generaldowns

Great analysis. HC versus KCD is next week, Oct 7th.

Not at all. One game at at time....and this one is plenty tough for both teams I would surmise....after that HC gets to tussle with what always seems an athletic team in Frankfort....and Frankfort's athleticism absolutely gave KCD fits last year. So no...no one forgets that Frankfort is in the district. But looking ahead would be suicidal for KCD especially in the cross town game coming up.

We have a two week build up for this one as both teams have a bye week to prepare and then brood over this game. Had KCD given Adair Co a game last Friday, I would have been substantially more bullish on the Bearcat's chances. Reality check--KCD looked overwhelmed and anything but up for the challenge in Columbia. The came out flat, were fooled by two on- side kicks in a row and were down 19-0 minutes into the first quarter. With just one "quality" win on its resume (Bethlehem), it's no wonder that Massey and Calpreps give Holy Cross a touchdown or two edge in this game October 7th. A couple of silver linings in this pretty dark cloud hanging over the Bearcats--they are going to be at full strength for the rivalry game. And they don't have to travel cross town to Dixie Highway where some unpleasant memories lurk from last year, including an interception in the end zone as time ran out that stopped a game-winning drive. We've been told how talented the Holy Cross underclassmen are, how they are the bulk of the Cougars this year. They must be maturing rapidly along with the emergence of a passing threat in their last game against Grant Co. Junior RB Mario Cavernuto has put up some impressive numbers as well. And the HC defense looks to be picking up where they left off from last year. I don't think KCD is as bad as they looked last Friday. It's probably a bit of a relief that they have an additional week to repair things and look ahead to what is arguably the most important game this year on its schedule. Keys to Victory--KCD....score early and ramp up what was a pretty impressive passing game until last Friday. HC--Grind it out on offense and get pressure on the QB on defense.

This was pretty much a melt down on KCD's part. The first touchdown followed by two on side kicks recovered by AC and then quick scores....4 minutes into the game and Adair's up 19 zip. I was really impressed with the talent and class of AC throughout the game and equally baffled by the lack of effort and mistakes by KCD. Just a horror show night for the Bearcats. I don't believe they are this bad, but .....scoreboard. KCD players now have two weeks to re-group and figure out what kind of football team they would like to be. Holy Cross comes to Springdale Road after the bye week and quite simply....it's the make or break game for KDC's season. As for Adair County, they were wonderful sportsmen, good enthusiastic fans....classy group. And talented....they need to be ranked.

I'm more than a little confused about the fairness and application of these rules by the KHSAA, and still more confused about the interpretation when they're applied. I'll be specific. Why is it right to make ineligible (for the entire year I understand, not just football) a young man who plays a little varsity football as a freshman, whose parent moves to a different county and is accepted to a private school in that county? In Jefferson. Fayette, Kenton and a couple of other counties, the assumption is that he's a kid going the "Moore route," heading to a Trinity, St X, Highlands, Lex Cath, type powerhouse. But what if that kid's first motivation is academics? Should he be penalized at a school like Sayre or Louisville Collegiate or KCD, which are broadly recognized as terrific college prep schools? Why should a young man who wants to get that kind of education, whose parents have the means, be forced to sit out a year, when what's driving the move is better opportunities at life through a superb academic setup. I've seen it happen recently, and it seems pretty heavy handed and unfair. Most of these young men aren't going to play college football. This is their time. And HS football creates lifetime memories and values that are irreplaceable. Why would you deprive a young man of that simply because he and his parents want the best academics possible? I understand that each case is weighed on its' individual merits. But when organizations like the NCAA and the KHSAA look at eligibility issues, I sometimes wonder if doing right by the student athlete is the first item on the checklist.

KCD's strategy--A couple of critical items 1)Keep scoring like you've been scoring. The personnel and offense package adjustments made after the Lexington Christian game were significant, and have paid off thus far. The Bearcats are just behind Russellville for the top scoring squad in 1A. Defense is a real Jeckyll and Hyde affair-- lots of big plays against it then a few big stops. The O really has to help the D to stay in the game. 2)Depth management--The LCA game melted down in the second half after losing a couple of key starters to injury and leg cramps. Adair County as a 3A school is bound to outnumber the Bearcats. Substituting starters with the limited number of kids on the bench who can make plays is going to be a challenge, but critical on a night that figures to be hot and draining physically. 3)Hang in early. If Adair sprints ahead to a quick lead, it more than likely going to have a "see, I told you we couldn't hang with these guys" effect emotionally. Swap a couple of scores early and it'll be a much more entertaining night for KCD fans....and just a better game overall. KCD has some talent--especially at the skill positions, but Adair looks very impressive.

