En Fuego Hombre

Has there ever been a state title drought (10 years) this long at Highlands? If it continues, how many classes go without rings before the Fort Thomas natives begin to get restless?

Among the top tier football schools in Kentucky, what is considered to be a successful season at your school? Is it a winning record, winning your District, a deep playoff run, or, is it nothing short of a State Championship? And, how many seasons falling short of successful, would be endured before changes were made at the school?

These issues continue to this day. The taunting, posturing and mouth running would have never been tolerated in the dominant era(s) of Highlands football.

Granted there is more overall talent at Moeller, but the step up in competition cancels that out when doing this comparison. I doubt we will ever see a Bathiany coached team get blown out, running clocked and give up 54 points in just one half.

We'll never know, unfortunately. But coach Bathiany is leading his teams to victories against much better competition than Highlands faces week in and week out.

Meanwhile, across the river, what could (should) have been is leading his team into the Ohio D1 State Championship game next week.

So why, late in the 3rd quarter and beyond, trailing by 4 scores, is the Highlands offense going with runs up the gut? How does it make sense to allow the clock to become an additional nemesis?

Coach Bert Bathiany and his Moeller Crusaders advance to the Ohio Division 1 State title game next week in Canton.

10 years straight for Highlands without a State Championship. Has this ever happened before?

No doubt that he has already earned this award. Very well deserved.

Two. Ryle and Cooper

Colonels roll in this one. 28-7 final.

Home Field is too big an advantage for Cooper in this one. Jags win 31-21

From what I have heard, the scoreboard operator was as bad or worse than the announcers. Wrong downs, wrong yardage, not starting the clock, not stopping the clock. A comedy of errors. I was told, that in the beginning of the 4th quarter, WC ran at least one play to begin the quarter, then HHS scored in just a few plays, but after they scored, the clock was at 11:59 left in the quarter. A total of one second ticked off after several plays and a touchdown. The Officiating crew should have been watching this, so they are at fault as well.

That scenario sounds familiar.

from WCPO, channel 9: "Moeller coach Bert Bathiany was named the GCL South coach of the year for the second straight season. Bathiany, in his second season at Moeller, led the Crusaders to an outright GCL South title — the third consecutive crown for the program. The Crusades also finished the regular season No. 1 in the Division I, Region 4 computer ratings and No. 3 in the MaxPreps Ohio High School Football Rankings that include all classifications behind defending Division II state champion Massillon Washington and unbeaten Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit."

X by 35+, running clock in the 3rd quarter. Side note* my preseason prediction of a 4-6 SK, was spot on.

What scheme do the Neers run currently, what are the problems with it and what do you think they need to be running?

I think coach Bathiany brings home the hardware for Mighty Moe this year. Highlands shoulda, woulda, coulda...

What would be the result at your local high school if: A coach tried to intimidate or bully school administrators into allowing a player to play in a game when school rules require the student sit the game out, for whatever reason? Would there be any negative consequences for the coach?

Ryle 56 SK 28. SK's defense will be shredded in this one.

Ok, make that, lack of 'varsity level depth'.

I hope he has a quick and full recovery. Unfortunately, I think the fact that freshman often play up at SK says a lot more about the lack of depth at the varsity level than it does about the freshman players being ready to play there.

How long until we see the response to this, saying that all the best freshman are playing varsity and JV, and if they were playing freshman ball, SK would be undefeated?

My thoughts are that against a team like Dixie, Highlands needs to come out and prove that their program is at another level by having a dominating performance. failing that, they cannot be considered a serious threat to make a deep playoff run. I share your concerns on the defensive side of the ball. I like the skill level and talent on offense, but I have doubts about the play calling by the OC.