Sss18

Was Zach Deaton the offensive coordinator?

 

Highlands scored 36, 34, 7 (in only a half), 40, 44, 38, 49, 14 (CovCath), 42, 48, 36, 14 (All Mud), and 0. So since they only played a half against Scott County, we won't count that. So for the season they averaged 33 points. Yet people complained all year about the offense being bad? I know I for one would love to have coach Deaton on any staff I was on or a fan of.

 

Averaging 33 points a game is pretty darn good. I know many Highlands fans were spoiled for many of the D1 type Qb days of being able to score that many in the first quarter and a half. However, while Highlands is getting better again, most will never admit it. They are still not where they were at for all those dominate years in terms of talent compared to those other teams. When they literally lined up and was better across the board than the team they were playing.

 

They are on the rise again to get back there, but it's not there yet. IMO it would be a mistake to make a change there. Just like many wanted BW gone last year, and he shown this year that they made the right decision to keep him. I think the same would be said for Coach Deaton. If not some other program would be very lucky to get him, if they were to choose to coach elsewhere.

That is correct. It does not happen over night. It's heading in the right direction. HHS is still 5 or 6 big players away. That's also very hard get those type of players.

I think you are misreading this a bit. QB was a position of strength for the Birds back when you had Towles, McCoy, Houliston and Hoge and the offense revolved around them as each brought something unique to the table. The last 4 have not been as strong of a presence as these 4, thus the coaches have to find ways to use the other talent around them and maximize what each of the last 4 quarterbacks brought to the table.

 

I agree 100% with the statement that you have to play your "best" players "some" on both sides of the ball in order to have success (have chance to win state titles) because the depth is not in the program and the overall number of kids playing the game of football drops more and more each year. I do not understand why there is a reluctance to do this, but it sure seems like CovCath and some other bigger schools have no problems whatsoever doing it if it gives them a chance to win as evidenced by the fact that Coldiron and Mayer did not come off the field until the clock started running.

 

I still believe that if Highlands goes into halftime tied or down 10-7 then things may have played out differently. I think that BW believed in his mind that the offense was not going to be able to score many points and thus took a risk or two by crowding the box and # 2 was able to bust a few long runs. If the defense does not have to do that, then they are able to play more like they did in the first half than they had to try and do in the second half.

 

I am by no means saying that Highlands wins the game, but feel very confident that the clock would not have been running in the early 4th quarter.

No, did not misread anything. Watch old film of all QB’s you mention and you’ll see most of the time they had all kinds of time behind the line to relax and have routes developed. That happened only a couple of times this year. HHS for a few consecutive years didn’t have a problem as bad as we had the past 4 years. Any of those Qb’s you mentioned would not of made much of a difference. You take a few bigs away from line and everyone would be talking same smack. It’s a shame That people in the stands can’t see this. As a matter of fact you personally were yelling at th OC!

Unlike the HHS Coach, the CCH Coach is using their best talent on both sides of the ball. The HHS coach refuses to play guys both ways and apply their talent where it can be maximized on the field.

 

The HHS head coach switch from OC to DC and took over the defense, his old position when Dale ran the offense. This change has made the defense much better than in the past. However the Offense has not improved as much. I believe as a mid size 4A school playing up is 5A the coaches have to maximize the use of their best talent.

 

In the past the offense always had a strong quarterback, I am not seeing that now. I believe in part because they are not utilizing the talent they have and the QB play has been adversely affected.

Please tell us all what a strong QB looks like then. Better yet turn the table and switch QB’s from HHS and CCH. Hats off to CCH defense. They shut down EVERYTHING! Wow! So, what’s left? Oh yeah, blame the QB. Watch the game on Video. You’ll have a new perspective!

Doing the 2 back set with Buten and Coop both in has looked great for the Birds. Not sure why it’s used so infrequently. It allows for some misdirection and opens up some big holes. Also gives an extra blocker if the pocket breaks down and allows them to swing it out into the flat and gave the ball in space. It seems like we see it 1-2 times/game when it should be a primary set.

I agree with that 100%

When you have high snaps the first read is gone completely. The second read is gone when he begins to scramble or roll out! Now, what do you suggest? Just run wild cat formation with the RB’s? The third read was there with tough throws only at locations the receivers had minimal chance to make a catch! Yes, sometimes the QB makes those throws that look bad on purpose. The combination of bad snaps, couple bad throws/reads, bad routes, wrong routes, no blocking/ lack of speed and just plain giving up on plays. 330 total passing yards and still have problems. You don’t bench anyone and bring in a back up! The short passing game has been there all year!

To keep the game from becoming a running clock HHS offence will need to give the defense some rest. The one run and two pass then done is not going to cut it. The defense is much improved but they need time off the field.

 

If the starting QB is not able to complete the short route up the field pass then JV QB needs to come in and take over. Also it will be a along night if HHS does not make changes with personnel and start playing guys both ways.

Come in and take over what?

What would you suggest? I was very impressed with Highlands defense against a very

potent LexCath offense.

The defense was fantastic! Want them to stay that way! Need to convert on 3rd downs on offense and keep their “O” off the field.

That way there is less chance of injury. Although I did not see one defensive player exhausted. Must be in shape!

HHS 59 plays

To

LC 96 plays

Need to figure out how to even that up and help the defense out!

Herein lies the BIG problem in Fort Thomas. When I played for the Birds way back in the day, the saying was there is no "I" in TEAM. Good motto to live by and a big reason why we had the success that we did.

Absolutely correct!

Absolutely correct!

Imo, the passing is the difference maker!

IMO, muddle huddle ( huddy should pound it north and south)

Also HHS QB was there before and after practice! Unfortunately most of receivers were sophomores.

Is that brown thing with 2 white stripes between his belt and numbers the football?

If so, there are 2 options.

Slow down secure catch maybe fall down or catch and turn up field for a TD! Unfortunately the wrong choice was made. Secure the catch no matter what. The throw could’ve been another 18” up from 50yards away would have been a for sure touch down. Let’s not forget some of these receivers didn’t play varsity last year.The passed 10 years of QB’s at Highlands weren’t perfect and neither were the receivers. I used to see lots of throwing the ball up high and receivers run under,over, stop and jump. In triple coverage. If they screwed it up the very next play they would do it again until they got it right. That gave them confidence.If it has to be perfect to catch we’re in for a long season. All I’m saying is once they do get it down it’s going to be very hard to stop!

2 more seconds of pass blocking is all they need!!!

I wouldn’t say Cramer looked rusty. It’s more of a timing issue. Receivers have to separate from there defender. That didn’t happen. When they do separate then the timing of the pass blocking sometimes is an issue. There were quite a few balls thrown right on the hands of receivers but the defenders hand was in the middle knocking it out. It’s just timing and speed!

On QB sneak how do you get confused from being under center? 2 D lineman blew up the center and stood up our QB, he didn’t stand up. Once they straighten some things out they will be fine.