godfather1

Amazing isn't it. And everybody questions/complains when injuries occur. It's not the "Junction Boy's" era anymore, thank goodness.

Financing football gear is never a good idea when you take into consideration how quickly it devalues. Also, apparently many colleges no longer use this helmet because of concerns regarding how they fit, and comfort issues. Oregon {college} was one of the schools initially given these helmets to use, and it wasn't long until they ceased to use them. Again, same concerns with how they fit, and issue(s) with comfort.

Great idea, however, very few High Schools can afford to pay $30,000 to $50,000 for helmets alone. For many schools that would probably more than double their entire football budget for the season. Again, great idea..... just too costly.

I don't really care what Cov Cath has. No decent coaching staff is preparing their kids for one team, that's down the road in their season. The HHS staff, I'm confident is working/coaching on all fundamental aspects of the game. They have broken down all of the game film, and reviewed the good and bad from last season. Evaluating their kids, and putting the right pieces in all the slots. This is a good staff, with talented kids. I really wouldn't underestimate this team, or staff. Trust me, right now, Cov. Cath. is the least of their problems. That issue is on page 950, and we're only on page 15 right now. First things first. It's all a process.

I'm not underrating or degrading him in any way. He's a great kid. However, there's a huge difference running against varsity size, strength & speed. While he has nice speed, and a good head for the game, we should probably leave it at that, considering it's July 10th and he's still recovering. As I said, he has two more years ahead of him. No reason to rush things now, as there's nothing to prove. Take your time, and get healthy Joe ! Best of luck.

Schwalbach will be fine coming out of the gate. Buten's injury can't be rushed in any way. He's a tough kid, however, he's never run against varsity size, or speed. Hopefully, he'll start with the J.V. and work his way up, if warranted. There is no reason to rush this kid, as he is a sophomore with plenty of upside for years to come. I'm confident that the Coaching Staff will bring him along, as they deem necessary. The O-Line is the least of my concerns, at this point. Obviously, injuries dictate that concern. Depth at RB, QB and the Defensive Secondary concern me more. A lot more.

The O-Line will have nice size and speed. Not giant, but their technique should separate them from the rest of the pack in their division. Kramer should have a break-out year with his receiving cast of: Roberts, Ahfeld, King and Big Ben at T.E. and possibly some of the Sophomores. Running game could be suspect at the beginning of the season, but will mature, as the season progresses. The defense is the area that will require great focus from the coaching staff. They must get great push from the down linemen, and exceptional backfield interference from the ends. I think the LB's play will be OK. Not sure about the CB's & Safety play, as this has been a major weakness in year's past. Nonetheless, it's going to be fun to watch this group. There is a lot of talent to choose from ! Good luck Coaches.

IMO, in any State Championship game, there should be a definite winner. Coaching staffs and their kids work to hard for it to be decided on; first downs, penetration, or total yards. Again, IMO.

Not knowing the KHSAA rules governing inclement weather conditions at a State Championship meet, I nonetheless find it hard to believe that the meet was called, and the points leader {at the time} was determined to be the State Champion w/o a protest, etc. I can't imagine that this would occur at a football, baseball, etc. championship game. Given all the hard work by the kids, one would think it only natural that the meet would have been halted in a weather advisory state, and the last event run when it cleared-up to determine the overall Team State Champion. Amazing, I doubt this would fly in Ohio.

If those numbers for the O-Line's height and weight are remotely correct {Avg. 6'2" and 265 lbs.}, and the boy's are athletic, the Coaching staff should be able to have a hay-day against most of the defenses they will see this season. They should have no issues hitting the edges, and powering up the gut. Not to mention the passing attack. Good luck gentlemen.

As you say, and with all do respect, it is about the "flukiness of the game". If the problem is really about big schools vs. small schools, then address that issue alone. Adding games won't solve the issue(s). FYI, it is kinda about liking the results. When you win, the playoff system is just fine. When you don't, then things could be done to improve the system. IMO, things are just fine the way they are. Maybe, just maybe, the small school vs. the big school issue should be addressed to even things out "competition wise".

Nope, I strongly disagree. It's the same for all high school championship games. The winner takes it all. Otherwise, when spectator's aren't happy with the results, when does it become 3 out of 5, etc. It's a long grueling season, and the Teams know going in, it's one and done for the championship. The players, and coaches deserve season finality. It's great the way it is !

Hey, I don't have a horse in this race. However, I very much value good coaching. You can have the best talent in the world, but if you have terrible coaching, you aren't going to win many games. Over the last 3 season's, the NDA varsity girls have a 34-48 record. They may have some talented kids, but they just got a great Coach. Everything combined above will bring the victories. Again, the kids won't have any problems with Coach. Heck, they're already showing positive signs in their summer games. The parents are the one(s) that will slowly & gradually warm-up to Coach, after they see the hard work and results. So far, so good, IMO.

IMO, this team will be very disciplined, and "coached-up" for every game. Coach will bring a sense of intensity that hasn't been seen at NDA for quite some time. This was a fantastic hire, and, the fans will be very satisfied from the onset of the first practice. The players will love him "after" they get use to his style, and the tempo of his game mandates. Parents on the other hand... will require some time to get used to his method(s). It should be fun to watch this season.

Nobody was naive. He's a sophomore with a decent skill-set. If anything, it worked out great for the offense during spring practice(s). He wasn't going to start varsity this season..... and apparently didn't want to wait for his turn at the helm. That's life. I feel bad for his classmates that dreamed of winning a state title together. Hey, move on, and build a strong bond between the current boy's, and the coaching staff. That's were success truly begins at every level of competition, regardless of the sport. Good luck Birds, you'll be fine ! Oh, where his Mom works is irrelevant to this discussion, free country.

Big congrats to the Highlands Girls Track Team for winning the Division 2-A Title at their Regional Track Meet on Saturday. Their first place score more than doubled that of the 2nd place finisher. The Highlands Boy's came in a strong 2nd place just 33 points behind division winner Lex. Cath. A great job by all. Good luck at State !

In my opinion, a sport specific athlete {in-general} trains one (1) basic muscle group over and over, day in, and day out, which can expose them to muscle strains, or tears. When it comes to multi-sport athletes, just the opposite is true. Because the athlete is going from sport season to sport season, different muscle group(s) are being trained, and utilized. Hence, there is no over-saturation or muscle fatigue. Hey, just my opinion, but many "sports specialist doctors" seem to agree.

Maybe. Has he, or his assistants, ever Coached High School Girls Varsity Soccer before ? It's entirely different than coaching boy's. Just food for thought. I truly wish the entire staff all the best next season.