A thread talking about how this year's CCH team compared with previous squads got me thinking...

 

How good a team was Highlands in 2005 and 2006, compared to 2007 (or this year, so far)? In 2005, Highlands lost about everyone from the 2004 state title team. They took some very bad beatings in the regular season, to the likes of Cincinnati Colerain, Louisville Saint Xavier (a really bad game) and Columbus (Ohio) DeSales, yet defeated CCH in the regular season to win the district. The 'Birds then got shut out by eventual state champ LexCath at home during the postseason.

 

In 2006, Highlands lost very close games to Cincy Elder and to Columbus DeSales, and had a better showing against Louisville Saint Xavier. They lost to CCH at home on a last-second play to finish 2nd in the district, and then lost again to CCH by 10 in the playoffs (CCH went on to win state).

 

By looking at the final W-L records (and some of the scores), it seems that these were "down" years for Highlands, but were they really? They did play very tough schedules both years. How good was LexCath in 2005 and CCH in 2006... and how would the 2007 version of Highlands have fared against 2005 LexCath and 2006 CCH if they had to play them?

All speculation. I would say 2007 was a direct result of the 05 and 06. About 6 sophs started or saw meaningful time V in 05 and a couple more in 06? By the time they hit 07 they were seasoned and they were hungry. The only two teams I think 07 would have struggled with is if they went back-back with Colerain and St X 05. That was brutal.