generaldowns

KCD is a K-12 school, so they have the opportunity to get to the kids early. Flag Football starts, I believe in 3rd and 4th. 5th and 6th historically combined for the first year of full contact and then 7/8 combined as well. KCD gets a few kids from the Catholic Middle Schools, but it's not as steady a stream as it could be. The message to a good Catholic Middle School kid should be pretty simple....if you don't believe you can start more than a year at Trinity or St X, why wouldn't you come to KCD and play multiple sports and start multiple years playing football. The education is the best in the state, and Josh Lifson proved this year that if you have the goods, KCD kids can play D1. The other kids like Robinson and Diaz and All District Lineman Robert Thomas help make the case that a good football player at a top academic HS can enhance his chances of being accepted to the most competitive academic schools in the country. That's the pitch I'd make. What makes it hard is that Catholic High School in Louisville is less expensive than KCD.

KCD graduated 13 seniors. They are headed to places like Air Force, Pomona, University of Chicago, MIT, Wabash all to play football at the next level. Very difficult to replace that kind of leadership and talent. KCD returns a very good running back in Blake Caldwell, some up and coming receivers with size and speed....but is gonna be hard pressed on the front line in 2018. And as mentioned, All Conference and All District QB Jackson Diaz graduated. The 1A Player of the Year, RB Ashton Robinson graduates too. And All Metro, All State and Multiple All Star Selection TE Josh Lifson leaves to play for the Air Force. Coach Matt Jones who was 1A coach of the year has a ton to replace...very capable dude, but this is a big task.

At almost every position on the field this year, there are kids from Kentucky signing with D1 FBS schools outside the state. And I think only 1 (Shannon Bishop with WKU) has signed or is going to sign with an in-state D1 FBS program. Is it a "one year thing" as has been suggested in this thread? That certainly sounds plausible. Or do UK, U of L and Western collectively see this as a down year in Kentucky HS FB. Or is it more systematic of the current coaching staffs at the three D1 FBS schools to look elsewhere than in their back yards? I know that I believe there is terrific talent in this graduating class and so do a number of top schools around the region and the country.

You bring up an interesting point, 74. You are correct....Purdue, Marshall, even Vandy, Duke and Miami have all been much more aggressive recruiting Kentucky kids than the In-State Universities. Western hasn't exactly swarmed all over KY talent as it did when Jeff Brohm was there. Shannon Bishop from PRP is the only kid I know from KY that is a commit. It's puzzling. I always thought you tried to keep the best of the local kids home, that it was a priority. Those are the kids who grew up as fans of the programs and would run through brick walls for the name of the front of the jersey. Like I said, puzzling. Others might take it even further....kinda insulting.

Watched him from the stands in the Border Bowl last weekend...a very deserving winner. He’s a threat to break one every time he touches the ball. And a nice kid. He will be a terrific fit at Wofford....talented, bright and high character. Good luck to him in the future!

You can't get into Wofford without having some academics behind you. Very tough academically, beautiful campus, first class facilities thanks to Wofford grad and Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. Panthers have their pre-season camp at Wofford and so the place is pretty spectacular. The new basketball arena is state of the art as well. Congrats to the VanCleve family for the offer. It's a very special place with a new coach ready to challenge for an FCS national championship.

Rosters are now available on the Food City Border Bowl Website KY TN Border Bowl, Kentucky Tennessee Border Bowl

Got this info yesterday from one of the Border Bowl Administrators, a gentleman from Whitely county. He said rosters will be on the website after this weekend and the KY Team will play TN. ESPN3 will broadcast, still waiting on a ESPNU tape delay possibility.

Saturday January 20th. TBA on the website for kickoff. Early afternoon best guess.

Josh Lifson 2018 TE from KCD has been selected to play....anyone else have other roster selections? Will be broadcast on ESPN3 and ESPN3 App....possibility of delayed broadcast on ESPN U Congrats to Josh and to all the other seniors selected!

