What do football programs need to do RIGHT NOW to close the gap with the best teams in the state- Mayfield, NCC, Central, & Boyle included!

 

I say:

1) Begin developing a youth program where playing time for all particiapants is mandatory

2) Recruit their own school- talk to kids about the fun of playing high school football

3) Develop off season speed & agility program- everyone lifts weights now, but speed is what separates the champs from the chumps

4) Plan Spring Practice and plan Spring Game- This is one area where Highlands separates themselves- they are in August game ready when Spring Practice is over

5) Plan June & July- teams should fine tune their systems in this time before they put on the pads in August

6) Develop a passing game plan- teams that want to be great have to be able to run and pass

7) Schedule quality teams that will challenge them, show them their weaknesses, without beating them up physically

 

What else???

For Highlands, it all starts in the youth program and community support that every level gets. Plain and simple.

 

The Ft Thomas Youth League is more about developing kids and keeping them interested rather than winning. That's how it should be. This is why you see the Birds with over 100 kids on the sidelines.

Work harder

Community support and a tightly controlled youth program goes a long way, but is no guarantee of success. You still need "athletes" in key positions. And let's not forget that you need great coaches on staff. Highlands, hands down, has two of the best coaches in their respective roles, in the entire state of Kentucky. I wouldn't be surprised if a bronzed bust is in the works.:eyeonyou: President Mueller and VP Weinrich.

Over the past decade, I think it's rather apparent that Boyle has been closing the gap. Otherwise, for all and any other programs who want to be among the elite, its a matter of an all-in mentality that includes undivided support from students, parents, communities and the school systems. It's not a matter of having one of the four, or three of the four but ALL to become an elite, consistently tradition rich program.

You can't be the best until you show you can beat the best. And since the Breds refuse to even play the Birds, NCC will never even be the best team in Northern Campbell County.....

What do football programs need to do RIGHT NOW to close the gap with the best teams in the state- Mayfield, NCC, Central, & Boyle included!

 

I say:

1) Begin developing a youth program where playing time for all particiapants is mandatory

2) Recruit their own school- talk to kids about the fun of playing high school football

3) Develop off season speed & agility program- everyone lifts weights now, but speed is what separates the champs from the chumps

4) Plan Spring Practice and plan Spring Game- This is one area where Highlands separates themselves- they are in August game ready when Spring Practice is over

5) Plan June & July- teams should fine tune their systems in this time before they put on the pads in August

6) Develop a passing game plan- teams that want to be great have to be able to run and pass

7) Schedule quality teams that will challenge them, show them their weaknesses, without beating them up physically

 

What else???

 

This looks like a great list. I would add having great structure in the coaching staff all the way up. I think coaches should be working together to have a plan for the entire football program, let by the HC. Community support for this is important. I think you really need coaches at the lower levels who are there to actually coach and not just because they have kids in that age group. Alot of what Highlands, Trinity etc. excel in IMO is their attitude towards football. Look at how many fans are on this board, their communities are nuts over the game (in a good way ).

 

To have a program like these teams do I think it takes years of hard work and dedication. But I see no reason why schools could not lay the the groundwork right now to get started trying to achieve greatness like these schools do. I don't know much about either programs history but I can guarantee the programs weren't built overnight or by people who were not willing to put into the work. I think it takes a good group of kids and a good coaching staff to have a good team, but it takes a great community to have a great program.

You can't be the best until you show you can beat the best. And since the Breds refuse to even play the Birds, NCC will never even be the best team in Northern Campbell County.....

 

They are the best of thier class. What does it prove they won the games they were suppose to win. Why does NCC need to play them. I think the staff at Highlands doesnt see it that way either. I am not sure if I ever saw the Campbell Co trophy.

You can't be the best until you show you can beat the best. And since the Breds refuse to even play the Birds, NCC will never even be the best team in Northern Campbell County.....

 

They don't need to be the best in Northern Campbell County just the best AA team in the state

What do football programs need to do RIGHT NOW to close the gap with the best teams in the state- Mayfield, NCC, Central, & Boyle included!

 

I say:

1) Begin developing a youth program where playing time for all particiapants is mandatory

2) Recruit their own school- talk to kids about the fun of playing high school football

3) Develop off season speed & agility program- everyone lifts weights now, but speed is what separates the champs from the chumps

4) Plan Spring Practice and plan Spring Game- This is one area where Highlands separates themselves- they are in August game ready when Spring Practice is over

5) Plan June & July- teams should fine tune their systems in this time before they put on the pads in August

6) Develop a passing game plan- teams that want to be great have to be able to run and pass

7) Schedule quality teams that will challenge them, show them their weaknesses, without beating them up physically

 

What else???

 

 

Mayfield already does all of the above.

Fort Thomas has great community support for both High School and youth programs. It should be no shock that both Highland and NCC are State Champs. Wildcat is right, you better have plan is you want to be CHAMPS!

Triple the size of their enrollment.

Triple the size of their enrollment.

 

Plenty of schools are bigger than Highlands, but they don't stand a chance between the white lines; enrollment is NOT the answer- JUST AN EXCUSE and a reason teams that make them will continue to 2nd rate!!!!

Is there open enrollment at Highlands and Northern KY? Can students go to any school they want without paying tuition or with paying tuition?

Mayfield has a very good little league program. Everybody gets to play but they try to keep the ones that are a little ahead of the others out on the field most of the time. They play to win. Mayfield lost 1 game in it's 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th grade teams .