As I stated earlier, multiple times, in fact, St. Xavier was no where near the best team in the city of Cincy. Their offense is putrid and they never progressed after week 5.

 

Overall, Division I in OH lacks a true "national" type power this year. Look at this list of teams NOT playing past round 2 of the playoffs:

 

Colerain

Moeller

St. Xavier

St. Ignatius

St. Edward

Middletown

Wayne

Centerville

 

Overall, the state is just down this year. Good teams across the board, but no powers for certain. The Division I State Champ this year may be the weakest in a decade.

 

Also, look for the Columbus winner to beat either Anderson or Elder in two weeks.

 

-CardinalsFan

As I stated earlier, multiple times, in fact, St. Xavier was no where near the best team in the city of Cincy. Their offense is putrid and they never progressed after week 5.

 

Overall, Division I in OH lacks a true "national" type power this year. Look at this list of teams NOT playing past round 2 of the playoffs:

 

Colerain

Moeller

St. Xavier

St. Ignatius

St. Edward

Middletown

Wayne

Centerville

 

Overall, the state is just down this year. Good teams across the board, but no powers for certain. The Division I State Champ this year may be the weakest in a decade.

 

Also, look for the Columbus winner to beat either Anderson or Elder in two weeks.

 

-CardinalsFan

 

I guess this all means CF has finally come around to the fact that Highlands truly is the best team in Greater Cincinnati this year!! :clap::popcorn:

As I stated earlier, multiple times, in fact, St. Xavier was no where near the best team in the city of Cincy. Their offense is putrid and they never progressed after week 5.

 

Overall, Division I in OH lacks a true "national" type power this year. Look at this list of teams NOT playing past round 2 of the playoffs:

 

Colerain

Moeller

St. Xavier

St. Ignatius

St. Edward

Middletown

Wayne

Centerville

 

Overall, the state is just down this year. Good teams across the board, but no powers for certain. The Division I State Champ this year may be the weakest in a decade.

 

Also, look for the Columbus winner to beat either Anderson or Elder in two weeks.

 

-CardinalsFan

 

I'm not sure the teams you list really proves much of a point. When was the last time St. Ed's was a factor? Middletown hadn't been to the playoffs in close to 20 years before this season, Wayne and Centerville are almost never factors at the state level.

 

The other schools have a history of success. But only two teams can advance past round two. Elder has been one of them quite frequently this decade, which means only Anderson really busted through anything.

 

Only real surprise I've seen this year is St. I's losing. I thought Moeller would beat Middletown, but knew it would be close and expected Anderson through to the finals once the brackets were set.

 

Elder is really good, as is Anderson. I wouldn't call this a down year at all in Ohio.

 

For those picking an Anderson win though, I'd be careful. The Redskins are awfully one-dimensional, and that typcially is a recipe for disaster against GCL schools.

I put nothing into the national rankings. It's all mythical and no real proven way to prove who is the best. It is just a personal thing but I really despise national rankings.

 

 

Okay, they were the GCL coaches pre-season pick to win their league, and the Cincinnati D-I coaches pick as the top team in the city for about half the season. Hardly, coming out of nowhere.

I'm not sure the teams you list really proves much of a point. When was the last time St. Ed's was a factor? Middletown hadn't been to the playoffs in close to 20 years before this season, Wayne and Centerville are almost never factors at the state level.

 

The other schools have a history of success. But only two teams can advance past round two. Elder has been one of them quite frequently this decade, which means only Anderson really busted through anything.

 

Only real surprise I've seen this year is St. I's losing. I thought Moeller would beat Middletown, but knew it would be close and expected Anderson through to the finals once the brackets were set.

 

Elder is really good, as is Anderson. I wouldn't call this a down year at all in Ohio.

 

For those picking an Anderson win though, I'd be careful. The Redskins are awfully one-dimensional, and that typcially is a recipe for disaster against GCL schools.

 

I am not surprised about St I losing.. go Tar Blooders!

Highlands beat one of Ohio's best teams, so this doesn't seem like a good year to throw a card like this on the table. On a given day, there are a FEW teams in Ohio that could have had things go their way to this point.

 

On a given day, Highlands could beat any team in Ohio at HHS just as well.

