wanttowin

Any chance Campbell will makeup the Highlands game this Saturday that got postponed a few weeks ago? Sounds like a good opportunity since they both played early this week (Wednesday) and don't play again until next Thursday.

Any chance Campbell will makeup the Highlands game this Saturday that got postponed a few weeks ago? Sounds like a good opportunity since they both played early this week (Wednesday) and don't play again until next Thursday.

How would the Trinity and St. X fare in the OKI-CL (Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana Catholic League)? For these purposes I will define this mythical tri-state league of large Catholic all boys schools to include the following teams: Louisville[/B]: Trinity St. X Cincy: Elder St. X Moeller LaSalle Indy: Cathedral [insert additonal Indy Catholic HS Football power teams(s) if any] Cleveland: St. Ignatius St. Edwards How would the Louisville big two fare over a long term basis playing apple to apple teams on a weekly basis with comparable size, resources, facilities, (values, beliefs,) etc.--500, better or worse? How many championships would you expect them to win of this league over say a 10 year period? Should they actually consider forming this type of league or conference to play comparable competition? (Keep in mind this is comparable to the type of schedule Cincy St. X, Elder and to some extent Moeller plays now.) Other than Cleveland (which by alternating years/versus the teams could be visited once a year or could be kept separate from this league) I believe all the teams would be within a two hour drive of each other. Of course, half of games at home plus alternating year away game against in town team(s). Thoughts?

Quite a compliment to the Highlands program to even suggest they play in possibly the best high school conference in the country year in and year out against teams with two (LaSalle), three (Moeller & Elder) or four (St. Xavier) as many boys. Can't imagine anyone suggesting any other small public school even consider that. Heck no OHIO public school the size of Highlands has been willing to play any Cincy St. X, Elder or Moeller in years (decades perhaps). A better question IMO would be whether Trinity and Lou. St. X would and should play in the GCL where they would play apples to apples comparable teams with comparable size, resources, facilities each week. Better yet, how would the LCL Big Two (Trinity and X) fare in the OKI-CL (Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana Catholic League)? I'll define that league to include the 4 Cincy and 2 Louisville teams above plus Indy Cathedral (isn't there another Indy Catholic HS football power) plus Cleveland St. Ignatius and St. Edwards for a 9 or 10 team conference/league. Rather than hijack this thread I'll start another one with that thought.

If I understand your logic, then St. X and Trinity would both have to play Highlands and beat them to be considered the No. 1 in the state, is that correct? Since that won't happen and in football as a practical matter you can't narrow it down by settling it on the field until every team in the state but one school champion loses their last game, the next best indication would be comparative scores (particularly where they all played against the same Xcellent team on three consecutive weeks) and by that comparison, there is a clear best team in the state. I agree that comparative scores can be very misleading for all kinds of reasons and really often are not a very indication of comparative strength in general (e.g., most would agree that the fact Beechwood scored 20 points against Highalnds doesn't mean they have a better offense than St. X that only scored 7 (no offense intended to Beechwood just using for example purposes)). That being said, a win versus fairly convincing losses on consecutive weeks seems to be the best information available for making this comparison today and leads to the clear conclusion reflected in the poll. Doesn't mean that would necessarily happen if they played head to head. Heck, if they played each other every week all season both teams would almost surely win some and lose some. In the end, unless you are in the same classification where it is settled by a state champion being determined on the field all the polls including this one are just the opinions of various people of who is better (this, of course is also the problem (my view) or beauty (opinions of some others) with Div. I college football), and as said in a movie "opinions vary". So if your opinion varies with the consensus of the poll above your entitled and, as with most opinions, one persons' usually doesn't change anybody else's mind.

CF quick question (and I know you are a fair poster are on here so the question is respectful). Just to keep things in perspective who and when was the last Ohio school the size of Highlands (100 boys per grade) to beat St. X? Perhaps before my teenagers were born. You tell me.... Perhaps the same question for your Cards and Elder.

