Sandman

The bolded is incorrect. More than a few 10-0 teams failed to make the playoffs over the years, including Withrow at some point. And since the Harbin's became the playoff system, there were many year's you could count on one hand EACH year how many one loss teams failed to make the playoffs. Harbin's started with two teams from each region advancing, and it was that way through the 70's. Lots of one loss teams stayed home. Even in the four team system, one loss teams were in peril depending on their schedule. The eight team format eliminated almost all of this. The current format will as well. But, historically, that was the problem with the Harbin system. It wasn't the system it was the number of teams that qualified.

Cards fan has the new format nailed, as one would expect. Thing about the Harbin's is they are like reading a novel. The story takes time to develop. Week one of the Harbin release is exciting/anxious to fans, but really mean very little. Most, and by most, I mean the vast vast majority of the teams in contention for berths or top seeds control their own destiny. It will all play out in the next six weeks. On Kentucky's impact. Sycamore likely scheduled Ryle figuring they would get more second level points than they will get. Won't cost them a playoff berth (barring a key injury) but will affect their seed. Colerain may have anticipated more second level points from Trinity than they will get but, it won't affect them in the least. Whether they finish first, fourth, or eighth in the region nobody wants to play them come playoff time.

I'll be the first to say Scott's schedule to date has been soft. But, who did people want them to play? CovCath, Highlands? I'm guessing anyone who's been around Scott for very long has seen enough of those two schools to last a lifetime. I think a lot of the knock on Scott's schedule is because they chose to remove Simon Kenton and Dixie several years ago. Kenton County is an open enrollment district, and Scott was getting pounded annually by these two schools. Why would they keep playing them, if it was hurting their chances to lure potential football players into the school. I think it was a great decision by the Scott administration/coaches. But, I know it miffed a lot of people at SK and Dixie. I wonder why Scott's schedule is the lightning rod it is? Holmes' for instance is off to a pretty good start. So in looking at their non district slate I noticed the 4A Bulldogs play 4 class 2A teams, 2 class A teams, and one class 5A team, Scott.

Gotta admit, I thought this game would be a two to four score game in Moeller's favor. I didn't post in the prediction thread though, so I get immunity. The weather may have played a factor, but that may have gone both ways. Honestly, the weather played a factor in every game played tonight. I doubt it decided many outcomes, but it played a factor in every game. X is good. I think a lot of people are still trying to figure out how good Moeller is, which led to my two to four score spread.

Kinda wondering what you were saying in the bolded. "If the play call had one better." Really? Also, if the score in the bolded was to come at the five minute mark, as you stated, why would you onside kick?

Colonels need to put this one behind them, and get ready for next week. Can't get too euphoric after an emotional win, or too down after a tough loss. Pretend this one was never played, and focus on next week.

Lloyd did lose to Holmes. I wouldn't spring them ahead of NCC just yet.

Nice. Actually, I heard the OHSAA frowns on team's playing BYE for some reason. They refuse to factor any game against BYE into their playoff system. It's as if the game was never played.

Actually, my experience has been different. BYE doesn't seem to travel very well at all. In fact, the bleachers look almost empty. My guess is this will be the easiest game of the year to find a prime parking place and seat at Wooten Field.

Interesting CovCath has scheduled BYE the week before playing Highlands. Kind of a gamble I guess, as you hope they come out of this thing healthy. Highlands has scheduled BYE in the past prior to playing the Colonels though, and it has mostly worked out for them. I hope the Colonels aren't too banged up after playing BYE, that it becomes and excuse/issue after the Birds game next week.

If a local team or game is on Fox Sports on Thursday I will usually tune in. Same with a Cincy area team on ESPN or whatever. But I never watch teams from outside the Greater Cincinnati area on TV.

I give Scott a pass on their schedule. When you have been a doormat as many seasons as they have, you schedule as many chances to win games as possible. If it works out that you are the beneficiary of a few blowouts in a particular (this) year, so be it. Creating some excitement around the school for football should be the goal. 4-0 should do that. Good for Scott. Winning seven or so games a year will get the kids to buy in. Then when you have established some continuity of success, you amp up the schedule a little.

