born2reign

I like it...I think Kentucky can pull out three of these, although I have not seen S. Pittsburg, so this is just based on my opinion of how good I think Beechwood is. Wins: Beechwood, Lex Cath, Highlands Losses: Trinity, St. X

Beechwood re-loads and they are the champs until someone knocks them out. LCA, Raceland and Hazard could give them all they can handle, though.

If I had to honestly pick those games based on the teams they had this past year having seen all of them, I would say Kentucky would be favored in two games (Lex Cath and Beechwood) and would be an underdog in two games (Jenks and Bon Bosco). The Highlands-S. Panola game would be closer than people think due to Highlands experience playing against some bigger teams in Ohio. Also, Bowling Green could give Chandler a good run. I would say Kentucky would go 3-3. Wins-Lex Cath, Beechwood, Trinity Loses-St. X, Highlands, Bowling Green What about some recmmendations for better match-ups?

...like we see with Ohio vs. USA and Kirk Herstreit, what games would you want to see played? I have a few gems: St. X vs. Jenks, Okla Jenks is always a national power with top line recruits, but the power game of St. X could neutralize Jenks' speed. Both teams are powerful programs with a lot of pride and it would make for a great match up. Trinty vs. Don Bosco Prep, NJ Get your popcorn ready, there would be an air show in store if these two powerful passing offenses got together. The question would be which defense could step up and get a few stops to put their offense in a position to win? Beechwood vs. Poly Prep, NY New York isn't known for their football, but Brooklyn Poly Prep has been winning for decades and would not be afraid to go blow for blow with the powerful defending 1A champs. Highlands vs. South Panola, Miss The nation's longest win streak might be in jeopardy when the defending 5A champs in Highlands met up with the defending 5 time Mississippi 5A state champions. Only the strong would survive the battles at the line of scrimmage in this one. Lexington Catholic vs. Dallas Episcopal, Tx A holy war between two high-flying offenses as the defending two-time state champs from Dallas come calling for the Knights. Lots of speed would be on display in this one. Bowling Green vs. Chandler, Az One of the most underrated programs out in western Kentucky takes on one of the most underrated programs on the west coast in Arizona traditional power, Chandler. Can the strength of Bowling Green match the speed of Chandler? What would you like to see?

The way I have always defined a spread is this: Which area of the fields are you trying to attack in the passing game? I coach down in Texas and we attack the field horozontally in five different zones, at both sets of numbers, at both hash marks and the middle of the field. This is how we spread a defense. We use our runs splits and blocking schemes to attack the defense running the ball. Incidently, I think that in high school, teams can win with a one dimensional spread offense if they excel at that particular dimension either due to execution or talent. As we move up in levels to college, it is more important to be multi-dimensional. Just as an example, we coached in the state title game this year and we lost to a team that simply had excellent talent at the wideouts and quarterback positions. They only ran the ball 11 times from their spread. We were a more diverse spread offense and we ran the ball down their throat in the second half, but they still got us. We were the best defensive team in our area, but they made big plays out of their passing game. Just a thought.

He had done some good things with the Knights. Maybe some credit for their past success. He did have some early success at Apollo as well and has them competitive. I can see your point, however.

I know Estill's DW is unique because of the line splits (foot to foot still, right?). Are there some spread concepts in their offense, especially in the quick passing game?

4A would be the biggest toss up in the coming years. I think 1A and 3A will be interesting as well. 5A and 6A will be more of the same. The sun will rise, you will pay your taxes and X and T will dominate 6A while Highlands holds off the occasional charge from Cov Cath to be the bosses of 5A.

I keep coming back to this as well. I always go by the old eye test. There have been some top notch teams around the country that I have seen and I honestly believe that Kentucky teams can hang with them. Our top notch programs (I believe our flagship big programs are Trinity, X and Highlands) can beat a lot of highly ranked teams that I have seen. Again, I know there are some superior states, especially in my top 10, but I truely believe Kentucky football is much better than it is given credit for being. We have some of the most underrated high school coaching in the country (Beatty,Glaser, Mueller, Rash, Schneider, Letton, Rains, Simpson...). I also know that more college coaches are recognizing this talent and more kids in the state are going to legit college programs and going D1.

No, but I gues it would take a small miracle to beat Cov Cath and Highlands year in and year out. :lol:

I don't think anyone would argue that Kentucky is up there with Texas. I see Texas football on a regular occassion because I live here and coach here. Texas is number one. I just think Kentucky is getting short-changed. The first 9 states on my list, I believe, are head and shoulders above everyone in the nation. I think Kentucky definitely belongs in the second tier of schools.

Off of thread topic, I know, but a coach friend of mine in Mississippi said Maryville may be interested in scheduling South Panola...I think those are the two longest win streaks in the nation in HS football if it could get done for 08.

This is a REALLY good idea. These would be some pretty good and even match-ups this year.

Go big Sam...take it easy on UK over the next 4-5 years.

I'm with you Ram. Ky has underrated atmosphere, talent and coaching. Incidently, all states have wide ranges in the talent top to bottom. Ky's is more obvious only because there are fewer schools. I love this debate! There are a lot of great opinions and expertise on this site!:ylsuper:

I spoke with a coach buddy of mine this morning that coached in NC, TN and KY and he echoed this sentiment, but he said interior play is better in KY (his exact words were much better, but I think he is over-stating it).

I would pay to see it! This could be a great rivalry that gets nat'l attention for Kentucky football.

When I did some work at Lex Cath, they had some concepts. The thing about the spread is that it really is comprised of aspects of so many other offenses, that a lot of schools have some of the concepts. Raceland has a lot of the quick pass concepts and blocking schemes used in the spread because a lot of those concepts come from the Run and Shoot. Highlands lined their QB up in the shotgun a couple years back and ran some spread stuff pretty well. Lafayette made a switch a few years back as well, I believe. Even little Berea Community runs some spread.

Please remeber to take into account all five criteria that I have used. Kentucky is up there. Indiana is sleeper as well. They have the Friday Night Lights going pretty well for a "basketball state".

I am not claiming to be an expert when compared to Rivals, but I will say this-there is some grade A talent in other states that play for some pretty poor teams. I think it goes back to your Trotwood Madison arguement-great individuals, not a great team. Kentucky has some solid teams, especially some of the smaller class programs. Anyway, we are getting away from the aruguement a bit-all five criteria need to be taken into account. Talent is only one of them.

Is this true? I personally know a GREAT young coach out in Texas that applied and he should definitely get consideration! I told him it is a pipe-dream because I figured the position would be more popular. He is young and firery and could be what the program needs.

I think, if you take into account the five criteria listed in the begining of the post, Texas easily trumps everyone (especially on the atmosphere and coaching).

Okay, now we are overstating it a bit. I played in New York...we are not even close because basketball gets the best athletes in the state. I have seen football in Ok., Mz, Ks, Ia, Co, Ut and they are not in there (although each have their great programs like Jenks, Colombine, Union, etc.). I have not seen Oregon but I have had west coast coaching buddies that have agreed that Kentucky could come out west and do quite well. Incidently, DeMatha plays in DC, not Maryland...neither of which can compete top to bottom with Ky (T, X and Highlands all beat DeMatha this year...I've seen them in person). Just my opinion. :thumb: Hey, give me your list. I want to see where other states shake out!

This is another spot where I would like to see Jeff Carlburg get a chance ...good coach and good guy. He has a winning track record working with the defense at Lex Cath.

And, like a lot of folks, you underrate Kentucky. Ask Trotwood Madison if Kentucky has quality football. Ask college coaches that are starting to make their way into the state as well...they are starting to recognize talent.