After having went back and looked at the game prediction thread (and there were some right on the money and some way off the mark), I'm curious to know from the posters in prediction thread what surprised/impressed them in the actual game if they watched it.

 

Did Highlands speed at the running back position impress the doubters? Some said they had seen Highlands running backs and receivers and they weren't impressed. Has that changed? Did Bardo's kickoff return and his speed when in the clear surprise the JH supporters?

 

Did Highlands O line handle the talented JH defensive line and lbers better than the JH supporters thought they would and was the Highlands O line the "difference" in the game that some felt it would be?

 

Did JH's speed (on both sides of the ball) surprise the Highlands supporters and did it make the impact that the JH supporters thought it would?

 

Some folks posted that Highlands had more size than JH. Having now seen the Birds, do you think that was the case? Other than Grubbs (OT) and Johnson (NG), did Highlands really have more size than JH?

 

Please understand that I'm not asking any one to eat crow. Not my style at all. Folks generally make predictions in good faith based on what they know, have been told or observed (admittedly, I do not. I rarely make prediction posts based on what I truly feel will occur. I'm a "Lou Holtz type predicter" in public, which I do out of respect for opponents or the desire to make sure the Highlands players that read this site don't get the big head). Some others may do the same. But for those of you who posted honest predictions and had predictions pretty far off the mark, what do you attribute to the difference in the actual game with what you predicted?

After having went back and looked at the game prediction thread (and there were some right on the money and some way off the mark), I'm curious to know from the posters in prediction thread what surprised/impressed them in the actual game if they watched it.

 

Did Highlands speed at the running back position impress the doubters? Some said they had seen Highlands running backs and receivers and they weren't impressed. Has that changed? Did Bardo's kickoff return and his speed when in the clear surprise the JH supporters?

 

Did Highlands O line handle the talented JH defensive line and lbers better than the JH supporters thought they would and was the Highlands O line the "difference" in the game that some felt it would be?

 

Did JH's speed (on both sides of the ball) surprise the Highlands supporters and did it make the impact that the JH supporters thought it would?

 

Some folks posted that Highlands had more size than JH. Having now seen the Birds, do you think that was the case? Other than Grubbs (OT) and Johnson (NG), did Highlands really have more size than JH?

 

Please understand that I'm not asking any one to eat crow. Not my style at all. Folks generally make predictions in good faith based on what they know, have been told or observed (admittedly, I do not. I rarely make prediction posts based on what I truly feel will occur. I'm a "Lou Holtz type predicter" in public, which I do out of respect for opponents or the desire to make sure the Highlands players that read this site don't get the big head). Some others may do the same. But for those of you who posted honest predictions and had predictions pretty far off the mark, what do you attribute to the difference in the actual game with what you predicted?

 

 

I thought JH was bigger on the lines than they looked in the films. That is what surprised me when I saw them.

 

 

 

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Edited December 8, 200916 yr by Birdsfan
Typo

I thought JH was bigger on the lines than they looked in the films. That is was surprised me when I saw them.

 

I saw every Highlands game this year. The performance of the O line for Highlands was outstanding. It was their best showing and they did it on a big stage. Everyone on both teams played great ,but the major difference maker was HHS O line. How many teams can dominate a state championship game while only throwing the ball one time?

I saw every Highlands game this year. The performance of the O line for Highlands was outstanding. It was their best showing and they did it on a big stage. Everyone on both teams played great ,but the major difference maker was HHS O line. How many teams can dominate a state championship game while only throwing the ball one time?

 

Technically, we threw two passes: the completion to Buten and an incomplete screen pass intended for Collinsworth.

Technically, we threw two passes: the completion to Buten and an incomplete screen pass intended for Collinsworth.

 

oops? :idunno:

After having went back and looked at the game prediction thread (and there were some right on the money and some way off the mark), I'm curious to know from the posters in prediction thread what surprised/impressed them in the actual game if they watched it.

 

Did Highlands speed at the running back position impress the doubters? Some said they had seen Highlands running backs and receivers and they weren't impressed. Has that changed? Did Bardo's kickoff return and his speed when in the clear surprise the JH supporters?

 

Did Highlands O line handle the talented JH defensive line and lbers better than the JH supporters thought they would and was the Highlands O line the "difference" in the game that some felt it would be?

