Highlands is ranked 13th in the maxpreps poll and top 25 in most other polls.

 

But some how they only beat Ryle by 20..... is Highlands over rated or is Ryle better than we thought?

Edited August 31, 200818 yr by Ram
Rule 13

A little of both I think. Highlands earned that ranking mostly by going 15-0 last season and winning their 17th state championship. They do have some phenomenal talent on their roster this season with Collinsworth, Conner, Roller, Guidugli to name a few so I am sure that helped as well.

 

Ryle on the other hand has a very good group and are making strides to get back on top in NKY 6A. Their defense looked very strong the other night and they have a very good young sophomore QB.

 

I think the score was indicative of both Highlands having a sub par performance offensively but also the Ryle Defense coming to play.

 

A 20 point win over a very good 6A school is still nothing to sneeze at.

I have to agree on the fact that Ryle looked solid however, Highlands had some hiccups that occurred. I just think that with all of the youth on this young Birds team it may take a few weeks to gel as a squad. Unfortunately, they play Colerain next week so the gelling must happen rapidly for a chance against this Ohio powerhouse.

Highlands "D" was much better than their "O" on Friday. I realize Conner is hurt but Head and Crawford are very good backs. I don't think they have the line they have had in the past. QB was rushed alot w/not much time to throw.

Highlands "D" was much better than their "O" on Friday. I realize Conner is hurt but Head and Crawford are very good backs. I don't think they have the line they have had in the past. QB was rushed alot w/not much time to throw.

 

True about Tony not having much time at times. But not necessarily true that it was the O line's fault when that occurred. . When you have 8 guys in the box and 5 interior O linemen, you can't say its the O line's fault when pressure gets placed on the qb. That happened more than you think. I've watched the tape about 8 times. The O line wasn't perfect; not close. But we had a lot more problems blocking than just the O line. I won't single out players or even positions that failed to do their job; not my style. Besides those that didn't execute have already gotten an earful about it. And I do agree with you that our D played very, very well. Good job.

IMO, the O line is nothing like it use to be.

IMO, the O line is nothing like it use to be.

 

While you are entitled to your opinion, I'm not sure how meaningful it is given the fact you probably have only watched Highlands play once or twice a year, being a Beechwood fan. And for that matter, I'd say the Birds O line performed pretty admirably this year when our O line handled the Tigers.

Holy Cripes it's only game 1...and a 20 point win! The O-line of last year was a SR dominated line and they only beat Ryle by one score more. Give the boys some time. Most of them just had thei FIRST VARSITY START! And quite frankly, it showed. They will get better is the good news...the bad news is it better be in a hurry because Colerain is next! But I think they will rise to the challenge. Check back in week ten as we prepare for the playoffs, the cream will have risen to the top.

Holy Cripes it's only game 1...and a 20 point win! The O-line of last year was a SR dominated line and they only beat Ryle by one score more. Give the boys some time. Most of them just had thei FIRST VARSITY START! And quite frankly, it showed. They will get better is the good news...the bad news is it better be in a hurry because Colerain is next! But I think they will rise to the challenge. Check back in week ten as we prepare for the playoffs, the cream will have risen to the top.

 

Exactly:thumb:.

 

And I do want to apologize to UNC-5. My response to his post was unnecessarily harsh (too much fireworks, I guess). Sorry about that.

 

The O line this year is certainly not up to the level of play demonstrated by last year's line, in my opinion for the reasons set forth in DMZ's last post. I don't think it's because of a lack of talent, coaching or effort.

 

I believe that with time, they'll get there or at least get close. We'll see as the season unfolds. No disrespect to Crawford, as he has done a great, make that fantasic job, but getting Josh Conner back will also help the O line. I'm optimistic that the line play will improve as we ran the ball very effectively against Male and Beechwood and at times against Ryle. And again, to Ryle's credit, they played exceptionally well on D and were very well coached. Coach Warner has done a very good job at Ryle and I expect them to become one of the dominant 6A teams in N. Ky year in and year out. As Hempel grows into the starting qb spot over this and the next couple of years, Ryle is going to become very, very good. It wouldn't surprise me to see Ryle ranked second in N. Ky by year end (although NCC and Beechwood may have something to say about that based on first week results).

 

Colerain is going to be a tough test for the young Birds O linemen. I expect them to take some lumps. But as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Those lumps will certainly prepare the kids for the rest of the schedule this year.

 

For those that I've irritated or upset over the past couple of days in our discussions about the Highlands O line, I apologize. I took the bait and responded angrily to comments about this line being awful and the worse in 10 years. I still disagree with those comments, but I've had the opportunity to watch the tape and most of those posters did not. As every coach knows, the tapes show things that you can't see watching the game in person. Thus, I've had an advantage that the critical posters have not.

 

Our O line is young and inexperienced. Its probably been a long time since Highlands started 3 juniors out of the 5 interior linemen and had 4 our of the 5with basically no prior varsity experience.

