Don't_Hate_the_Playa

A full deck. Seriously - the field looks like it's less than 100 yards long - certainly less than the 110-120 yard length fields I'm used to seeing.

Holy Cross' field is 20 yards short - allows them to play their back line way up and use their GK as a sweeper. The size of that field - and how HC aligns their defense - can definitely alter an opponent's game plan.

Big win for St. Henry - away from home (assuming Grass didn't make the trip) against a very good SK team. Red Fury - I would ask for SH's record but I'm pretty sure neither of us want to go down that path again...

Posted September 15th - before the Cov Cath game.

I think schools that are committed to ambition and excellence in any field - whether academically, athletically, performing arts, community service, etc. - will attract students. As a student or parent - why should the going-in expectation of a HS experience be that you won't have access to the best resources/opportunities, especially when there are accessible schools in the area that are capable of delivering more? It's about more than athletics...

SK will win comfortably - if the weather is good and Shearer is on - running clock. The true test for Highlands Friday will not be SK or the final score, but whether they can play with pride and toughness for 4 quarters. if they do, they may not win, but SK will know they had a fight on their hands. If Highlands quits the score will (once again) be the least important aspect of the game story.

Love me some Cooper vs. Cov Cath at BB&T! Great that the coaches would agree on that venue. A preview of the Region 9 championship game - teams and location. I know where I will be the evening of Friday January 12th...

If I were Beechwood I would be more concerned about how CCH warmed up rather than where. Cov Cath was definitely more ready to play Friday night.

I like Cooper over SK on the hardwood!!!

Cov Cath wins easily - SFD is pretty good but not great this year. CCH is so much more physical and sound defensively than last year. 31-14 CCH.

If this one is played in Park Hills I predict CCH wins on a late PK.

Never saw the hand ball. Tough way to lose.

Elder's down this year. That said - Cincinnati teams always seem to peak at playoff time and Ignatius/Ed's find a way to lose to GCL teams come championship time - even teams they've beaten in the regular season.

LaSalle has been the best HS football team in Ohio regardless of division the last 2 years. They may be the best team this year, as well.

No more "tough" - interesting - thought the same thing myself. A recipe for mediocrity. Seems like right now just wearing the uniform is reward enough.

Ironically firing Jemele Hill might result in similar accusations being leveled against ESPN. It's a catch 22. Personally I think she should be able to speak her mind - don't see how ESPN is any different than Fox with regards to people's expectations of "neutrality." There is no unbiased media - never has been. The market - not the White House - will decide her fate. Frankly I'll bet more people will be watching her as a result of this firestorm. I'm no TV expert but isn't that what a network wants?

Panella game winner with 5 seconds left in OT. Very competitive game for 85 minutes - fitting of a district game with seeding implications.

Could not agree more - rankings matter. It's a slap in the face to every young man who works his tail off to play soccer and contribute to their team's success that their coach can't take the time to vote. No real excuse for coaches not to participate - even if they haven't seen each team in person there are enough head-to-head results available to make informed decisions.

What? Even in crazy year that final is insane...

Yes - talented and very confident especially after the Corbin win.

Cov Cath should win and will win. Game will be closer than last year - 24-14. I see a very physical game. All that said - I will say it now - 1A team won't beat a 5A team.

But keep up in mind they tied Holy Cross - let's write them off...

Culture molds players more than players mold culture. There is clearly a relationship - but culture is a powerful, sustaining influence that reinforces the desired behaviors without a word being spoken. The culture certainly seems to have changed in Fort Thomas.

As I think about this more - Grass is versatile - a difference maker at both the offensive and defensive ends of the field. Grass' game is classic, throwback, and timeless - and yet hearing post game comments from opposing teams and fans it's as if they've never seen Grass before, let alone played Grass. Truly remarkable.

Culture has clearly changed in the program. Talented kids, but doesn't seem there is a sense of urgency or a need to prove they belong with great TEAMS of the past (it takes every player to buy in). IMO what Mueller accomplished at a public school was spectacular and may very well be never accomplished again. The difference between Highlands and Beechwood is the size of schools Highlands played against and routinely throttled. You would have to expect bigger schools to field better, stronger teams - and it simply didn't matter. Highlands crushed the competition. Change appears to be necessary - waking the echos of past greatness may not be a realistic expectation.