Just got returned from the trip to Louisville for the Highlands duPont Manual football game. I was impressed with their facility. Talked to a couple of gentlemen from duPont Manual and they told me that the money and labor to maintain the facility did not come from the school but from volunteers. I salute them and their work.

 

From my non-professional perspective the game pretty much was what I expected. Both teams were now going at earnest in the football season with a number of rough edges to smooth out.

 

The Rams have a very fast moving offense that needs to pace itself better. While they can move the ball effectively, they have problems sustaining drives without creating problems for themselves. At least in this game the quarterback was their most effective weapon. Defensively, their linebackers were their most effective weapon. They are very athletic and cover the field very well. As one often hears the defense is far ahead of the offense in the early part of the season.

 

The Birds offense is very effective but players new to their positions need to develop their skills which come only with more game experience. On defense the Birds have a fine group of players that will only improve with each passing game.

While I'm sure Bardo will live up to all that's been written about him, perhaps this is reason not to "overhype" someone who's starting their first varsity game at QB. Possible the kid felt a little extra pressure when he's already been tabbed as the top QB in the state and possibly best QB in HHS history? You gotta respect the incredible enthusiasm of the Bluebird faithful, but I wonder if sometimes it's just a tad too much?

 

Exactly. I was one who questioned how much hype the Highlands faithful were throwing out, and I don't feel a bit in the wrong now, but I do feel bad for Bardo. It isn't fair to go into his first game as a varsity QB with that hanging over his hand, and then when his performance apparently doesn't live up to the hype he gets ripped on. Give him time to develop as a QB and let the team work their kinks out, and stop talking the kid up as the next NFL MVP so that he can enjoy his high school football careers' last season and hopefully end up playing ball at a college next year, even if it isn't a BCS D1.

 

As for Highlands, I'll have to say, I predicted a blow out, and was shocked to find out it wasn't. I give a TON of credit to Manual, I'm impressed. As for Highlands, a win is a win, but I'm much more excited to go to the Ryle/Highlands game next week then I was when I thought they'd blow out every team 70 to 0 lol. I guess who knows, they still might.

Let's hear it. How did Collinsworth do?

Let's hear it. How did Collinsworth do?

 

I see he scored 2 short TD's but he must not have racked up many yards or these guys would be all over it.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090821/SPORTS05/908210433/1031/Highlands+jumps+out+on+Manual++wins+19-8

 

 

Says Collinsworth went 78 yrds on 16 carries along with his 2 TD's.

I was pulling so hard for the Crimsons in this game. Looking forward to the matchup with Trinity. It seems like it will be a good one this year!

Far be it for the guy from the buckeye state to try and understand your bluegrass folk but I couldn't help it! Those score predictions were ridiculous. I think sometimes there is a faction of your Highland folk who truly thing Mueller and that program walk on water.

 

Look, I admire the program and Coach Mueller. How can you not? But that talk was silly and uneducated. It was based off a SCRIMMAGE! A glorified practice between two teams that had nothing at stake. How you base any sort of score prediction off that is utter nonsense. I hope that lesson was learned by some of the Highland faithful after this game.

 

And can we now please stop talk of "National Championships" and all that nonsense. It's fruitless. Get better and don't get embarassed at home in a few weeks by St. Xavier. If you can do that and win yet ANOTHER state title, it will be time to petition the KHSAA for a move to 6A. :walk:

 

Congrats on a hard fought win. As for the Crimsons, see you in a few weeks. Looking forward to it.

 

-CardinalsFan

Take a look at post #35 in the prediction thread,I think I nailed it!

Manual's offense is #18 their qb. Their big plays came on keepers and scrambles.. It looked to me that the boys up front for Manual were giving the Birds problems. The D line for Manual did a very good job of keeping the HHS lineman from reaching the second level. This allowed Manual's lb's to make plays all over the field.. I was very impressed with their lb's..

Manual's offense is #18 their qb. Their big plays came on keepers and scrambles..

He was our top receiver last year and definitely our best weapon right now. As the rest of the team improves, especailly if we gain consistancy in our running game (which had glimpses last night), I think he could have a great year. If he has to carry the team by himself like last night all season it will be very tough on him.

Congrats, HHS. Way to TCB.

Ok, can we set some realistic expectations now for HHS.

 

Yes they are good...yes they are 30 points better than anybody in NKY....and yes they will win state, but all this National Championship talk is flat out ridiculous. There are 3-4 teams in Cincinnati alone who are better than them.

First game of the season, all in all the Birds did well. Hats off to Manual, they played tough.

As to Bardo, the kid is very talented and a class act, you will only see him get stronger and better each week. I know the Bird's faithful fully agree with me on this.

Ok, can we set some realistic expectations now for HHS.

 

Yes they are good...yes they are 30 points better than anybody in NKY....and yes they will win state, but all this National Championship talk is flat out ridiculous. There are 3-4 teams in Cincinnati alone who are better than them.

 

And I'll take that now for the 3rd season in a row. Don't really know about the Cincy teams and only care about the couple that are on the schedule. Nice win boys 1 down.:dancingpa Remember they're all gunnin for ya..

Ok, can we set some realistic expectations now for HHS.

 

Yes they are good...yes they are 30 points better than anybody in NKY....and yes they will win state, but all this National Championship talk is flat out ridiculous. There are 3-4 teams in Cincinnati alone who are better than them.

 

Dale is a master motivator....

Dale is a master motivator....

I don't think they understand that sort of thing over there in the GCL.