2 much info

I find it easy to conclude Brannen got the best of this deal. He is currently employed by a former colleague relatively close to his home. The settlement paired with his recent hiring tells me there was no wrongdoing and both parties want to move on.

I will give it a whirl. Some teams I have seen multiple times, others I have not. I do have a few moles planted throughout the Tri-county area feeding me fixture insights.

1. Cooper

2. Dixie

3. HHS

4. NCC

5. Ryle

6. Conner

7. Cov Cath

*Gap*

8. Brossart

9. Grant County (If included)

10. Simon Kenton

11. Beechwood (If Grant is excluded)

I would argue "even" game before "good" game. This was my second time seeing each team play and I believe both sides have more to give. Don't get me wrong, the intensity and focus was that of a regional match-up, but there were times both teams lacked touch and technical ability.

NCC started the game in dominating fashion. For the first 20 or so minutes, they were controlling the game box-to-box but lacked the finishing product. Conner seemed to wake up after about 20 minutes in. My shot count had NCC with 4 on frame and Conner with 1 heading into halftime.

As NCC was the better team in the first half, Conner seemed to be so in the second half. After NCC scored, the momentum started to flip. The next 10 minutes or so were played on Conner's attacking half. NCC seemed to make a few self-inflicted mistakes (poor clearances, lazy challenges) that lead to Conner's corner kick goal. Conner's first few corners were back post loopers but the producing one was taken quickly and driven toward the near side to an unmarked Cougar who made no mistake. Conner utilized their bench and looked to have more energy because of it in the last 30 minutes. Both teams had a number of good scoring opportunities - some that should have been finished by both sides. Both teams seemed to walk away with the remorse of missed opportunities but the final score line is a fair result. A tip of the cap to the referees. There are always missed calls here and there but the game was consistent and no calls/missed calls really jump out at me.

The Cougars seemed to have the top talent on the filed (#10 and #9) but NCC seemed to have a more balanced starting XI. If I had to pick, NCC's CM (#12 I think) would be their 'best' player.

Lastly, I walked onto the pitch once the game was concluded. Morscher really has come a long way. Decent grass, not *too* bumpy, and World Cup style nets. Cheers to both sides!

Are Cov Cath's struggles talent related? St. Henry has had a tough go at it as of late but find some success in Park Hills.

This result gives further merit to the idea of a deep and balanced 9th.

1 hour ago, bballfan7 said:

The score is wrong in KHSAA, it was actually 4-3. Carroll’s first goal was controversial as their player fouled a cov cath defender to get by, with no call.  Carroll was awarded a PK with one minute to go that was also very controversial. The Colonels controlled the whole game in my opinion. Carroll played a long of long ball.

It is important to score when you are controlling the game. Soccer is one of the few sports where visible domination does not directly correlate to the scoreboard.

It is hard to concede 4 times and still control the whole game. Was Cov Cath vulnerable to the counter attack or was Carroll efficient in front of goal?

13 hours ago, kyag said:

Should be a good showcase for young soccer talent in Northern Kentucky.

tier I: Conner, Highlands, Cooper, Dixie

tier II: CovCath, Ryle

tier III: Boone, Brossart

tier IV & V: remaining squads

Morscher Field has only improved throughout the years (as if it had the option to regress). I'm not aware of the NKY schedule but Conner at NCC sounds enticing.

I appreciate your insight on the Conner v Campbell game.

I find this to be a surprising score line. I expected the Cougars to win by a larger deficit.

A tip of the cap to the Camels for a hard fought game.

The Colonels are dealing with the injury bug. I would call this a good win for them as some holes needed to be plugged.

Brossart seems to be competing against some of the 9ths top competition (minus Highlands). Eye them for another run at the softer 10th region.

6 minutes ago, FrankNicodemus said:

I think the problem was the "well maintained" part.....I don't know if any grass fields in NKY were ever "well maintained".

As far as who still has "low quality" grass fields I think you listed all of them that I am aware of.  Where does Ludlow play?  You have Coppel also for Cov Latin.

"Well maintained" was definitely the issue. Maybe the term "low-budgeted" is most appropriate.

On 8/24/2022 at 7:02 AM, The Double Deuce said:

Fun night in the Fort last night, and certainly a surprising outcome at least to me (and the "down their throat" poster), but there is a fair amount to unpack here.

*  Highlands' back-line and keeper situation isn't nearly on par with their attacking players, and as they more and more high-caliber opponents, that is going to be problematic.  The first Colonel goal was a direct result of a gaffe in the back.  The second Colonel goal was horribly misplayed by the LB and LCB and they allowed a player to dribble the ball from 35 yards out nearly to the edge of the 6 yard box.  Yikes.

*  Highlands' offensive players are wildly skilled, but I didn't like how they played together last night, although they didn't seem to get increasingly frustrated as the night went on with the services they were getting, and the space that they had to operate in.  CovCath put a lot of players back, especially after the 1st goal, and the quality of the balls HHS were serving into the box weren't very high.  When HHS can play from ahead, and spread out the opponent, they can really slice you up, but when the other team can put 8-10 players behind the ball, their individual skill in space is really nullified.

*  I thought the overall quality of play from both teams was lower than I expected, the middle third of the field was a lot of kickball back and forth, a lot of passes both ways were scooped causing the teammate to have to waste a touch settling the ball, and really slowing down the time they had to create before they were smothered.

