James Graham

I don't know... I can see how the board still helps the young kids with their "base", but almost every major college in warm-ups now does their 1v1 run block just like 1v1 pass block and the defender is usually shaded in the position that player plays in their defense. Obviously, there is no board. It's actually much more realistic and seems to be allowed under the guidance being given.

Not to get off topic on the portal... but let's recognize that way more than half the kids going into the portal were "told" to enter the portal by their current staff. I have no knowledge on any of the kids mentioned above, but for a lot of the kids who "entered" it was because they had no other choice.

I know there has been a lot on X / Twitter about D2 and NAIA and guys having to take that pathway. I think what we are seeing and what JuanHenry is alluding to is that if you can get one of those 105 spots at the P4 level even as a PWO you will come out better financially (at least in state). This isn't hard to track... Hillsdale can give the equivalent of 36 Full Rides (not all D2's actually give the full 36) that can be broken up. Let's assume the starting QB takes a full. Now you are down to 35 to split between about 100 other guys. I imagine a kid like Mason got a 1/3 to at most probably a 1/2 athletic ride at his position, which is a great scholarship for a kid who hasn't played a down of college football. Hillsdale's cost of attendance is over $50,000. Louisville's is less than half that... plus the KHES money...plus whatever state academic scholarships he qualifies for and you can start to see why a lot of these kids are opting for the PWO route.

Just an FYI... St. X has Reeder (Michigan) with 6 solos 3 assists 1 TFL and 1 sack against Trinity. Clapper (Notre Dame) added 9 tackles as did Reilly (Clemson) also with 9 tackles. But, your larger point is dead on. That game ended 17-14 with X on top. X was runner up in Ohio D1. Trinity has the Joes whether it be O-Line or any position group to play with anyone. Adding the link: https://stxsports.net/sports/football/stats/2025/trinity-high-school-ky-/boxscore/7498

I don't think anyone in 6A wants to see a healthy version of this Ryle team. If you look at their losses, probably the Cooper one is the one you would want over with Ryle having been hit with the injury bug, but certainly the losses to CAL and Highlands made this team better. If one thing surprises me about this year's Ryle team is their overall lack of big play/chunk plays. I am sure it has increased in the last few weeks, but they seemed to be a mauler team. If they can combine explosion with the ability to maul you... again, no one in 6A not named Trinity wants to meet them.

Yes. Because its from the two years prior to the current season (October 2023), using 9-11 ensures that the classes competing when they are frosh and jv are most accurately accounted for at the Varsity level as Juniors and Seniors. It also takes out factoring in an abnormally large or small Senior class that would have been gone for two years by the time the players who were freshman during the original count are now on varsity.

I think Tayden is shorter and a little heavier than what he puts out on Twitter and I know we consider these "athlete" type recruits to be more of the Cash Harney types, but that is Tayden's position in college... "athlete." His comparable... Taysom Hill. You don't take a kid with his ball skills and put him on the line nor do I think someone just picks up the line positions up that easily. Some college coach will figure out he can run it, catch it and throw it... even if he doesn't check every single box for any specific college position.

Could absolutely see it... two factors would need to fall in place... One, another expansion of the school. Two, St. Tim's can't start their own high school. Admittedly, I don't know how serious that St. Tim's talk is but, it keeps getting brought up every now and then.

I'll give a breakdown later... but for now understand that this isn't just another game for Elder. They are trying to finish first in Ohio R4 Division 1 to have the best path forward in the playoffs. Given Highlands record, they are what Ohio considers to be a "Harbin Cow." Meaning, if Elder wins they get the equivalent of beating whatever division slot Highlands equates to PLUS all the second level points for WINS Highlands has. It's actually a compliment to Highlands. Obviously, Highlands wants to win for any number or reasons, but just because Elder won the GCL don't think they aren't focused on what's next.

I don't know... It's an interesting question. Hear me out. I am a big demographics guy. We are on the other side of the millennial population bump. NKY has too many private catholic high schools by a factor of probably two (I'll let others argue who those two are)... If St. Henry continues its current enrollment figures AND Cov Cath continues to drop a little AND if St. Tim's doesn't go try the ridiculous and go K-12... I could see a future with both schools in 3A. Remember, while Lexington is not nearly as Catholic as NKY, the lone catholic school (Lex Cath) is in 3A having dropped from 4A. The fact is that real wages are stagnant and Catholic school tuition continues to increase. This is not Ohio where you get money back for paying tuition. Cov Cath's neighborhoods are grown out. Boone County is still expanding. Are you most likely correct, absolutely... but its not out of the realm of possibility of them being in the same district one day.

