gbballfan21

Just to clear up a few points that are technically true -- even if it sounds like they are not in this case: *Public jobs are supposed to be posted for 30 days (if there is an immediate need -- this period can be waved--at least that is the way I interpet what I am seeing in front of me). *Principals have ultimate hiring/firing authority for the schools in which they are employed (that doesn't mean that they can't be held account/responsible for the decisions that they make--but it is 100% their decision as to who they hire). Opinion: I doubt that Highlands is anywhere near close to announcing a name at this point. Still plenty of time to continue to to collect applications based on the 30 day rule. Still plenty of time for coaches to apply. (And they better make sure they follow the 30 day guideline for one simple reason -- football just ended in Kentucky and is still going on in a lot of other states--I figured I would throw that in since so many Highlands fans are convinced that the Kevin Kelly's of the world are lining up to apply in Fort Thomas!). Hiring Committees (aka--Make People Feel Like they are Important and Part of the Process Committee's) are important in some places and not so important in others. In this case, unless we know who the committee members are -- then there is really no reason to speculate as to what their true role will be. I am still extremely skeptical as to why the people of Fort Thomas think that they are going to attract the type of coach who immediately puts Highlands back at the top of the heap. Between the unrealistic perception of reality of the fans, horrendous real estate prices and the numerous additional issues -- its a much tougher sell than what the faithful realizes.

Yeah, I see your point, and my point is, they return 4 of the 5 offensive lineman, and have replacements waiting in the wings with Austin Waddell and potentially Tanner Jackson if he bumps down to the line. The O Line will be just fine next year. Yes, Beechwood revolves their offense around the talent they have at certain positions, but the loss at QB is HUGE. The line will be better next year than it was this year. Nobody walking through the door is going to replace Hergott.

Beechwood returns 4 out of 5 offensive lineman and loses a potential Mr Football candidate that just put up the single greatest season in school history at QB. I think it’s pretty evident what the most glaring need will be.

You said the ONLY issue Beechwood would have next year would be replacing Nachazel. That would imply that replacing Cam is not an issue. What did I get twisted?

So let me get this straight, you don’t think replacing Cam Hergott will be an issue?!! The kid accounted for over 80% of the offense and you don’t think finding a replacement is going to be critical to success? You must have a solid O Line to succeed, that is 100% true, but you don’t lose a player like Cam Hergott and just think you can plug anybody in there and not miss a beat.

Also, for people that want to say that Mr Football is more of a career award, here is some food for thought. Career Stats Cam Hergott 441-673 65.5% 6,214 Yards 65 TDS 20 INTs 366 Rushes 2376 Yards 34 TDS Total Offense 8,590 Yards 99 TDS Kaiya Sheron 413-640 64.5% 7,080 Yards 56 TDS 16 INTS 248 Rushes 1929 Yards 25 TDS Total Offense 9,009 Yards 81 TDS Hergott MVP of the 2018 Class A and 2020 Class AA State Championship games. Sheron MVP of the 2019 Class AA State Championship game. Head to Head Hergott beat Sheron in 2018 Sheron beat Hergott in 2019 2020 Hergott 1-0 vs LCA 2020 Sheron 0-2 vs LCA Senior year advantage Hergott Career Stats are virtually a dead heat

To me it’s real simple. In what was probably Cam Hergott’s “Worst” game of the season, he still accounted for over 250 yards of offense and 3 TDs, and was the MVP of the State Championship game. Let that sink in for a minute while everyone wants to poke holes in his game Friday. His throw to Mitchell Berger on 4th and 10 and the game on the line in the 4th quarter was unbelievable. He had to avoid a sack and on the run delivered a strike to the only possible place the ball could be thrown for Berger to make that great catch. Big time players make big time plays, and with the season on the line the kid stepped up to make a crucial play. I think the fact that Cam Hergott’s “Worst” game was an MVP performance in the Class 2A State Title game against a very good LCA team that knocked off one of the other front runners for Mr Football, not once, but twice this year, should speak volumes about the kind of season that Cam Hergott has put together!

