generaldowns

A win is a win is a win....but there's plenty of work to do in the upcoming week to even hang with Walton Verona. KCD scored with relative ease against Atherton. QB Jackson Diaz threw for four TDs, two to Senior TE Josh Lifson, who racked up nearly 125 yards receiving on just five catches. The Air Force commit also had three sacks in platoon work on defense. The running game for the Bearcats also showed plenty of life, with senior Ashton Robinson carrying for two TDs and Junior Blake Caldwell putting in a nice 20+ yard run for a score. The game was over in many respects by halftime with the score 35 to 6. Running clock by the beginning of the 4th quarter. So what's the problem?!!! The special teams, especially Kickoff coverage was spotty at best, mental errors and poor lane coverage led to one TD return for Atherton and another return for huge yardage down to the KCD five yard line. Without those two returns, this is a 49 to 7 final. Several other concerns--silly penalties on the Bearcats for tackling players out of bounds led to two big flags. And the depth just isn't there. The younger kids gave up a late score and looked a little confused and overwhelmed when they entered in the 4th quarter. A win is a win is a win....but the Walton Verona train chugs powerfully into Louisville next Friday. KCD had best have a good week of practice.

Josh Lifson TE Kentucky Country Day--5 Catches for 124Yds 2TDs and Three Sacks.

Some wonderful work, here VOR! Extremely comprehensive and a lot of fun to read. I doubt seriously that too many HS beat writers across the state would have this breadth of knowledge across regions with this kind of detail about the squads that'll line up this fall. This is really, really, really appreciated!

Yes, but Senior WR/RB Gianni Minor will see plenty of carries along with Jr Blake Caldwell

From last night's scrimmage--quote of the night from a referee calling the game about KCD, "you guys are a 1A team? Wow. You're gonna kill some people." Flattering. But that said, KCD has plenty to improve on last night's outing. First, some observation about Bardstown--high energy, came to play, have some real athletes at the skill positions and took advantage of some poor tackling by the KCD secondary to score twice on the Bearcats. Bardstown ought to be pleased with the effort and and a number of aspects of the passing game. Great kids, great sportsmanship....classy program. I think Eastern showed some toughness and skill especially at Linebacker, Safety and Wideouts. DeAnte Washington had a good night especially on offense as a receiver. Eastern will win some games this year. KCD had a couple of lapses on defense--the secondary tackling was suspect on two or three plays that made for some home runs for Bardstown. The scoring ended up 21 for KCD and 14 for Bardstown--this was a combination of 10 play sets and the 15 minute running clock full scrimmage at the end of the night. KCD also scored on Eastern with a nifty pass over the middle for about 30 yards to Gianni Minor from Jackson Diaz. The way the round robin scrimmage format worked, KCD did not play defense against the Eagles. As expected, KCD played things pretty close to vest...can't know how Bardstown and Eastern approached things offensively, but saw some stunting on Eastern's part from a defensive perspective. Key takeaways for KCD: Played well against larger schools, need to improve defensive back play in general, also defensively handled the run game well. On offense, moved the ball with relative ease and passed effectively. The conservative offense won't beat Beechwood, but best to save a few bells and whistles for later on in the year. Overall a satisfying night on Springdale Road...thanks to all who participated! And good luck to all.

Turns out Robbie can't play this year anyway as he had to have orthopedic surgery. But an amazing young man with a great big wide passion for Football. He'll be missed this year at Kentucky Country Day

KCD will be missing one of its starting lineman from last year, Senior Zach Ellis who had a summer work commitment that will keep him from suiting up in pads tonight. I'm really interested to see about Bardstown's team, as they have been a big time powerhouse in 3A including last year's squad. Will the mighty mites from KCD measure up to 3A Bardstown and 6A Eastern? And how much will the Bearcats reveal of their offensive scheme for 2017? It figures to be a little different with the weapons this year versus last, but will Coach Jones play it a little more conservative?

If Walton Verona brings an accomplished passing game to go along with its traditional strength on the ground--look out! Not just KCD but every other squad WV will play. This team struck me as tough and resilient, signs of a strong program.

Most likely a warm/humid night that is going to test KCD's fitness with so many kids going both ways. 13 Seniors making up nearly half the team begin their pursuit of back to back district titles and potential re-match with Beechwood. Atherton played hard well into the second half, gave KCDs defense all it could handle last year. The Bearcats must look better out of the gate if they want to make any kind of run this year.

