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I don't need to be a coach to be able to recognize the futility of trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

This loss is not on the players for failing to make plays. In the first game, Cooper's Offense passed the ball 88% of their plays, 50 passes to only 7 running plays. In the Friday game, Highlands defense adjusted to limit the pass game, so Cooper had a much more balanced approach on offense, passing 45% and running 55%, 20 pass plays and 24 running plays. In the first game, Highlands ran the ball 79% of the time, 66 runs to 18 passes. In the game Friday, despite a defensive adjustment by Cooper that was designed to limit the run game, Highlands still had a 72% pass to run ratio, 44 running plays to only 17 passes. Highlands passed fewer times, despite facing a defense that was softer against the pass because it was designed to stop the run. Both teams made good defensive adjustments in game 2. But only Cooper made the adjustments to their offense and that translated into putting more points on the board and a victory, Friday night. So again, this loss is not on the players for failing to make plays. It is on the staff, for failing to adjust enough to put those players in a position to make plays.

So which team's adjustments had the greatest effect on the outcome of the game?

And in the first game, Highlands had 424 yards rushing and 235 yards passing, so Cooper's defensive adjustments resulted in 409 fewer total combined yards for the Birds, Friday night.

You're actually helping make my point. Just because something has worked in the past, does not mean you should expect the same success when playing a team a 2nd time after that team has already seen what worked against them. On Friday, Cooper's defense went all in to stop the run game of Highlands. Their plan worked because Highlands played right into it and refused to make enough in game adjustments to counter that defensive scheme.

The problem was trying that strategy into the teeth of a consistent 4 man defensive front. In the 1st game, Cooper ran mainly a 3 man front, but they adjusted and changed things up for this game. Plus, very few pass attempts allows the linebackers to get comfortable filling gaps. Why there was no play calling adjustment by Highlands when it was obvious the run game was not going to gash the Cooper defense this time around, is amazing to me. Highlands had the athletes to win, they were not given a game plan to do it, unfortunately.

But obviously great with organization and planning. Maybe an Administrative, or other suitable position will open up in the district.

Did you stop and admire those 23 football State Championship banners outside the stadium? I know you've never seen one at SK. LOL!

But he went just as far as HHS in the Ohio playoffs, against much better competition.

There was a severe lack of discipline early in the season. Smack talk, dumb penalties etc...I think it got better as the season went on, but it should have never been allowed to get to the level it did.

Looking forward to this one. Two great football programs. Going with the Colonels in this one!

Let's go Jags! Bring it home for NKY!

What a game! Congrats to Mayfield and good luck, next week! Beechwood, no reason to hang your heads, you left it all on the field and made us all proud, here in NKY!

I was surprised that Litmer did not take over at some point last night and have Benke as a weapon at receiver. The offense was anemic most of the game and a different look was needed. Not knocking Benke, Cooper game planned very well for him last night at QB. But put him in a position to do some damage, with Litmer's athleticism and speed in the mix and we may have seen some offensive fireworks from the Bluebirds.

Did Litmer take any snaps? Why no adjustment when the ground game was not working like it did in the regular season game?

Since the beginning of the 6 class system, only two teams from Northern Kentucky have reached the title game, both resulting in blowout losses. Dixie Heights lost 47-14, to Trinity in 2014 and Simon Kenton got blanked 48-0 by the Shamrocks in 2008. What magical combination needs to be unlocked to get a 6A win for a Northern Kentucky school? In your opinion, will we see it happen anytime soon? What NKY Big school will get that first title?

We've all heard the ones about the Referee's having it out for a certain team, or the teams that supposedly watered their fields to gain advantage, but what are some of the best and worst excuses that you've heard or read when a team loses a game?

SK has surrendered nearly 300 points, nearly 5 touchdowns per game on average, this season. I like Fern Creek in a close one. 42-34 Not too far off!

Hmmmm. Seems like someone predicted this in the predictions and updates thread. Who was that?

SK has surrendered nearly 300 points, nearly 5 touchdowns per game on average, this season. I like Fern Creek in a close one. 42-34

Congrats to the underdogs! Amazing when a small school wins this championship.

And in the end, it seems that Highlands responded big and is clearly the better team this year.

If it ends up being HHS -V- Beechwood, I hope Beechwood brings the single player, 7 touchdown difference maker, for that game. If so, Beechwood should win, right?

They don't appear to have much in the immediate pipeline though. Their Freshman team is 0-7 and most games have not been close.

On missed field goal tries, bring the ball back to the previous spot regardless of where it lands, instead of being a touchback if the kick crosses the goal line. A missed long field goal attempt should not be rewarded with a touchback.