throwback32

A few things as a Highlands fan...

1.  That was as uninspired I've seen a team for an opener in a long time.  Didn't look interested or prepared.

2.  Pick a QB and stick with them.  I'm not at practice, I don't know who that is but choose one and ride or die.  The in and out isn't good for anyone.  QB struggling, swap them out.  Pick 6, swap them out.  Fumble on your goal line, swap them out.  Confidence has to be wrecked.  My .02, go with Benke for better or worse.

3.  When you make a hire like Highlands did, and give the new coach all kinds of benefits that no other coach before him or elsewhere in the school were given, I would say the leash you have for success is shorter, and the criticism of the coaching staff is what it is.  And that leads me to totally contradict myself with #4...

4.  Be patient. These are kids.  I remember Baoini taking over a floundering baseball program, struggled mightily early on.  I'd say that worked out pretty well.  Same for Listerman, basketball was down, interest was down, and the first 4-5 years for him were rough...the state championship banner looks pretty good in the gym.

Go Birds! I only hope that this week we see some pride and fire out of the boys.  If not, the contempt for the coaching staff will only grow.

55 minutes ago, Kenny Powers said:

Well, saying that was a disappointment is an understatement. Going into this game I did not expect HHS to dominate and thought the game was a tossup. But I certainly DID expect them to play physical, with passion, and execute - like a well coached team should. None of which happened; instead they got abused in all three phases of the game and honestly looked like they didn’t belong on the same field as SW. 

There is WAY too much talent on the HHS sideline to have a running clock put on them. Again, not saying they should have beat SW but it is totally unacceptable to get outright dominated and most importantly for HHS to look completely ill prepared for the game. 
 

Highlands and the Ft. Thomas community have invested A LOT of resources in Coach Sphire. Hopefully, this is a hiccup to start the season and going forward that investment starts to pay dividends because a lot of what we saw last night did not look like a team that was being put in the best position to be competitive. 

BEAT PIONEERS! 

“A LOT” 😂 

Go Birds!!!

7 hours ago, Mudville62 said:

No worries.  Birds will be fine.  All the confidence in this coach and this team.  

Love the optimism, and I hope you are right, but I have to ask…..why?

 What have you seen in the 2 years plus with this coaching staff that makes you say that besides blind optimism?
 

Because I really haven’t seen much improvement.  

2 minutes ago, cincyswords said:

Is Benke showing something the other QB's have not or is this a case of "fools gold" playing against JV.

Both

1 hour ago, theguru said:

The City of Fort Mitchell just posted this on Facebook:

Congratulations to the following City of Fort Mitchell businesses for being voted Best of NKY (NKY Magazine):

FOOD:

Breakfast/Brunch

Greyhound Tavern

2500 Dixie Highway

Cupcakes

Little Flour Baked Goods

2479 Dixie Highway

Italian Cuisine

Camporosso

2475 Dixie Highway

Restaurant

Greyhound Tavern

2500 Dixie Highway

DRINK:

Happy Hour

Braxton Barrel House

5 Orphanage Road

BEAUTY:

Hair Salon

Zoe Grace Salon & Med Spa

287 Buttermilk Pike

HEALTH:

Medical Facility

BenchMark Physical Therapy

2501 Dixie Highway

Mental Health Agency/Practice

Emma Schmidt & Assoc., Sex + Relationship Therapy

2045 Dixie Highway

Pharmacy

Fort Mitchell Drug Shoppe

2515 Dixie Highway

SERVICES:

Financial Planner

Crystal Mann, Charles Schwab

285 Buttermilk Pike

Home Builder

Drees Homes

211 Gtandview Drive

SHOPPING:

Jewler

Herzog Jewelers

2501 Dixie Highway

Place for Home Accessories

Bunches of Bows Ft.Mitchell

2497 Dixie Highway

https://www.bestofnky.com/best-of-nky-2022/

Emma Schmidt bout to be busy as hell.  You really know your audience! 😂 

2 minutes ago, El Diablo said:

Haha look at the sign as you’re walking into David Cecil Memorial Stadium next time. Take a minute to count them all up. 

I was being dramatic, to fan the flames. Was only demonstrating the savage thirst for football success in the 75.  Highlands guy here.

7 hours ago, hector607 said:

Don’t forget that Highlands is a dominant force in 7 on 7s. That means a lot in Fort Thomas these days. 