DL Cody Auxier from Trinity Louisville team MVP Offensive player of game Louisville team Shannon Bishop PRP South Oldham's Drew Zaubi led Louisville team in passing KCDs TE Josh Lifson led Louisville team in receptions Mitchell Paycheck Kentucky Team MVP Offensive player of game Kentucky Team Dillon Wheatley Lexington Christian led team in rushing and had a TD Kolbe Langhi QB Christian County led KY team in passing That's all I can remember

EYE is correct: Blake Caldwell returns at defensive back and running back. He shared those duties with Senior Ashton Robinson this year. Also, FB and DL David Satterly returns. So does DB/LB Dorian Heard, Kicker Michael Wright, and late in the year contributor Exavier Douglas at LB. And Juniors Hunter Bates and Lawson Whiting both come back--both filled in admirably for TE Josh Lifson who sat out several games late in the regular season and first round of the playoffs with a dinged up left leg. And that's pretty much it. As was much discussed, this was a senior driven squad, through and through. One of those extraordinary young gentlemen,one of those seniors was mine....and so, except for the occasional visit to see what's up, this pretty much is a wrap on my contribution to this wonderful site. I really appreciate VOR's kind words about the posts I'd place here from time to time over the past several years. Despite my obvious bias towards anything KCD, it has been so meaningful to learn about the other programs in 1a especially. And I've tried to be as objective as possible, and positive too. It may be worthwhile for some to bash kids and programs, I just never felt that way. These are still kids after all. Most of them, really great kids. As my own really great kid heads off to play college football now,and what a blessing that is going to be, to have it paid for and to get to watch him continue to do what has brought great joy to me and our family, I'm struck by something many of the dads especially on this site share. Maybe we once played this great game, or maybe we coached football. And man how we loved it and missed it when that time in our lives was over. And then this wonderful son came into our world, and low and behold at some point, the kindling ignited again and the fire to play burned in his heart. What a gift that was. My wish for others who have that son and stop by this space periodically to get charged up or informed, can appreciate the gift while it exists in your life. There's nothing like it in the world. That I know for certain. Best of luck to all who are still playing!

I agree with the analysis from BWTigers, EyeoftheTiger, Coach Buckett etc...this was a good competitive game, despite the mistakes KCD made early in both halves which cost them(Punt block for TD, fumble on a Statue of Liberty play deep in their side of the field two critical interceptions). Overall, the Bearcats never quit and Beechwood wouldn’t flinch. The Tigers adjusted well, game planned well and played like a team that had been there before, taking the punches KCD threw in both halves. I agree that BW special teams really were a game changer, it’s clear they work very hard perfecting that facet of the game. Some final thoughts: Beechwood fans,team and coaches are a total class act. The Tigers play a hard, effective, team, clean football game, and their fans support to the max in a positive way. It made the game a real pleasure to watch and the post game a mutual exchange of respect as teams left the field. I can’t speak for the Beechwood faithful or any other neutral observer of the game, but I believe that KCD proved its high ranking all year in this game. A number of critical mistakes really hurt their chances, but I think that the Bearcats showcased their talent against a terrific opponent. Makes you proud of KCD and grateful especially to the 13 seniors who made this a game worth watching and a season that will be hard to top.

All the best to the Tigers. Played with poise and determination. Classy bunch.

Halftime...first quarter especially, KCD played tight, mistakes, dropped passes, the fumble...lucky to be still in this thing.

Couldn't agree more with EyeoftheTiger...turnovers are key. And I think exploiting matchup issues could play a part...I've watched the tape, Beechwood is a complete team with no holes position by position....they all do their jobs and the team steamrolls you as a result. So if you have a couple of kids who are distinct matchup challenges, you'd best capitalize or it'll be tough to score and tough to defend against Team Tiger. Playing their best and catching a few breaks it's possible for KCD...an average performance and Beechwood could cruise.

