And the Bluebirds will play neither this year.....................I'm gonna keep a keen eye on Dale as I think he is up for going for the mythical national championship without playing ANY of the biggest contenders in his state or right across the river in Cincinnati.

 

I think scrimmaging Trinity is the first step in getting a regular schedualed game with them in the very near future. Highlands has the Boise St. curse. Its a lose lose situation for the bigger schools to play Highlands. You look bad if you lose and if you win you were supposed to because your school is so much bigger.

I think scrimmaging Trinity is the first step in getting a regular schedualed game with them in the very near future. Highlands has the Boise St. curse. Its a lose lose situation for the bigger schools to play Highlands. You look bad if you lose and if you win you were supposed to because your school is so much bigger.

 

I don't disagree kyblue, and am not trying to create a stir-just some thought. I really, really like what Highlands is doing, but I do always have that tinge of wondering why the scheduling is as it is, and probably more so with the explanation of it. It is always-we were going to play this team or that team, but the truth is often the GCL schools ( brought up by others as an even bigger win for Highlands) often are begging for games. Also keep in mind that for them-Moeller, Elder, St. X and Lasalle that there are only three weeks of district games, and the rest of their schedule is left open. Sometimes they only play nine regular season games because nobody else will play them. What about Colerain or Anderson for that matter? I believe-and it is only my opinion-as I don't want Leatherneck to ignore my posts, (He probably already does) that Highlands is VERY selective in whom they play. To Dale a 14 + 1 season is crushing, because he doesn't believe across the commonwealth they will be thought of as the best team, and now I think he is obsessed with the idea of national rankings, but has concluded the 'Birds best way to be in the discussion is to go undefeated while playing a so-so schedule outside the district. They could play Trinity or St. X in CIncy or Louisville if they wanted to.

I don't disagree kyblue, and am not trying to create a stir-just some thought. I really, really like what Highlands is doing, but I do always have that tinge of wondering why the scheduling is as it is, and probably more so with the explanation of it. It is always-we were going to play this team or that team, but the truth is often the GCL schools ( brought up by others as an even bigger win for Highlands) often are begging for games. Also keep in mind that for them-Moeller, Elder, St. X and Lasalle that there are only three weeks of district games, and the rest of their schedule is left open. Sometimes they only play nine regular season games because nobody else will play them. What about Colerain or Anderson for that matter? I believe-and it is only my opinion-as I don't want Leatherneck to ignore my posts, (He probably already does) that Highlands is VERY selective in whom they play. To Dale a 14 + 1 season is crushing, because he doesn't believe across the commonwealth they will be thought of as the best team, and now I think he is obsessed with the idea of national rankings, but has concluded the 'Birds best way to be in the discussion is to go undefeated while playing a so-so schedule outside the district. They could play Trinity or St. X in CIncy or Louisville if they wanted to.

 

You totally ignored the point I made about schools NOT wanting to play Highlands because of the lose lose situation it imposes on the school. I know for a fact Highlands has repeatedly asked Trinity and St. X to play a 1 home 1 away series as well as Anderson (scheduling conflicts this year hindered a game there) and Highlands attempted to schedule Winton Woods but that fell through on the Winton Woods side as well.

You totally ignored the point I made about schools NOT wanting to play Highlands because of the lose lose situation it imposes on the school. I know for a fact Highlands has repeatedly asked Trinity and St. X to play a 1 home 1 away series as well as Anderson (scheduling conflicts this year hindered a game there) and Highlands attempted to schedule Winton Woods but that fell through on the Winton Woods side as well.

 

I trust you are correct as I am not close enough to the situation to know. Then, in the case of Trinity and the Tigers, shame on them.

I trust you are correct as I am not close enough to the situation to know. Then, in the case of Trinity and the Tigers, shame on them.

 

Just want everybody to be on the same page and be fully aware of Highland's intentions with their scheduling process. :thumb:

And the Bluebirds will play neither this year.....................I'm gonna keep a keen eye on Dale as I think he is up for going for the mythical national championship without playing ANY of the biggest contenders in his state or right across the river in Cincinnati.

It will likely be very difficult for Highlands to receive high national rankings this year, since they are not going to start out the season ranked highly (The Sporting News and MaxPreps do not have HHS listed in their preseason rankings), and they don't have any major high-profile games lined up that could garner significant attention.

