born2reign

Highlands is, without a doubt, one of the best programs in the country with enrollment around 800. Programs of similar size would have trouble with the Bluebirds, regardless of location, IMO. Trinity and X are different; if we look at them as a school of 1400-1500, then yes they would and can compete with the best in the country. I do think they would have stiffer competition than Highlands would. If we classify them with schools that are coed and, therefore, have similar male enrollments, that puts them around 2800-3000 students schools and I think they would be in the top quarter of teams in Texas as a 5A school.

One of the major factors for Texas football being what it is has to be population. I am not debating that. DFW a plethora of teams and players. Of course, this is population driven. Again, if Cal Preps uses a ranking system and does not consider class, enrollments, population, etc., in their formula when slotting the teams, why should I consider it when questioning the rankings? You understand how I interpret these rankings. If team a can not beat team b, team a should be ranked lower than team b- this based on Cal Preps formula and their interpretation as I read it. Cal Preps took the 5A schools in Texas, like Southlake Carroll, and ranked Highlands ahead of them. They disregarded the built in advantages of Texas football's population in their rankings. I question the legitimacy of that ranking having seen both teams play. It is all a matter of opinion and this is mine.

Did you read the rest of that paragraph? Do you even understand what I am debating? I really do not think that you do. You are welcome to read what I have posted and continue the cordial debate. You re also weccome to be "done". Either way, there is no skin off of my back.

You are misinterpreting my statements. I have said that number are a huge factor in why Texas football, especially in DFW, is superior. Our debate centered around the ranking for Cal Prep, which do not take classification into account at all. Therefore, if Cal Preps ranks Highlands over Southlake Carroll, that means that ( according to those rankings) the Bluebirds would beat Carroll. I said that those teams ranked from the DFW area would beat the best in Kentucky. Then, the enrollments and classifications were mentioned, which has nothing to do with rankings. Higher ranking equals better team, as I interpret the rankings. If that is the case, the ranking are wrong, IMO. Now, if you are offering enrollment as an excuse as to why Highlands would lose then I agree it is a major factor as to why these teams would beat the best in Kentucky. If that is the case, however, then Cal Preps should rank Highlands lower. If Cal Preps didn't take enrollment into account in making the ranking, then why should it be considered in questioning the rankings? You have not seen me write "numbers do not mean anything". You are taking my position in questioning Highlands rankings through Cal Prep and extrapolating that to mean something that I have not stated nor implied. Highlands may, in fact, be one of the best programs in the country when you think about success compared to enrollment. They beat a St. X team that clearly dominated the numbers debate last season, and do it regularly in their runs to 5A state titles in Kentucky. That does not mean they would have beaten Euless Trinity, Allen, Katy, Abilene or Ft. Bend Hightower last year So, should they be ranked higher; I say no. Again, JMO.

Fair enough, I see your argument as well and we can cordially agree to disagree about how Highlands would do against DFW teams.

It really is a solid program- their QB played in the Under Armor All American game last night and he will be attending Auburn. They have a d- linemen going to K-State and a couple of other D1 signees. Gus Malzahn started there, I believe.

I am not PSJ...he made the statement to which you are referring. I was simply letting you know that the Texas schools list by Cal Preps are public and coed.

None of the Texas schools listed are private. They are all public and coed.

I am using the metro area numbers courtesy of Wickepedia. Here they are. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_United_States_Metropolitan_Statistical_Areas Now, I am confused as to why we are using them; it sounds like we agree that DFW has the best football and you believe the reason for this is population. Is that correct? I think it is more than just population, but yes, that is a huge factor as to why DFW football is what it is. Now, as to whether Highlands can beat the best in DFW, population and enrollment has no place in the argument. My point is that if Cal Preps ranks Highlands 108 and Southlake Carroll 115, then Highlands should be able to beat the Dragons. I do not think that would happen this year. That is the debate I was having with hoosierbirdfan and raiderbird.

You are right; enrollment determines class, not ranking. The higher ranked team should win, regardless of enrollment. So, again, I do not see the relevance of enrollment. Either Highlands can beat a team or they can not. Enrollment does not stop Highlands from winning 5A in Kentucky. I just do not see where it fits in with this particular debate. With the Herbie, you never know- maybe Highlands gets a team in Texas one year. I truly enjoy the debate and I would love to see the Bluebirds playing at the new Texas Stadium against a team like Carthage or Celina or Lake Travis. I would love to see Trinity versus Permian or Midland Lee or Birdville or Round Rock.