That would be a huge deal for KCD to get that far. Lots of football to be played before then. And I agree. The offense may have changed and improved....the D is a real work in progress.

I value ATLCat's opinion....he has seen a lot of high school football. The only way KCD keeps this respectable is if it turns into a shootout. The one thing I would caution is to pay a little less attention to the score versus LCA earlier in the season. Several key players for KCD were hampered by injuries and cramping in the second half of that ballgame. And the offense has changed DRAMATICALLY since that game. If anyone has watched KCD(and I realize it's a 1A team in a sea of higher profile teams in Jefferson Co, so that's unlikely) they would know how dramatic the offense changes have been after the LCA game. Defensively....still a schizo group. Teams make big plays on this defense regularly. Yet,several goal line stands in the Bethlehem game were kinda impressive. And the young-uns were in late and gave up several touchdowns which may have detracted from what was a pretty solid defensive effort Friday. But I've watched tape on Melton and the Lasley brothers along with the overall size and speed of AC. Adair wins this game...period. I'm not sure by a running clock. KCD can score....in bunches.

Bethlehem is going to win plenty more games this year. QB Matthew Hagan is a playmaker with some nice sized, athletic senior receivers to target. Game was very much in doubt until mid-way through the 3rd quarter when KCD started to pull away with a nice mix of passing and running. KCD defense continues to be the schizophrenic problem child of the program, giving up the big play repeatedly, then holding the Eagles on several goal line stands. Adair Co looms on Friday for KCD. Chance Melton and the Lasley brothers are undefeated and largely untouched thus far. The Indians look really imposing with size, speed and athleticism on their side. If KCD can make this respectable,and score a bit to apply some pressure, I don't think the Bearcats should be penalized.

This is a big time trap game for KCD. Bethlehem comes in with a very talented QB in Hagan, plenty of senior leadership and talent at the skill positions and a solid win against a Thomas Nelson team that's not too shabby. Hagan is a playmaker with a good arm and good escape skills. KCD's pass defense has been it's trouble spot all year. This is a serious trap game for KCD. Add in that KCD may be looking ahead to Adair Co, which will be a very stiff test for the Bearcats, next week. I believe this will be a high scoring session with KCD's best chance to win coming if they just flat out outscore Bethlehem. The good news for the Bearcats, except for a tough second half against Lexington Christian, where two of the bigger receivers were out with injuries and severe cramping, scoring's not been an issue. They'll need to hang at least 45 on the board to beat Bethlehem.

Yep, just saw fine print...explains why Trinity isn't ranked in 6A

These rankings appear to omit Louisville Holy Cross.

Depth issues really came into play against LCA....the heat over in Lexington with a number of the better players forced to go both ways took it's toll in the second half. Against Washington Co, a number of the underclassmen got opportunities and the cooler weather helped as well with a team that is really one-deep in talent at a number of positions. A mild night with continuation of reps for some of the more inexperienced KCD kids, especially on defense, will mean that Carroll Co will see its share of the end zone.Dylan Groves looks like he can create a bit at the QB spot. Offensively, though, the Bearcats are finding their groove and opening up their attack. Diaz to Frank and Lifson (both tall receivers with great hands and decent speed)makes the passing attack tough to defend and has opened up the run game. Expect a bit of a track meet Friday in Carrollton. KCD 46 Carroll County 30

Update....KCD has a key player back from the unable to play list this week. Would expect to see him play some series on defense only. Starter last year, so a positive for the Bearcats

Bethlehem has an experienced and mobile QB in Matthew Hagan..dangerous kid....lost some experienced linemen. I think Hagan is the difference in this game unless, NC can keep him in the pocket.

I am not so sure that last year's blowout will be repeated on Friday. Several factors play a part here: 1)Because of the heat index, KCD's scrimmage on Friday was limited as far as time goes and probably not as good a prep as last year's version at Lindsey Wilson. 2)Some big time tweaking to the defense for KCD this year may result in some early season confusion and some long run scoring as a result. 3)Injury bug hitting KCD already. It's not fair to say which kid or kids impacted, not fair to the team or the individual players to broadcast that, but this is a talented,albeit thin group at many positions. That could be an issue. So with all that considered, I expect a KCD win but only by a touchdown or two.

8/19 Atherton 8/26 @Lexington Christian 9/2 Washington County 9/9 @Carroll County 9/16 Bethlehem 9/23 @Adair County 10/7 Holy Cross 10/14 @Eminence 10/21 Frankfort 10/28 @Campbellsville

Drew had a very good camp IMO at Old Dominion last week. Liked what I saw.