October 6th 2017 --DeSales at CAL --This has become a must see regular season game and can be a repeat/revenge game in the playoffs. CAL comes in a favorite, doubly so at home. Can the Colts stop the Milton Wright show? Come just to watch him perform, but DeSales is a program with a lot of pride that executes consistantly--very well coached. Hope this one is a barn burner. October 27th Waggener at KCD--With so many big school/high profile games available in Jefferson County, why come to a lil ol late season match up with a 3A at a 1A. I think the talent on the field sells this game. Waggener's Tahj Rice is a Duke commit after everyone in FBS offered him. His teammate Jarius Brents has Alabama and dozens of other schools wanting the speedy DB/WR/QB to play for them. Senior Manny Harper may end up with some D1 offers as well. On KCD's side of the ball, TE Josh Lifson verbally committed to Air Force this summer. That's three legit D1ers locking horns throughout this game along with some other D2 and D3 next level talent Like KCD QB Jackson Diaz and WR/DB Gianni Minor to complete the rosters. Come watch them show their stuff!

Luckily for KCD, the three toughest non-district games are at home. I don't know that "The Mo" (nickname of the KCD field) offers a ton of home field advantage. But at least the kids don't have to get on a bus and travel. Analyzing the three toughest opponents, I don't think KCD can beat LCA. The Bearcats need to make it more of a competitive game than in past years, but LCA returns a bunch of skill players, quarterback experience and leadership and just plain overall depth. The Eagle offense will wear down KCD with a lot of short passes and screens, just make the KCD kids who play both ways run all over the place. Walton Verona's run heavy offense actually plays to KCD's strength on defense, and I think KCD's QB, receivers and skill position guys will be formidable for WV. KCD really needs to play big and make a statement in that early match up. Finally, Waggener has Tajh Rice and Jarius Brents and a couple of additional studs to compliment their two D1 standouts. KCD has D1 Air Force commit TE Josh Lifson and D1 FCS offered WR/RB Gianni Minor, plus a talented QB in Jackson Diaz. This could be an absolutely entertaining and tight game to close out the regular season.

I know he had West Coast swing planned at some point before he made this announcment, Stanford being the chief spot to visit. Just a real quality young man. And pretty polished for junior in HS with adults and peers alike. Think a number of programs are disappointed he didn't pick them.

Stephen Herron is a nice, bright and very talented young man who deserves all the congratulations in the world. His work ethic is big time! Congrats to him and his family.

Josh Lifson received another FBS offer this week from Appalachian State and then committed to Air Force. Congratulations to him! And well done to his teammates and coaches at KCD for all their support and success that helped lead to this. KCD tight end Lifson commits to Air Force

Update from KCD--QB Jackson Diaz named top QB at the New England Elite Camp this summer. RB/WR Gets an offer from D1 Morehead this summer as well. On the field, a lot of emphasis on keeping the starters healthy as this team won't have a ton a depth. Plenty of offense displayed thus far in the first 7 on 7 round robin....TE Josh Lifson had 6 TD receptions alone. Pass defense is a work in progress thus far.

Should get a decent feel for KCD and LCA this year as they face off early in the schedule. With KCD, keeping the roster numbers up, and staying away from injury(especially to the offensive line) will be a must if they are to be a contender this year. And if they want to hang with the likes of Beechwood and LCA, they'll need to open up their passing game. Diaz, Lifson, Robinson and WR/RB Gianni Minor, who is a D-1 Morehead State offer kid, will carry the load of the passing game. This team will have to throw more than 15-20 passes a game against the better teams on its schedule if KCD wants to be in the hunt this year.

Did he de-commit from Duke? I thought he had committed earlier this year. Did it with a video.

Lifson, Josh Kentucky Country Day 2018--Air Force

Josh just received an offer from FBS Mountain West contender Air Force. It's Josh's first FBS D-1 offer and a great honor for him and Kentucky Country Day.

Lifson, Josh(KCD)---EKU Now has 5 offers

Within the past week, Josh Lifson, TE KCD 2018 --three more D1 FCS offers. Tennessee Chattanooga, Morehead State and Wofford. Congrats to a hard-working young man.