I don't disagree kyblue, and am not trying to create a stir-just some thought. I really, really like what Highlands is doing, but I do always have that tinge of wondering why the scheduling is as it is, and probably more so with the explanation of it. It is always-we were going to play this team or that team, but the truth is often the GCL schools ( brought up by others as an even bigger win for Highlands) often are begging for games. Also keep in mind that for them-Moeller, Elder, St. X and Lasalle that there are only three weeks of district games, and the rest of their schedule is left open. Sometimes they only play nine regular season games because nobody else will play them. What about Colerain or Anderson for that matter? I believe-and it is only my opinion-as I don't want Leatherneck to ignore my posts, (He probably already does) that Highlands is VERY selective in whom they play. To Dale a 14 + 1 season is crushing, because he doesn't believe across the commonwealth they will be thought of as the best team, and now I think he is obsessed with the idea of national rankings, but has concluded the 'Birds best way to be in the discussion is to go undefeated while playing a so-so schedule outside the district. They could play Trinity or St. X in CIncy or Louisville if they wanted to.

I must disagree with you on the point of Coach Mueller viewing a 14-1 season as "crushing." If he did, then he would act like 95+% of the other KY high school coaches and never schedule any out-of-state teams. Yet he does the opposite of this. In fact, not only does he consistently schedule out-of-state teams (including this season, as the 'Birds are playing Cincinnati Withrow), but Coach Mueller frequently schedules games against Cincinnati's elite. During Mueller's tenure as head coach, Highlands has played Colerain in 2005 and 2008, Elder in 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2006, Moeller in 1994 and 1997, and Cincinnati St. Xavier in 2009 (not to mention an outstanding Columbus St. Francis DeSales program in 2005 and 2006 and a talent-laden Trotwood-Madison team in 2007 as part of the Herbie). Over the course of these games I just listed, Coach Mueller has won only two - Cincy St. Xavier in 2009 and Trotwood-Madison in 2007. That's hardly the scheduling pattern of a coach who can't bear the thought of losing a game.

 

If Coach Mueller wanted to schedule such that 10-0 regular seasons were virtually guaranteed for HHS, I suspect he could manage to do so. He doesn't, however.

 

I agree with you that Highlands' 2010 schedule isn't as impressive as it has been during some recent years, but I think it's unfair to say that Coach Mueller doesn't step up to the plate on a consistent basis.

I don't disagree kyblue, and am not trying to create a stir-just some thought. I really, really like what Highlands is doing, but I do always have that tinge of wondering why the scheduling is as it is, and probably more so with the explanation of it. It is always-we were going to play this team or that team, but the truth is often the GCL schools ( brought up by others as an even bigger win for Highlands) often are begging for games. Also keep in mind that for them-Moeller, Elder, St. X and Lasalle that there are only three weeks of district games, and the rest of their schedule is left open. Sometimes they only play nine regular season games because nobody else will play them. What about Colerain or Anderson for that matter? I believe-and it is only my opinion-as I don't want Leatherneck to ignore my posts, (He probably already does) that Highlands is VERY selective in whom they play. To Dale a 14 + 1 season is crushing, because he doesn't believe across the commonwealth they will be thought of as the best team, and now I think he is obsessed with the idea of national rankings, but has concluded the 'Birds best way to be in the discussion is to go undefeated while playing a so-so schedule outside the district. They could play Trinity or St. X in CIncy or Louisville if they wanted to.

 

Nah, I don't ignore your posts but it seems like you ignore some of the points I make in my posts.

 

How any one can insinuate that Highlands ducks the GCL schools or T or X is somewhat befuddling to me. I know that Highlands tried to schedule T last year and this year. It didn't work out scheduling wise. It takes two to tango and the two schools couldn't find a mutually acceptable week. I honestly don't know if Highlands tried to schedule X last year and this year. I assume so because of my friendship with Alan Donhoff (Lou X's AD) I know the schools try to schedule each other whenever possible. Highlands hasn't ducked X in the past with much weaker teams and it defies logic that with last year's Highlands team and with the strength of team they will have this year, they'd want to duck any one.

 

Highlands scheduled Cincy X last year. They would have played this year had X not moved its game with Moeller into that slot. At the time X and Highlands scheduled last year's game, Specht told Dale that he could only sign a one year contract because he was hoping to be able to move the Moeller game into that slot. If he couldn't get that game moved, then they'd have played this year. Those facts have been reported by Ernst on his blog site. Check it out if you don't believe me. Highlands played Colerain in 08 which was the only blemish on the record. So they went 14-1 like you said Dale tried to avoid. Thus your argument doesn't hold water, does it? Furthermore, as others pointed out, you don't get nationally ranked going undefeated if you don't have at least one big signature win over a nationally prominent team.

