The reason it's not distracting is simply the fact that the players and coaches are used to it. The parents and fans sit quietly and listen and watch what's going on. I think the kids actually enjoy the fact that there are a decent number of parents and fans interested enough to be there watching practice.

 

I guess I can see that. If it's a regular thing that they're accustomed to, then yeah, I guess it's no big deal.

 

I just think back to my pee-wee football practices, with guys' dads standing on the side of the practice field watching and shouting their own editorial (coaching) comments from a distance. I was always annoyed by it, to the point that I was very explicit in instructing my parents not to show up until the end of practice time...it made for a few long nights when practice was called short for weather.

I guess I can see that. If it's a regular thing that they're accustomed to, then yeah, I guess it's no big deal.

 

I just think back to my pee-wee football practices, with guys' dads standing on the side of the practice field watching and shouting their own editorial (coaching) comments from a distance. I was always annoyed by it, to the point that I was very explicit in instructing my parents not to show up until the end of practice time...it made for a few long nights when practice was called short for weather.

 

It starts in 3rd-4th grade with the youth football league. Every practice I can remember had quite an audience and the few I stayed for I can't remember anyone commenting where the players or coaches could hear. I know when I've asked my son about people watching HHS' practices he really can't tell me if there were many people there. Of course he's not real observant anyway so maybe he's not a good measure of how distracting it may be.

I think it's just awesome that they get fans coming in even for practices. Shoot, I might have to try that. Of course, I guess that would run the risk of being taken for a spy and tossed out.

 

Another thing I think is cool is how they've lined up all the FTJFL kids on the field to greet the team, the last few home games. I think that would be a great new tradition. It displays, in real terms, the unbroken chain. :thumb:

The reason it's not distracting is simply the fact that the players and coaches are used to it. The parents and fans sit quietly and listen and watch what's going on. I think the kids actually enjoy the fact that there are a decent number of parents and fans interested enough to be there watching practice.

 

What is funny is when the parents and fans see someone there watching that is not someone they recognize, some folks get all worked up. Jim Bowden showed up the week of the X game. He has a son on the team but some folks didn't recognize Jim. Some of the fans/parents thought it was a X scout or the parent of a X fan snooping. It was actually kind of funny watching some of the Highlands fans get all worked up until Jim's identity was pointed out.

I can't believe his leather pants did not give him away sooner!

. What is funny is when the parents and fans see someone there watching that is not someone they recognize, some folks get all worked up. Jim Bowden showed up the week of the X game. He has a son on the team but some folks didn't recognize Jim. Some of the fans/parents thought it was a X scout or the parent of a X fan snooping. It was actually kind of funny watching some of the Highlands fans get all worked up until Jim's identity was pointed out.

Are the Highlands practices "open" to anyone who wishes to attend? What happens if a member of the opposing team's coaching staff is noticed at a Highlands practice... is he asked to leave?

How many parents and fans are at practice at Highlands on a given night? I know at Cov Cath there are generally a few varying observers most nights, but from reading the Highlands-related threads week to week, it sounds to me as if the Fort Thomas community has a regular fan section at practice each night.

 

I don't mean to poke fun, but isn't that kind of distracting to the players to have an audience while they're practicing?

 

 

The coach has to make sure it isn't a distraction. Beechwood has parents watch practice also. Coach Rash says feel free to watch. But no one is allowed on the sidelines or field. Stay in the stands, behind the fence and stay quiet if you want to keep watching.

So simply for curiosity's sake, how many onlookers are we talking on an average night for either school: Highlands or Beechwood?

So simply for curiosity's sake, how many onlookers are we talking on an average night for either school: Highlands or Beechwood?

 

For Highlands I would say that it is anywhere from 15 to 30 on average. For the junior football league practices I would say that it is in the neighborhood of 10 to 20. It is kind of funny that this came up because my son's head coach was commenting the other evening about the number of parents that were up on the hill to watch their kids practice and how could they not have other things to do.

I'm getting this picture of a Friday Night Lights practice scene. The whole community is filling the stands of David Cecil Memorial. So Bardo is back?

Are the Highlands practices "open" to anyone who wishes to attend? What happens if a member of the opposing team's coaching staff is noticed at a Highlands practice... is he asked to leave?

 

I'm sure he would be asked to leave. Plus his attendence without permission would violate By Law 11 pertaining to sportmanship.

Now to satisfy Cyle's Highlands prediction thread checklist here are my thoughts on this game.

 

Coaches Wirth, Ray, etal, have the Colonels again believing. And we all know that you can't win if you don't believe. The game film I've seen of CovCath indicates a much more aggressive and quicker defense that again plays down hill. Lot's of blitzing and stunting. In other words the D of old when Coach Ray was in charge.

 

CovCath's O looks pretty good and Erpenbeck has improved his passing game dramatically since the year began. Assuming Robinson is back 100%, he with Connelly will give the Colonels two very capable wide receivers. Geisen is a big target also who CovCath will try to sneak behind Highlands lbers . With Schaffer and Erpenbeck running the ball (running qbs are a nightmare for defensive coordinators) the Colonels have a talented and dangerous running game.

 

Birds have better overall talent, but the series is filled with wins by the less talented team. Plus this is a rivalry game being played on CovCath's home field on a Saturday afternoon, which takes the Birds out of their normal routine. Birds best focus carefully this entire week and not take the Colonels lightly. There is no doubt in my mind that Wirth circled this week on his calendar the day he took the job and has been focusing the Colonels on this game since then, much like Highlands focused on X. Highlands O line and running backs are going to have to simply do a great job this week to avoid too much pressure being placed on a young, but very talented Towles. On passes, the O line and running backs are going to need to pick up the blitzes, pass block until the whistle and not allow any pressure on every pass. Wide receivers will need to block the way they did against Ryle and not like they did against Manual. The off running back is going to need to get and maintain his block until the whistle blows. Receivers will cannot afford to drop one catchable ball and be willing to sell out the body and dive for passes if necessary. If they do all that (in other words play up to their potential), then I think the Birds will prevail. If the Birds come out and play have hearted, then it could be a long afternoon for the Birds, more talent or not.

Would a victory by CovCath Saturday eclipse the Mud Bowl victory as the "worst loss in HHS history"? (by some).

Would a victory by CovCath Saturday eclipse the Mud Bowl victory as the "worst loss in HHS history"? (by some).

 

I can't see how Saturday would be worse. It would be a bad loss, yes, but not as bad. Now were we talking about the playoffs come November, you might have an argument for a new "worst loss in HHS history".

Would a victory by CovCath Saturday eclipse the Mud Bowl victory as the "worst loss in HHS history"? (by some).

I don't think anyone considers the Mud Bowl to be the worst loss in HHS history.

I don't think anyone considers the Mud Bowl to be the worst loss in HHS history.

 

Any opinions on what loss that would be?