Highland - 40 Manual - 13

Everyone has slightly different ideas of what the west coast offense is, but if Manual's version allows their QB to scramble like he did last year (and it's the same kid playing the position), he will be difficult to contain (as he was in last year's game). I don't think he's the equivalent of Trinity's Quick, but he showed very fine athletic skills.

 

Now having said that, even if their QB is effective at scrambling for yardage, I don't believe Manual can score at the rate Highlands has the ability to as seen in last week's scrimmage.

 

HHS by 14.

Another person not big on predictions. I'm sure that Manual will be jacked up to beat the Birds at DCM, but a packed DCM can be a daunting place to play if you are not used to the environs. It will help Manual some that Lucas has coached a team at DCM in the not too distant past (Bryan Station in 08). I'm told that Manual has some very talented athletes. The Birds will have to correct the mistakes that occurred in the Trinity game if they are to beat Manual.

Welcome aboard! (and please bring James Quick with you!!!!!):clap:

 

Good one!! :laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

I say Highlands by 2 TD's or so!

Good one!! :laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

I say Highlands by 2 TD's or so!

 

I hope you are right, but with their QB returning, all 5 O linemen starters from last year returning, and their leading rusher returning, Manual is going to be very, very good offensively I think. Actually it won't surprise me if the kid that played QB last year (Woolridge?) doesn't play much QB. He wasn't the best passer but was a very good runner. I can see Lucas moving him outside as a receiver. With the implementation of the West Coast offense by Lucas, Manual is going to get the ball quickly to its playmakers (such as Woolridge) out in the open and let them try to do something with the ball like Trinity did with Quick. He did the same thing with a lot of success when Bryan Station played the Birds in 08. He loved getting the ball outside to receivers and dumping the ball to his RBs in the flat to use their one on one skills. We are going to have to wrap and gang tackle. Forget about making highlight film tackles; just breakdown, wrap, hold on and wait for the rest of the defense to get there to finish the tackle. If we do that (and I'm confident we will), we should be fine defensively. It will help having Bruns back on the field this week. But Manual is going to provide quite the test for the Birds on Friday night.

Can I ask why? Seriously? Is there a friend, family member, or maybe you played there. Just curious. You can PM me if you want to.

 

What's wrong with hoping Manual wins? Would you have made a big deal of it if he/she had said hoping for Highlands?

Edited August 18, 201016 yr by Ram
Rule 13

Manual will have some nice athleticism and create similar problems for the Bird Defenders. I hope they get things corrected on that side of the ball this week.

 

My prediction is Highlands will win, only if they don't miss tackles, turn the ball over, or drop passes.

 

Speed wise, I think Manual will match up well at the skill positions. I know H has some speed at DB with Abner and Bruns in the secondary, but I don't know if the LB'ers have enough speed to cover the backs on short passing routes and screens. I guess we will find out soon enough. I do know with T putting up 49 on the Birds, Manual is waiting their turn to try to pull the upset ( I know M isn't T but I think M would love to be the ones to end the Birds' winning streak). The Birds have a larger than life target on them, and all opponents are aiming at the bullseye. Go Birds 20n10 !!

Edited August 18, 201016 yr by Birdsfan
Rule 13

I truly hope this game lives up to its billing. And, truly hope the contest is injury free for both. In the poll I picked HHS - due mainly to being played at their place - as well as to my previously referred "to caliber of their program and players." Without question one of the premier programs in the State - year in and year out.

 

Being totally honest - I am very much interested in seeing M do well. Not only because they are another Jeff.Co. - 6A school, but also to see if they will live up to their "pre-season hype" ; win or loose.

 

So I apologize (in advance to my "new Highland's friends") for being somewhat torn.:idunno:

I'm sorry Highland's friends, but I want to see Manual win as well. I respect Manual for just about everything, and would love to see their football program become as intimidating and successful as their academic programs. They're a 6A school,and they're in Jefferson County. Gotta root for our neighbors! And, I really like the Ram Bros 3, too. :lol:

I respect Manual for just about everything, and would love to see their football program become as intimidating and successful as their academic programs.

But, couldn't they begin that process next week?

 

And, I really like the Ram Bros 3, too. :lol:

Well...fine then!

But, couldn't they begin that process next week?

 

Well...fine then!

 

Why put off till next week what you could (hopefully) do this week? I don't believe in procrastination.

I think HHS by 2 scores 28-14.

An article from the Courier Journal's Jason Frakes on Manual 2010: The Manual High School football team has a new coach and a new look this season.

 

Oliver Lucas, the head coach at Bryan Station the past four years, has replaced Joe Nichols as the Crimsons' head coach.

 

Lucas has installed a West Coast offense that he hopes will take advantage of Manual's depth at the skill positions.

 

“You want to get the ball in your playmakers’ hands and let them work," Lucas said. "You may hand it to them or throw it to them, but let them work.”

 

Manual finished 5-7 last year and once again will face a brutal schedule in 2010, including games against St. Xavier, Male, Highlands, Trinity and Cincinnati Colerain.

 

A brief look at the Crimsons:

 

* Offense (8 starters back): Senior Ian Wooldridge and junior Luis Thompson are expected to split the quarterbacking duties and will have several weapons with which to work. Junior DarMontre Warr led Manual in rushing last season and will share carries with senior Marcus Helm and junior Percy Minor. Juniors Quintez Sutton and Darnell Gardner lead the receiving corps. All five starters return on the offensive line, led by all-district picks Josh Stearns, Nate Allen and Tim Haag. The offense may sputter early as players pick up the intricacies of the West Coast offense. But if it starts to click, this offense could be potent.

 

* Defense (5 starters back): Senior strong safety Trent Haffler and junior defensive end Thomas Chapman return to lead a defense that allowed 27 or more points in eight games last year. Chapman (6-4, 286) is a star in the making and is someone opponents "should never lose track of," Lucas said. Senior Daquane Drain saw action on offense last year but has been moved exclusively to defense, where he will play free safety. Junior Jacob Ulinski will play middle linebacker.

 

* Outlook: The schedule may be the toughest in the state, so Manual's record may not be all impressive at the end of the regular season. But it should prepare the Crimsons for the playoffs. Manual should be able to put up points with its impressive depth at the skill positions. Part of the reason Nichols was fired was his 0-13 record against St. Xavier, and the administration expects this program to compete with St. X and Trinity and be among the elite programs in Class 6-A. The talent appears to be there to make that happen.

 

* Season opener: Aug. 20 at Highlands.

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Does anybody know if the internet team will be back. The two gentlemen that did the games on the internet did a very good job last season.

Looking forward to competetive games because blowouts are boring.