nky_harry

I'm still a rookie, so I won't care if I look dumb... If county schools have open enrollment, and private schools can take anybody from anywhere, doesn't that put independent schools at a disadvantage? Either you live in the independent district or you pay tuition to go there - right? Seems more restrictive than the other two models. But, at least this year, independents seemed to have a disproportionate amount of success in state championships. We have ourselves a paradox. Why is that? What advantages do independents have that they are able to overcome the perceived disadvantage of restrictive enrollment opportunities? Is there really a history of independents being more successful, or is this year a fluke?

Yeah - without him Towles doesn't have the passing numbers from this season. Saw an article that said Sheehan dressed for today's game - cool.

http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/03/1982225/highlands-beats-franklin-simpson.html From the article: ■ Won their 21st championship, tying Trinity for the state record. ■ Established single-season state records for points (849), touchdowns (121) and total yards (7,516). ■ Gave Dale Mueller his 10th state title, more than any coach in state history. ■ Finished off a state-record 13th undefeated season.

What is the Kentucky record for consecutive state championships?

Saw Jake Bruns go down early. Has he come back?

Listening to these iHigh announcers at halftime, you'd think FS was outplaying HHS, and that HHS is lucky to have the lead because of the turnovers. Now, the TO's are pretty big, but I still think HHS outplayed FS in the first half.

Agree, these announcers are bad.

FS scores. 7-7.

FS complete pass to the 3.

FS driving. Ball on HHS 25.

Birds up 7-0, Harris runs it in.

So, is the game going to start at the scheduled time (4:00 Eastern)? Or are they running behind?

Thanks for the clarification guys. That's why I said "I think..."

Independent schools are public schools.

You are very misinformed regarding Beechwood and Highlands. They are part of independent school districts, but they are still public schools, falling under all the same rules, laws and regulations as every other district in the state. Again, they are not private schools. They must (and do) educate all students, including those with IEP's. Why is it that people keep thinking that Highlands is a private school? ETA: I think one of the only differences between independent and non-independent public schools is that independents can take tuition students. There may be other differences. Does anybody know what they may be, and would they be a factor in the strength of a football program?

/in my best Homer voice/ Mmmmmm, donuts!

After hearing him give a talk to the Junior League players at the end of a summer clinic, I was ready to strap a helmet on and hit somebody! LOL!! And the thing is, it wasn't fire and brimstone, yelling and screaming - just calm, logical, let's get it done.

Yep. Sat behind a lady at a game this year, right after Halloween. She showed us a picture of her six year old wearing a football uniform with a number 8 on it. The kid went trick-or-treating dressed as Pat Towles! LOL!!

The FTJFL has three age groups: 3/4 grade, 5/6 grade and 7/8 grade. A few years ago they created a flag football league for younger kids - not sure if that's affiliated with the FTJFL or not. There is one middle school in Ft. Thomas and they do not have a football team.

I'll take a stab. I've lived in Ft. Thomas for about 10 years and have helped out with the junior league. I'm no expert but here's the way I see it: 1. The Ft. Thomas Junior Football League has a lot to do with it. Not necessarily due to excellent teaching/coaching, but the fact that you keep a lot of kids interested for a longer time. There are usually four 7/8 grade teams, which means 4 QB's getting snaps (and it goes for all positions...). The Junior League also uses the same type of formations and terminology as the high school. Also, it's an instructional league with required playing time for all players. This interest remains through high school. This season almost 25% of the boys at Highlands are playing football. 2. A close-knit community that is willing and able to commit resources of time and money to carry on a tradition they are proud of. Time: Lots of stay-at-home moms willing to put in the time to do little things like decorating players houses, fix meals, etc. Also parents volunteering to coach the Junior League, work fundraisers, join the boosters club - the list goes on and on. The players themselves are also willing to put in the time in the weight room, spring practice, film study, etc. Money: Ft. Thomas is a well-to-do community where people have disposable income. This allows kids to focus on playing football instead of getting a job. I believe the turf field was purchased through private funds. Ft. Thomas is not full of filthy-rich people all driving Cadillacs (I'm testament to that), but the incomes are above average. Tradition: There are always 2nd and 3rd generation players on each team. People don't seem to leave Ft. Thomas - that's how the tradition builds from generation to generation. 3. Dale Mueller. He's responsible for almost half of the State Championships. I've never met a more positive, motivating, simple guy in my life. And when I say simple, I don't mean a simpleton. I mean he can take about anything and break it down to a level that it just seems so easy that anybody can get it. 4. Luck? I'm not sure if it's luck or not, but HHS is blessed with athletes. Some are home-grown (Pat Towles), others transfer in because they want to be part of a winning program. Pat Towles is typical of Ft. Thomas "luck." Who knew that when he came in to that St. X game as a scrawny sophomore that he would grow into a prototypical, 6'6", 235 lb, NFL QB? That kind of stuff just seems to happen in Ft. Thomas. I'm sure others can add other things, but for me that's what I've seen in my time around here.

I think if there are fewer classes, that means fewer teams overall in the playoffs, which makes for more competitive games. In other words (and I'm just grabbing numbers - I have no idea how it really works), with 6 classes the top 160 teams in the state make it to the playoffs, which means teams that aren't very good are playing top teams. With 4 classes you might get 110 teams making the playoffs. Those "bad" teams (111-160) aren't getting pounded by the top teams. I think you're going to get blowouts even with 3 or 2 classes. The only way to avoid it (on a widespread scale - you can't completely avoid it) is take the top 30 teams and have one championship tournament.

When referring to extra points, are these only the kicking variety, or does it include 2-point conversions?

I have a question about LC's missed field goal and ball placement. I was standing under the big scoreboard when LC missed the long field goal attempt down at the other end of the field. According to the scoreboard, the ball was at the 33 yard line. LC missed the field goal and HHS took over. They ran one play for a gain of about 6 yards and then the quarter ended. When they switched to my end of the field, the ball was placed at about the 26 yard line. I thought it should have been at the 39. Do missed field goals go to the 20 yard line in high school? If so, coaches should go for long field goals every time. Or most probably I'm missing something, or perhaps the scoreboard was wrong. Also, some HHS fans were getting pretty upset about LC's extra point formation - saying it was illegal procedure or something like that. I remember HHS doing the same thing in recent years. What was the problem with the way LC was doing it? Just wonderin'...

I started a thread earlier this season asking, "Is this the most dominating Highlands team ever?" Some people said "No", saying there were other HHS teams from the past that were better, or would have beaten the current team. Also, many cited the poor competition HHS faced this year. In my question, those are factors that do not detract from being dominating, but actually add to them. Looking back, I should have probably phrased the question this way: "Is this the most dominating season Highlands has ever had?" With the setting of this record, I believe the answer is YES! assuming they win big this week

Last minute decision - nky_harry and family are headed south to see, hopefully, another 'Birds win. GO BIRDS!!!