Finkle Ray

Cooper wins 1 - 0 over Beechwood. Cooper scored in the first 15 seconds. Earns the Lady Jags a date with Dixie Wednesday.

The regular season I agree. However, I need to preface this by saying I do think Highlands has a good ball club. They have the players and coaches to possibly go the distance this year. Will Highlands be ready come playoff time? Or we looking at an early playoff exit scenario? Sure, they beat Cooper, outside of that where is that signature win? They beat a 1A Raceland team and loss to CovCath. Outside of that, the average win total of their opponents so far… is two. The remaining regular season schedule may not give them much of a look. How ready can you really be when your starters only play half of a condensed clock game?

I'd say looking at the Highlands schedule the rest of the way, they can be penciled in at the #1 spot in their district. Will be interesting to see how Highlands handles the playing time for starters for the rest of the regular season. May have the easiest schedule in 5A till week two or three of the playoffs. Boone, Connor, Scott, then the bottom team in sister district. All potentially running clock games. Could be a month before the Birds get really tested again.

100% correct. I feel like they are the best team in Northern Kentucky right now. Whatever ills they had in their Covington Catholic game, they have definitely fixed. As for Dixie, I think they’re still a better team than what they showed tonight. Confident they will fix what they need to fix moving forward.

South Oldham's starters held a solid SK team to one score in the first half of their scrimmage. I think Friday they do something similar hanging around for a half, then taper off with Woodford pulling away early in the second half.

Week one Dixie imploded with penalties and it cost them…. In week one. I seem to recall a thread where Highlands had one bad game also with penalties. Maybe the CovCath contest? So the “discipline” issue is just beating a dead horse really. Not sure where this notion Dixie is just a penalty magnet the last 15 years comes from. When it comes to actual football, both teams with really good running games, Highlands a top passing team in 5A vs one of the best teams for pressures (Sacks). Want a Shootout? Dixie showed they can hold their own in one against good competition. Come from behind? They have done that against good competition. Want physical? That seems to be pretty much what they are if you have seen any of their games. It’s fair to question that they haven’t quite figured out how to finish. But they have done nothing but got better every week and I think this is the week they finally turn the corner and get the win. Now… cue @Tigerpride94with his cut and paste “running clock” lol.

Beechwood 30 Dixie 26 in a nice back and forth.

For Dixie I think the bye week came at a good time. Two hard fought losses that could have gone either way, followed by two weeks to heal up and an opponent they should (on paper) beat. While I don’t think they are looking past this game, if you are Coach Burke you have to keep in mind what is on the horizon with Highlands next week. I think they run the ball, a lot, to shorten this game and get out healthy. Get up early, run the clock, and prepare for the BlueBirds.

I think for Highlands this is the most important two weeks of their schedule outside of playoff time. They have a pesky Cooper team who has the athletes to match up well with yours, followed by what will be a (hopefully) well rested and physical Dixie team. If they win this contest by two or more touchdowns, I say they have a better than good shot of being a final four team in 5A.

They called that a TD? Ouch. I don't see it. But I wasn't there, and all the back and forth won't give Beechwood a win either. Beechwood was the benefactor of the same type of call against Dixie. Gregg was absolutely in if THIS was called a TD. You get some calls, you don't get others. On to District games.

Dixie was able to get consistent pressure. QB was sacked, hurried, and hit a lot in that game. CovCath will do the same. Credit to the Beechwood QB the kid can throw under pressure, and on the run. Beechwood has had a lot of really fortunate bounces during these four games. It's fun to watch. I'm just not in the mindset that you can stay one dimensional and win THIS game. CovCath wins this game by 10 (or more).

Highlands schedule over the next three weeks could decide 1, 2, or 3 in their district. After Raceland they have Cooper and Dixie back to back. They have an opportunity to lock up #1, and enjoy a pretty favorable schedule going into the playoffs. With Dixie and Cooper not playing until a couple weeks later for what will most likely be 2-3. Connor could be a team that is a snake in the grass. While the other three favorites in that district duke it out, whomever plays Connor could be in for a let down game if they aren't careful. Should be a very interesting 5A district race up in NKY.

While they are greatly improved and one of the better teams in this years 5A race, I would rather see them string a few wins together first. Good news for Dixie, in three weeks you get to find out early in district play where you stack up. That Highlands contest at home will be one that will truly show your growth.

