that's what she said

First game of the Colonel Cup, 5:45 PM at Covington Catholic HS. Thoughts, predictions?

Correct, Monday August 14 @7:45 PM. Preceded by KYCD Vs East Central IN @5:45. Winners play each other on Wednesday @7:45. Losers face each other same night @5:45.

Gotta love any banter between the schools from Park Hills and Highlands, KY.

Good to hear and you can never have enough parking. I suspect the Gardens and St Agnes will be close to full on Friday night, not to mention next week during the Colonel Cup Soccer Tournament.

The sound system along with the new LED lights are first class. The sound system will go through some trial and error (for each sport since they use different PA personnel) to get the kinks worked out, in short time it will be not be an issue. The lights are crazy good, very little to no glare or pollution with the source all on the playing surface, state of the art. Big question is when will the new main entrance be completed?

Summit may have something to say about this. Summit lost a lot from last year's State Championship team but they will still be very good. This game is early, Aug 26 and on the road, both could play a factor in the result. The Anderson game is interesting for a number of reasons. Not only are they expected to be very good, there is the revenge factor (CCH gave them their first loss last yr, 3-1 on Anderson's field) it's right in the middle of a brutal 6 game stretch for CCH. Go 4-1-1 or even 4-2 in these 6 games and its a very good two weeks.

It should would be nice, especially for the players and coaching staffs to see a lot more spectators in the stands each game. There are ideas, students get in free of charge, buy one get one (get in free next game) boys and girls double headers, youth get in free when they wear their soccer jersey. Add halftime entertainment such as students from each school do pks, dog catching frisbees, etc, etc. Minor league baseball has proven promotions work. Another problem, so many teams play on the same night, impossible to be in two places at the same time. Anyone know how good W Clermont, OH is?

I have no issues with it. Kind of like the traditional way of having only NKY teams since it provides some comparison between only these teams. But if as you say some elected to not play or didn't respond (why) then Dixie has every right to host the event as they choose. Just hope it doesn't lead to a situation where in a few yrs its only 50% or so NKY teams.

Goal off a corner kick is the result of a defensive mistake more times then not IMO.

Some very interesting matchups. Boone County vs Newport Central Catholic and Simon Kenton vs. St. Henry on Friday night. Notre Dame vs. W. Jessamine in the marquee game on Saturday. This a rematch of their State Tournament match last season, won by W Jessamine 2-1, ironically on the same field. How long have the Girls Soccerama been hosting OH and KY teams from down state, seems new? $7 weekend pass is a steal of a deal.

Sounds like Moeller scored 3 quick goals near the end of the first half. Was it more their doing or did HHS have defensive issues?

I've followed very few teams that scoring was not an issue of concern. Given the very very tough schedule CCH has lined up this season, (will probably wind up being even more difficult then last season) goals will need to be team generated. Any team playing even close to this strength of schedule without having a 25-30 goal scorer on the roster will need to be creative, keep possession through the midfield and attack with numbers. If they can do this and share the ball, goals will come.

Completely agree. Impact players are ones that make an impact in big time games. Scoring 4 or 5 goals in a 9-0 blowout is not a lot to write home about. Just staying consistent and fair to all of the players. IMO every yr is a new yr, that's part of the beauty of HS sports. Players should not be judged on last yr or a few early games, especially teams starting out with weak opponents. Players should be judged over the length of the season and how they perform against the top teams. In 20 yrs I've seen a number of unheralded juniors make a huge impact their senior yr and good juniors come into their senior yr with big reputations not live up to it.

Make that two that love it.

OH also has different rules when it comes to number of games. They are allowed 5 scrimmages but only 16-17 regular season games. I mentioned it may be premature to say there are "no standout offensive players in NKY this season." Same patience is also needed before anyone says the opposite. Last yr is a thing of the past, new season doesn't start until Monday. Might want to wait until late September/early Oct before someone starts that old "Top 100 players in NKY" list.

Wow pretty sure this middle schoolers playing HS issue has been debated into oblivion. I'll get out by referring back to post #46. And I love post #47! Agree with imsays, "bring on the games." Colonel Cup (week) starts Monday August 14, two games each night, Championship Saturday August 19!

The things 17-18 year olds are exposed to, their experiences, their conversations, etc compared to a 13-14 year old. The difference between maturity levels of a 17-18 yr old and a 13-14 yr old. There is a reason most schools have grades 1-5, 6-8 and 9-12 on different campuses or at least different buildings.

One of the biggest issue I have with middle schoolers playing HS sports, especially when they play varsity sports such as some recent BB players have done is the social aspect. I'm aware there are exceptions but in general it is not a healthy environment to have a 13-14 year old around 17-18 years olds 2-3 hours a day, 5-6 days week. Specifically I wrote, "Taking HS level classes while in middle school and college level classes while still in HS, you are still surrounded and socializing with your own age." I did not say colleges do not allow HS students to take classes on the college campus, I'm aware this goes on.

Seems a bit premature to say "there are no standout offensive players in NKY this year". Season doesn't officially start for a week. And to be an offensive player doesn't mean you have to score a ton of goals. IMO a player that controls the game, keeps possession, scores 7-8 meaningful goals with double digit assists, is a consistent threat in the final 3rd that opens things up for his teammates could be considered a standout offensive player. Think Fabregas, Ozil, Kroos...

Taking HS level classes while in middle school and college level classes while still in HS, you are still surrounded and socializing with your own age. Schools such as Covington Latin that allow kids to skip the 7th and or 8th grades, you wind up being in HS school with kids with your own age. The very important social aspects of playing HS sports while being a middle schooler and how this could negatively effect the middle schooler may be getting lost.

From whatever it's worth, little. Soccerama is not the best event to gauge teams' potential but it is the first opportunity to see most of the NKY teams play each other. CCH, Ryle, and HHS impressed the most from the 9th, Calvary can be a contender in the 10th.

If we are to allow kids to play at what ever level they can no matter their age or grade in part to help their development and gain overall experience, why should this be limited to sports? Clearly there are 8th, 7th and possibly 6th graders capable of holding their own academically at the HS level. What about the performing arts, band, etc. Why not simply allow any and all kids to attend what ever grade level they can? After all what better place to gain development and experience then academically. We don't allow this for many good reasons, then why allow it for a select few who can pick and choose a HS school to play for while attending a middle school. I'm on the side of HS athletics should be played by HS students only.

CCH has some depth, at least one starter did not play last night and they ran out a different "starting lineup" to begin the second half. They have a 2-3 players capable of playing different positions at a high level and multiple kids are a threat to score. Once things settle into a normal rotation they have a chance to be very good.

It's been mentioned a couple of times but worth mentioning again. Talent is talent but freshman making an impact (starting does not equal impact) on varsity boys soccer is very very rare. Besides Tredway, Zach Lange for St Henry are the only two I've seen in the past 20 ys in NKY. Huge difference is size, strength, to name two and maybe most importantly, mentality between a 14-15 yr and a 17-18 yr old. Over the yrs there have been a ton of hyped freshman, beside the two mentioned above, none have lived up to it. As for the kid mention playing for the Crew DA, why was he trying out for a HS team? My understanding is you sign a contract when you're a part of that DA (assume the parent signs if the player is under 18). Not sure if you're "under contract" you are permitted to tryout for a HS team.

Agree. I've been following HS soccer for almost 20 yrs. I can only think of 2 or 3 freshman in those 20 yrs that made an impact on a regional contending team.