Back to back short weeks for the Birds. They played Louisville St. X Saturday night Aug. 29, the following Thursday, Sept 3 against Boone Co. and then the following Tuesday Sept 8 against Ryle so they had 3 tough games in 11 days--with 4 off days between each game. Short preparation time but give the Raiders their due they won the game on the field. Birds will regroup and bounce back.

Both Jeremiah Williams (#2) and Mustafa (sp?) Diaw (#7) looked very strong running the ball for Boone Co. The offensive line consistently did a very good job in front of them as well. Actually, offensive lines very impressive for both teams. Boone did not throw much but did complete a few passes including one nice third and long conversion early in the game and on at least one of their two point conversions. They did not attempt any extra point or field goal kicks but I believe they converted all 4 of their two point conversions.

My first trip to Manual Stadium and I thought it was a wonderful, charming old high school stadium and atmosphere for the game (and perfect weather to boot)--the way it was situated in that neighborhood really made it nice-- and perhaps my favorite visiting stadium. I also was impressed by the sportsmanship of the Manual fans who wished us polite and what seemed to be very sincere good game wishes as we exited the stadium after the game (seriously, I was so surprised I didn't know how to respond). Likewise, while I haven't watched any tape of the game, I was very impressed by Manual's team overall and especially the linebackers and defense which was as good as RRR advertised in advance and by the athletic play of their QB. Best wishes to them for the rest of their season (and looking at their schedule they have their work cut out for them).

A more interesting or at least more difficult question is who was the last NKY team other than CovCath to beat Highlands (on the field) and what year? Tougher still (or at least requiring a longer memory), who was the last NKY team other than CovCath to beat HHS (on the field) before that and what year? With respect to the game it should be a great test for both teams and one of the premier NKY games this year between perhaps the two best teams in NKY. I see Ryle emerging as a slight favorite to win the very tough and competitive NKY 6A district (although at least three other teams can make a good case for their team as well and whoever ends up as the fifth place team in this district has to be the best team in the state not to make the playoffs as it was last last year). If Ryle gets ahead early and can use its strong running game mixed with a few passes to keep the defense honest to grind time off the clock it could be a very interesting game but I believe Highlands shows significant second game improvement again this year like last year and perhaps special special teams play and likely (re)asserts itself in a convincing win in another step on its march (drive?) to another state title and hopefully undefeated season. As others have mentioned, lots of respect to Ryle for scheduling Highlands twice this year (and vice versa) which will help both team prepare for playoff competition. Also, a smart move for Ryle to prepare itself not only for this year's playoffs but also to help prepare its apparently very talented underclassman to make a serious run at a 6A state title next year and the following year in addition to this year.

With 16 regions it would seems the odds would say they would have about 2 champions over 29 years (about 1 every 16 years) and they do and about 5 championship appearances (about 1 every 8 years) and they do. So they seem to be keeping pace with the odds. The points made above seem to explain why they are not winning more than their share. That being said if Holmes were to repeat next year--certainly a reasonable possiblity with many of their star players off this years championship team returning and additional talent transferring in (Avery) (and, of course recognizing there are many reasons why they may not repeat including the many good teams around the state such as Scott Co, etc.) then NKY would seem to be beating the odds.

They also are the rare (only?) county with schools that play in three different regions (8th -Simon Kenton; 9th- Holmes, Dixie Heights, Holy Cross, CovCath, Lloyd, Beechwood, Villa Madonnna; 10th - Scott, Calvary Christian). If, as I understand it, they have open enrollment in the county schools (Dixie, Scott and Simon Kenton) I suppose a player in the county can effectively choose any of the three regions to compete. Perhaps they could compete in all three regions over their high school career without ever moving. A few other counties have teams in two regions. Jefferson obviously and Campbell and Boone I believe come to mind. Jefferson obviously sends two teams to Sweet Sixteen every year. As I recall, just a few years ago Campbell county sent two teams to the Sweet Sixteen in back to back years from 4 different schools (Bishop Brossart, Campbell County (10th) and NewCath and Highlands (9th).