Dixie stands out for sure. I think conventional wisdom says they were going to be 1-3 regardless with the schedule they have played to date. But the big surprise for most of us is how competitive they have been in tough games. I agree with another poster on here they may be due to pique at the right time. Regardless their success, or lack thereof, the schedule they play will pay dividends later in the season/post season.

If I was a receiver on Dixie’s squad I would catch the balls that are thrown first. Averaging at least two dropped catches a game… in the end zone. Had their chances last night as well. The running game is working, and they pass it just enough to keep the chains moving. The receivers in my opinion just need to make the most of the opportunities given. I agree it’s frustrating to be a fan/parent and see them at 1-3 knowing they have a way higher ceiling. But that’s not because they don’t throw enough.

I do recall a discussion about a poorly officiated game (for both teams) last year. I can see where a blue colored lens would see “late hits”. If Brach was on the opposing sideline from me, I would also want him to let up a bit. I hope the undertone of these comments is not that the kid is a dirty player. I have had the privilege of watching all of his varsity and JV games. He is not dirty, and he isn’t out to hurt anyone. I hope they do not pull his leash at all and let him do what he has been doing for three games now… play linebacker. While everyone focuses on Brach Rice, the larger picture is that Dixie is markedly better as a team, and slowly getting better every week. Can they turn a corner tonight? It is VERY possible. I wish all these young men a safe and well officiated game so there aren’t any excuses if Dixie pulls this off. I expect a good game this evening. CovCath could very well win, and by all accounts most likely will, I just don’t see it coming easy.

This answers what I was about to ask.

Or, consider Dixie may be a tad under rated right now. One of the best 1-2 teams out there. Which I think is right where they want to be. In the Hughes game Dixie could have scored more but just continued to run the ball and shorten the clock.

I thought Beechwood would run to control the clock today. But Hayden can throw the ball, and very well. One of the touchdowns, number five from dixie could not have covered a kid any better, and Hayden dropped it right in a spot only his receiver can catch it. Kid took a lot of hits, and a lot of pressures, hats off to him for a gritty game. Brach Rice is an absolute monster. The field goal that Dixie missed in the first half came back to haunt them. That was a fun game to watch. Dixie showed a lot of growth today bouncing back from adversity. Still a couple stupid penalties and need to protect them all better, but way to hang in there against a good team.

I just don't see a blowout. If Hayden is throwing that much today it's because the Tigers are down and need to catch up. Dixie can and will get to the QB. Managed to get a couple sacks against a good SK front, while forcing several turnovers. Last week sacked a very fast division one commit 5 times also while forcing turnovers. I see the Tigers attempting to win the time of possession aspect of the game by running the ball. This may be a defensive slugfest won by the last team who has the ball. I like Dixies chances to keep it close and win if they protect the football and avoid penalties.

Really does feel like Coopers game to lose here. If the Jaguars are reading their press clippings a bit too much, some teams can struggle early with new success.

I would not want to be Campbell County right now. Highlands losing like they did, the noise here on message boards and conventional wisdom should tell you that Highlands will be at its disciplined, mental, and physical best going into this contest. Especially after what I am sure is a "fun" week of practice in Fort Thomas. Campbell is one of the most improved teams over the last two seasons, just won't have enough to overcome what is barreling at them this week. BlueBirds big in this one.

SK struggled to score with their starters playing (first half) in both of their scrimmages. In their first game, SK’s QBs were under constant pressure despite these big guys on the line. Thanks to an implosion of discipline by the red Colonels SK was gifted almost a football field and a half of yardage which gave them short fields most of the second half. This allowed SK to escape with a 10 point win. SK also has issues covering wide receivers. That’s a three game sample size that tells us SK hasn’t got the horses to hang with a disciplined and well coached team like CovCath.

They should come together as a crew, and try to come to a consensus on what the ruling is. If no consensus, maybe a regional or central location they can call up and request assistance on the ruling. Put restrictions on the call to scoring or end of the game situations where they are within one score. May pro-long some contests but in the absence of replay, could be a remedy.

It wasn't close. When you run the ball as much as Dixie did, the clock keeps moving. I think had Dixie passed more, score would have been much higher.