 

While my apology is heartfelt and I agree that our O line must improve, I don't retract my comments about some of reasons we didn't run the ball better are not attributable to the O line. Everyone on the O must improve their execution if we are going to be able to run the ball as effectively as we have in years past.

 

Peace and love.

Holy Cripes it's only game 1...and a 20 point win! The O-line of last year was a SR dominated line and they only beat Ryle by one score more. Give the boys some time. Most of them just had thei FIRST VARSITY START! And quite frankly, it showed. They will get better is the good news...the bad news is it better be in a hurry because Colerain is next! But I think they will rise to the challenge. Check back in week ten as we prepare for the playoffs, the cream will have risen to the top.

 

Good post DMZ76,give this young line some time and everything will be fine. I think everyone has to give some credit to Rlye's coaches and players for their preparation for the game. If you watch the film Ryle knew where we were going to run the ball and they executed defensively, as L/N stated by sending or having 8 in the box.:fight:

IMO, the O line is nothing like it use to be.

 

The O-line is taking alot of shots regarding how slow they apprear to be and the lack of blocking that is not taking place in the trenches...

 

As you recall from last year, Dale and staff repeatedly commented to the media that if you are not getting the ball on O then you have a blocking assignment. On last year's O, everyone, QB, WRs and running backs blocked- at the line of scrimage or down field. So as the comments continue to fly regarding this year's O-line, analyze the backfield and see if they are carrying out their blocking assignments. Or are they watching the play... All will have to play their part to help the development of the line this year. IMO, that is where the offense misses JC the most.

 

I do agree with the common post regarding this year's O line. They will get better as they near the playoffs. They will peak at the right time during the right game...:thumb:

With Conner down, I would have thought 42 might have been handed the ball more than 3 times. As far as the O line, you can't compare them to last years line because of lack of game experience. Even though some were'nt always lineman, 4 out of the 5 guys last year were playing their 3rd year on varsity. Only 63 hAS any varsity experience at all. Makes a huge difference. This years line will be very good by the end of this season.

The line will be fine and they have an outstanding coach to help them gel in Scott Turner. I am sure he will demand a ton from this bunch and by mid season you will see much improvement. Like many have stated, only Dempsey has trench experience in VArsity competition. This is huge when you consider last season's lineman were varsity veterans with tons of game exp. like Malachi stated.

 

The good news is the Birds get to play a CovCath team that completely got blown out this past weekend and may be spinning out of control by the time they meet here in Sept. If they lose to NCC this week I think it could get ugly in Park Hills.

While you are entitled to your opinion, I'm not sure how meaningful it is given the fact you probably have only watched Highlands play once or twice a year, being a Beechwood fan. And for that matter, I'd say the Birds O line performed pretty admirably this year when our O line handled the Tigers.

 

 

 

:flame:

Exactly:thumb:.

 

And I do want to apologize to UNC-5. My response to his post was unnecessarily harsh (too much fireworks, I guess). Sorry about that.

The O line this year is certainly not up to the level of play demonstrated by last year's line, in my opinion for the reasons set forth in DMZ's last post. I don't think it's because of a lack of talent, coaching or effort.

 

I believe that with time, they'll get there or at least get close. We'll see as the season unfolds. No disrespect to Crawford, as he has done a great, make that fantasic job, but getting Josh Conner back will also help the O line. I'm optimistic that the line play will improve as we ran the ball very effectively against Male and Beechwood and at times against Ryle. And again, to Ryle's credit, they played exceptionally well on D and were very well coached. Coach Warner has done a very good job at Ryle and I expect them to become one of the dominant 6A teams in N. Ky year in and year out. As Hempel grows into the starting qb spot over this and the next couple of years, Ryle is going to become very, very good. It wouldn't surprise me to see Ryle ranked second in N. Ky by year end (although NCC and Beechwood may have something to say about that based on first week results).

 

Colerain is going to be a tough test for the young Birds O linemen. I expect them to take some lumps. But as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Those lumps will certainly prepare the kids for the rest of the schedule this year.

 

For those that I've irritated or upset over the past couple of days in our discussions about the Highlands O line, I apologize. I took the bait and responded angrily to comments about this line being awful and the worse in 10 years. I still disagree with those comments, but I've had the opportunity to watch the tape and most of those posters did not. As every coach knows, the tapes show things that you can't see watching the game in person. Thus, I've had an advantage that the critical posters have not.

 

Our O line is young and inexperienced. Its probably been a long time since Highlands started 3 juniors out of the 5 interior linemen and had 4 our of the 5with basically no prior varsity experience.

 

While my apology is heartfelt and I agree that our O line must improve, I don't retract my comments about some of reasons we didn't run the ball better are not attributable to the O line. Everyone on the O must improve their execution if we are going to be able to run the ball as effectively as we have in years past.

 

Peace and love.

 

No apology necessary, we are all entitled to our own opinions and I respect yours, usually:ylsuper:

 

Remember, HHS O line is suppose to handle the little Tigers. Let's wait and see how they fair against the schools their size and bigger.