blitzoneveryplay

Tough schedule.. Haven't seen a CovCath play a schedule like this in 4 or 5 years. That's a traditional CovCath Schedule! Like the fact they have stepped it back up.

In two years I would agree. Next year, they will be a little undermanned.

A few predictions for next year in 5A Highlands will be well coached, disciplined football team. They will start slowly due to the influx of new players/new positions. By the time they play CovCath they will have established their identity and will be somewhere between a very good and Great Football team. Covcath will start strong, featuring a big strong offensive line with a dual threat QB. They will probably run the ball more with the RB's than the last few years. Their defense will rally to the ball well. They will give up some big plays in the secondary, but will also put pressure on opposing qb's. They will beat Dixie and Grant County easily, and will lose to Highlands displaying poor tackling and surprisingly poor execution on offense. Both CovCath and Highlands will advance to the Regional finals, where Highlands will find a way to win. Beyond that I have no guesses, however I will predict that neither will win 5A next year. For fans of both schools .. no disprespect meant just my opinion of what will occur next year!

An interesting fact was pointed out to me. I'm not sure if it's even true, but interesting. The discussion was whether or not Coach Wirth's job is safe. My answer was yes, that he was not in jeopardy, especially since the 2nd Highland score was much closer than the 1st. The rebuttal argument was now that Coach Brossart is in the Championship game with Dixie at the 6a level, Coach Wirth is the only Coach with more than 1 year as HC at CovCath that has not played for a State title (some were in Ohio Ie. Rasso). The argument was that Coach Wirth had become the Coach Listerman of CovCath sports and was the next in line to have an "upgrade".

I'm glad that both teams played the JV game. Usually teams aren't willing to play this game after the regular season finale. I think it's great that both HC's decided to reward the JV squad like this. Hat's off to both Marksberry and Wirth!

So what was Covcath's Frosh final record 6-3? If so that's about the average. They were 8-2 last year, 3-4-1 two years ago, 7--3 three years ago, 8-2 four years ago. So I would say this is pretty average Covcath Frosh squad. If they still start 22 kids and play 30 something, they had a good year.

I would agree I think it would be very uncharacteristic of the Staff to allow that. I know there is no way Coach Ray would put up with that. However, I have been told by 4 different, unrelated players/parents that it DID happen. It's my understanding the affected player has told others on the team it happened. Now whether or not it went down as its been reported is another matter all together. The issue is that many on the team believe it happened, that has been in turn reported to their parents. So as C-BOY78 has reported, the perception among many is that it did happen. Sadly this is what happens when unexpected losses and/or blow out losses occur. Outside the locker (parents etc) room shouldn't affect how the team plays, if it is a issue inside the locker room it needs to be dealt with or it could cause the team break apart. If that happens it's bigger than a few unexpected losses or blow out beatings to your rival, it affects the on going perception of the program at both the school and its potential new customers.

I think the Dixie game gave a false sense of what this team is capable of. I also believe that items other than talent are affecting the team as well. The defensive front 7 have been somewhat exposed ever since the Highlands game. No one else had the patience/game plan to run power football at CovCath. Since Highlands showed how effective that was, everyone is now taking advantage.

The 2010 game was a 27-20 victory by Highlands at Highlands. A CovCath WR was 10 yards behind a Highlands defender, but the ball was slightly underthrown and he only was able to get his finger tips on it. He was somewhere around the 15 yard line of Highlands. The stats were very lopsided in Highlands favor, but it came down to the last possession of the game. Last possession again in the regular season of 2011 as you mentioned. In those games CovCath ran more effectively with RB's than they have since. Now it seems there running game has become one dimensional with the QB taking on the Lion's share of the carries.

Is it me or has CovCath been the recipient of a ton of injuries the past 3 or 4 years? I know the injury bug can happen to any team, but when it continues to happen year after year you have to wonder why? The two platoon, so it shouldn't be fatigue, what causes you to have injuries like that year after year?

Did not know that. That kind of changes my perception of this game. Two things are are absolutes about Coach Mueller. He is a GREAT football coach, and master scheduler for the program. Based on what you stated and those facts, I see HHS in a 2 or 3 score game at least.

Do the young ladies involved with the Older Sullivan boy still attend the Walton School system? If so, there is where the problem may be. The KHSAA handling of that situation was beyond unbelievable. What do you think would have happened had he transferred to Highlands to play football?

There are many things that can happen over 4 years, so I don't wan't to put varsity expectations on kids who haven't played a play of High School football yet. Having said that for this year their Freshman year. I expect them to be dominate. I don't see anyone in NKY being with in 2 scores of them. Highlands their usual nemesis will have a down year this year. I am not saying the Ft. Thomas boys wont evolve into the Mueller machine as a great team down the road, but as a Freshman group they are significantly less talented than the 5 previous classes. If this class at CovCath does not go undefeated, they will have disappointed as a Freshman class.

I'm hearing the injury/illness bug has hit the Colonels hard so far. Not sure of the extent of some of the injuries, but I heard as many as 6 starters/key contributors are out of action in Park Hills. I've heard most are on the defensive side of the ball. If true not good news for the Blue Colonels. The offense does not concern me. They have had the same O-coordinator for 4 last years. He has proven he can coach a running QB and a Passing qb and still have a solid offensive team. The defense which has been solid the last 2 years has big holes to fill in the front 7/8. If the injury bug hits there it could be a major problem. Since Werth has been there they have been up and down in their ability to stop the run. With schedule they have problems stopping the run could be a real problem.

Wasn't my intention to say the HC was making excuses, others yes. I am a CovCath fan but many around the program having been saying Next year, is the year.. next year. It's been the old coaches fault, the schedule etc. I've heard countless times once the coach gets his system in place, from feeder school on, then we will be back on top. My point is like it or not the Coach, the System is in place. Only the players talent and the coaching decisions determine if you are good enough to beat Highlands.