 

I respect what Highlands has done. I went back and looked at their schedule and I believe that they have reached a point that they have to play a more difficult schedule to continue their bragging rights. Am I wrong that the win over Cincy St. X (12-7) was their only win against a really top notch opponent--meaning a nationally ranked or a perennial state champ? Going undefeated is challenging yet strength of schedule is important also. Not to minimize the win against Cincy St. X, but it would carry a lot more weight with wins agasint Lou St. X, Trinity, and other Ohio teams.

 

Aug 21, 09 DuPont Manual away 19 - 8 (W)

Aug 28, 09 Ryle away 37 - 14 (W)

Sep 4, 09 Beechwood away 48 - 20 (W)

Sep 11, 09 Withrow, OH away 21 - 0 (W)

Sep 18, 09 Boone County home 36 - 14 (W)

Sep 25, 09 Cincy St. X OH home 12 - 7 (W)

Oct 2, 09 Dixie Heights home 52 - 9 (W)

Oct 9, 09 Open home

Oct 17, 09 Cov Catholic away 36 - 7 (W)

Oct 23, 09 Scott home 67 - 20 (W)

Oct 30, 09 Ryle home 31 - 14 (W)

Nov 6, 09 Montgomery Co home 60 - 13 (W) Class 5A KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl

Nov 13, 09 Dixie Heights home 49 - 0 (W) Class 5A KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl

Nov 20, 09 Johnson Central home

I respect what Highlands has done. I went back and looked at their schedule and I believe that they have reached a point that they have to play a more difficult schedule to continue their bragging rights. Am I wrong that the win over Cincy St. X (12-7) was their only win against a really top notch opponent--meaning a nationally ranked or a perennial state champ? Going undefeated is challenging yet strength of schedule is important also. Not to minimize the win against Cincy St. X, but it would carry a lot more weight with wins agasint Lou St. X, Trinity, and other Ohio teams.

 

Aug 21, 09 DuPont Manual away 19 - 8 (W)

Aug 28, 09 Ryle away 37 - 14 (W)

Sep 4, 09 Beechwood away 48 - 20 (W)

Sep 11, 09 Withrow, OH away 21 - 0 (W)

Sep 18, 09 Boone County home 36 - 14 (W)

Sep 25, 09 Cincy St. X OH home 12 - 7 (W)

Oct 2, 09 Dixie Heights home 52 - 9 (W)

Oct 9, 09 Open home

Oct 17, 09 Cov Catholic away 36 - 7 (W)

Oct 23, 09 Scott home 67 - 20 (W)

Oct 30, 09 Ryle home 31 - 14 (W)

Nov 6, 09 Montgomery Co home 60 - 13 (W) Class 5A KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl

Nov 13, 09 Dixie Heights home 49 - 0 (W) Class 5A KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl

Nov 20, 09 Johnson Central home

 

 

With the teams still alive in 5A who has played a tougher schedule??? Let me answer that for you........nobody!! Another post trying to downgrade HHS...:ohbrother:

With the teams still alive in 5A who has played a tougher schedule??? Let me answer that for you........nobody!! Another post trying to downgrade HHS...:ohbrother:

 

I started out with the statement respecting what Highlands has done. No....not trying to downgrade Highlands, just trying to buffer their bragging. When statements are made about beating other Cincinnati teams, it's a lot harder to do it when playing them week after week than in one game alone. I do think it has reached a point that Highlands needs to expand their schedule because of how well they are playing.

I started out with the statement respecting what Highlands has done. No....not trying to downgrade Highlands, just trying to buffer their bragging. When statements are made about beating other Cincinnati teams, it's a lot harder to do it when playing them week after week than in one game alone. I do think it has reached a point that Highlands needs to expand their schedule because of how well they are playing.

 

Seems to me that there are two things working here. One is that the carrot at the end of the stick is a state title - something that Highlands has shown a remarkable ability to capture.

 

If a secondary goal is national recognition, I agree about the scheduling. However, that shouldn't take precedence over championships. Real titles are preferable to mythical ones.

Seems to me that there are two things working here. One is that the carrot at the end of the stick is a state title - something that Highlands has shown a remarkable ability to capture.

 

If a secondary goal is national recognition, I agree about the scheduling. However, that shouldn't take precedence over championships. Real titles are preferable to mythical ones.

 

Your points are well taken. It’s amazing that a 5A team from KY was ranked number 9 in the country last week according to USA Today. My remarks stem that Highlands has risen to high national ranks. I am also responding to general comments from Highlands fans about who they could beat. I am not saying that they couldn’t beat Moeller, Colerain, Lou St. X, Trinity, etc, yet I would love to see those match-ups and I think Highlands has elevated its game to put more teams like that on their schedule. I think with more teams like that on their schedule that it would be easier to compare teams rather than trying to do it with limited common opponents.

