If Pike has some time to throw he can rack up some yards. Cohorn is the hardest reciever in Nky. to cover one on one. I'm assuming Hatton will be playing in this game also. For Dixie to be in this game in the second half, their line and defense must step it up. Cohorn should be at safety. Too smart of a football player and sees the field well. Bruns and Cohorn seem to be in really good shape, they don't seem to get worn down in the second half. Now, Pike at safety? Not a good idea. Dixie should have him up bull rushing up the middle or at one of the end positions. Way too physical of a player to not have in the game on defense. At least on third down plays, IMO.

 

I agree and disagree with what you're saying Wingman96.

1. "If Pike has some time to throw he can rack up some yards." I would agree with this about Pike and about most other QB's.

2. "Cohorn is the hardest reciever in Nky. to cover one on one." Totally disagree with this. What I will say about Goose is that he does something that a lot of receivers in Northern KY don't do and that is catch balls that should be caught. Believe me that's a compliment to him. I'm very impressed with him!

3. "I'm assuming Hatton will be playing in this game also." Non issue IMO.

4. "For Dixie to be in this game in the second half, their line and defense must step it up." Agree

5. "Bruns and Cohorn seem to be in really good shape, they don't seem to get worn down in the second half." Agree

6. "Now, Pike at safety? Not a good idea." Disagree. He should be playing safety. I'm kidding, I agree.

7. "Dixie should have him up bull rushing up the middle or at one of the end positions. Way too physical of a player to not have in the game on defense." Disagree. He runs up the middle Highlands just runs right by him.

Like I said earlier it should be a fun one to watch!

Is the Justice kid out this week or will he be playing?

 

I think this will be a fun game to watch with all the gunslinging going on. Nothing better than watching HS kids throwing and catching the ball in the open field. I grew up watching Slam right, Slam left and FB Buck and the game has definitely evolved into a more explosive and open game offensively.

 

Defensively the Birds will be swarming like they always do and I would expect Carter New and Drake Bruns to cover well. It should be interesting to see if they go man-man or play zone coverage. Cohorn is a tough strong kid with great hands and trying to cover him 1-1 may be very difficult.

 

Good luck to both teams but in the end it will be Highlands big IMO.

48-6 HHS

I think Dixie is danged if they play Pike at safety and danged if they play him at LB or DE. He's not fast enough to play safety and if most schools see him there, they will run him deep even on running plays. The minute he doesn't exert the required effort to run with a receiver, they'll throw the ball over him. If he plays LB or DE, opposing teams will put a body on him every play and wear him down physically. Might not make a difference in the first half, but it likely will in the second. But the real issue of course is: A school of Dixie's size should have enough athletes that Pike doesn't have to play any D at any position.

 

Pike is a gamer and will give it his all regardless if he plays both ways or only on O. I think the only reason Dixie eventually agreed to play Highlands this year was because Pike wanted another shot at the Birds before he graduated. He'll have a big game.

 

 

I'm probably just being a nervous Neil, but this game's starting to worry me. I look for Spritzky to throw the kitchen sink at the Birds. Won't surprise me if all kinds of trick plays are called: Pike getting the ball to Cohorn and Cohorn throwing the ball to Pike after he releases down field; some Wildcat with Cohorn in the backfield and Pike at TE blocking; lots of unusual blitz packages to put pressure on Towles; Something is telling me we'll see stuff out of Dixie on both O and D that we didn't see in the first two games. Birds will have to be ready for that stuff and stay calm. They have the more talented and better coached team, so if they just relax, execute the way they were coached and play their game, they will prevail.

 

I do expect the game to be very, very closely officiated, with the refs setting the tone early that no junk or trash talking will be tolerated.

I think Dixie is danged if they play Pike at safety and danged if they play him at LB or DE. He's not fast enough to play safety and if most schools see him there, they will run him deep even on running plays. The minute he doesn't exert the required effort to run with a receiver, they'll throw the ball over him. If he plays LB or DE, opposing teams will put a body on him every play and wear him down physically. Might not make a difference in the first half, but it likely will in the second. But the real issue of course is: A school of Dixie's size should have enough athletes that Pike doesn't have to play any D at any position.

 

Pike is a gamer and will give it his all regardless if he plays both ways or only on O. I think the only reason Dixie eventually agreed to play Highlands this year was because Pike wanted another shot at the Birds before he graduated. He'll have a big game.

