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.

I was not trying imply that he was making excuses. However, whether it be the HC or others supporting the program, people have alluded to the past two Head Coaches, the Schedule, the feeder programs etc. as reasons for CovCath not being at the level SOME expect. My point was that after 4 or 5 years, the schedule, the Program, the Feeder system are all under the control of the current regime. The results on the field are now a product of that regime and the talent of the players on the field. Their record the past few years has gotten better, in large part becuase of the current coaches and the hard work the players have put in. In a smaller way because of the strength of the schedule. With this years schedule we can truly see how far the program has come these past 5 years. While beating Highlands is the ultimate scale that CovCath is measured on, I don't think it is fair to be the only measurement. If CovCath goes 8-2 or 7-3 in the regular season with losses to Moeller and Highlands, I would think that would be considered a good season in anybodys book. Beating Highlands would make it a great season and put the current HC in rarified air in NKY. If they can't conquer the rival from Ft. Thomas, they can still be considered a good team, a good coach and a good program. If they/he want to be considered Great they have to beat the Bluebirds, no qualifiers of its closer than it used to be etc.

Senior class is very strong, but I am concerned about depth. I am glad to see the Schedule finally toughen up. Last few years have been very weak. I understand some of that was the re-alignment, but not all of it. I do think playing Moeller may be too tough. I would have prefferred it be La Salle again. CovCath can play with La Salle most years, they can't play with Moeller most years. This is the big man on the sidelines 4th or 5th year. No more excuses, time to take it to the next level.

I agree on Mike Woolf and Madden. I remember one of the Schulte's being much better than the other, just couldn't tell which one. Bir was very good, but Hladon and McCormick were a cut about. Timmerman wasn't even top three on that team. Connelly, Ritter and Way were all better than he. He was a nice player, but other than the fumble return never had the impact in big games the other 3 did.

In the professional ranks I think it is more times than not an ex-utility or back up who makes the best HC. How about HS football? (Lombardi, Cowart, Harbaugh etc) I am familiar with NKY. So what kind of player was Coach Mueller from Highlands? How about Coach Rash from Beechwood?

I agree that people have a tendancy to over hype the Freshman teams. However, I don't recall this many talking about the previous 6 or 7 freshman classes at CovCath. This group from all that I have heard is the best since the state Championship team. Their incomiing QB, is absolutely a stud. In addition they have at least 5 or 6 other skill position players that can be considered in the very good to great category as well.

No doubt they have been out coached in that area. Covcath's d-coordinator doesn't seem to be able to adjust quickly enough after the first few series. The last 4 or so games have all played the same way. Covcath's defense plays well and slows down (doesn't stop) the Highlands offense. Then Dale starts making adjustments either in personnel or scheme and CovCath doesn't adjust. I think it's more mental fatigue than it is physical. The last few years I have not seen a huge gap on the field with ability. The 1st quarter is almost always a stale mate. Then HHS makes adjustments that seems to take Covcath another quarter to counter, by that time HHS is making another adjustment and so it goes. I would agree that speed/quickness is still the one physical difference between the two. That and the mental part of the game both on the field and on the sidelines.

Will the new Coach try to retain any of the previous staff? I assume the old d-coordinator and HC candidate will not return. What about Floyd? I read he was coaching elsewhere. Could he be a candidate to return now that a new HC is in place?

I have heard the incoming Freshman class a CCH is unbelievable. I have been told no one will be with in two scores. Could this be the class that finally breaks the Blue Birds streak? I thought Edgington was a varsity coach, why is he now coaching the Freshman? Is it a result of his day time job ?

Perhaps it will be Worth from CovCath seems like he has applied for everything else:lol2:

I talked to some friends of mine associated with CovCath. They think this years incoming class could be the best since the state Champs were Freshman. QB is supposed to be a stud on both sides of the ball. Line is big and deep and they have several RB's who can scoot. Do they have the Freshman Schedules posted yet? I want to try and make this match up.