I don't know that Highlands could have matched up with Elder. Any time a Kentucky team plays a team with the majority of their o-lineman 280+, they seem to have a little trouble. I don't think Highlands would have been blown away; but I still believe they would have a very tough time playing them. Just like every other year when Ky teams play Ohio teams.

I respectfully disagree. Elder's O line I believe wasn't much if any bigger this year than last year and they couldn't move the ball running against us at all last year. And our D is better this year than last year and we were much deeper at the lb and D line spots this year. Furthermore, last year we ran the ball down Elder's throat and had almost 300 yards rushing. While this year's O line isn't quite as big as last year's, they are quicker and more athletic. I believe we could have moved the ball against Elder again this year. I know the only thing that matters is the final score, but we "beat" Elder every way but the final score last year with a lot of juniors playing (but for some stupid, avoidable penalties and miscues we'd have beaten Elder last year). I have to believe (although I can't prove it and no one can disprove it) that if we played them again this year we would have beat them on the score board too.

Oh well, I guess we'll never know. lol

Latest update has Cincinnati X falling to #2 after Concord CA. De Lasalle.

 

Highlands slips 2 spots to #20

I have seen some film on DeLaSalle....X would roll them, especially when healthy.

Pretty good article

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/sports/05preps.html

Here are the most recent final national rankings for Highlands.

 

1996 - #21 in the USA Today final poll

1998 - #19 in the USA Today final poll

1999 - #16 in the final Dick Butkus poll/#18 in final Tony Bianco poll

2000 - #13 in the USA Today final poll/#12 in the final Tony Bianco poll/#13 in the final Fox Sports Fab 50 poll

2001 - #47 in the final Fox Sports Fab 50 poll

2004 - #22 in the final Tony Bianco poll

2007 - #18 in Max Preps

 

Unbelievable season Birds. The Tradition Continues!

 

I don't think that HHS was ranked in the FINAL 2001 Fab 50 poll, as the 'Birds had a bit of a down year and lost 3 games.

 

Also, HHS finished 1982 ranked in the USA Today Super 25.

According to my records:

 

Highlands' final national rankings:

 

1982: USA Today Super 25 (21st)

1996: USA Today Super 25 (21st)

1998: USA Today Super 25 (19th), Comp USA poll (16th), and Prep Nation poll (15th)

1999: Dick Butkus poll (16th), Tony Bianco "Tony" poll (18th)

2000: USA Today Super 25 (13th), Dick Butkus poll (10th), Tony Bianco "Tony" poll (12th), and Fox Sports Fab 50 poll (13th)

2004: Tony Bianco "Tony" poll (22nd)

2007: MaxPreps/CalPreps poll (21st)

 

Again, these were FINAL end-of-season rankings.

 

Does anyone have anything else to add?

According to my records:

 

Highlands' final national rankings:

 

1982: USA Today Super 25 (21st)

1996: USA Today Super 25 (21st)

1998: USA Today Super 25 (19th), Comp USA poll (16th), and Prep Nation poll (15th)

1999: Dick Butkus poll (16th), Tony Bianco "Tony" poll (18th)

2000: USA Today Super 25 (13th), Dick Butkus poll (10th), Tony Bianco "Tony" poll (12th), and Fox Sports Fab 50 poll (13th)

2004: Tony Bianco "Tony" poll (22nd)

2007: MaxPreps/CalPreps poll (21st)

 

Again, these were FINAL end-of-season rankings.

 

Does anyone have anything else to add?

 

JB,

 

I went back and checked the records. You are correct about 2001. But, I misread the 2000 information...here's the correction. Highlands finished the season #47 in the Fox Sports Fab 50 in 2000. And, the Birds were ranked #13 in the Midwest by Fox Sports in the same poll.

 

Hope this helps to clarify.