 

 

I'm probably just being a nervous Neil, but this game's starting to worry me. I look for Spritzky to throw the kitchen sink at the Birds. Won't surprise me if all kinds of trick plays are called: Pike getting the ball to Cohorn and Cohorn throwing the ball to Pike after he releases down field; some Wildcat with Cohorn in the backfield and Pike at TE blocking; lots of unusual blitz packages to put pressure on Towles; Something is telling me we'll see stuff out of Dixie on both O and D that we didn't see in the first two games. Birds will have to be ready for that stuff and stay calm. They have the more talented and better coached team, so if they just relax, execute the way they were coached and play their game, they will prevail.

 

I do expect the game to be very, very closely officiated, with the refs setting the tone early that no junk or trash talking will be tolerated.

 

I agree LN...I personally think this game will be a lot closer than people think. Spritzky and Pike want to beat HHS so bad they will throw everything they have at them..Pike will get his yards but Dixie's defense won't be able to stop the Birds..HHS by 3tds...

I agree LN...I personally think this game will be a lot closer than people think. Spritzky and Pike want to beat HHS so bad they will throw everything they have at them..Pike will get his yards but Dixie's defense won't be able to stop the Birds..HHS by 3tds...

 

CovCath was their admitted most hated rival, and the second half showed that they have no stamina. This will not be a close game. Maybe it will be tied at the end of the first quarter, but Highlands will put a beat down on Dixie. Let's not forget, Dixie may want to crush Highlands, but Highlands defenders are facing one fo the Elite 11 QBs in the country. That would, in my mind, negate whatever emotional advanatage Dixie has playing for the upset. Additionally, this game is on TV and one of Highlands only chances to impress the regional audience. This is going to be ugly.

I'm probably just being a nervous Neil, but this game's starting to worry me.

 

THAT's the LN I know and love.

If Pike has some time to throw he can rack up some yards. Cohorn is the hardest reciever in Nky. to cover one on one. I'm assuming Hatton will be playing in this game also. For Dixie to be in this game in the second half, their line and defense must step it up. Cohorn should be at safety. Too smart of a football player and sees the field well. Bruns and Cohorn seem to be in really good shape, they don't seem to get worn down in the second half. Now, Pike at safety? Not a good idea. Dixie should have him up bull rushing up the middle or at one of the end positions. Way too physical of a player to not have in the game on defense. At least on third down plays, IMO.

 

Doesn't sound like there's much confidence in the the Red Colonels' D-Line. How 'bout their right-side? D-Line/LBs?

I think Dixie is danged if they play Pike at safety and danged if they play him at LB or DE. He's not fast enough to play safety and if most schools see him there, they will run him deep even on running plays. The minute he doesn't exert the required effort to run with a receiver, they'll throw the ball over him. If he plays LB or DE, opposing teams will put a body on him every play and wear him down physically. Might not make a difference in the first half, but it likely will in the second. But the real issue of course is: A school of Dixie's size should have enough athletes that Pike doesn't have to play any D at any position.

 

Pike is a gamer and will give it his all regardless if he plays both ways or only on O. I think the only reason Dixie eventually agreed to play Highlands this year was because Pike wanted another shot at the Birds before he graduated. He'll have a big game.

 

 

I'm probably just being a nervous Neil, but this game's starting to worry me. I look for Spritzky to throw the kitchen sink at the Birds. Won't surprise me if all kinds of trick plays are called: Pike getting the ball to Cohorn and Cohorn throwing the ball to Pike after he releases down field; some Wildcat with Cohorn in the backfield and Pike at TE blocking; lots of unusual blitz packages to put pressure on Towles; Something is telling me we'll see stuff out of Dixie on both O and D that we didn't see in the first two games. Birds will have to be ready for that stuff and stay calm. They have the more talented and better coached team, so if they just relax, execute the way they were coached and play their game, they will prevail.

 

I do expect the game to be very, very closely officiated, with the refs setting the tone early that no junk or trash talking will be tolerated.

 

I know Neil, sir, and you are no Neil!:lol:

 

I have to admit that the "throw out the kitchen sink theory" sounds interesting, but installing that kind of game plan on a short week would only add to the challenge Dixie is facing with the short turnaround. Perhaps they can do it, but it would require a kind of focus I don't think they have shown this season. And, nothing would kill whatever motivation there is in the game plan for a trick play to go horribly wrong and the Birds to get great field position or TD on a turnover.

