Bird Bath

It was more team situational than scrimmage. Both offensive and defensive lines look strong. I like Kissee, Bibb and Schwalbach on d-line with Weidner and Woods rotation. Older Roller still out. LB crew was LaFrange Mike and Fenik played Jack with Young Roller and Hodge on the outsides. Harris AAU and Robinson out with Higenson and Welsh in baseball. LaFrange/Robinson are probably are a given but plenty of competition. CB safety king and a lot of youngsters but Dunn was missed. Had a great Spring. I don’t know a lot of the youngsters. offense Noon in green but hit a lot of passes. Lloyd, Surrey ,Porter and Then Matteoli showed well. You still have Welch out. Harris Deburger and Kelsay baseball (bunch of competition there). TE Halpin had a great spring more of the lightning of the group. LaFrange is thunder a step slower but Kissee and him can make holes and he has very good hands will move the sticks. RB Richter looked solid. Hosea still coming back from injury and young Roller. Some others but still learning names. What I witnessed most was a lot of hits and some good trench work. Shout out to Bowman and Barton as well.

My idol Bear Bryant said “There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success.” An entire new level of dedication. You don’t get good by happen stance. Truth be told they are working hard and the boys have bought in. Coach has a system. Trust me, I see the time commitment. Now they truly enjoy an off day. It might not fit all but I am confident in the program moving forward. Other programs beware of the Ides of March; Birds will be on track soon enough!

P/T isn’t going to do it. I am in the camp that Jordan can’t consider it based on pay and what he currently makes. I applaud the thought but I too think this is a missed opportunity. The boys would love to have a class period for work. This should be a full-time position and many student athletes would benefit. Those are my thoughts. Something is better than nothing but having the vision to see the value is missed.

1March! Lol. Favorite line of the night- Coach I better put the parents on the clock or we are never getting out of here. He brought the parents out of the stands and thanked them and the community to allow him to what he does. It was a fun night!

End of Spring started in the lot with a parents tailgate, boys coming out to Oklahoma and clocked and timed college stations. I was very impressed with the second step of March1. Curious to what others thought. Any standouts? I witnessed a bunch going both ways. Nice to see the first d-line group was really big and allowed LB to come downhill. I like offensive sets and the use of TE. I have been arguing that for years.

Agreed. Dowling was well liked by the players! Tough loss but with time commitments, changing of family dynamics that stuff happens. I wish I had a job that allowed me to coach and mentor and mold young men! I have said this many times, kids grow up to fast. 4 years and then you are going to miss this. Coaching is fun! Parents not so much..

New position and much needed. Nevels has a lot invested in his own operation; so he might have to pass. In any event it was very much needed for many programs.

A fair amount of green jerseys, some precautionary. Many have returned but some missed some or most of Spring. I think all still can return over the next 6 weeks. Hate injuries! On the impactful players, I can only think of one that quit the program but that was well before Spring ball and thought is a tough loss for sure, but each their own. A few might stick with baseball but time will tell. Coach Dowling was a surprise but I believe that had nothing to do with direction of program. Just not enough money to pay the # of assistants. A fair amount of Dad coaches on staff but to be candid the time requirements alone. This program will not be out worked. Night and day difference requirements of the kids. Sunday flag football has a HHS presence; organized stations, morning lifting and just look at the time dedicated to special teams. I have coached with many of those Dads and they know the game. Sphire has them dialed in and I trust the process. The boys I suspected to be leading and playing or doing just that!

Being a huge Alabama fan with both parents graduating from the University during the Bear and Namath days, the program is truly fortunate. Funny story during film breakdown, Coach had a young offensive lineman focused on a nose tackle while the Mike was sent on a blitz; he slow framed the action to everybody’s chuckle. Young Oline was told I bet you now understand having your head on a swivel as you are sitting on your keyster. He relates well and coaches the fine details. The kids are working hard and they are putting in time. I can’t wait for football season and am certain where the program will be in few years!

Exactly. You have been around long enough to know what the wood shed is and what is missing. The long hours, the film critique. Who doesn’t love a young OC that calls out a receiver for not blocking near the goal line. You don’t block you don’t play. Simple concept. Coach wants workers doesn’t sugar coat. Under size and soft; rings true. Folks this is going to take sometime but it is going to go in the right direction without outside influences. Which is right by the kids.

