Whackem'n'Stackem'

I don't begrudge any child the opportunity to get a football players' autograph. My main point is if you're going to do something like this, at least have a point. Here is an opportunity to educate and encourage our youth. If the coaches put this together, then they should use the opportunity wisely. Start by informing the football players of their influence and power over the kids. Many of the kids don't realize this. Empower them to use this opportunity not to bask in themselves, but to encourage and educate the children during their brief time together. I'm sure some of the kids already do this and that's great. Bottom line: Don't miss opportunities like this to make a lasting impression on a child's life rather than just leaving the kid with an autograph and a goal to play Highlands football.

Hopefully one of these days someone will get through to you Bird Bath, but from the looks of these posts, it could be a long time coming.

On the surface I agree it seems harmless enough, but I rarely look at things superficially. From my perspective, it's not only the "selling" of a program, but sending a message that they can be special too if they wear a Highlands jersey and win a state title. For a school system that takes pride in their academic and civic achievements, this appears to be quite a mixed signal. What about the kids from track and cross country who won a title in their repective sport? Do they get a day to promote their programs? And what about less popular football players? How do they feel when a bunch of children pass them over to get, say, McCoy's autograph? Bottom line is the football program is in a powerfully influential position in regards to messages being sent to the youth within our community and they're dropping the ball! It could serve as a platform to guard against the ills of drug abuse, the importance of being civic minded and humble, even showing support for anti-bullying. Instead, they choose to revel in their own vainglory for the sake of securing a tradition rich in self revelry.

My wife actually forwarded the email to me today and asked if I wanted to go get some autographs. I thought that was pretty funny.

Apparently the kids visit the elementary schools for autograph sessions. What's the message we're sending our children here? Aren't we supposed to be humble in our achievements or is this just another ingenious way that the Bluebirds secure their future? I'm sure the children enjoy seeing the players up close and personal but autographs IMO is crossing the line.

Correct LN, Dismay, not in a literal sense on Bardo's part. Both were good no doubt. I just didn't see the powerful bullets being thrown by Bardo that McCoy made look easy. Both had only one year under center but McCoy took it to the next level IMO. To Bardo's credit, injury limited any legitimate comparisons to the greats. That's just my opinion.

Quit reachin' BG, you're starting to look more like a clown than a Bluebird.

JBWill needs to take his Bluebird website to the next level and start making archived game footage available so we can enjoy talent like the Frisk factor, AC, and others of the like.

Much to the dismay of Will Bardo, it was AC's show in 09' except in 09' when Dale used AC as a decoy to pave the way for the Bardo showing.

Never saw Frisk...Article from Nees offers an informative perspective on him though. Quite a few setbacks for such a talent. I wonder how often similar scenario's play out each season across the country with other kids. I met Justin and have talked with him several times, but didn't know his story or his prowess on the field. I just knew him as a person and he is a very good guy.

McCoy was a much better passer IMO than Bardo. Will had speed and holes you could drive a semi through, but his short to mid range passing prowess was suspect. Mostly due to the fact that they ran the ball mostly, but McCoy could flat out drill a ball to his receiver insie of 30yds. He was probably 90+% accurate on those passes all year. McCoy's weakness was the deep ball. If you gave McCoy the holes Bardo had, McCoy would be Mr. Football. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

If Frisk was so good, why wasn't he D1 and why couldn't he go to the next level like other Highlands greats? And I do not mean to ask this question in a disparaging way.....

Yes, his soph year I was thinking Josh Connor. This year I was left thinking Hurtt. Wonder what next year shall bring?

I think it's the responsibility of the coaches letting the kids know that bulking up doesn't equate to effectiveness. Kids must strike a balance between the two. The Guidugli's did a good job of this or should I say the old man did. Harris's added bulk lessened his effective running style despite his added strength as evidenced by the numerous pancakes throughout the season. Maybe if a little less bulky and a little more nimble, he would have run around them this year instead of over them.

I felt that Harris had a good balance of power and finesse his soph year but lost some finesse this past season. It will be interesting to see how he runs next season. Having him bulk up and using him as a power back limits his strengths IMO

Highlands vs. Bowling Green and you say BG wins. Ok. I say the Birds win by 2-3tds.

"stairway to seven" showin' your age Tdy....

It just seems like NCC will always be the "red headed stepchild" in NKY when it comes to props. IMO, mostly due to being so close to Highlands and their history.

Why doesn't anyone including the media pay any attention to this program who seemingly wins state just about every year Highlands wins? I suppose it doesn't help to be in the shadow of the Highlands Bluebirds simply because of their record breaking year.

By the way, do any of the kids have 4 rings? Didn't know if they were dressed varsity being a freshman.

Thoughts on the final: Hope kid is a freak. Where did this kid come from because he wasn't around in the early season. Seidl was a non factor early season as well and he was given alot of opportunities in the late season also. What a weird season. Completely different team in just a few months.

Will Houliston transform into a running qb like McCoy? Will additional size and muscle limit Harris's agility? Will the defense be better? How do you replace Seidl? Who are Houliston's targets in '13? These are my top 5.

I don't think they would have won state without him this year. The Cov. Cath game would have probably signaled the end for the Birds minus McCoy.

Of all the Bluebirds, Colin Seidl will be most missed on the field. He has been so fun to watch the past few years.

Lorenzen was an anomaly. Fort Thomas was blessed to have had him play for them.