Stadium is at the school and lots if parking available. Tickets are purchased before entering the parking lots... slowish, but not a true bottleneck. Welcome to all the Beechwood fans and parents....we are honored to host you at "The Mo"

NKY comes strong on this thread. Not a surprise, there's a huge and passionate fan base up there. Impossible to answer directly the growing number of the "running clock" "Beechies name the score" "Frankfort game says it all" stuff....it's colorful, passionate and emphatic. Let me be just as emphatic: What a hell of a lot fun there is to be had on Friday by KCD, win, lose or "Beechies name the score." There are some distinct similarities in the preparation and mindset to the LCA game, which KCD led into the third quarter and then just ran out of gas--namely, this is what you train all year for, to test yourself against a high quality opponent with everything on the line. The key to this game as it was that game? Mental. If the Bearcats are loose, focused and well prepared....then this one could be fun. Ya gotta love some of the matchups--6 3 230 TE Josh Lifson versus 5 8 160 Elijah Mckinney(who's a terrific DB), Logan Castleman( who is a flat out athlete) Jack Massie and all-everything talent Daniel Mescher. Lifson and WR Gianni Minor have nearly 900 yards receiving between them and that's with Lifson dinged up for several games earlier and KCD running the ball as a point of emphasis. So the potential is there for exciting head to head competition. KCD's run game has been the engine of late for the Bearcats with Ashton Robinson carrying the load behind a sizable/ athletic front line. That match up is enticing as well with Beechwood's equally big and talented front seven. Luke Bolger and the Baugh brothers have been so impressive in the tape I've watched. On defense, Beechwood executes beautifully, maintains gaps in a very disciplined way, and pursues relentlessly as a team. It flat out figures to be a tremendous opportunity for KCD. I doubt anyone from Beechwood's been thinking much about the little private school in Louisville since last November. No reason to: Beechwood kids are the returning champs. But I know that the Tigers have been on the minds of KCD players last spring, summer and into the fall. The respect is high, the desire to compete, equally high. How cool is it that through a regular season and the first two playoff rounds, KCD's played itself into this spot...delivered on a promise to themselves. Here's hoping it produces a well played, marvelous football game this Friday in Louisville.

KCD played a very solid game, not their best, but solid....a very satisfying win over a big rival. That’s three wins in a row for this group of seniors over Holy Cross. Three fumbles and some 2nd half penalties hurt the Bearcats and kept this from a running clock game. Some stuff to cleanup before Beechwood arrives for the regional final next Friday. Looks like KCD finally rounding back into full strength as well.

Chippy final quarter, but KCD dominates....32-7. Final now.

Goal line stand for the Bearcats to begin the 4th...still 26 0

KCD drives for a TD from the second half kick...26 0

HC has given up two scores with short fields...fumble recovery by KCD and short punt late in the second quarter that the Bearcats capitalized on. Good game, pretty even so far...HC QB is scrambling well and Cougar offense has been able to move the ball. KCD will receive to start second half.

Will be delighted to pass along the best wishes from the Frankfort coaches to the senior Bearcats. Candidly, your scenario is absolutely fair if KCD sleep walks early in this one. Anything can happen on Friday, keep the bulletin board material coming!!!!

11 on 11? Never in KY. Which is what makes this KCD team all the more special. Beechwood is Beechwood, but KCD as a top four team in 1A is a story driven by a remarkable group of senior young men. .. Next year they'll be attending MIT, Air Force, Northwestern, Carleton, Pomona, Vanderbilt, CAL Berkely, Wabash, and more...as impressive a group of schools as you could put together. That's what they've done and are doing in the classroom. And on the field? The playoffs lie ahead, but a 9-1 season, the first ever back to back district championships in school history?...Ahead lies Beechwood in a couple of weeks. What a challenge! But taking a quick look around after the regular season, these special seniors are champions in what they've accomplished during a spectacular run these past two years.