In the 1960s, up until the early or mid 1980s, there were eight teams that qualified for the playoffs in each class, so teams had to win three games to win a state championship.

 

I stand corrected then. Looking through many of the Louisville schools season stats most only one game listed as playoffs up until the late 60s or early 70s.

Highlands

Trinity

St. X

I stand corrected then. Looking through many of the Louisville schools season stats most only one game listed as playoffs up until the late 60s or early 70s.

All of the Louisville schools were in Class 3A by themselves before 1975, I think, so they may have only had one or two playoff games to win the state championship.

I agree that today’s playoff format with 5 playoff games is more challenging than in years past. In the 70s it was a 3 game playoff and correct me if I’m wrong, but in the 60s it was a single game playoff/championship. Does that mean that Highlands championship in 1960 should count less that Trinity’s 2010 championship? Maybe, but then there isn’t much difference between being voted to play in a single game championship and being just voted the champion.

Actually, looking in a recent state finals program, it appears that some teams (from 1959 through the early 1960s) only had to win two games to win a state title. Some classes may have had four or six districts, or perhaps some of the playoff teams had won sub-districts.

 

By the mid-60s, Class A and Class 2A had eight districts.

Actually, looking in a recent state finals program, it appears that some teams (from 1959 through the early 1960s) only had to win two games to win a state title. Some classes may have had four or six districts, or perhaps some of the playoff teams had won sub-districts.

 

By the mid-60s, Class A and Class 2A had eight districts.

 

Also you have to factor in that until '75 maybe there was a Jefferson County State Champion and At-Large State Champion for 4A and then the two winners met in the Overall 4A state title game.

 

Sub-Districts were a mess IMO. Came about in the late 70's to mid 80's if I remember.

I agree with you 100%. They play the Tigers of St. X(Lou) once a year, usually twice. Please work on them to play Highlands in the regular season to end the silliness of this debate. They can't play each other in the playoffs after all. That is the obvious rivalry that is missing in Kentucky high school football right now. The arguments are made on paper and in a scrimmage (joke) game. Both squads have national ranking aspirations. Answer the state question first. Who is best in any given year in Kentucky? The winner of that game will be the answer to the question.

 

Well said. :thumb:

 

Don't think a real game will happen. We have to go to Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio to find teams that will play us.

Depends on the question. The question in this thread is 'all time great programs in Ky'. It briefly became 'who has the best program in the state..Highlands or Trinity?'. The answer to that question has to be Highlands. Most wins in the state. Tied for most titles in the state. Has to be Highlands. Regardless of wins in a given year that shouldn't take away who the best program is. That just answers the question of that year. If Boyle County sweeps Highlands this year it won't make them the best program. Just the better team that year. For me, when the team who has the most wins backs it up with most titles I don't see how another program can be considered better. I definitely have Trinity #2 but what Highlands has done and is still doing since day one is something noone else in this state can claim although Trinity comes the closest. I guess the only knock on Trinity is that Trinity is newer to the scene than Highands.

 

I understand your logic, but being newer and having the same amount of crowns in the HIGHEST class level in the state has to mean something. I wish these two would play every year. That would be a great game that everyone would look forward to every year. Maybe Highlands could scrimmage Withrow instead, and the Shamrocks play an exhibition tilt with Elder.

I understand your logic, but being newer and having the same amount of crowns in the HIGHEST class level in the state has to mean something. I wish these two would play every year. That would be a great game that everyone would look forward to every year. Maybe Highlands could scrimmage Withrow instead, and the Shamrocks play an exhibition tilt with Elder.

 

It does mean something. The gap between Highlands and Trinity is a very small gap for me. Highlands smaller enrollment and their success while playing up in class is another thing that gives them the edge for me. If Trinity had 23+ titles to Highlands' 20 then they would probably be my #1. It's tough for me to not rank Highlands #1 after having the most wins and most titles and they play up in classes.

 

 

It would definitely be nice to see Highlands/Trinity play a game every year. I'd have to make that drive to see that game unless it was on Boyle County/Danville night.

It does mean something. The gap between Highlands and Trinity is a very small gap for me. Highlands smaller enrollment and their success while playing up in class is another thing that gives them the edge for me. If Trinity had 23+ titles to Highlands' 20 then they would probably be my #1. It's tough for me to not rank Highlands #1 after having the most wins and most titles and they play up in classes.

