sniper

It's that time of year. Knocking off the rust can be ugly at times.

If I just read correctly, Conner has Highlands on 3/22 and CovCath on 3/24. Way to run the gauntlet early boys!

Aside from Highlands (who deserves the recognition), there's no love for NKy. The region did graduate some very good talent, and the rest have yet to prove themselves. This is going to be a fun season. I predict that Highlands, Cov Cath and Conner all finish in the top 20.

I think you nailed the top 2, but I'd put Connor at 3. Highlands should pitch its way to a region this year. But as is always true in sports...that's why they play the games

Good. I'll say it again, GOOD season for Cov Cath. Very good, young talent, but in the end, when you can't hold onto the ball, sustain drives and tackle consistently, you lose to good teams. I think there's lots of reasons to be optimistic for next season, but this season should still be going. Fern Creek gets smoked by BG. They're talented, but way too one-dimensional

If Cov Cath can minimize the penalties, they win. Fern Creek is too good to give them freebies. The Colonels with be well coached and amped. 35 - 24 colonels

that's great for him. I hear he's playing his summer ball in Cincinnati. Anyone know what team? Midland?

I think that this will be a fairly high scoring affair. Cov Cath has given up some points this year, but hasn't struggled to score. Doss seems to be a fairly balanced team offensively, so that could pose a problem for the Colonels. Being a CCH fan, I predict 38 - 35 Colonels on a final second field goal. Student section on the field, elation in the stands, cats and dogs living together, etc...

Butler is the best DE I've seen this fall. can crash hard and makes plays behind the Line and can drop in pass protection. 4 interceptions, 2 pick of them went for 6. Great instincts and athleticism. If he can put on 15 - 20 pounds of muscle as he matures, he could be a stud...only a junior

The 9th will come down to the juniors that throw for Highlands, vs the juniors that hit and field for Cov Cath. Both teams are too deep for the rest.

Butler is a heck of a football player, and has toughness to match the mental side. I don't know Shelton's "tangibles" (size, 40 time, etc), but that kid is a D1 linebacker as far as instinct and toughness. Seems to love the game.

Self-doubt is a powerful master...at this point in the season the birds are doubting themselves more. CCH by 10. 38-28

This game could salvage Highlands season, it could catapult CCH into a state run. Both will be amped, and it will be won in the trenches. For that reason, CCH by 10.

I agree on all counts. Raisor was very good. Good luck to the the highlands boys tonight.

Let's not forget the fact that the first inning is 1-2-3 without a boot by the shortstop.

A My bad if you didn't comment on the play at second, I mis-allocated the comment. However, as a pitcher, you would hit a guy with a curve ball if you don't want to get ejected, as I suspect warnings were issued after the pitch Pitzer threw behind the hitter. I thought the umps showed almost to much patience last night. Krumps should have been tossed for his embarrassing display.

Clyde there are days when you make sense, and days I think you may have lost your mind. The play at second was clear interference. The pitch you speak of in the 1st as a passed ball was a wild pitch as it was blocked in the dirt/turf. The pitch from Doty was virtually the only 'ball' he threw in his appearance. Here's the reality. Highlands was better than Cov Cath last night. Cov Cath didn't hit and would have lost a 2-0 game.

Totally agree. While it was an interesting choice, AJ didn't throw badly. Cov Cath couldn't make a play. Uninspired baseball for the past 10 days....and some might argue the past 10 years at regionals. Only one common thread with all of those teams.

I think BW has a couple of options as the starter. The bigger question is Cov Cath. I'm not sure who they have faith in to win a game these days. If their bats don't wake up, it won't matter anyway

Preference for Zig, but wouldn't complain a bit if any of the three from BW got it. He goes unnoticed by many because he doesn't hit home runs, but Piccarillo at Cov Cath should be in contention as well. Great outfield play, great lead off hitter, team leader.

As always, pitching match-ups will likely dictate the outcomes. I think that each of the three teams listed have the starting 8 to get hot and win the region. Ryle and Beechwood have the more dominant pitching staffs, but Cov Cath is very deep with pitching. Right now, my money would be on Ryle. Cov Cath and Beechwood play tonight, so that might be a slight peek into this question.

Brendan has been clocked as high as 82, but mid-80's is a little high. He can comfortably live at 79 - 81. Good pitcher, and works hard.

The 2018 class at Cov Cath is pretty well stacked. With all of the names above, plus Luke Lennihan (injured), and Alex Kennedy already playing a big role this season on varsity. If the injury bug doesn't bite them, they will vie for the 9th Region each of the next 2 years. From what I hear, the 2019 class is pretty darn good as well.

Tough loss for Armstrong. He pitched well. Left the game at 1-0. Not sure if the run was earned or not...my perspective is not earned.