Drunk Johnny

Too much speed, talent, and experience winning playoff games for HHS. Ashland may score at the end but 42 to 7 Birds.

RCC has a very valid point as far as not playing girls at their grade level all year, then bringing them down to win a tournament. Ask almost any high school coach and they say that freshmen and JV are more of a training ground to help improve the varseity. Plus, the girls that played on the JV or Freshmen team all year, then come tourney time get the speech "you did a good job this year, but now sit next to me and be a bench warmer" while these girls step in and play can really hurt a program overall. SK is 6A, so it has huge numbers, but it really leaves a bitter taste in the players and parents mouth that they were good enough to play all year, now they are not. Also, one team I am aware of had 6 freshman girls playing JV exclusively last year in Northern Kentucky, and come freshmen tourny time, they did not get brought down, nor did they want to. Most schools that have younger girls playing jv or varseity, don't send them down to play in the freshmen tourney so not sure how much value winning the freshmen tourney has. Apples to oranges.

I agree with RCC about Simon Kenton struggling against teams with speed and athletes. The past two years it has been the end of the line when they go up against these type of teams in the playoffs. (Scott Co. and Butler) Hopefully the Pioneers have made the adjustments to try and combat these issues that have cost them from advancing in the playoffs. Lafayette will be a good test, they have a lot of speed, but are beatable. I always root for the NKY team, and hope the Pioneers have learned from the past playoffs and games this year, to be able to contain the Generals speed.

Not sure this theory holds much water. These schools are geographically close. Yes, they may not be right next to each other, but still in the same area. That is pretty much like saying the SEC dominates in football, so lets move them to other conferences so they don't knock each other off and they can play against each other in the finals. Look at the other sports in Kentucky as far as regional winners. Are they the best 16 teams in the state, (volleyball, soccer, basketball), many times the state tourny is decided in the regional final in these sports as well.

The way things are going in this "politically correct" society, they are afraid someone would get their feelings hurt if someone is the champion. So now everyone gets a ribbon and goes home happy.

First half NDA had several scoring chances but couldn't convert with shots going wide. With about 3:50 left in the first half the Panda's get a goal that could have been called dead, by the goalie having her hands on the ball, but no whistle was blown and was 1 to 0 at half. The first 15 minutes of the 2nd half were fairly even played, then Notre Dame scored on a nice outside shot to basically put the game of of reach for the Breds. The Pandas added one more goal with 8 minutes left to go, and it was empty the benches to let the non starters finish it out. The Breds scoring chances were few and far between, but played with a lot of heart and hustle, but the gas tank just went empty in the second half. With Lex. Cath. losing in the semi finals of the 12th region, the road to the state title game for the Pandas just got a whole lot easier. Don't see anyone giving them much trouble until the state finals. A big shout out for the 4 seniors for Ncc, Loren Zimmerman, Mikayla Seibert, Michaela Ware, Morgan Martini. They end their high school soccer careers with a .700 winning percentage, (that includes ties as a non win), two 9th regional finals, one 9th regional semi final, and 1 all A championship. Girls job well done. Ncc loses only three starters, and the core of this team is back next year, so the future continues to look bright for Ncc girls soccer.

There should be a better way to decide a game then PK's. Its like a basketball game ending in a tie and they decide to have a free throw shooting contest to get a winner. In hockey in the playoffs they keep playing unit a goal is scored. Soccer should do the same.

I have seen Highlands play several times this year and I have never seen girls laying in the ground crying, ripping their jersey off, or stomping their feet going to the car after the game. Against Notre Dame in the regional the other night, I saw a with a lot of fight and pride. If the girls were so upset like post I have read all season about the coach, he would have "lost" the team a long time ago and they would have been basically blown off the field by a team as good as NDA. EVERY team has a fews parents that are not happy about how the coach runs an offense or defense, or players he plays in a game. However to play as hard nosed and passionate as the Bird's did in that game (tied 0 to 0) at the half the coach is doing something right. And no I don't have a dog in the fight.

Should be a very good game. Both teams have had very good seasons. It is a shame that they have to play the game an hour and a half away when the two schools at 1.5 miles apart. Wish there was someway of getting the game moved to Campbell County to get a bigger crowd and better atomsphere for the game.

Gameplayedright hit the nail on the head. Most teams in Kentucky, you take away their best scorer, or two at the most and you can pretty much shut them down. With Notre Dame it is pick you poison. If you decide to shadow one or two girls, their passing and spacing is so sound that it leaves other girls wide open for shots on goals. Also, unlike most teams, they have strong legs that can finish and don't have to be within 10 yards of the goal. They can sit around the 18 yard line or further out and launch shots on goal. They are a strong favorite to make another deep run in the tourney, but you never know what can happen. Its why they play the game.