 

 

It would definitely be nice to see Highlands/Trinity play a game every year. I'd have to make that drive to see that game unless it was on Boyle County/Danville night.

 

The only possible argument Trinity can make over Highlands IMO is that they won their 20 titles in a shorter time frame. Is that correct? I am not sure when Highlands won their first title and when Trinity won theirs. The fact that Highlands won many of their titles playing up one or two classes is more impressive than winning a 6A title with a much higher enrollment than the competition. Highlands is doing just as much with a disadvantage in talent pool versus Trinity having an advantage in talent pool.

Trinity won their first state championship during the season of 1968 (graduating class of 1969).

The only possible argument Trinity can make over Highlands IMO is that they won their 20 titles in a shorter time frame. Is that correct? I am not sure when Highlands won their first title and when Trinity won theirs. The fact that Highlands won many of their titles playing up one or two classes is more impressive than winning a 6A title with a much higher enrollment than the competition. Highlands is doing just as much with a disadvantage in talent pool versus Trinity having an advantage in talent pool.

 

To clear the air here we haven't always had the enrollment advantage we have now. The 12 titles we won prior to Beatty's arrival were won, largely, when we either had similar enrollment or lower enrollment than much of our competition. There is no question that our last 8 titles have come during a time when we have a considerable enrollment advantage over all but 3 other schools in the state (2 of whom wouldn't even effectively compete in 5A) but we have also managed a few other things in our time frame. Our state record 50 game winning streak and our convincing defeat (44-20) of eventual Ohio DI champ Elder in 2002 are also things that need to be mentioned in our favor.

 

Another thing to bring up in this discussion is the fact that we have no control over other schools' enrollment and yet it seems as though people instantly want to disqualify us because we have around 1500 male students walking our halls, the majority of whom have no interest in stepping foot on the field.

To clear the air here we haven't always had the enrollment advantage we have now. The 12 titles we won prior to Beatty's arrival were won, largely, when we either had similar enrollment or lower enrollment than much of our competition. There is no question that our last 8 titles have come during a time when we have a considerable enrollment advantage over all but 3 other schools in the state (2 of whom wouldn't even effectively compete in 5A) but we have also managed a few other things in our time frame. Our state record 50 game winning streak and our convincing defeat (44-20) of eventual Ohio DI champ Elder in 2002 are also things that need to be mentioned in our favor.

 

Another thing to bring up in this discussion is the fact that we have no control over other schools' enrollment and yet it seems as though people instantly want to disqualify us because we have around 1500 male students walking our halls, the majority of whom have no interest in stepping foot on the field.

 

Good info. I wasn't aware of the enrollment history. But now that you have provided that information, the recent success does raise the question even further about the impact of the higher enrollment. How much of the recent success is because of Beatty and how much is due to the growing enrollment? I am just posing the question - nothing inferred. I don't disqualify Trinity's success due to enrollment. Let there be no doubt that numbers alone don't guarantee success. But they do make success easier to attain.

Good info. I wasn't aware of the enrollment history. But now that you have provided that information, the recent success does raise the question even further about the impact of the higher enrollment. How much of the recent success is because of Beatty and how much is due to the growing enrollment? I am just posing the question - nothing inferred. I don't disqualify Trinity's success due to enrollment. Let there be no doubt that numbers alone don't guarantee success. But they do make success easier to attain.

 

Prior to Beatty we had not won a title since 1994. He won his first in 2001, I think that much of it has to do with him and how he fits the culture of the school and community.

I would if I had access to all of the school win/loss records. The Louisville Metro website is great and Highlands history is available, but many of the other schools aren’t listed on KHSAA or elsewhere that I know of. If somebody can post a link I will gladly add that into the equation.

 

Here this will fill in alot of the gapshttp://www.kyhssports.freewebspace.com/custom3_1.html

If Mayfield and Danville played in classes where most of the teams had a fraction of their enrollment, I suspect they may have as many titles as Trinity.

 

Really, when we're talking about state titles, doesn't the quality of competition matter, too?

Who plays better competition than us?