How do JC and Highlands match up? Who will win? Why?

 

I would like this to be only for Ashland supporters who went to the Highlands game. If someone wants to start another thread or add their comments in the prediction thread that is fine, but please let the Ashland fans that went to the game answer this one.

Did Ashland play JC this year?

Did Ashland play JC this year?

 

Yes...they are district foes.

ttt

Their collective lips appear to be sealed?!

Their collective lips appear to be sealed?!

 

Hmmm... I figured there's be one or two Ashland stragglers left in the football forum to follow Raceland. :sssh:

I’m still hanging around - just reluctant to call this game. But, here goes.

 

I was at both of the games Ashland played with JC and HHS this year. JC and HHS are both outstanding teams, very talented, but very different. I am more familiar with JC because they have been a district foe since 2005 – we played them once in 2005, twice in 2006 and once each in 2007 & 2008. Plus I’ve gone to watch a couple of their play-off games. This year was my first time to see HHS play.

 

JC is the newcomer to the big stage. Expect JC to come out with a huge chip on their shoulder. Matney is a master motivator and uses the underdog tactic extremely well. It is surprising how worked up his teams can get. Matney will have a few surprise plays up his sleeve too.

 

HHS is the old hand at this. They have long-standing tradition and experience – they are more play-off game seasoned. They have an “I’ve seen it all before” attitude. I expect that they will be calm and collected even if pressured. They are fast, talented and seasoned – and hard to bet against.

 

I think HHS is the favorite, but I won’t be surprised if JC pulls off the upset at home. The only thing I feel sure about is: this will be a great game. Well worth the drive to watch it.

I saw both games this season.

 

As Graybeard wrote, these are two distinctly different teams, although they have two things in common. Both teams are extremely well coached, and both teams play very solid defense.

 

I don't see how anyone can look at Highlands, and have anything but the utmost respect. Fast at all positions (including the offensive line), as much starting talent as any coach could ask for, and excellent depth which allows them to sub as needed. They truly have one of the top three or four coaching staffs in the state.

 

Their offensive scheme does an excellent job of exploiting their team speed to the fullest, and their wideouts and linemen all block their tails off. If the defense plays zone coverage, the line gives them enough time to run their receivers into the seams, and the QB rarely misses. He can throw it deep enough to stretch the defense, and he can float the touch passes over the second level when needed.

 

Johnson Central is a running machine. They pass only enough to keep a defense honest, and sometimes not even then. Their offensive line does an excellent job of opening holes at the point of attack, and their receivers do a great job of downfield blocking, which turns six or seven yard gains into much longer runs.

 

Again, Graybeard covered the fact that Matney will always have a trick play or two up his sleeve, but normally, they don't really need them.

 

This game, however, may well come down to who can use the unexpected play to create a little breathing room. A reverse, a fake punt, or a halfback sweep stopping to throw it over the defense could be the difference. The kicking game may well be the decider in this one.

 

JC playing at home is a big advantage, but Highlands has the experience of playing big games, and the tradition is definitively on their sideline.

 

I am honestly considering making the drive to Johnsonville, just to watch this baby. The team that is on the short end of the scoreboard will proabably be the strongest team in the state that gets eliminated on Friday.

 

I won't pick a winner, but I'll be on the bandwagon for whichever team advances. I'll be pulling for Raceland on Friday, and I hope that they play in Papa John's. That way, I'll get to root for two excellent teams.