 

In 05 and 06 we played Lou. X; in 05 we also played Colerain and in 06 we also played Elder. Just what do you expect Highlands to do? It would have been nice to play a GCL team, T or X this year, but this year is the second year of the two year contract cycle and its hard to find any one to play in the week we have open. Those teams already are committed. Yes there are probably a few very good Cincy teams needing a game, this season but they have to need the game in Week 5. And to put it bluntly, no one from Cincy looks at Highlands as a Harbin cow. If Elder, Colerain, LaSalle, Anderson, Winton Woods or some other really good Cincy school has an opening in Week 5 and you are sure they would be willing to play Highlands in that week but Highlands wouldn't play them, then you have something to back up the point your are trying to make. But until then, you are shooting from a little lower and behind your hip. :sssh:

 

You are totally wrong in stating Highlands could play Lou. X, Trinity or Cincy X if we just "wanted to" and you've got nothing to back up that statement. Nothing.

 

The fact that you keep ignoring facts pointed out by me and others totally disproving your insinuation does lead me to conclude that you keep making the insinuation just to jerk my chain which I don't appreciate to be honest with you.

Edited July 12, 201016 yr by leatherneck

Sorry LN , started to read your post and then had to STOP.............................................to put my glasses on . I was wondering when the fireworks were going to start.

Sorry LN , started to read your post and then had to STOP.............................................to put my glasses on . I was wondering when the fireworks were going to start.

 

Not trying to start fireworks. I just get rather tired of the insinuation when facts and logic totally refuting the insinuation are repeatedly posted, to no avail.

I don't disagree kyblue, and am not trying to create a stir-just some thought. I really, really like what Highlands is doing, but I do always have that tinge of wondering why the scheduling is as it is, and probably more so with the explanation of it. It is always-we were going to play this team or that team, but the truth is often the GCL schools ( brought up by others as an even bigger win for Highlands) often are begging for games. Also keep in mind that for them-Moeller, Elder, St. X and Lasalle that there are only three weeks of district games, and the rest of their schedule is left open. Sometimes they only play nine regular season games because nobody else will play them. What about Colerain or Anderson for that matter? I believe-and it is only my opinion-as I don't want Leatherneck to ignore my posts, (He probably already does) that Highlands is VERY selective in whom they play. To Dale a 14 + 1 season is crushing, because he doesn't believe across the commonwealth they will be thought of as the best team, and now I think he is obsessed with the idea of national rankings, but has concluded the 'Birds best way to be in the discussion is to go undefeated while playing a so-so schedule outside the district. They could play Trinity or St. X in CIncy or Louisville if they wanted to.

 

Funny stuff:lol:

And the Bluebirds will play neither this year.....................I'm gonna keep a keen eye on Dale as I think he is up for going for the mythical national championship without playing ANY of the biggest contenders in his state or right across the river in Cincinnati.

 

Oooooookaaayyyyy!!!!! And if for some reason that happens, that some publication awards Dale a "Mythical National Championship", then what would the problem be. Yes, he did it on not playing any "national" powers. Problem? It's not Dale naming himself as "National Champion". It's someone else, right? Nobody out there would name HHS "National Champions" because it's not deserving. Sorry even Dale doesn't have that kind of power. Or does he!!!!!!!!:sssh:

I must disagree with you on the point of Coach Mueller viewing a 14-1 season as "crushing." If he did, then he would act like 95+% of the other KY high school coaches and never schedule any out-of-state teams. Yet he does the opposite of this. In fact, not only does he consistently schedule out-of-state teams (including this season, as the 'Birds are playing Cincinnati Withrow), but Coach Mueller frequently schedules games against Cincinnati's elite. During Mueller's tenure as head coach, Highlands has played Colerain in 2005 and 2008, Elder in 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2006, Moeller in 1994 and 1997, and Cincinnati St. Xavier in 2009 (not to mention an outstanding Columbus St. Francis DeSales program in 2005 and 2006 and a talent-laden Trotwood-Madison team in 2007 as part of the Herbie). Over the course of these games I just listed, Coach Mueller has won only two - Cincy St. Xavier in 2009 and Trotwood-Madison in 2007. That's hardly the scheduling pattern of a coach who can't bear the thought of losing a game.

 

If Coach Mueller wanted to schedule such that 10-0 regular seasons were virtually guaranteed for HHS, I suspect he could manage to do so. He doesn't, however.

 

I agree with you that Highlands' 2010 schedule isn't as impressive as it has been during some recent years, but I think it's unfair to say that Coach Mueller doesn't step up to the plate on a consistent basis.

 

I always think your thoughts are well presented jbwill2-and I supose that my thoughts are that Highlands hasn't has much success playing teams across the river-so as other posters say-I find myself rooting for Highlands-and think their win over Cincy St. X was the biggest ever in school history, but really don't think they would finish in the top half most years if they played in the GCL. The birds are just a hard team to place. They dominate teams their size in Kentucky, but struggle against bigger teams from Ohio, which I suppose is to be expected.