So who, exactly, leaves the current staff in order to make room for Woolley? After all--the current staff (nearly all) has been together since Coach Rash got the job. Not to mention--they have been pretty solid during that time period. Nothing against Woolley--but who's place does he take?

More food for thought. I think the attachment with Cameron's numbers more than speak for their self. CameronHergott2020_Round4.pdf

2A player of the year, wow!!! Cameron Hergott should have been the 2A player of the year. He leads the entire state in total yards and has 38 combined TDs, and his 3 playoff performances have been incredible. He also currently sits at a 76.8% completion percentage, which would be the 2nd highest of all time for a single season. Sheron is a great player, and I wish him well at UK, but it’s a shame that votes just get cast based on a name or a school that somebody is committed to. Hergott has had the best season out of anyone in 2A when you consider how much of the offensive production has come from just him alone.

Tentative Numbers: Cameron Hergott 10 Carries For 240 Yards 3 TD's 6 for 6 For 120 Yards 3 TD's

No one said you couldn't mention names. My whole point is that why would a good coach in a good situation leave to go to Highlands at this moment in time? This isnt 6-7 years ago. And whether you like it or not, there is an overwhelming perception across the state that your fan base is a little unrealistic. And coaches are very in tune to that in todays coaching climate. If you don't believe me, fine, could care less. Its my opinion and I am sticking to it. (For reference--some of the names that have been thrown out are like a who's who list of never going to happen or at least not real likely). With that said, Brandon Smith sounds like a great move. A proven winner who has won his own championship, who was independent enough to strike out on his own (and it appears that he did while trying not to trade on his Fathers success). Off the top of my head, it reminds me of Justin Haddix going to Corbin. I just come from the school of thought that, being realistic and having a true understanding of where things are, give Highlands their best chance to get the best coach for their situation. Gino, Tommy B, etc are not walking through the door ..best to focus on realistic options.

I seriously don't get this -- especially after the Ginger Webb ordeal. Did she really not have an impact? How has the talent level been the same as it was during the run? Was there really no impact on fewer tuition students? Was that just a story that held no truth? I have to wonder--was the Highlands faithful okay with fewer tuition students? Did some of those 3rd/4th generation families want those kids gone so Fort Thomas kids could play a larger role? (And if so--are you really going to say that it was all the Coach and not a lack of talent?) Did those Again, from an outsiders perspective the kids in the program during the run looked like they came off an "ideal athlete assembly line". There is no way that the talent the past few years has been anywhere near as quick, fast and athletic as the not so distant past? I just struggle with the fact that, what I see with my eyes now, is as good as it was a few years back.

I often wonder why this point has not been made more often in regards to Highlands. When you look at her history at Beechwood--she did everything in her power to minimize the role of football and athletics there. She nearly completely stopped student/athlete tuition students (but opened it up for the band), refused to hire coaches for any teaching positions and basically limited funding for athletics to a level that I have never seen. My understanding is that the same thing happened at Highlands (I am aware of a few specific instances). Were tuition kids limited at Highlands? There is so much talk about there being more than enough talent to win there the past few years--but it seems like Highlands had quite a few out of area kids who were large contributors in the past (same thing at Beechwood). Another question then being--is there really enough talent there right now to be competitive? and has there been the last few years? Is that the reason why BW was allowed to stick around a little longer than most wanted? What is really interesting, Did Dale leave a little earlier than what was to be expected because he knew what was going to happen with Ginger Webb? By then -- it certainly shouldn't have been a surprise.

Great points all the way around. Great coaches love challenges for sure. What are those coaches going to do when they have to constantly deal with a fanbase that refuses to acknowledge the fact that maybe the talent isn't really there yet? What will they do when they realize they left a good job -- but now have to deal with a group of people who are hell bent on their kids being fawned over because they have had a family member in the program for 4 generations? And I know that coaches deal with that all the time. However--I think the coaching profession has finally started to realize that it is EASIER to build a program or rebuild a program when most everyone is on board -- and don't have to constantly serve so many masters all day. (My fault about BW -- thanks for setting me straight).