Parade for winning the EKU 7on7 is Monday at 11am.  See you there?

1 minute ago, theguru said:

Greyhound Tavern is better than anything in Fort Thomas. 

Midway Cafe says hold my beer…

I think this Fort Mitchell/Fort Thomas food debate has to happen.  I’ll grab some wings from Midway Cafe, a Padrinos Pizza, flatbread from Grassroots, and a breakfast sammmich or two from Southside Deli.

Need someone to grab some FT Mitchell’s finest culinary treats and we can over eat and settle this once and for all.

10 hours ago, gbballfan21 said:

Yes, they are indeed on different schedules. One is ranked higher, academically, than the other, annually. 

Both are extremely high achieving academic districts that rank annually in the top 5 in the state. I would be proud for my kids to attend either.

Maybe we should compare school lunch menus to see which is better. (Eye roll emoji)

I can promise you with 100% certainty that Fort Thomas Schools will not change any academic policy for athletic reasons.  If this becomes something relevant in the future I am sure the policy could be reviewed, however, no way this will change this year.

4 minutes ago, Jack of all Trades said:

And not because of football.

I heard because of possible early graduation.  

19 minutes ago, Jason Bucklen said:

Any idea of where he’s going? I have heard he was going to a certain place. 

Word on the street is a possible enrollment at a school in Fort Mitchell.  

40 minutes ago, UCME said:

Highlands looked and played like Highlands.  It appears they have split their team up into two teams, possibly even split the projected starters for balance from what i could tell.  The "Blue" team was solid and very competitive! Seth Ryan looks to have put on some muscle and really stood out to me!  Size seem to be the only issue.  

They were also without Will Herald yesterday I believe.

Look for a big year out of Seth!  He has put the time in this offseason.  Kid has a high ceiling if it comes together for him.

14 hours ago, brooksville said:

If you’re inferring that Bob Sphire will profit personally off this camp then that is sad.  The head coach should be running this camp to help build a culture and develop the athletes in the Highlands football program, not for a personal payday.  The school already pays his salary, and running a camp should be expected under the duties of head coach.

Furthermore, one cannot personally profit from the use of school facilities unless they get it approved by the Board of Education, and this usually includes the school being paid a rental fee.

 

Agree 100% with all of this!!!!

5 hours ago, brooksville said:

I personally am not a fan of the coach's name being on Youth Football Camp title.  It sounds conceited and like the "Sphire" name is bigger than the "Highlands" name. 

$150 for 6 hours does seem a bit expensive.  But a youth summer camp is a major fundraiser for most schools. 

I would venture to say the “school” sees very little of this camp.

22 minutes ago, FrankNicodemus said:

Exactly, I see what this is all about.  The price the branding, everything around this seems par for the course with the hiring of Coach Sphire.  What's the saying? You get what you pay for or is it, you pay for what you get....

It is what it is....LET'S GO WIN STATE!!!

GO BIRDS!!

People will come Ray, people will come!!!!

I have no problem with any of it, just wish if all rumors are true that ALL other coaches in the HHS family would be given the same concessions...

11 hours ago, Jack of all Trades said:

Also when did this become the Bob Sphire football camp and not the Highlands football camp?

Way too much to unpack here...... I believe it was part of his package.

Why I keep checking this thread daily…..I have no idea. I definitely have bought into the hype.

2 minutes ago, HSBballfan1212 said:

Actual proof.  This is close to slander without proof.

That I am glad to say, I do not have, which is also why I have not stated rumors that I have heard.   

19 minutes ago, HSBballfan1212 said:

I'm interested to see any evidence of this as I have heard nothing but the opposite about him.  🤔

Are you looking for the reason behind all of the comments above or actual proof of what is being referred to?

8 hours ago, ChickenWyngz said:

Why on earth would it have been an encouraged resignation? 

Because things you do off the court matter when you are leading young men.

45 minutes ago, ChickenWyngz said:

Why on earth would it have been an encouraged resignation? 

I’ve heard some things, but none verified, so I will not comment on them further.  Didn’t know if any folks out there in the know, well know….

Curious if this was his decision or an encouraged resignation?

I find this situation fascinating.  If you take the word of some and football was an option at Cov Cath (and I have  no reason to doubt that) then why the move to Anderson?
 

 Could this just be a kid missing his friends?  Or is there more going on in Park Hills that isn’t being reported?

Good luck to him, he will be an animal on Friday Nights.