*  I would be fine if I never watched another game with Mark Baker as the center.  So over-done.  So many side-bar conversations.  You warn a HHS player for blasting a ball 30 yards when it is a CovCath throw in, then you yellow the next kid who taps it away.  I get the big picture, but you take a kid out of the game because you were upset with his teammate.  He is just too much for me, and it has nothing to do with his knowledge and understanding of the rules, he is largely without peer in that area.  Just not for me.

*  I have now seen every Top 10 team in NKY this year in person, and without question, the area is down this year.  Neither of those teams last night have enough balance front to back to scare the top teams, Ryle is way down (still hopeful they figure it out), Cooper isn't what I thought they'd be (yet)...just disappointed at the level of play from NKY this year (thus far).

This is a pretty fair assessment of how the night went. I expected a little more from Highlands. Tip your cap to CovCath, they made a game plan that gave them the result - exactly how it should be. If the two teams meet again in the 9th, it should be a fun contest.

As to Baker - it is funny everyone finds the need to make comment. I think it brings value to the point you made. He is nowhere near my favorite. He makes the game about himself. At times, he will approach kids to start a conversation or finish a thought and it only seems to escalate things - not what you want.

Thank you for the write-up!

I am a footballer that always preferred playing on (well maintained) grass to turf.

Where do the remaining grass fields reside? Eva G Farris (Holy Cross); Morscher Sports Complex (NCC); Grant County's Facility; Villa Madonna (?). Where else?

This Cooper v NCC game was the first regular season game I watched this year (attended Cooper vs CovCath exhibition). Coach Flesch loves to switch the point of attack as soon as he crosses midfield. That seemed to be the theme of his offense last night. Cooper's holding midfielder (5 or 6) was their best player IMO. It is clear the majority of Cooper's talent is in the attack and midfield. Cooper was slow at the start but generated more chances in the second half. I don't think it is a secret they have the best GK group in the region.

NCC has a more talented team than I thought. The first half was theirs - they had a shot inside the 6 and hit the crossbar both within the first fifteen minutes. I think Cooper was caught off guard by their talent just as I was. NCC had a pretty shallow bench that was not utilized as much as Cooper's was. (Maybe having 200 boys at the school impacts this). I will also note NCC did a great job of connecting passes and "playing soccer". How long have they had their coaching staff? I know NCC's current baseball coach used to coach their soccer team.

My biggest take away, 9th region soccer deserves more love. Cooper, who I know most, has a physically strong team with a brand of soccer to match it. NCC did not have the size but play a clever style of soccer. If they were not mentioned on 9th region preseason rankings, then the 9th region has some serious depth.

Muck for NCC is a D1 level commit. Had around 15 goals and 12 assists last year (don't quote me). He is the premier offensive player in the 9th this year IMO. Not many NCC fans in the soccer thread, maybe I need to be their voice this year.

Jerome* or Trey*

Justin Randle from NCC had rumors of playing at Mount St. Joseph University. Not sure if he has signed yet, however

Hard to believe Muck made it over several nky players including Schneider.

Completely disagree. Muck was the engine on his team. Without him, NCC would have had no offense. He was underrated in the 9th IMO

Hall would have been where he is regardless.

I 100% disagree. Practicing against Pangallo, the Moeves's, etc. Then experiencing gamedays on and off the court with upperclassmen molds a mindset. I couldn't disagree anymore with your statement

The exclusion of one of the best players from the best team in the region show what a politically correct farce this list has become. Every team gets a spot!

Kind of like Muck for NCC making second team? 17 goals and 13 assists playing with an average team against good competition warrants a first team selection IMO

Yellow cards are a part of the game. In basketball, you are taught to use your fouls. I completely agree with that philosophy even in a futbol match. A player getting a yellow is within the rules ( obviously ). I have never seen Muck get a red card. If you ask me, he's just a physical player who wants to win and will foul you if needed, and I love that mentality

I felt St. Henry had the ball the majority of the game. Dominated possession until the last 10 minutes when they tried to defend their lead. If St. Henry stayed aggressive until the final whistle, I believe they would have won. I don't know if the Cru got tired, or their strategy was changed by the coach. Overall, I thought it was a fair game with a fair outcome.

Side note, Muck for NCC is a stud. If I'm NCC, I look to put the ball on his foot every chance I get

Maybe Brewer was Wittenberg?

Brewer to Witt is a fact. Not sure on Bleser.

Good deal, I believe he was an assistant at Highlands under Mike Flynn for a brief stint, maybe Freshman coach.

 

Best of luck to Coach Collopy if that is the case.

This is, however, only a guess. Who knows what the hill has in store for us eager fans

What makes you believe that? Please dont take it as me questioning Collopy's coaching ability because I havent seen it, just a question. Has he coached successfull Freshman/JV squads?

Now he Is Dawn's right hand man. Pretty sure he is in charge of scouting. Just being around and understanding the program tells me Collopy is next... IF Dawn is stepping down

I assume NewCath does not have student/staff recording coaches and teachers...how about Brad Carr to NewCath as head coach if Dawn retires? Timing is interesting.

IF Dawn is done, 100% positive next is Kenny Collopy. He's be one of the best head coaches now in the region... Just stuck behind Dawn at the moment.