Excellent win over a very good Lex Cath team tonight. The Birds really started clicking with around 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. LCs defense was beginning to wear down and Hurtt and Conner started ripping off huge chunks of yardage on the ground. The O-line, which struggled early, really got stronger as the game progressed. Way to gut it out in the trenches guys!

 

Highlands defense was strong all night long. Congrats Birds, you beat what is probably going to be the 4A state Champs tonight!

Why can't Highlands ever cover the tight end????? It boggles my mind that this continues to happen..I think at least half of LexCaths yards came on the "Y" under to the TE....:confused::confused::confused:

They must be for Real.

 

 

Wow...that is strong.

In the first half, I was really worried about this one. Lex looked tough and was continually stopping Highlands' offense from moving the ball. Then Highlands actually started throwing some quick passes and began moving the ball. This allowed the run to open a little bit and they gradually started breaking through tackles. Either Lexington got tired, or Highlands just gelled as the game continued into the 2nd half. They looked tough. I was really impressed by the strength of Zach Hurtt as he ran through defenders and Cecil's running and passing ability when he had some decent blocking. Obviously Conners is impressive, but what's new? On another note, Israel was an animal in there at runningback. He would juke and cut right around a few Highlands defenders. There were just too many there for him to break away. "Guy" was also a big factor in the first half, but seemed to be a non-factor in the second half.

 

One last point I wanted to make was that this game could have been a lot different if the Lexington recievers wouldn't have dropped 3 or 4 balls across the middle on quick slants. There were a few times where they were wide open and just flat out missed it. Highlands would have kept the lead, but it would have been much closer of a score.

Great job Birds. Keep it going strong.

Very nice game BIRDS! We are very proud of your effort and equally proud how you handled the best 4A team in the state. This was truely a team effort - the O, the D and special teams all played great. The coaches laid out the game plan - made some adjustments at half and all executed perfectly...for the big "W."

 

Just two more practice games and then the real season starts!

Here is a shot from the game:

Did Fitzgerald play tonight for HHS?

 

Go to "Kentucky.com, sports, high school." There is a picture of Joe Fitzgerald in on a play. I just happened to be standing next to his mother in what turned out to be the "student section" of the stands for Lex. Cath. She's very proud of her son, and should be. He's very tough on defense.

Congrats to the Birds for traveling to LexCath and winning. The Birds need games like this to help them realize they are not invincible.

 

I tracked it on the live gamecast site for awhile and it seemed the LC defense was stuffing Connor/Cecil. Big Kickoff return by Hurtt probably sparked the Birds and was a big blow to LC.

 

Also a backbreaker was the conversion after the TD. Drew Simons (44) handles a bad snap. Runs right, avoids a couple of defenders, heads back left and finds a Bird reciever in the end zone for a 2 pter. You can't say enough about the awareness and determination, not to mention the athletecism, displayed by Simons. Awesome play.

Also a backbreaker was the conversion after the TD. Drew Simons (44) handles a bad snap. Runs right, avoids a couple of defenders, heads back left and finds a Bird reciever in the end zone for a 2 pter. You can't say enough about the awareness and determination, not to mention the athletecism, displayed by Simons. Awesome play.

 

Was that the pass to Laber? Simons is very athletic. He does a great job in those types of situations. Keeps his cool and gets it done.

LexCath's QB is going to be a STUD! We counted at least 4 drops, 2 of which the LC receiver had a lot of running room. He caught fire in the second half and hit 9 of 10. Athletic kid too. There's never a shortage of skill players at LC, the next two years this kid may put up some monstrous numbers.

 

HHS wore down another team in the second half. They stuck to their gameplan and took it to LC. The middle of the 3rd quarter until the end of the game reminded me of the last TD drive against CovCath. Blowing people off the ball and getting 5-6 yards a pop.

 

Two teams combine for around 100 yards in the first half and end up with a total around 600 for the game. This is great timing, IMO for a bye week. Get healed up, one game to get back into it and another to polish everything before the real season starts. Impressive win...

Originally Posted by malachicrunch

Also a backbreaker was the conversion after the TD. Drew Simons (44) handles a bad snap. Runs right, avoids a couple of defenders, heads back left and finds a Bird reciever in the end zone for a 2 pter. You can't say enough about the awareness and determination, not to mention the athletecism, displayed by Simons. Awesome play.

 

Was that the pass to Laber? Simons is very athletic. He does a great job in those types of situations. Keeps his cool and gets it done.

 

Other than the high snap, this extra point looked so well done with regard to the receivers breaking to their routes that it looked almost like a planned two-point conversion. It is a sign of a well coached team. The other thing I loved about Highlands was the downfield blocking of their receivers and the fact that they will hold a block, not just initiate contact - this was especially true on runs that broke open to the Highlands left side. Trinity and St. X also does this very well and it's something that Lex Cath receivers should study on film and then execute come game time - downfield blocking like this is what breaks a 6 - 8 yard gain into a 20+ yard gain. Remember, being a receiver isn't just about catching the ball - larger contributions can be made by laying down a good block, too.

IMO this was a real close game. Both defenses were playing really good in the first half. Lex Cath missed 2 field goals (3 tot) in the first half that could have put it to 11-9 at half. In the second half Lex Cath came out and scored and I flet they had some momentum going. Very next kickoff, it was taken to the house which might have switched the momentum back to Highlands. Very hard fought game that was close for a long time. Score imo doesnt indicate how close the game was. A couple key plays could have had the game going LC's way. Good luck to Highlands and the rest of the season.

 

 

Well that are all the "what ifs" from a Lex. Cath. side.

 

What are the "what is" from the Highlands perspective.

Don't think there are any from HHS side. Sounds like LC gave us all we wanted until they wore down.

Congrats to Highlands on another nice win.