 

I guess my other two points are that I do believe teams duck Highlands too, and I heard myself Dale talking a good deal last year about the mythical national championship, of which I don't believe Highlands would come anywhere close to winning if there was some kind of tournament.

THE BIRDS' ROAD TO STATE

 

8/13 TRINITY *SCRIMMAGE* (H) 7:30

 

8/20 MANUAL (H) 7:30

 

8/27 RYLE (H) 7:30

 

9/3 BEECHWOOD (H) 7:00

 

9/10 WITHROW (H) 7:30

 

9/17 Boone Cty (A) 7:00

 

9/25 (*Saturday) Louv - Eastern (A) NOON

 

10/1 Dixie (A) 7:00

 

10/8 OPEN - BYE WEEK

 

10/15 COV CATH (H) 7:00

 

10/22 Scott (A) 7:00

 

10/29 Ryle (A) 7:30

 

PLAYOFFS

11/5 1ST-ROUND

11/12 2ND-ROUND

11/19 REGIONALS

11/26 SEMI-FINALS

12/3 CHAMPIONSHIP... #20!

 

I am going to say it again, and I know other posters have agreed. Why is this such a tough schedule?? As to scheduling games-Ryle and Highlands found a way to play each other twice.

What about those vaunted Pioneers that I hear so much about from one poster. Or a Lexington 6A team. What do Beechwood and Boone County and Withrow bring to the table. Is someone on here going to tell me that any of those teams will be within four touchdowns of Highlands??

Nah, I don't ignore your posts but it seems like you ignore some of the points I make in my posts.

 

How any one can insinuate that Highlands ducks the GCL schools or T or X is somewhat befuddling to me. I know that Highlands tried to schedule T last year and this year. It didn't work out scheduling wise. It takes two to tango and the two schools couldn't find a mutually acceptable week. I honestly don't know if Highlands tried to schedule X last year and this year. I assume so because of my friendship with Alan Donhoff (Lou X's AD) I know the schools try to schedule each other whenever possible. Highlands hasn't ducked X in the past with much weaker teams and it defies logic that with last year's Highlands team and with the strength of team they will have this year, they'd want to duck any one.

 

Highlands scheduled Cincy X last year. They would have played this year had X not moved its game with Moeller into that slot. At the time X and Highlands scheduled last year's game, Specht told Dale that he could only sign a one year contract because he was hoping to be able to move the Moeller game into that slot. If he couldn't get that game moved, then they'd have played this year. Those facts have been reported by Ernst on his blog site. Check it out if you don't believe me. Highlands played Colerain in 08 which was the only blemish on the record. So they went 14-1 like you said Dale tried to avoid. Thus your argument doesn't hold water, does it? Furthermore, as others pointed out, you don't get nationally ranked going undefeated if you don't have at least one big signature win over a nationally prominent team.

 

In 05 and 06 we played Lou. X; in 05 we also played Colerain and in 06 we also played Elder. Just what do you expect Highlands to do? It would have been nice to play a GCL team, T or X this year, but this year is the second year of the two year contract cycle and its hard to find any one to play in the week we have open. Those teams already are committed. Yes there are probably a few very good Cincy teams needing a game, this season but they have to need the game in Week 5. And to put it bluntly, no one from Cincy looks at Highlands as a Harbin cow. If Elder, Colerain, LaSalle, Anderson, Winton Woods or some other really good Cincy school has an opening in Week 5 and you are sure they would be willing to play Highlands in that week but Highlands wouldn't play them, then you have something to back up the point your are trying to make. But until then, you are shooting from a little lower and behind your hip. :sssh:

 

You are totally wrong in stating Highlands could play Lou. X, Trinity or Cincy X if we just "wanted to" and you've got nothing to back up that statement. Nothing.

 

The fact that you keep ignoring facts pointed out by me and others totally disproving your insinuation does lead me to conclude that you keep making the insinuation just to jerk my chain which I don't appreciate to be honest with you.

 

I understand your position LN, but this is basically what it is....Highlands will schedule one very tough team, outside their district one time per year in the regular season, hope to win that game on their way to the state championship. To compare Highlands schedule to an Elder or Cincinnati St. X year in and year out would not even be close. Again-I am not trying to pull your chain-I believe Highlands would finish in the lower half if they were in the GCL most years. I know they are smaller in size and know that matters. But again, Highlands would have a hard time holding up for four straight weeks against, St. X, Moeller, Lasalle and Elder, and then playing a good non conference schedule too.

 

It doesn't matter which AD you know as far as Louisville St.X, and I say this with regards to them schedulng Highlands too. If you wanted to play each other you could. In your post you show how schedules are changed all the time, and contracts get broken. Also the schedulers could have a little forsight and plan ahead as I imagine Highlands and Louisville St. X will both be good in say 2016.