Fair enough and I agree with nearly everything you are saying. But unless some things change, the chances of winning state championships in the next decade are diminishing at best. I am 100% sure I understand who was the catalyst for the huge shift in fortunes at Highlands. And I would venture to say Uncle Dale saw the writing on the wall with that person. And maybe that is why BW was given so much time. I see your point as to why a change was needed. But just remember--not all of the problems go away with BW's resignation. A new coach isn't going to want to deal with the type of chatter that is going on right now. Advice from a friend -- get your fanbase to tone it down a notch or two. The Fort is a great place and I realize you guys are coming with great intentions. But it is not helping you. Again though as an outsider -- tell me why any of those big names would want this job right now? You always talk about the talent, I will take your word for it that it is there. I am really interested in why a great coach would want to come and deal with, in what is my opinion, a completely unrealistic fanbase with some wild expectations.

I would like to throw this out as an outsider. Highlands (or their fans) need to wake up and smell some reality. Chuck Smith? Tom Bolden? EDDIE EVISTON? Seriously -- why not Nick Saban? Why Not John Madden? The most desired head coaches currently see Highlands as a place to have to deal with unrealistic expectations from an extremely unrealistic fanbase. I don't know if the last staff was the problem. But I would have to be in a miserable job to want to insert myself into this situation. From the outside looking in - the unrealistic expectations, unrealistic coaching targets really make me wonder if this is a tenable situation. Highlands needs to come to grips with the fact that Tommy B, Chuck S, Bob S, Noel R are not walking through the door. The real question is -- can the fanbase deal with that? My advice -- sell the farm to get Wolfe. He is a great option and he understands the environment. If that doesn't work out change directions ASAP or you will lose out.

Tom Bolden? How about George Halas while we are at it? West is a MUCH better job than Highlands and I doubt that they could pay him anywhere near as much as he is making right now.

I believe the first one in history was in 1993 Conner 18 Ashland Paul Blazer 0

Pikeville will win this game by as much as they want to. Sayre has been a nice story, but they have beaten absolutely nobody. Pikeville will be an entirely different animal compared to what they have been playing.

I’m not sure who the favorite is, but one thing is clear. Hergott is 2nd in the state in total yards of offense with 2,214 which is good for 276.8 yards per game and 23 total TDs. He is first in completion percentage at 75% and sits 7th in passing yards. You often like to point out that he plays in a smaller class, but the first 4 games of the year were against 4A Corbin, 5A Cov Cath, 6A Ryle, and 6A Dixie Heights, in those 4 games Hergott accounted for 1,204 yards of offense, 301 yds per game average and 7 TDs. As far as getting the NKY vote, the stats and eyes don’t lie, anyone that watched that game between Beechwood and CCH knows who the best QB on the field was, and he was wearing Red and White. Also, if you look at Cal Preps strength of schedule, Beechwood’s schedule ranks better than many of the names on this list. Is Cam Hergott the favorite, that’s open for debate, but he certainly belongs in the conversation.

I understand how the seeding works, I was under the assumption that District 4 and District 5 flipped spots this year, with 4 moving to the East and 5 moving to the West. Apparently that has been eliminated if I am wrong. Again, I hope this is the case.

I wasn’t aware that they eliminated the cross bracketing once the RPI started. I hope I am wrong because that would be a benefit to Beechwood if they did not have LCA or Somerset in the East.

Did they change the cross bracketing because of Covid? District 4 which includes Somerset and LCA was moved to the East this year and district 5 that includes Walton was moved to the West. Once the first 2 rounds are completed then 1-4 in the East play each other and 1-4 in the West play each other. The final four is then seeded 1-4 regardless of East or West alignment with 1 hosting 4 and 2 hosting 3. If chalk wins out, then Beechwood is at West Carter in Rd 3 and at Mayfield in Rd 4. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty certain this is correct.

As it currently stands, if the tops seeds advance to round 3, then in the East LCA would host the 4th highest remaining RPI and Beechwood would travel to West Carter. If Somerset beats LCA and the other top seeds win then WC will host the lowest remaining seed and Beechwood would host Somerset in round 3.