It all leads up to Beechwood, doesn't it? This is pretty much the same KCD team in 2017 that had a pretty strong year in 2016 and played Beechwood tough for a half in the regional final. So many kids return from that team, bigger, stronger and more experienced. But it all goes through Beechwood, doesn't it? KCD does lose a stud athlete in RB/Receiver Jared Frank, an all state honorable mention this past season. He'll be missed along with RB Ed Johnson. The good news is that Ashton Robinson (9 TDs 384 yards rushing) and Gianni Minor (3 TDs 199 yards rushing) are capable kids with tons of experience to tote the ball this year along with rising Junior, speedy Blake Caldwell. KCD also loses it's starting center who is a real anchor of the line in Robbie Pinto--his dad took the job as President of the University of Cincinnati, so the family moved to NKY. But that's it. Everyone else is back. And this was a pretty good team. What will make it a better squad this year? For one, it'll be tested by a stronger schedule. Non-district play is highlighted by Walton Verona, Lexington Christian and Waggener...put simply the Bearcats have a schedule that will test them and with hope make this experienced team stronger. The strengths on offense will be an experienced line with some size and athletic ability, along with all district performers QB Jackson Diaz and TE Josh Lifson. The defense is anchored by LB Chris Scott, fresh from his stint at the USA Today International Bowl in Dallas. And the defense improved dramatically with a new scheme put in after the Adair Co game. Through Adair Co, KCD gave up an average of 34 points a game. With the new defense in place, KCD gave up 15 points a game for the rest of the season. Big difference. And nine starters return. Like so many 1A squads, depth will be a challenge. There's not a lot of "next up" guys to choose from, so staying injury free is critical here. And then there's Beechwood. How do you beat those guys? They reload every year, the are magnificently coached, especially on technique, and they adjust beautifully when another team throws them a haymaker. When Beechwood made it's adjustments in the second half of the regional final, KCD had no answer. The one thing that was working a little that second half--short passing game, mixed in with a stretch or two to the big 6 4 TE, Lifson. But KCD didn't stay with it. In fact, throughout the season, KCD never threw more than 24 passes in a game--and it averaged 17 passes per game. It's a huge stretch, but slinging the pigskin might be where the Bearcats need to adjust and ramp up it up a bit this year. Nevertheless, it figures to be a fun year on Springdale Road....must take care of business against the always athletic Frankfort and long time nemesis, Holy Cross. But just about everyone is back from the District Champs. Now if it weren't for Beechwood....

KCD just lost its' starting center for next year, a very solid sophomore this year, due to his father transferring to another job. It's a bit of a blow as the offensive line was a strong suit this year and looked formidable again for 2017. The offensive fire power that returns is pretty strong as well. QB Diaz is a exciting dual threat with a strong arm, TE Lifson returns at 6 4 225 with great hands, power and athleticism, RB's Robinson and Minor will need to fill the multi-talented shoes of departing senior Jared Frank. The non-district schedule includes a juggernaut in Lexington Christian, a solid Walton Verona squad and a Waggener team that features two legit D1 standouts. The game at Waggener should really worth watching, especially if TE Lifson(KCD) and CB Jarius Brents(Waggener)pair up. Everyone from Alabama to Wisconsin has offered Brents and Lifson already has a D1 offer and got invites to visit Clemson, Wake Forest, Duke and Louisville this year. Fun match up potentially. After that, all roads lead through Beechwood. I think the rankings with the Tigers on top make a lot of sense. Beechwood loses it's talented starting RB, but his backup this year. James Davis, is super fast and elusive and might turn out to be even better than Justice when it's all said and done.And QB Burch is such a cool customer with a cannon arm that the passing game is in great shape for 2017. On Defense, Beechwood loses the anchors on the edge, DE's Dalton and Benson, and the hard nosed and talented Trevor Soward. But the cupboard never seems to be all that bare for the Tigers. If anyone in the west wants a trip to the finals, they gotta be better than Beechwood. And that will take some doing.

"All comments were genuine. I was impressed with KCD. They are well coached and have some really good players. That game and experience versus the KCD offense definitely has Beechwood better prepared for tonight's game versus Hazard. KCD should have a very good team next year. I appreciate your posts and sharing viewpoints from the KCD program." KCD doesn't make it to the regional finals too terribly often, so this was a great experience for the kids...and great exposure to folks who don't typically follow the Bearcats. All good. And a safe, successful evening to Beechwood tonight.

Whoops my bad on the Forts....preciate the kind way I got the education. I'm not sure if KCD can....just know that next year is really its' best chance in a long time and for the future....this was a junior dominated team and the cupboard is pretty bare coming up. I do think it boils down to "tradition." Some schools have it and the kids live it year to year. Others don't and must take advantage of that "special" group that comes along once in a decade or more. There are so many programs to admire for dedication to tradition and how that serves teams so well with performance on the field in loaded years and leaner years. Beechwood is certainly that kind of program. There's tons of buy-in. And yes it's admirable.