The FTJFL is intriguing to me. Has it always been done this way?

 

Yes. 52(?) years now. The 3/4 division is a relatively new addition.

3. Dale Mueller. He's responsible for almost half of the State Championships. I've never met a more positive, motivating, simple guy in my life. And when I say simple, I don't mean a simpleton. I mean he can take about anything and break it down to a level that it just seems so easy that anybody can get it.

 

For example, this year's 8th grade showcase which takes the 4 teams and combines them to two and allow them to dawn the blue and white as a right of passage also includes the Kool-aid speech from Dale to all the kids after the game. Being at the game this year, I have no doubt that the frosh will be loaded next year. I think either of the two teams formed for that game could have beat a few freshman teams this year. I havent been this excited about our future in a long time. Here are some names to remember for the next few years: Jared Daugherty, Brandon Bradford, Evan Richardson, Ochoa, Beal, Dressman, Connor Welsh just to name a few.

 

This year the speech was as complicated as (1) be good kids; (2) listen to you parents; and, (3) work hard at whatever you do (for example, beating Cov Cath).

While I believe that the other points have contributed strongly to the success of Highlands football, the one that sticks out to me is community support. As far back as I can remember, which has been quite some time now, Highlands has always had full support of the community and when a team has that, it brings that extra dimension IMO. I have been to several high school football games over the years and it seems like the support and attendance is nothing like it was at many of them in comparison to what they used to be, but it's not the case at Highlands and I don't see that changing.

The community support is an important part of the Highlands tradition and has been that way for many, many years. But the support also extends beyond football into the classroom and performing arts. However, there is nothing like a fall Friday night with a home football game. My daughter often compares Highlands to "Friday Night Lights"...Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose!

Is the FTJFL independent of the the school system? In other words can any kid play in it that wants too?

You can not tell me every player that has played at HHS lived in Fort Thomas prior to attending the school. In sorry but I don't buy that. I'm not accusing HHS of anything, but I know several who went there and have told me otherwise.

 

You're right!! I agree 100%!! We moved to Fort Thomas when my son was 2!!

 

Go Birds! Beat Wildcats!!

I'm not from Highlands, or Trinity, or St. Xavier, or................ but, the simple reason why they are good is: it's focused upon and expected.

 

Some will scoff at my explanation, but it's the truth. Although many programs focus on winning and like to pretend like they expect to win. The simple fact is, that's not the same as the expectations and focus of the traditional winning programs. You would be surprised of how "mind set" affects a program.

 

The sayings of "Act like you've been there before" and "winning is contagious, and so is loosing" are all true.

Is the FTJFL independent of the the school system? In other words can any kid play in it that wants too?

 

Yes. My cousin's son played in the FTJFL and goes to Beechwood.

You can not tell me every player that has played at HHS lived in Fort Thomas prior to attending the school. In sorry but I don't buy that. I'm not accusing HHS of anything, but I know several who went there and have told me otherwise.

 

I bet there are few high schools in ky that have no one move into their school district

This year the speech was as complicated as (1) be good kids; (2) listen to you parents; and, (3) work hard at whatever you do (for example, beating Cov Cath).

 

It's not what he's saying necessarily but just the fact that these kids see him as a higher being with celebrity status and if he says eat Lima beans, you may consider it after listening to him for a few minutes. I never really noticed it till talking with him recently. He is very magnetic in that he talks to you not down to you. He's got a degree from Cornell. We're not just talking about some guy that's just a coach. He teaches high level math. There were just as many parents awestruck as kids were. He is a treasure and I have two very well-rounded nephews that had the fortune of not just playing for him but learning from him.

You can not tell me every player that has played at HHS lived in Fort Thomas prior to attending the school. In sorry but I don't buy that. I'm not accusing HHS of anything, but I know several who went there and have told me otherwise.

 

No, you are absalutely right, and I am a perfect example of this. My own father wanted a better opertunity for his kids than he had so he chose to move to a place where his kids would receive a better education, have better opportunity in sports and other extra curricular activities. He moved his family to Ft. Thomas because he valued those things for his children. Houses there were more expensive and taxes were higher but that was the sacrafice he made. He worked longer and harder to make ends meet. When people make such priorities and sacrafices for their children, those children will likely prosper in that environment.

 

By the way, my father made that choice when my oldest sibling started school, three years before I was born.

 

Thanks Dad R.I.P.

:thumb:

It's not what he's saying necessarily but just the fact that these kids see him as a higher being with celebrity status and if he says eat Lima beans, you may consider it after listening to him for a few minutes. I never really noticed it till talking with him recently. He is very magnetic in that he talks to you not down to you. He's got a degree from Cornell. We're not just talking about some guy that's just a coach. He teaches high level math. There were just as many parents awestruck as kids were. He is a treasure and I have two very well-rounded nephews that had the fortune of not just playing for him but learning from him.

 

After hearing him give a talk to the Junior League players at the end of a summer clinic, I was ready to strap a helmet on and hit somebody! LOL!! And the thing is, it wasn't fire and brimstone, yelling and screaming - just calm, logical, let's get it done.

After hearing him give a talk to the Junior League players at the end of a summer clinic, I was ready to strap a helmet on and hit somebody! LOL!! And the thing is, it wasn't fire and brimstone, yelling and screaming - just calm, logical, let's get it done.

 

Ditto!

I'm not from Highlands, or Trinity, or St. Xavier, or................ but, the simple reason why they are good is: it's focused upon and expected.

 

Some will scoff at my explanation, but it's the truth. Although many programs focus on winning and like to pretend like they expect to win. The simple fact is, that's not the same as the expectations and focus of the traditional winning programs. You would be surprised of how "mind set" affects a program.

 

The sayings of "Act like you've been there before" and "winning is contagious, and so is loosing" are all true.

 

Well said Ram , I would like to add something to your post if you don't mind.

 

People don't realize the "tradition " part of the Birds. Only the people that have been going to HHS games every year for a long time can see it. It seems that the same last names keep coming up over and over. You hear "my granpa played , my dad played , brother , cousin etc, etc. I wasn't fortunate enough to get a ring , but throughout my family they have like seven rings between them. There are many generations of players and everyone of them wants to be better than the last. Like one of my nephews said ," football , was beat into me." ( I had to laugh !! ) There are too many to count , but a lot of families have more than one ring , going back generations. That doesn't happen at a lot of schools.

I have one and my 2 nephews each have 3 I think. I cant remember but my brother-in-law may have won one too (before rings). My cousin played a year, not sure if he got a ring. My uncle also played over 70 years ago! I'd call that tradition. Call me a loser but with the day and age of sports and all the negativity and greediness of pro and even college athletes, high school football is one of the most purest things you can experience. I live for it! Rule number one when I got married: we live in Ft Thomas, and our kids are Birds.