 

I am somewhat concerned about Highlands coming off the bye week. The last 2 seasons, the bye week was right before Cov Cath. In 2009, the Birds started real slow before finally clicking. Last year, the game came down to the last play. I don't know that the play in either game can be attributed to the bye week, but maybe that played a part.

 

Lastly, I expect Devin Bruns to be a major factor in the success of HHS D in this one. If there is any inexperience or weakness in the interior of Dixie's O-Line, Devin is going to expose it all night long. If either Guard or the Center plays both ways, the 2nd half will be fun to watch!

THAT's the LN I know and love.

 

I'm generally not overconfident heading into any game. Some I feel better about (i.e. Boyle last week and the Cincy X game back in 09) than others. I really worry about the teams that have talent but haven't put it together yet (Dixie). Sort of the let sleeping dogs lie theory. They unfortunately have a tendency to wake up on their own when they play the Birds.

I'm generally not overconfident heading into any game. Some I feel better about (i.e. Boyle last week and the Cincy X game back in 09) than others. I really worry about the teams that have talent but haven't put it together yet (Dixie). Sort of the let sleeping dogs lie theory. They unfortunately have a tendency to wake up on their own when they play the Birds.

 

Come on. That statement is even beyond LNesque. In the past 4 seasons Dixie and Highlands have played 6 times. Highlands has won all 6 meetings with a cumulative score of 284-93. That is an avg of 47-15 per game. So with that being said I have to claim Shenanigans!!

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Come on. That statement is even beyond LNesque. In the past 4 seasons Dixie and Highlands have played 6 times. Highlands has won all 6 meetings with a cumulative score of 284-93. That is an avg of 47-15 per game. So with that being said I have to claim Shenanigans!!

 

Not to mention that those 6 meetings were later in the season than Week 2 (yes, I know it is Dixie's 3rd game), when Dixie has traditionally reached "football shape".

CovCath was their admitted most hated rival, and the second half showed that they have no stamina. This will not be a close game. Maybe it will be tied at the end of the first quarter, but Highlands will put a beat down on Dixie. Let's not forget, Dixie may want to crush Highlands, but Highlands defenders are facing one fo the Elite 11 QBs in the country. That would, in my mind, negate whatever emotional advanatage Dixie has playing for the upset. Additionally, this game is on TV and one of Highlands only chances to impress the regional audience. This is going to be ugly.

 

I think the TV exposure goes both ways. I'm sure Pike is going to want to impress the TV viewers after coming off 2 losses. It's his chance to live up to the hype. I will be interested in the "tone" of the game. It's one thing to get alittle chippy when it is only infront of the hometown crowd. It's another monster to do it on a regionally televised show.

I am just not feeling the love today from malichicrunch or BGBird. Here I am trying to keep the Highlands players that read this site from getting the big head and you are just pumping more air into it.

Very interesting practice at Dixie today. Definately not your usual Dixie practice.

I think Dixie is danged if they play Pike at safety and danged if they play him at LB or DE. He's not fast enough to play safety and if most schools see him there, they will run him deep even on running plays. The minute he doesn't exert the required effort to run with a receiver, they'll throw the ball over him. If he plays LB or DE, opposing teams will put a body on him every play and wear him down physically. Might not make a difference in the first half, but it likely will in the second. But the real issue of course is: A school of Dixie's size should have enough athletes that Pike doesn't have to play any D at any position.

 

Pike is a gamer and will give it his all regardless if he plays both ways or only on O. I think the only reason Dixie eventually agreed to play Highlands this year was because Pike wanted another shot at the Birds before he graduated. He'll have a big game.

 

 

I'm probably just being a nervous Neil, but this game's starting to worry me. I look for Spritzky to throw the kitchen sink at the Birds. Won't surprise me if all kinds of trick plays are called: Pike getting the ball to Cohorn and Cohorn throwing the ball to Pike after he releases down field; some Wildcat with Cohorn in the backfield and Pike at TE blocking; lots of unusual blitz packages to put pressure on Towles; Something is telling me we'll see stuff out of Dixie on both O and D that we didn't see in the first two games. Birds will have to be ready for that stuff and stay calm. They have the more talented and better coached team, so if they just relax, execute the way they were coached and play their game, they will prevail.

 

I do expect the game to be very, very closely officiated, with the refs setting the tone early that no junk or trash talking will be tolerated.