These polls are fun, but comparing high school teams from across the USA is impossible. There could be 23 teams in Texas alone that could beat Trinity. I do agree with the Guru that Ky public schools underachieve.

I think it is a great testament to Kentucky football that the highest ranked 2 loss team in the country hails from our little Commonwealth.

 

I guess that's really my point. I don't want the Kentucky champion to have 2 losses and one being to an out state team. The headline from a Cincinnati website was" Ho Hum, Another Week Another State Champion. " When did we become happy with "It was a lot closer than the final score!" As much as we point to the 2002 win against Elder, that is GONE from the outsiders memory. We have to go back 5 years to get a signature win.( My apologies to the Highland crew- Trotwood Madison was good but not a signature win!) As you look at the top 6 or so programs, Trinity played one game against an out of state opponent, X played none, Male played none, Manual played none, Highlands played 1, Henry Clay played 1, Bowling Green 0.The games against out of state teams create the impression of the whole state and as I see it, KY went 1-2 against out of state in showcase games in 2007. I know the 2007 schedule had to be put together quickly and 2008 is already booked. I hope with the realignment that will free up the top schools to schedule and WIN over other states.

I guess that's really my point. I don't want the Kentucky champion to have 2 losses and one being to an out state team. The headline from a Cincinnati website was" Ho Hum, Another Week Another State Champion. " When did we become happy with "It was a lot closer than the final score!" As much as we point to the 2002 win against Elder, that is GONE from the outsiders memory. We have to go back 5 years to get a signature win.( My apologies to the Highland crew- Trotwood Madison was good but not a signature win!) As you look at the top 6 or so programs, Trinity played one game against an out of state opponent, X played none, Male played none, Manual played none, Highlands played 1, Henry Clay played 1, Bowling Green 0.The games against out of state teams create the impression of the whole state and as I see it, KY went 1-2 against out of state in showcase games in 2007. I know the 2007 schedule had to be put together quickly and 2008 is already booked. I hope with the realignment that will free up the top schools to schedule and WIN over other states.

 

 

I have been wanting to see local teams play out of state teams for some time now. Manual played Brentwood academy in 2006 I believe but that is the only one of the big public schools in Louisville to play anyone like that recently. I would love to see Trinity, St.X, Male and Manual beef up their schedules with some teams from neighboring states.

I think that the answer is a strong yes. If Trinity played in the GCL, they would be near the top because the increased level of competition would make it necessary. I think that a bigger factor with MBA was that Trinity is just not as good early in the season, especially in those years when the quarterback and receivers have not worked together a lot. The Trinity offense is complicated and takes a lot of time to get smooth.

 

That's exactly my point. We send an admittably "not as good" representative for the state and Kentucky looks bad. Thus the comment about the "glass ceiling". At least Trinity scheduled one out of state game. I guess what I'm discussing is why not send a good representative, either Trinity later in the season or any of the other top schools at their peak time to get some Ky wins? District games are weeks 5, 7, and 9. How about weeks 6, or 8? What? Gotta rest for that big district game against Butler and/or Seneca in week 7? Hogwash!!

 

Guru makes a good point about comparable teams to Highlands. Ky schools don't necessarily have to play GCL schools. Why can't a Manual or Male go play a team like Colerain, or the 5A champion Anderson to find out how a public school can be more successful ?

 

I guess the final question is why do we accept that a 1400-1500 student all male catholic high school can't compete with a GCL school? Only one GCL school is that size now. It seems like we are sounding like our public school brethren and believing we can't compete and they have advantages. I guess they "just work harder".

I guess the final question is why do we accept that a 1400-1500 student all male catholic high school can't compete with a GCL school? Only one GCL school is that size now. It seems like we are sounding like our public school brethren and believing we can't compete and they have advantages. I guess they "just work harder".

 

I don't know anyone from Trinity that thinks that way. Maybe 10 years ago, but not now.

It would be nice to see teams schedule more out of state competition.

The GCL district that Moeller, X , etc compete in is small, therefore the Cincinnati private schools must schedule many more games outside their local area and gain so many more computer points if they can defeat a smaller Indianapolis private school team. They also have the flexibility to play Cleveland area private schools, the occasional Ky school (only when they feel they have the upper hand), i.e. ranked in top 5 in USA Toady preseason. Ohio is on a different calendar scheduling wise and that makes it real difficult...Moeller agreed to move their game with Cincy X so Trinity and Cincy X could have the return game duringthe same weekend this season at Trinity.

 

MBA (as did Bowling Green) had a game under their belts the last two times they faced the Rocks.

 

Indiana has only a nine game regular season and many of their conferences are large enough that no outside competitioin is needed for the large public schools.

 

Manual dropped Trinity because their head coach decided they didn't need more competition, despite the great gate and interest the game generated.

The score was 40-31 until the closing seconds of the game when Cincy X intercepted the ball and ran it back for 6. Until late in the 3rd Quarter the Rocks were leading. As it is we still put up more points on Cincy X than anyone else on their schedule this season to the best of my knowledge. The final score does not indicate how close the game truly was. Even though they did dominate the 4th quarter and wore us down.

I am surprised that any Trinity fan would be into moral victories, even if it was against one of the top teams in the country.

I am surprised that any Trinity fan would be into moral victories, even if it was against one of the top teams in the country.

 

You weren't at the game were you?

The issue with KHSAA football is that there is little parity. The top teams in KY are very few and very dominant in the state. Teams like Trinity and Highlands are as deserving of the national rankings they got as anybody in any other state. It is the rest of the state that brings KY football down to it's low rating against other states.