Dylan Wheatley at LCA is an impressive young man....turned some heads at the Nike Opening Regional in Columbus, Derby Weekend. Josh Lifson 6' 4" 218 TE Kentucky Country Day got his first D1 offer last weekend from Tennessee Tech and has interest from Wake Forest and Duke. Another 1A kid to look for this season.

The good news for the Bearcats this year, they return a ton. And the Sophomore class, which made up the majority of a vulnerable early, improving late defense is one year older and more developed. The bad news, this team is thin at almost every position, especially interior offensive and defensive line. The incoming Freshman and rising Sophomore classes don't have a ton to contribute, especially big, strong dudes to give line play some depth. The strength of the team is at QB, in third-year-starter, Senior Jared Frank, an all conference and all district performer. He'll share duties with Jackson Diaz, who anchored the team's defense last year at outside linebacker. When Frank splits out as receiver, there are few teams in the state who have this kind of size and athleticism in their passing game. Frank is 6' 3" , quick and athletic. Rising Junior TE Josh Lifson is 6' 4'" 215 with great hands-- who can play split end as well. 6'0" Gianni Minor adds depth and speed to the duo of Frank and Lifson. If Diaz can get decent protection when he comes in at QB, he has some serious targets. Pass protection will be critical this year, because the horses are there to haul it in. Anchoring the O and D lines will be rising Juniors Robert Thomas 6'0" 205 and Brandon Leonard 6' 0" 290. Both are strong kids who will benefit from another year of development and experience as returning multi-year starters. The running game will be the toughest part of the offense to replenish this year. KCD lost a lot of speed and experience in two graduating senior RBs. The mainstay this year figures to be returning starter Ashton Robinson, a low to the ground, tough north and south runner who figures to get a majority of the carries. KCD scored in bunches last year. And if pass protection is there, they should be equally dangerous on offense in 2016. Defensively, this team needs to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and play smarter when the opponent signal callers start to scramble. Too many tackles for losses ended up long passes to wide open receivers last year when DBs didn't stay home. The schedule is ambitious--tough, tough, tough road games loom against Lexington Christian and Adair County. KCD is home for the annual heartbreaker with Holy Cross. Might this be the year that the Bearcats get a little revenge? Staying injury free, maximizing the talent of the receiving corps, and just growing up a little on defense will be the keys to the season. If all that happens(lots of ifs here) the upside looks pretty good...an 8-2 regular season with a district championship is plausible. And as far as this team would like to go in the playoffs, Beechwood, despite graduating a ton, looms large as always.

Of course. That's a given. My question was, is this one significantly better than the other models in greater circulation? It may be that so few programs in KY have used it, that no one can speak with experience on the subject.

I was speaking with a sales rep from Riddell recently who was extolling the virtues of the Speed Flex model, which has been out for a year or so. What do others think here? Is that helmet, which retails anywhere from $400-500, that much better than anything else available for HS players?

Just looked over the info on the NIKE website. KY pretty well represented Top kids overall Henschen --Newport Central Catholic QB Board-- Owensboro RB Lifson--KCD TE Thomas--Lexington Lafayette DB Field--Fairview DL Those look to be the top 5 from KY

Asst Coach from KCD was there timing the shuttle drill and passed along a few snippets: Josh Lifson from KCD, Sophmore TE 6'4" 210 Had an 87.45 rating Top rated TE overall. 55th overall Shuttle time of 4.28 and Powerball of 36.0--both near 95th percentile Coach said Henschen was super impressive, especially on 40 time, where times were slower overall. Coach also mentioned a van load of kids from Fairview and several kids from St X including rising Junior Jack Albers QB and at least one St X lineman. Congrats to all the kids and their parents who took the drive up and got a great experience

Can speak with greater depth about Kentucky Country Day. Defense was a challenge this year, largely due to inexperience IMHO. In 2016, you'd expect significant improvement. 10 of 11 starters return, most were sophomores in 2015, including the squad's top two tackle leaders. On offense, KCD returns its starting QB, leading rusher, #2 receiver, a majority of interior linemen, and backs that totaled more than 1000 yards rushing last year. Weaknesses--depth. With only 5 seniors returning and just 3 of them expected to start, this is a going to be a junior dominated team. Next year's sophomore class is lean on contributors, and the incoming Freshman class doesn't promise to produce play makers. The starters will hold their own against a challenging schedule( LCA, Adair Co, Frankfort, Campbellsville and Holy Cross) but there is isn't a lot of "next man up" potential if the injury bug hits. Another weakness, the kicking game won't be as strong....senior Connor Caudill's big leg will be missed. There isn't a ready made replacement. Some realistic goals for the 2016 squad, win the district, exorcise the demons from the losses to Holy Cross, make it to regional finals and take its chances with the Beechwood juggernaut.