FirstTimeLongTime

Hosea has looked really good and is getting more carries every week. My guess on the number of carries is to keep them fresh. With Devon James out for the season, they are down to only two RBs. Noon obviously will get some carries and Benke has become the short yardage and goalline ball carrier.

SK defense is an issue but Beechwood has not seen a line like this (Offense or Defense). If Crone plays, this is a close game. If SK can get a lead and make Beechwood throw (Big If), I think Beechwood will struggle with the young QB. Beechwood schedule so far has been very weak. SK has the most difficult schedule in NKY.

Interesting game. We know HHS can struggle against the run and I am sure Raceland will attempt to exploit that. On the other side, Raceland has won 3 games easily but neither of the 3 teams they have played has thrown it any more than 19 times even though they were losing big. Ashland = 14 passes, Russell= 17 and Rowan = 19. Highlands over the last 2 games has thrown it very effectively 38 times vs. SK and 31 times vs. Campbell for around 500 yards. Should be a fun one.

Are these defenses super strong or the offenses not good or a combo? Not great offensive stats.

So #12 came in when Crone was dinged for a series. My question would be if he is the clear backup (maybe he isn't?), why would he play Frosh ball at all? Be the backup on Fridays and get reps on JV Saturdays.

Most if not all schools in the diocese have seen enrollment drops in this range since 2015.

Got it because watching the game you saw special teams get HHS the ball at the goaline 3 times. Two by Noon returns that were also blocked well and one by the punt return team recovering a bad snap on the one. As you mentioned, there was also the fake punt that resulted in a TD that was executed really well. Kicker can't consistently get it to the endzone and that would be nice to have. Special teams will improve each week and if they continue to win the field position battle which they easily did last week and get the ball to the offense with short fields, they will be fine. The glaring issue with the team at this moment is not special teams. Rush defense was a problem all last season and continues to be now.

What are the biggest issues on special teams? Coverage, game plan, execution? I can't find any stats. Week 1 they had a punt blocked I know. In the SK game, I thought Highlands was superior on special teams vs. their opponent. Returned a punt and a kickoff to the goaline, covered well on kickoffs. Didn't punt much. A ton of return yards just can't find the exact number. They did have a questionable call on an onside kick early in the game that also was executed poorly. The onside kick at the end of the game was executed quite well. The player touched the ball early but would have been able to get it if he waited another 2 yards. Not easy to judge running full speed and trying to make a play. If offense continues to improve, they should be able to punt much less and at a minimum flip the field which is what happened last Friday vs. the previous weekend.

He did not play on Friday. With that said, there was no reason for him to play JV either. Let the other 2 QBs get work as they will be the 2 that will be needed from a backup perspective. If Litmer plays any JV it should be on defense.

I am going with a big nasty as my player of the game for the Birds. Loved seeing Max Merz making big improvements from last season. Played both ways on the line and dominated. Will be a big contributor on Varsity next season.

Loved the fight out of the birds. Sloppy play early for both teams. Lots of turnovers and penalties. This would be somewhat expected for game 1. Birds overcame a deficit and took the win. Anyone know who QB #3 was for Great Crossing? He was electric. Made some unreal passes and was nasty when he ran. He will be a player to keep an eye on for sure.

I am making an assumption based off of my personal experience. I am well aware of Coach Sphire's track record and I also understand Coach has only been at HHS a little over a year. Even after the disaster of last weekend, I do think things will get better for the team.

Also, he is not saying he is a great player like Mayer. He is saying he has great size for a 16 year old and is a good athlete. The point is they are not using it and coaching the players up to be great.

It is tough comparing a kid to such a great comedian.

Obviously, that comparison is not correct or fair. However, there is a point in the initial statement that good athletes with next level size are not being coached/trained up. I think that is a fair statement from what I have seen. When most teams have kids that have great size and are good athletes, they find ways to use them. Hopefully that changes.

You may need to read it a 6th time. They compared his size to Michael MEYER not Mayer. Big difference. ?

So the obvious question that comes to my mind after watching this is which would you rather be? A College football star that played in the NFL or a country Music Star???

Yes

He did then they circled back to him after Eddie James quit.

I think I missed one. There are 5. Bryant, Abner, Nevels, Cook and Welch. Wiggins is no longer on staff. Bibb is on staff but his son is not playing. Abner and Cook have Frosh players. I think that covers all of them??

There were 5 coaches with players in the program but one player decided not to play this season so four coaches with players in the program. Of the 4 coaches, 2 have a player on the varsity roster while the other 2 have a player on the Frosh team. One coach has a player in the position group that he coaches.

Will this game be streamed anywhere?

Small sample size for Bottom. Looked good in 1 game vs. Cooper but not so good vs. Cov Cath or in the rotation with Benke vs. Boone County. Hass won the job outright this spring/summer. Bottom did miss time this summer so didn't get as many reps. If Hass struggles, Bottom should be able to jump in and go. This is to me the position on the team with the most questions marks. Very deep roster in most other positions.

@Kenny Powers writeup is accurate.

I am in by no means an expert on either team but I did watch this matchup last season and am familiar with many on both rosters. Both teams have a bunch of returners which is great for both teams. I would say the player that sticks out to me the most for the Camels is #5. He was out due to injury in this matchup last season. That will be a matchup nightmare for the Breds D. With N. Smith back at QB and Hill and Bowens back at WR and RB respectively (I think), the camels should be improved on offense. The Breds have a bunch of core guys back as well. Not sure they have a true game changer anywhere on Offense but K. Smith has a year under his belt. If he can avoid turnovers, the Breds can come away with the victory.