Ask and you shall receive. http://www.calpreps.com/ratings.htm

I want to reiterate my respect for Highlands and the Bluebird coaches, program and tradition. Now, I will try to address some of the things you said. 1. Beating St X was a great achievement. I don't want to take away from that. Euless Trinity beat Bingham HS from Utah in 2009, along with Plano twice, Austin Westlake, Arlington HS, Arlington Martin- it is a very impressive schedule. They won 5A in Texas in 2009. They lost 2 games, to Allen and to Cedar Hill. You are more than welcome to look up the teams and see how impressive the teams from Texas and Bingham are. 2. There are 245 teams playing 5A football in Texas. The enrollment cutoff for 5A is 2065, I believe. If you feel that numbers are the only reason the teams I mentioned are successful, or even a significant one, you are mistaken. All 245 5A schools are public high schools that are coed. 3. This being said, I do not see the relevance of the enrollments. The numbers are why Texas football is what it is. You can't have it both ways. Either Highlands can beat the best from DFW or they can not. They were ranked 3 in the nation, right? They were not ranked the third best team with a certain enrollment. They are ranked ahead of Southlake Carroll this year; Highlands should be able to beat them, period. I am telling, I do not see that happening this year. I am offering my perspective having experience in both states. I have a great appreciation for Kentucky football. I just do not believe that best in Kentuky are close to the level of the best in Texas.

I agree- but Highlands and Trinity are not the top teams from the area this year. Wayne, St. X and Colerain all could beat the best from DFW this year. I don't think Highlands, Trinity or X could this year. Again, JMO.

This is a seperate topic, but is there a reason Highlands, Trinity and X do not have websites that are comparable?

I would disagree. Euless Trinity, Allen, Aledo, Guyer, De Soto, Southlake Carroll, Coppell, Cedar Park - you have to see these schools. They are on a different level, IMO. They have way too much size and speed for Trinity or Highlands this year, IMO. No one plays both ways and the depth is amazing- these programs run 500 kids through them and will send numerous kids to division 1 colleges off of their teams this year. For comparision sake, take a look at Shiloh Christian- they are the 3x defending 4A state champs from the state of Arkansas. Here is there website. http://www.shilohchristianfootball.com/ Look at Shiloh and decide how you think they stack up to Trinity, X or Highlands. Then, look up the final score of their game against Euless Trinity from this season. I'm not saying that this is the rexact result that Trinity or Highlands would see for certain, but it is eye opening.

I also want folks on here to know that I have coached in Kentucky and currently coach in the DFW area. I do not have any axe to grind with any team in Kentucky. I wanted to provide perspective with my comparison, that is all.

Trinity, Highlands and X are the best programs in the state of Kentucky and I have the utmost respect for their tradition and excellence. That being said, I see DFW football up close and personal. It is the best in the country. I was simply stating my opinion in support of that point. Here is the website for Marcus: http://www.marcusfootball.com/ Do folks think the best in Kentucky beat these guys? Just keep in mind, these guys finished third in their district. It is a different level of high school football here.

DFW area is the best high school football in the country- yes. I know what the rankings say, but IMO there is not a DFW team you listed that Highlands or Trinity could beat.

ACS and Lone Oak seem to be built to last, IMO. Watch out for Collins, as another poster has written.

I imagine this would be a high profile opening considering how many athletes they have in the area. They always seem to have the Jimmy's and Joe's to compete year in and year out. I could think of several coaches that I would like to see get a chance.

The down marker said 4, so it wasn't a kneel down. Now, I blame the coaches! 1. That is a terrible formation to have the kids in to run around- line the QB up in the gun or run your punt formation. This gets the kid away from the line of scrimmage to have time to run around. Plus there is at least one upback there with the QB or punter in case of a fumble. 2. You absolutely have to tell the kids to get down once the whistle blows. Point 1 is an obvious mistake by the coaches based on the video; we'll never know if the kid was told to get down, but if wasn't coached to do that, how would he know to do it?

The kid may not have known the rules, but why didn't he run the play that was called? They were set up in an obvious kneel down formation. Just run the play the coaches call and you are fine.

I think this gets into the 70's. I would be shocked to see the Eagles score in this one.

Been around football for a little bit and NEVER heard a scout ask for a QB rating. I think Cats is more or less on the money.

Here's the Wikipedia page- it provides some answers to the questions you asked. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington_Christian_Academy_(Kentucky)