had a few players walking out of their lockerroom, helmets off, walking out in 2s and 3s then 5 would come out then 2 more. They walked all the way across the field like they were taking a stroll with their girl. To no surprise, they were followed by the coaches who were also strolling along enjoying the weather. I watched one more drive and left. It was a terrible showing by the entire Hoptown team and staff.

As an outsider (and objective as can be): HHS needs a passing game. I'm not sure if they can go through the playoffs and not come across a team that can contain their running game. You cannot simply run bombs and screens. The mid-range passing game is not there in the 3 games I've seen.

If we assume Austin Collinsworth is going to get bigger, faster, and better...

 

YIKES.

 

He's a player.

Highlands outgained Hopkinsville 405-182. Highlands averaged 7.6 yards a snap. Hoptown averaged 2.8. Conner rushed for 117 yards and Crawford had 113 yards rushing for Highlands. Conner scored three touchdowns rushing and Collinsworth had two interceptions and returned a punt 63 yards for a TD.

At the same time, Hoptown had a few players walking out of their lockerroom, helmets off, walking out in 2s and 3s then 5 would come out then 2 more. They walked all the way across the field like they were taking a stroll with their girl.

In defense of Hoptown, we were sitting near their locker room and they sounded extremely fired up "inside" the locker room before the game. We could hear lots of commotion and they were all chanting, "What time is it?" or something like that. It seemed to me that the coaches (who were standing outside) tried to quiet them down. They closed the doors before our players rushed out onto the field. They then quickly opened them, and ushered their guys out. But the sounded really fired up at that point.

 

Halftime was another story. They came back to the lockers looking beat...and beaten. It looked like they had sort of given up at that point.

In defense of Hoptown, we were sitting near their locker room and they sounded extremely fired up "inside" the locker room before the game. We could hear lots of commotion and they were all chanting, "What time is it?" or something like that. It seemed to me that the coaches (who were standing outside) tried to quiet them down. They closed the doors before our players rushed out onto the field. They then quickly opened them, and ushered their guys out. But the sounded really fired up at that point.

 

.

 

You can yell all you want but your body language tells the story.

You can yell all you want but your body language tells the story.

Well, like I said, their body language was telling that they were pretty fired up to start. It just didn't last.

As an outsider (and objective as can be): HHS needs a passing game. I'm not sure if they can go through the playoffs and not come across a team that can contain their running game. You cannot simply run bombs and screens. The mid-range passing game is not there in the 3 games I've seen.

 

Who might be that team to contain the Birds running game? Everyone would like to see a nice balanced attack, but if you do one thing paricularly well you stick with that. What 3 games have you seen and how did the Birds fare in those games?

As an outsider (and objective as can be): HHS needs a passing game. I'm not sure if they can go through the playoffs and not come across a team that can contain their running game. You cannot simply run bombs and screens. The mid-range passing game is not there in the 3 games I've seen.

 

I agree. The Birds need to develop a short passing game, or they may find themselves in trouble when playing the better teams in the playoffs.

I agree. The Birds need to develop a short passing game, or they may find themselves in trouble when playing the better teams in the playoffs.

I'm gonna disagree on this one. If HHS can stay healthy and continue to execute their running game well, they will be in very good shape to win it all. What they need to focus on improving is the TO situation. Did HHS have any TOs in this game? With Cecil, Conner, Hurtt, and Crawford in the backfield, and with the O-line playing as well as they are, HHS needs to keep it on the ground. If they eliminate the TOs and keep the offensive penalties to a minimum, HHS' offense will not be stopped in 5A this year.

I'm gonna disagree on this one. If HHS can stay healthy and continue to execute their running game well, they will be in very good shape to win it all. What they need to focus on improving is the TO situation. Did HHS have any TOs in this game? With Cecil, Conner, Hurtt, and Crawford in the backfield, and with the O-line playing as well as they are, HHS needs to keep it on the ground. If they eliminate the TOs and keep the offensive penalties to a minimum, HHS' offense will not be stopped in 5A this year.

If they face a team in the playoffs or final that can shut down the run, then what? You have to be more than one dimensional, and no I'm not saying the Birds are, I'm sure the coaches are smarter than that.

If they face a team in the playoffs or final that can shut down the run, then what? You have to be more than one dimensional, and no I'm not saying the Birds are, I'm sure the coaches are smarter than that.

 

Given that it's this far along in the season, what do you expect them to do? If they try to make huge changes at this point they'll likely do more harm than good. Plus, HHS has come up with some key pass plays when needed... remember the Guidulgi-Conner pass in the HHS-TM game???

 

The history of HHS TOs this season scare me a lot more than their limited passing game.

Who might be that team to contain the Birds running game? Everyone would like to see a nice balanced attack, but if you do one thing paricularly well you stick with that. What 3 games have you seen and how did the Birds fare in those games?

 

 

They had the same production running last year but, in the end, it was the passing game that got them.

 

Hats off to HHS if they can win with running the ball and throwing the screen.

 

I'd be concerned though .

Plus, HHS has come up with some key pass plays when needed... remember the Guidulgi-Conner pass in the HHS-TM game???

 

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Would Dale make the switch in a game where passing was required?