About Colerain being one of the top teams in the country, they probably are considered just that. ESPN.com has them ranked #26 in the nation, ahead of some very good teams including, St. X of Cincinnati, Maryville (TN), Mater Dei (CA) and others.

 

As far as moral victory is concerned, Highlands probably doesn't believe in that for them. So, I would say it was a tremendous effort on their part, and they should hold their heads up!

I'll re-post what I said in the game thread.

 

You have to understand that, at Highlands, it's a totally different mind-set we're talking about. Are we happy about the loss--heck no! We're not satisfied with the loss. We're not patting the kids on the back and saying "we didn't expect you to win anyway."

 

However, we are proud that our team played so tough and made a good showing for themselves against a monstrous opponent. We're not going to beat the players up for having not come home with a victory-although you can be sure they will hear about it on the practice field. What we will do, is show some appreciation for their efforts, and for the results they produced. We're going to recognize observed improvement. We're going to appreciate the advantage this experience has granted.

 

That's a far cry from celebrating a loss. At Highlands, that's something you'll never see. Lesser squads might be smiling and celebrating after a tough loss; but not this team...not these fans...no way.

I am sure to some it is but it shouldn't be. Bottom line this team is pretty much owned by the city of Cincinnati and I am sure it's frusterating. Highlands is an excellent program and will get over the Cincinnati hump soon.

For those of you who are saying this is NOT a moral victory, I have a question.

 

 

What is a moral victory? In your own words, can you give your opinion of the definition of a moral victory?

 

I'd hate to speak for Highlands and their fans, but I can honestly say that I've never been a part of a moral victory.

 

A good effort? Sure. Moral victories? No such thing.

What is a moral victory? In your own words, can you give your opinion of the definition of a moral victory?

A moral victory is the hook upon which consistently poor teams hang their hats. It's a free pass to mediocrity. It's an excuse for not striving to be a better team.

No loss is ever any type of victory IMO A team like HHS "getting close" doesn't count for a thing.

I also agree that in Caketown, wins are wins and losses are losses... there really isn't anything in between (such as a "moral victory").

 

Having said that, I feel that it speaks volumes about the pride of the Highlands players and coaches that they did not cave in and give up when things turned the other way for them in the second half. It would have been easy for a team that was getting worn down as time passed in the game to just let up and accept the certainty of the outcome (i.e. a loss). This Highlands team did the EXACT opposite last night... just when things were at their worst the team stepped it up and PLAYED THROUGH the full four quarters. Greatness is determined not so much by how one begins things but by how one finishes them, and Highlands finished the game strong. I suspect that this loss will cause the team to focus even harder on winning the remainder of their games this year.

 

As for the criticism about HHS playing their starters when the outcome was felt to be already decided, please allow me to refer the critics to last season's New York Giants team. When they played New England at the end of the regular season, everyone had written them off in the game and many proposed that the Giants rest their key players and accept the defeat, since they were already set for the playoffs. Well, they didn't... they played everyone and went all out... they didn't win but this mentality set the tone for the Giants' postseason, and the Giants eventually defeated New England in the game that REALLY mattered, the Super Bowl. Most commentators said, in retrospect, that had the Giants mailed in that last regular season game and taken their beating, they would not have won the Super Bowl. There is virtue to fighting and never quitting, whether it involves a team playing undefeated New England when technically there is nothing at stake in the outcome, or whether it involves an overmatched high school football team clawing and digging for four full quarters against a first-rate opponent, regardless of what the scoreboard says.

 

Dale Mueller for President!

 

Go 'Birds!

I also agree that in Caketown, wins are wins and losses are losses... there really isn't anything in between (such as a "moral victory").

 

Having said that, I feel that it speaks volumes about the pride of the Highlands players and coaches that they did not cave in and give up when things turned the other way for them in the second half. It would have been easy for a team that was getting worn down as time passed in the game to just let up and accept the certainty of the outcome (i.e. a loss). This Highlands team did the EXACT opposite last night... just when things were at their worst the team stepped it up and PLAYED THROUGH the full four quarters. Greatness is determined not so much by how one begins things but by how one finishes them, and Highlands finished the game strong. I suspect that this loss will cause the team to focus even harder on winning the remainder of their games this year.

 

What you just explained, is the definition of a Moral Victory.

What you just explained, is the definition of a Moral Victory.

I was hoping that someone would make this observation!!!:thumb:

I guess that would put them in the drivers seat for the Moral State Championship.:thumb:

I guess that would put them in the drivers seat for the Moral State Championship.:thumb:

 

Normally I would get a chuckle out of that one but considering we are talking about Highlands, and no one in KY will play a better team (than Colerain) all year, I think your joke missed the mark.

I guess that would put them in the drivers seat for the Moral State Championship.:thumb:

 

Tell me again why some programs fall off the face of the earth.:lol: There is no moral victories here at Highlands. We lost, we can accept that. Will Highlands be very dangerous come playoff time. You bet!!!!! We don't have one of the best Football programs in the state by playing for moral victories. Bark up another tree my friend!!!!!

No way would Highlands or any other championship team EVER talk about a moral victory.

For those of you who are saying this is NOT a moral victory, I have a question.

 

 

What is a moral victory? In your own words, can you give your opinion of the definition of a moral victory?

 

 

I just don't believe they exist. I had a coach tell me years ago that moral victories only exist to make losers feel better about themselves, and I concur. The word victory implies you scored more points than your opponent.

Normally I would get a chuckle out of that one but considering we are talking about Highlands, and no one in KY will play a better team (than Colerain) all year, I think your joke missed the mark.

Very nice of you to say Guru.

 

I keep waiting for that trip to Jefferson Cty for my Cards to take on X or T. Preferably St. Xavier in a year that we play, and beat, the OTHER St. Xavier. I don't think there is a school in existence that has beaten both the Tigers and Bombers in the same year. :thumb:

 

-CardinalsFan