Like I said... good calls, bad calls it all makes for a classic... but I know this... if there are 7 seconds left on the clock and they line up in that formation you better be able to go 2 or 4 so that someone is in their best players face off the line with safety help over the top. It's all Monday morning QB at this point.

I have a lot of thoughts on this game... the Personal Foul call that shouldn't have been... the fact that Hayden Spire is constantly berated on here but yet CCH's DC gets a pass for running the exact same front and two coverages for the past 11 years no matter the personnel or situation. Anyway, that's really not the point. No matter who you rooted for... how great was this game? This is why these kids go to these schools... to play in these types of games. The atmosphere, the stakes, the right calls, the wrong calls, the plays made, the plays not made it all mattered and it all created a classic. Who wouldn't want to play 10 of these types of games every season? The sad fact is in Kentucky they are few and far between, but these programs have sought these types of games this year and they are better for it. Keep your 50 point running clocks. I will take Friday night every time... win, lose or draw.

Also… sometimes it’s just the little things like them moving Brady Guard to ILB. The entire defense has looked different since that happened and he had some really great plays last night.

Lind took away half the field all night. Probably 90% of plays away from his side after first two drives and last sack for Reeves was only roll out to Lind’s side all night and Queen had to pull up because Lind out reached the tackle. Regardless, great team win and all d line got three or four man pressure all night. That and CCH’s dominating run offense was the difference.

Good observation. I think the talent cycle during Coverdale's tenure at X, while not "down" by any means, was in a lull compared to some of the other Cincinnati powers. I do know the fan base would much rather have him back calling plays instead of Specht at this juncture. A little bit of Matt Patricia Patriots O coordinator thing going on with the Bombers.

Jake Brodbeck has had the title of DC for awhile. When Coverdale was there, Specht was more of the traditional "Head Coach" that "helped" more with the defensive side because Coverdale was so good. Specht actually "calls" the offense now.

Its clearly his defense, but he's no longer calling it. Specht has run the X offense since Coverdale left to be an offensive analyst at Louisville for Brohm.

Wasn't a "moment". Head was across the front on contact. Horrible call.

I can assure you that you are wrong. It’s a no call. Dylan’s head is in front and across the defenders body when he contacts him.

The phantom block in the back call on the Harney 60 yard touchdown in the first half and CCH not punching in the first drive of the game inside the 5 was the difference. CCH absolutely had a chance to win this one and maybe even should have.

It's not my scheme... but you have identified the number one weakness in what CCH runs. Inside outside zone. I think your question assumes (correctly) that everyone has a gap responsibility or run fit on each play. While it appears the d line stunt to a certain gap on each play call, the linebackers either fill the vacated gap or read and fast flow to the play. I am not sure about you, but I wouldn't necessary call that a run fit or gap controlled defense like we probably ran growing up. The backside B gap runs are a perfect example... yes, great read by the back because they see the backside d lineman cross the o lineman's face as they are supposed to do in this slant scheme. In this scheme, the backside backer then should be free (and many times, if not all) they were. At that point you take your hat off to Savage and the other kid because they are hitting those holes like dudes. Tough to be ready for that kind of speed and it certainly showed the first quarter and a half.

Nobody got washed anywhere... that is the SCHEME... they slant gaps on every play. That leaves the LB's to come down hill to make plays. Young LB group with a ton of talent who will get better but way too many missed tackles particularly when they weren't accounted for. Also, Ryle is an excellent team. The Ryle/Highlands game will be a great barometer for where these programs stand.

That two headed monster (well three with Verax) is a handful. If Ryle can stay ahead of the sticks and limit turnovers like last night (zero) this is going to be a special year for y’all because they will absolutely take the air of the ball in many 4th quarters this year.

Riherds has CCH giving up 284 rush and 71 pass.

Have you guys actually watched games the past 11 years especially with this defense? The “lack of size” has never mattered because of the scheme they run. The dline is constantly moving gaps which means the linebackers should have a gazillion tackles. If those LB’s miss tackles or are making first contact four yards down field both of which happened repeatedly last night you end up giving up 280 on the ground. On the offensive side CCH went for 190 on the ground. Size is the least of this teams concerns. If you can’t get teams out of cover 1 or 0 every single snap with 8 guys in the box that’s a MUCH bigger issue.