 

Did JH's speed (on both sides of the ball) surprise the Highlands supporters and did it make the impact that the JH supporters thought it would?

 

Some folks posted that Highlands had more size than JH. Having now seen the Birds, do you think that was the case? Other than Grubbs (OT) and Johnson (NG), did Highlands really have more size than JH?

 

Please understand that I'm not asking any one to eat crow. Not my style at all. Folks generally make predictions in good faith based on what they know, have been told or observed (admittedly, I do not. I rarely make prediction posts based on what I truly feel will occur. I'm a "Lou Holtz type predicter" in public, which I do out of respect for opponents or the desire to make sure the Highlands players that read this site don't get the big head). Some others may do the same. But for those of you who posted honest predictions and had predictions pretty far off the mark, what do you attribute to the difference in the actual game with what you predicted?

 

Unlike the JC game which went pretty much as I anticipated, I was a bit surprised by how much HHS dominated this game. After watching a little film of JH's defense, I thought they'd be much more effective against HHS's running game. Highland's offensive line play was awesome as usual, but in this case I also think JH's d-line didn't perform up to their potential. Not sure if it was scheme related - bend not break - but with the exception of one second half series where they were anticipating the snap count, they did not come off the ball well at all. Maybe they thought their 2 big kids could hang back, make reads, and shed the smaller HHS interior linemen to get to the ball carrier - I don't know - but it didn't work.

 

After hearing about how well JH had moved the ball around on offense, I was also a bit surprised they couldn't get more going. But then again, who really got anything going on Highlands all year? No one.

I was impressed with Highlands O-line play. I think a one legged man could rush for a 100 yards behind them boys. They stayed with their blocks and kept our D-line from making many tackles.

Unlike the JC game which went pretty much as I anticipated, I was a bit surprised by how much HHS dominated this game. After watching a little film of JH's defense, I thought they'd be much more effective against HHS's running game. Highland's offensive line play was awesome as usual, but in this case I also think JH's d-line didn't perform up to their potential. Not sure if it was scheme related - bend not break - but with the exception of one second half series where they were anticipating the snap count, they did not come off the ball well at all. Maybe they thought their 2 big kids could hang back, make reads, and shed the smaller HHS interior linemen to get to the ball carrier - I don't know - but it didn't work.

 

After hearing about how well JH had moved the ball around on offense, I was also a bit surprised they couldn't get more going. But then again, who really got anything going on Highlands all year? No one.

 

Do you think it might appear that way because of the HHS O line speed? I do ! (JMO)

Do you think it might appear that way because of the HHS O line speed? I do ! (JMO)

 

I think both. Highlands O line quickness was great as usual & their execution is unparalleled in high school football, but I also think JH's d-line was slow off the ball. But as I said, it may have been by plan. They dialed it up towards the end of the game on that drive where they were jumping the snap count, but Highlands came back with changed cadences & caught JH off-sides twice.

Congrats to the Bluebirds on their State Championship. Also, congrats to leatherneck and Henry521.

Congrats to the Bluebirds on their State Championship. Also, congrats to leatherneck and Henry521.

 

Thanks SLINK. It was a great run for sure. Sad that it has ended, but one can't ask for a better ending.

 

You all had a great season and best of luck to the team next year. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other around. Take care my friend and have a Merry Christmas.

Wanted to give a big shout out to the #30 for John Hardin. After the game that young man was asked to go out and receive trophy for team. Not only did he do this, by himself. He also stood there and applauded at mid field for the Bluebirds as they received there trophy as a group and celebrated. Young man showed GREAT sportsmanship in a tough moment. Do not know his name, but if any of the JH Bulldog faithfull could give him a pat on the back, it would be well deserved. Great season BIRDS. Merry Christmas and have a safe Happy Holidays.

Wanted to give a big shout out to the #30 for John Hardin. After the game that young man was asked to go out and receive trophy for team. Not only did he do this, by himself. He also stood there and applauded at mid field for the Bluebirds as they received there trophy as a group and celebrated. Young man showed GREAT sportsmanship in a tough moment. Do not know his name, but if any of the JH Bulldog faithfull could give him a pat on the back, it would be well deserved. Great season BIRDS. Merry Christmas and have a safe Happy Holidays.

 

Very classy move on that young man's part.

Impressive stat -- 0 INTs for Towles after coming in for Bardo in the St. X game.