You must be removed for too long. Brycen 2 years ago had his way around NKY. Last year South and Hartman brought the wood. I have faith the staff will see exactly what I am talking about. Trust me I know the junior/senior class better than most. I had a chat with a couple of boys about the Sophs mention and some will truly play and are very good. Others might be great in time. You remind me of a dad/coach that likes to talk about a certain class. Let’s just agree to disagree. I am not concerned in the least about the boys being young. You have leaders in place. Enjoy the ride it goes by fast. I wish I had two or three more going through!

I am very certain that many mentioned will be playing JV. No shame in that. I have been around a long time those kids will be good especially under the new regime; but more than a few might see the field but few will start over boys currently in the senior or junior class. Time will tell. I have been told time again that Benke will challenge at QB. You don’t lead the birds if you are going to play 3 sports. Fact the senior leaders will expect more than he can deliver. I am fine with the measurables but I know 6’2 220 LB that will prove how soft some of those boys are. The kids read this, how young, how great this class is and I don’t see it. Again tell me what positions these boys are going to play. I predict not QB, not LB unless a few move to DLine for team. I am sure some will see the field. I would bet three or less start. Oline all juniors and Seniors.

Nice recap! Thanks for the info on coaches. I heard green Jerseys were on a few of what they perceive as big contributors next year. With Hartman not playing I would imagine soft would be used only a couple hitters in the group. One only plays offense and the other had a bag mishap from a teammate. I am curious what Sophs do you anticipate playing where. I think a boatload of juniors mixed with about 8 seniors. My concern is QB. Noon has to stay injury fee. Enough about Benke and Bottom. May be great athletes but you are not going to miss this amount of time and be a key contributor at QB. Not with this playbook.

I am not sure of all the roles; but Dowling is working TE group; Turner Oline, Hayden OC, Bibb has LB, Nevels working with DB group and Welch ?? Dill DL and there is receivers coach ?? No DC that I am aware of.

Really I know Dixie is much better of late; but now Dixie. This season is going to be fun!

PSA they are not going to lose to NC anyway. For those CCH and BW fans I hope to give you a big plate of crow! Those programs are not as far apart as you think. Bring on 2021!

Agreed!

Confused? Care to elaborate. I am Ben Franzen fan as well. Isn’t he still coaching there?

That can be debated; however Mad respect for a small school that can play with any division. It will be interesting to say the least. I just wish I had another boy coming through! Fun times ahead.

As much as either facility can hold! Good, evil are indifferent both programs have respect and dislike for one another. Fan bases enjoy the W and NKY bragging rights. I will say this other NKY programs have had recent success as well. Beechwood is coming on strong.

A wise old owl sat on an Oak The more he saw the less he spoke The less he spoke the more he heard Why can’t we be like that wise old bluebird!

You have zero credibility with me! Next man up you mention a QB name Hoyt. We all know Holtz he played in the FTJFL. You don’t know Chase at SK who is a heck of a QB; but you can throw out this 6’2” 165 up coming sophomores. I don’t talk trash never dished on your program. I obviously know to be the best you have to beat the best! Right now the Birds are not there; but the nest is forming and boy I can’t wait until it does. Your posts remind me of those runaway scores of yesteryears.

9th is tough this year! Going to be a good regional. I still think CCH is a step above but a few might get them on the right night. A very impressive win for the blue boys!

RB by committee could be the call. Sam Robinson could tote as well. I would like to see a few snaps under center as well. I know a few that might lead block and blow open a few holes. Again the line should be strong with size and Bowman and Kissie are return starters. I expect Bibb to also move forward. Young Roller works hard and I can see him progress quicker on the offensive side.

I a Noon doesn’t play baseball I think. I agree100% that receivers dropped way too many balls. I think that is why you are seeing a few jumping at the opportunity to play both ways. The good a few of those same receivers are working hard. I expect that the wide receiver/TE position will be some great competition! I think Noon will win the QB position and lead. I just want him to think pass some. I think quick slants and screens should help. I am concerned about RB. Richter has to stay away from injury and you have Hosea who shows plenty of promise. Anybody else?