I started out with the statement respecting what Highlands has done. No....not trying to downgrade Highlands, just trying to buffer their bragging. When statements are made about beating other Cincinnati teams, it's a lot harder to do it when playing them week after week than in one game alone. I do think it has reached a point that Highlands needs to expand their schedule because of how well they are playing.

 

It seems to me that a lot of people forget that HHS isn't that big of a school. Go back and look at their schedules over the past few years. It's not to shabby for a little school from Ft.Thomas. Dale does a good job of trying to schedule tough teams. It's not HHS's fault that teams won't play them..

Your points are well taken. It’s amazing that a 5A team from KY was ranked number 9 in the country last week according to USA Today. My remarks stem that Highlands has risen to high national ranks. I am also responding to general comments from Highlands fans about who they could beat. I am not saying that they couldn’t beat Moeller, Colerain, Lou St. X, Trinity, etc, yet I would love to see those match-ups and I think Highlands has elevated its game to put more teams like that on their schedule. I think with more teams like that on their schedule that it would be easier to compare teams rather than trying to do it with limited common opponents.

 

I think the St X win is one of the biggest wins of all time for the 'Birds. I am ready for more contests across the pond as a result of the St X victory. But, we paid a price for that victory and that was Bardo at the QB position. Due to the size and depth of our squads year-in and year-out, I would rather not schedule multiple GCL teams during a given year.

 

Several years ago we had Trotwood Madison, Elder and St Francis DeSles scheduled all in one year. My opinion, the L's, the overall physical punishment on the team, took a toll on the 'Birds as they prepared for District play. JMO...

 

This year... I think the 'Birds probably could handle that schedule and that is due to the depth on this year's squad. I guess we'll see what Dale has in mind for next year in due time. :thumb:

I think the St X win is one of the biggest wins of all time for the 'Birds. I am ready for more contests across the pond as a result of the St X victory. But, we paid a price for that victory and that was Bardo at the QB position. Due to the size and depth of our squads year-in and year-out, I would rather not schedule multiple GCL teams during a given year.

 

Several years ago we had Trotwood Madison, Elder and St Francis DeSles scheduled all in one year. My opinion, the L's, the overall physical punishment on the team, took a toll on the 'Birds as they prepared for District play. JMO...

 

This year... I think the 'Birds probably could handle that schedule and that is due to the depth on this year's squad. I guess we'll see what Dale has in mind for next year in due time. :thumb:

 

Honest, fair response as was the idea that I proposed.

I think the St X win is one of the biggest wins of all time for the 'Birds. I am ready for more contests across the pond as a result of the St X victory. But, we paid a price for that victory and that was Bardo at the QB position. Due to the size and depth of our squads year-in and year-out, I would rather not schedule multiple GCL teams during a given year.

 

Several years ago we had Trotwood Madison, Elder and St Francis DeSles scheduled all in one year. My opinion, the L's, the overall physical punishment on the team, took a toll on the 'Birds as they prepared for District play. JMO...

 

This year... I think the 'Birds probably could handle that schedule and that is due to the depth on this year's squad. I guess we'll see what Dale has in mind for next year in due time. :thumb:

 

That's the issue in scheduling these types of teams. I go back a few seasons to when Highlands played a highly ranked Colerain team at PBS. The Birds did not come away victorious, but were competitive. They did come out of that game banged up. Guess who they had the next week? St. X Louisville. Didn't bode well for the Birds. That being said, I can see scheduling one of these teams a year. If it is two, then not back to back.

That's the issue in scheduling these types of teams. I go back a few seasons to when Highlands played a highly ranked Colerain team at PBS. The Birds did not come away victorious, but were competitive. They did come out of that game banged up. Guess who they had the next week? St. X Louisville. Didn't bode well for the Birds. That being said, I can see scheduling one of these teams a year. If it is two, then not back to back.

 

That was a brutal schedule as well and I think Colerain and Louisville St X were both raniked #1 in their respective states. That schedule had a direct impact on not progressing further into the playoffs ... some years you can get buy with it, but most you can not. Also, the usual characters like Dixie, Ryle and Cov Cath were playing much better ball than what we saw last year and what we are witnessing this year... At the end of the day... the games were close and exciting contests but the boys were not able to bring home the trophy.