ColdHard

I read where Elam was downgraded from four star to three star by Rivals. Apparently Rivals scouts attended his game vs Highlands where they saw him struggle against man blocking, played with a high pad level, and showed a lack of conditioning. All are issues that can be fixed and that is why he is still a high BCS prospect. It does reflect exactly what I saw in that game film and confirms with an 'expert opinion' that his on field performance does not warrant awards that represent the best player in the state. Article was on Kentucky.com. I still hope he plays at KY as I think he could develop into something special.

I think their are three issues with venue: 1. Travel. For this issue there is no easy answer as it is far more complex than travel distance for teams. Travel for fans is important as well, and for football there has been little to no success in selling the finals experience to casual fans. Regardless of where these games are held the participating teams will bring their fans. Yes there will be variation from one venue to the next, but any loss of fans from one side is probably negated by the other fan bases closer proximity. 2. Host City. If I am going to the finals weekend as a casual fan I may be looking for a variety of options. Economics may be the driver and I want cheap places to stay, eat, and entertain myself. For others they may be looking for a high end hotel, fine dinning, etc.. For me personally, I want to experience something unique to the area or outside of the normal at home. ( I don't want appleby's I can get that anywhere) as someone else mentioned, does the destination offer something for kids spouses that they may find of interest outside of football. 3. Venue. As others have said, a giant stadium is not an asset when only 5000 people attend. It is actually a detractor. Thus WKU is better than Pappa J from a fan standpoint. From a team standpoint WKU is horrible and does nothing to get better from year to year. Last year the Highlands players dressed for the game in the back of the end zone in full view of the public. 16 to 18 year olds stripped down to their underwear surrounded by teammates, but in a public place, as the clock for warmups began and the team had no locker room. On the other side a room separated by a curtain as one team comes in flying or crying from their game, while the other waits to take the field. Often the coach of one team quiets his team while the other coach addresses his own, and then gives his pre game speech. For these reasons WKU is a miserable failure.

I think there are many factors in the high turnover rate. Included among them are an increased demand for coaches to be everything, father, mother, mentor, role model, recruiting promotors, self esteem builder, and winner of games. One of the biggest factors though is that the coaches themselves have the qualities that make them great administrators. The draw to that carrier path is logical in a lot of ways and steals from the talent pool. Another impact is the BGP factor. Where criticism is so freely given and viewed by others.

Matt Elam winning a state wide award is a joke. Huge upside, and no doubt has big time potential, but he is not a great high school d lineman. He may not be the best d lineman on his own team.

Increased travel is the problem that will keep this otherwise good idea from happening.

I wonder if Dale will watch film on Collins? And if he does, is he smart enough to learn anything about his opponent:sssh:

Not sure what you think coach might get from last years film. Last year he would see QB draw, QB counter, bootleg run. Dale said in the paper last week that the two touchdown runs for Houliston in that game were the first two running plays called all year for the QB.

I heard Butler practices for two and a half hours:dancingpa

Ohio high school rule is the best for high school. Opportunity for a first down makes it real football.

Little fact check. Look at the other side of the bracket that same year (2009) and you will see that Pulaski also lost in the semi-final that same day, to a Highlands team that finished 3rd in the country in the USA Today final poll. I do agree that BG wins big.

Nice thought but not at all practical. You use Lexinton or EKU as possible examples in the east. Apply last years and this years semi final to that equation and see if there are any issues.

By your description no team is 'healthy' at this point in the season. Please show me a team at full strength after 12 games. No excuses needed. Your team won an impressive 10 games with the players available to them. Your opponent won 11 games with the players available to them. Both have had injuries, both have injuries. May both stay healthy this week.

Butler has more speed at the skill positions. SK is better on the lines overall. Butler has been stout on defense but I expect SK to be able to score enough to pull through. Turnovers by SK are the only way I see them losing and they have been careful with the ball.

What is Stoops going to say to Harris? "You don't want to go to Michigan, that team lost three games. You may not have a chance at a national championship at Michigan, you should come to Kentucky."

And after starting three years, attending numerous camps, and 13 weeks into his senior year, not one of them has made an offer. I like this guy and he is having a great season, but you make it sooo hard. You know nothing about talent and your lack of objectivity make you look silly, and you drag your favorite players down as well. I like what this kid is doing and truly hope he gets a shot to play at a high level. To facilitate that it would do him good to play, and play well in a final against the likes of Trinity. It will be the first time that schools would have seen him play against anything but average competition.

There may be some BGP'ers who don't know who you are talking about, but the players at H are well aware.

Schools are in the business of providing opportunities for kids. Public schools don't get to pick which kids to let in or keep out. What would you think of a school who refused a kid because of something his father did? Do you have any idea how many children of violent felons are in our schools. Should they be excluded because of the sins of their fathers? Should we exclude kids who have parents who cheat when rules are established. Adultery, tax evasion, leaving work early on Friday. Are these reasons to exclude the children of offenders?

Two things regarding the attack on Ashland. First, he chose to enroll there and they have a football team. If the KHSAA says he is eligible he should be allowed to play wherever it is he is enrolled. Second, there is no way that Ashland could have known that they might benefit from turning in others. That kid could have enrolled in any school, or simply stayed put. Presumptuous to assume they had any motivation to their reporting of something others DID wrong.

Actually Houlihan is a transfer from somewhere in south Kenton County. He had been home schooled because his family felt the local schools were inadequate. Dale was out fishing on Kruse Creek and saw the kid with cut off denim overalls and one boot and noticed that he was throwing hedge apples at squirrel and hitting them in stride about 72% of the time. The KHSAA granted him a fifth year of eligibility after a local judge ordered an injunction on Houlihan's behalf. Turns out the judge is a Highlands grad who's Great Great Grandfather donated the very land that David Cecil Memorial stadium is built upon. Houlihan is now living in one of the on campus dorms and is reported to be driving a brand new Ferrari.

And do what with them. Play Holy Cross?

Guru earlier this year you gave a poster a blank check when he alleged wrongdoing by another program and he couldn't cash that check. Ram knows things about Fairview and has said so for the last two years. Will you give Ram the same blank check and let him tell us what he knows? You did start the thread. Ram, if you get the green light from Guru will you tell us all that is going on?

This statement and others like it are more evidence of you opening the pie hole before you know what you speak of. Highlands put a running clock on Station with 8 min. left in the first half. 56 first half points and let the bench, a very loooooong bench, finish it out. You are right that BS is not a great team and I think SK could could put 56 on them as well. If they played them twice.:jump: Actually I think BS. Vs. SK would be a nice match.

You covered the last five because it supports your position. Read my posts and those of others. We were talking about the last 17 years.

Actually there are very few schools that you could say that about. Certainly over the last six plus years its been nothing but playing for second best for everyone in that class.

CovCath has been good enough to win a state championship several times in the last 17 years had it not been for Highhlands. Look no further than last year when they lost in a regional final to H. A semi-final against LexCath at home would have been a battle, but one that CovCath certainly may have won. Both of those teams would have been a favorite over Collins. A championship here, a championship there and you have what we call a perennial power. I think some folks are awfully quick to criticize when a team drops just below one of the states best teams that happen to be in its class. CovCath and X are the two most often cited. Just yesterday I saw someone comment that Boyle had fallen off. What's it been, two years since they won state. Undefeated after 7 games this year. How many teams would call that a falloff? So CovCath's biggest problem in my mind is that they happen to be in a class with a team that has enjoyed unprecedented success. That being said, I am befuddled by a four game jv season along with two cancellations vs Highlands. To me there is so much to be gained by playing your rival in jv games.