Trackstar if you would put Meg Martin in the decent catagory, who in Northern Kentucky do you say is good. Ncc in the last 4 games has not let up a goal except in penalty kicks and that was against Campbell County, Highlands, St. Henry, and Ryle. All in the top 25 in the state. Yes Ncc has a very good defense in front of her but she made some big saves in all those games.

Sweeperboy I could not agree with you more. In the past Simon Kenton's weak scheduled did not get them prepared for the better teams in 6A in the deeper rounds of the playoffs. Then when they got there it was game over. The good news is for the Pioneers is they still have the rest of the regular season and early rounds of the playoffs to make adjustments. Simon has got to find more speed on defenese, and if that means playing smaller but quicker players it will pay off in the playoffs. (I think Highlands has had some pretty good sucess with the formula in the past). I know I know except for Collins last year. Been beat to death twice.

The will beat Harrison County, and the Newport game should be close. Highlands and Cov. Cath. not so much.

This was a good wake up call for Simon Kenton. What works against teams that the Pioneers just flat out overmatch they found out what works (and what doesn't work) when they play teams at their own division. It is better to know now, than in the third round of the playoffs that has not been kind to the team from Independence. Also, SK has the rest of the season and the early round of the playoffs to get things in order. Also, give Ryle some credit for coming out and showing they have some fight in them. This may be the game that gets the "ship" going in the right direction. Not sure about them beating Campbell County though.

This is a bad week for Beechwood to have to play Cov Cath. I am sure Cov. Cath is looking to bounce back and prove the Highlands game wasn't the real Colonels (Blue). 49 to 14 Cov. Cath.

It looks like the brutal schedule Ncc was playing is starting to pay dividends. Big district win.

I agree that middle school winning or losing doesn't mean in high school the same results. Some kids develope early, some develope later and some quit football altogether to concentrate on other sports. Plus at a school like NCC you are drawing players from more that on league. (Red Devils, Thunder, and middle school.) Having said that, Lyold has been playing not so strong competition and Ncc is hungry to get their first win of the year. NCC 28 Lyold 14.

If you are just looking at this year, Kenton County has the overall better football teams than Campbell County. Ncc is down some this year and Highlands isn't your typical Highland this year. In the past though it has clearly been Campbell County and will will probably again the next year or two. On a side note, what did UK#1fan do to get in the doghouse this time?

Congrats to Pikeville. Is Belfry down this year or Pikeville that strong, or throw the records out the window for a rivalry game. Big win for the Panthers. Looks like they are making some noise in Eastern KY.

NCC does play Brossart tomorrow at 4:30 at Mosher field for the All A sectionals. The winner advances to next Saturday's round of 8 in Elizabethtown. Should be a very good game tomorrow.

This was a tale of two halves. The first half was controlled more by NCC, getting a goal within the first two minutes of the game. The second goal came about 15 minutes into the game then it was played pretty even for the rest of the half. The second half was Highlands turn to take control and scored on a nice cross/header for the Birds about five minutes into the second half. The next 25 minutes were fairly even with both teams getting changes but not able to convert. The last 10 minutes of the game was a flurry by Highlands and they had several changes to tie the game. The Breds defense held up and held on to a 2 to 1 victory. The game was very clean with no cards and very few whistles. I did not see any "meltdowns" or players losing their temper for Highlands. If both of these teams continue to improve they will make some noise in the region this year. Both have very good talent.

If we could talk about the action on the field. This should be an interesting game today. Ncc is undefeated but has played a softer schedule than Highlands. Several of these girls know each other and some play on the same club team. Yes Ncc has several sophmores and freshman starting, but have meshed very well. The schedule does get tougher for Ncc, they have played three games in the All A (RCC favorite tourney) just kidding. Will be interesting to see how Highlands bounces back tonight after the Anderson game. Oh by the way it is a rivalry game, so the records go out the window anyway.

I agree with RCC about Simon Kenton in their regular season schedule is not getting them ready to play the better 6A teams in the playoffs. Playing against teams that you are more talented or bigger than in the regular season, you may stick to a certain game plan that doesn't work against good teams in the playoffs. I don't think it is a fluke that Simon can't get past a third round game in the playoffs. That is when you start playing teams with good talent and speed and their current schedule isn't getting them ready for it. Hopefully Simon will beef up its schedule next year and play teams similar to who they will face deep in the playoffs and get them battle tested. This team has come a long way in 10 years or so, now they just need to take the next step.

Congrats to the Mustangs for a big win. After everything that the program endured this off season it is good for the players, fans, coaches, and school to get the victory again the Polar Bears.

New Cath has had a strong run of talent since '05 and it has dipped this past year or so. Their Senior class is not super talented, but for 2A still pretty good. They have very good Junior and Sophmore classes. New Cath may struggle some with the large schools this year, but they will make another deep run in the playoffs. The next few years "On the Hill" look good for Breds football.