It seems that the Highlands freshman schedule is still a work in progress but I understand that now they have added Louisville St. X @ Highlands on Aug. 29 as the season opener and that the Beechwood and Lex Cath games (the latter of which had been plugged into the Oct. 22 open date above) have gone off the earlier tentative schedule. I expect it is still the case that they have moved the Boone Co. game up to Sept 2 to avoid the conflict with the Highlands varsity game clash with Beechwood on Thursday Sept 3 although perhaps it might move back a few days now if the Beechwood freshman date is open to avoid playing the Boone Co game so close to the St. X game. I don't have the final schedule and am not sure if it even is finalized but I am sure someone more in the know than me will correct this or post it when it is.

I believe the updated frosh schedule has added a game with them playing Lexington Catholic on Oct. 22 at 6:00 @Highlands. Also, the Boone Co. game has been moved up a day to Sept. 2 presumably to avoid a conflict with HHS varsity Thursday night TV clash with Beechwood. I believe there may have been one other game time or date change but I don't have that updated schedule in front of me.

That is correct. Also agree with the above--McGovney is a great athlete and should be a great player for the Camels over the next 4 years. Currently, one of the best in the state at his age. Exceptional all around player who does lots of things well and makes other players around him better. Good kid as well.

Yes.

Wasn't Cecil (not from 2007 but his older brother) a sophmore starter at QB?

Yes.

It looks to me like Holmes has the toughest road overall if it plays out that they have to face Christian Co., then Scott Co, then EC/Mason Co winner; then Eastern. Certainly, a true state champion if they were to win 4 games of that caliber. Scott Co has similar tough road and what seems likely to be the toughest regional competition to even get there. If you view Holmes, Scott co and EC as the best 3 teams in the state (which I believe many do--although many other worthy strong teams in the field) then EC gets a tough draw by being in the loaded bottom bracket but the benefit of not having to beat both Holmes and Scott Co. whereas both Holmes and Scott Co. may have to beat both of the other two just to make the finals where they would have the least amount of rest between games at the end of the tourney which might allow Eastern or a weaker team from the top bracket to unexpectedly win state this year. I think any of the big 3 (and most or all the other teams in the bottom bracket for that matter) would trade draws with any of the teams in the top bracket. Should be an interesting tournament this year.

yes There is a lot of basketball left to be played this year but from what I have seen of this Holmes team they are the best team I have ever seen in NKY (for me that would only cover the last 20 years or so). Great defensive team, great athleticism, some great individual players (how many teams in NKY have had two high division one basketball player play together and keep in mind they are still only juniors) yet very well balanced in that the other players are also very good players, ability to score in multiple ways inside and out and very disciplined and well coached. I suppose another way to look at it is what team can you remember that you would have favored to beat this team on a neutral court. Even though all teams have off nights I expect them to run the table in NKY play. I have no affiliation or connection with them in any way but I wish them the best in hopefully a successful quest to represent and win NKY's second state titile.

There is a lot of basketball left to be played this year but from what I have seen of this Holmes team they are the best team I have ever seen in NKY (for me that would only cover the last 20 years or so). Great defensive team, great athleticism, some great individual players (how many teams in NKY have had two high division one basketball player play together and keep in mind they are still only juniors) yet very well balanced in that the other players are also very good players, ability to score in multiple ways inside and out and very disciplined and well coached. I suppose another way to look at it is what team can you remember that you would have favored to beat this team on a neutral court. Even though all teams have off nights I expect them to run the table in NKY play. I have no affiliation or connection with them in any way but I wish them the best in hopefully a successful quest to represent and win NKY's second state titile.

How about Jake True? Will he be a candidate to get some time at LB (or at RB) at the varsity level next year?