Jack of all Trades

So is this in all sports or just football?

I remember just a few short weeks ago the talk was the frosh would go undefeated and my statement to those boastful posters was do something before speaking. Thinking more and more that this is a big problem with Highlands football right now. Quit telling your kids how great they are and encourage them to work as a TEAM and take coaching to learn the ins and outs of high school football. That is how you get better as a player and if everyone is on that train the team gets better as well.

So let me ask this question regarding Highlands. Is this another questionable coaching hire or is the team perhaps not as strong as initially thought? Not looking to ruffle any feathers, but kind of curious what others might think that have seen them play.

Could not disagree more. 2015 team was one win away from another finals appearance and there was another year they went 10-3 when CovCath was loaded.

If the high school team played with the same intensity and fire as these young guys do, they would be a force to be reckoned with.

Both teams have pretty good size and speed. Believe both play tonight.

Notre Dame Simon Kenton Highlands Conner Tie

Not disagreeing with that, but you have film and know your personnel, so try to adjust rather than doing the same thing over and over. If undersized then put your guys on the move each and every play rather than having them attempt to read and react which resulted in large gains. Just some observations on my end.

Thus my question regarding Bob Sphire, does he not coach and call the defense?

I will ask this question in response. IS Bob Sphire a good coach or WAS Bob Sphire a good coach? I am not sold on either to this point. The team showed much better spunk on Friday until they got behind two scores and then the same old same old walk on and off field and hang head started for most. Big return by Charlie Noon put some life back into the team. Last thing, not sure how the staff has not come to realization that Charlie Noon is a PLAYER and needs to be on the field as long as he can stand up. That could go for a few others as well. Tired of seeing guys shuffled in and out for the sake of shuffling and not because they are tired or need to be coached up. This is high school football and these guys have trained for this moment, let them play to the best of their abilities until they ask for a break.

The issue with special teams should be pretty obvious. Kickoff return is a joke to put it mildly. There is no scheme with 10 guys within 20 yards of ball and Charlie Noon back by himself. As I stated in game thread, Charlie Noon made his own yards on special teams. Kickoffs need to get to end zone more consistently or coverage needs to be better. Teams rarely starting on 20. Punt team blocking as a hole is poor despite the fake this week that was blocked well. Punt return is same as kickoff return, no scheme and all Charlie Noon. Need a special teams coach and emphasis that this is a BIG part of the game for the more successful teams.

Too many for a safety.

Well I was at last night’s game and can say it was entertaining. Highlands at least showed a lot of heart and desire. Crone is nice athlete and throws a really nice ball. Play calling on Highlands side is still big question mark as is the return game. Before anyone says it, the special teams were Charlie Noon and not result of some great scheme. Game could have gone either way and still this morning I am trying to figure out if both teams are really good or just average at this point in time. Guess we shall see.

Funny you mention that, they were two of my buddies in high school and me and a couple others came on a recruiting visit with them before they ultimately committed. Both are good guys as are all of the guys on this team.

Moeller Williamsburg CovCath Eastern Holmes

To add to this topic a bit, Highlands will be honoring the 1982 State Championship team on Friday. It has been 40 long years since this team set the then state record of 15 wins in a season. Among those 15 wins was a victory over the class 4A state champs making this team the overall state champion per Litkenhous ratings.

Stats have to come from the school.

Did you watch the game? Beating themselves to me means mistakes made that cost you an opportunity to win the game. Believe there were 3 pick six’s, a fumble on own 5 which result in 28 points. Those are fixable imo. Dropped a sure fire touchdown on the first play. All self inflicted. Despite all of this, the attitude, effort and heart displayed by the team as a whole was terrible. A lot to improve on in the coming week, but not an insurmountable climb imo. Attitude reflects leadership, let’s see who man’s up to the challenge.

Very well stated and could not agree more with all points raised.

I don’t guarantee anything. Just expecting a much better showing than what was witnessed on Saturday. Also expecting some personnel changes.

And what happens when they lose this week? Not one game does a season make one way or another. Happens at every level.

If changes/adjustments are not made then there are much bigger problems within the program.

Quotes about what exactly? Kid chose Beechwood because they offer early graduation. He would not have mattered on Saturday and obviously was not needed by the Beechies either.

There will not be a running clock in this game. Fully expect Highlands to make necessary changes and adjustments to win this game.

What are the qualifications to being a high school position coach? Have the dads in question coaches at the high school level before? I know Dave Bibb was a pretty successful high school head football coach. Mick Abner learned a lot from his time working with Merrill Hoge and you can see that in the way he approaches and coaches the game. The others I am unfamiliar with.