 

Kentucky's expansion to 6 classes does not do anything to improve parity or bring programs up to the level of NCC, Beechwood, and others. In the first year it merely provided an opportunity for the usual suspects to win 6 titles instead of 4. The fact that Ft Campbell and Central won titles is hopeful for the future of KY football, but allowing 50% of playoffs teams in with

I am surprised that any Trinity fan would be into moral victories, even if it was against one of the top teams in the country.

 

 

Let's see....I think you misunderstand the "Trinity" fan. The "Trinity" Fan is a fan of great football. The "Trinity" Fan is a person who is excited that Trinity does it's best to schedule the best. The "Trinity" fan recognizes that winning isn't always the best way to gauge the quality of your team/program. The "Trinity" fan is not afraid, or ashamed, to lose to a quality team (well...except X, but that's a whole 'nother animal ). The "Trinity" fan is proud of their team, even in defeat.

That's exactly my point. We send an admittably "not as good" representative for the state and Kentucky looks bad. Thus the comment about the "glass ceiling". At least Trinity scheduled one out of state game. I guess what I'm discussing is why not send a good representative, either Trinity later in the season or any of the other top schools at their peak time to get some Ky wins? District games are weeks 5, 7, and 9. How about weeks 6, or 8? What? Gotta rest for that big district game against Butler and/or Seneca in week 7? Hogwash!!

 

Guru makes a good point about comparable teams to Highlands. Ky schools don't necessarily have to play GCL schools. Why can't a Manual or Male go play a team like Colerain, or the 5A champion Anderson to find out how a public school can be more successful ?

 

I guess the final question is why do we accept that a 1400-1500 student all male catholic high school can't compete with a GCL school? Only one GCL school is that size now. It seems like we are sounding like our public school brethren and believing we can't compete and they have advantages. I guess they "just work harder".

 

 

One of the reasons we tend to improve as much as we do by season's end is because of those teams we played earlier in the season out of state. They often show us our weaknesses and where we need to improve more effectively than teams from KY can.

 

Now I wouldn't mind having one at the beginning of the season and at the end. I would be fine with that.

I am surprised that any Trinity fan would be into moral victories, even if it was against one of the top teams in the country.

 

 

No "moral victories" here, they beat us plain and simple. I was merely refuting the fact that you claimed it was not a close game. It was a close game with one play in the closing seconds that made it look lopsided.

A corollary question I guess is does the lack of strong competition in Ky hurt Trinity and X? I wonder if the lack of true and consistent competition for those two schools in a lot of years hurts them in getting prepared for the GCL and Tenn. schools.

 

I agree with this.

A corollary question I guess is does the lack of strong competition in Ky hurt Trinity and X? I wonder if the lack of true and consistent competition for those two schools in a lot of years hurts them in getting prepared for the GCL and Tenn. schools.

My comment is the lack of games against the GCL and Tennessee schools hurts in getting prepared for the GCL and the Tennessee schools. My other point is as long as T views the out of state games as "preparation" games, then the other Ky schools needs to step up and beat the teams to uphold and further Ky football. If UK can beat the national champions with a kid from Manual at WR, and a QB from North Hardin, along with a host of other players from Bluegrass Nation, then why can't we beat ( not compete!) the best regional teams in high school?

 

Is it facilities?

Is it coaching?

Is it the pre-high school development programs?

Is it talent? (Couch, Redman, Lorenzen, Brohm, Woodson, Bush at QB in the last few years,etc)

Is it the use of two way players versus 22 starters?

Or maybe we just don't believe we can beat them.

My comment is the lack of games against the GCL and Tennessee schools hurts in getting prepared for the GCL and the Tennessee schools. My other point is as long as T views the out of state games as "preparation" games, then the other Ky schools needs to step up and beat the teams to uphold and further Ky football. If UK can beat the national champions with a kid from Manual at WR, and a QB from North Hardin, along with a host of other players from Bluegrass Nation, then why can't we beat ( not compete!) the best regional teams in high school?

 

Is it facilities?

Is it coaching?

Is it the pre-high school development programs?

Is it talent? (Couch, Redman, Lorenzen, Brohm, Woodson, Bush at QB in the last few years,etc)

Is it the use of two way players versus 22 starters?

Or maybe we just don't believe we can beat them.

 

 

I think it is a combination of some of the above and also some other factors. Money is sure one for a public school and I just saw where they are going to lose 7% more money. Not making any excuses but for a public school the money has to go towards all sports. Our school has to have fund raisers to to get things for the players and around here most people would rather support the band or the cheerleaders rather a football team. It is still a little backwards I think.

 

Until the day comes where Athletics and Academics can share some importance state wide we will continue to be behind the 8-ball as opposed to other states. And what people do not realize is athletics is all about academics, because if you don't make the grades during the week you don't play on Friday's or weekends.

 

Athletics is also educational as it allows for a kid to set and achieve goals, communication with their peers and also in the public. Acquire leadership skills as well along with time management in finding a way to fit in athletics and still maintain good grades and complete academics.

 

One last thing that hurts is a lot of players that play multiple sports across the state and not just play football or commit to just one sport. When a player gets to college they play one sport 99.9% of the time and they do not have other coaches pulling a kid another direction because he is athletic. Most of our football players as soon as we lost to BG went on to the next sport. There are a few that are strictly one sport high school kids and they will rise to the top and we will all know who they are.

 

 

Hope this adds a little more input.