I only remember being shocked by the score when I saw it the next day. I'm guessing it was one of those deals where Holy Cross caught lightning in a bottle and Trinity didn't play very well, but I didn't see the game. I did see the Trinity/Clark County playoff game later in the season, and Trinity was good but not nearly as good as they had been the few years prior. Others have already mentioned it, but Clark County was the real deal. so much speed in that backfield. They were fun to watch. One of the best Kentucky teams I've ever seen. And, I've seen a lot of Ohio football and the Cardinals would have beaten a lot of the good Ohio teams I've seen over the years.

I think all the school's they've played to date didn't have to play them. They did all play them in a real game though. Is this where I'm supposed to say, "just sayin." FWIW, I think Trinity and Highlands are the two best football programs in the state. Both programs do an excellent job developing kids and winning games. I have zero problem with either program. But, don't pretend Highlands plays Trinity, because they scrimmage them. Major difference.

Based on my understanding of the KHSAA rules, you are spot on here. Not sure it explains a lot about the open gym stuff, but everything you said is correct, based on my experience.

Many of the OHSAA's rules differ from the KHSAA's. Apples and oranges.

Has Simon Kenton played a 6A team yet? Surely they do this week, right?

You're probably right, but it wouldn't be near as often. Instead of possibly winning 10 straight titles in the current system, Highlands may only win 6. If you drop NewCath and some other 2A schools into class A, I think you really get an interesting mix. NewCath, Mayfield, and Beechwood would at least split the titles up. Whether it's six classes, four classes, or even three classes, some schools are always going to get theirs. But with fewer classes you see a lot more parity and a lot less of the same team EVERY single year. Ugggh.

I agree. Seems odd as Ryle typically draws a fair amount of attention on the site in all sports.

My take on it is NCC will be fine once they start playing 2A schools. Could easily be playing for another state championship in December. I think many who follow football in NKY (and especially the fan bases for the two schools) have become so accustomed to NCC and Beechwood consistently being top 5 teams in NKY, that when they lose to a much bigger school it sets off some false red flags. I.E. this thread. Does NCC have the influx of talent that will allow them to be top five in NKY year in and year out, as they were able to do for a while? I doubt it. Does that mean the program is somehow in some trouble, not even close.

Guessing you think polls in general are a waste of time, correct? Tend to agree, but if I'm going to put any stock in a poll, it will be the coaches poll.

I agree, it appears you, I and Clyde are essentially making the same argument. That's why I quoted your and his earlier posts. Don't quite get what your trying to say in your last graph above though. I agree, whichever class T is in 4A for my argument will be a one horse race most of the time. But, you asked if things will really change much in other classes and then went on to say they would be a little more competitive. There's your answer then. I do think it would change things in other classes. To an extent you are right, even in four classes there are still going to be your "dominate schools" that win more state titles than anyone else in their respective class. But, it won't be nearly to the extent they are doing it now. Highlands honestly might win 10 state titles in a row in the current system. In a four class system, they'd still win plenty, but no way they win 10 in a row. My point was basically that in 4 classes we would see more competitive games for more weeks in the playoffs, therefore more games with two teams having a chance to win. That type of parity would eliminate the kind of one school domination we are seeing right now. As for the public/private debate. Maybe you are correct with that's how this all came about. I'm sure it had at least something to do with it. But, that was a bad call then. Who are the dominate private schools (T and X. NewCath as a small school) Then who? Moving to six classes wasn't going to fix this problem, T and X were still going to be with the biggest schools and NewCath was still going to be a problem wherever they landed.

Preface my remarks by saying, I think six classes in Kentucky is ridiculous. Get to four classes, and you'd see much more compelling football in November (save class 4A, which would still be WAY top heavy.) While Hellbird and Clyde, may be arguing I think both are actually making good points for why dropping to 4 classes is a good idea. Which class is strong? When we are arguing which class is the weakest, instead of most competitive, I think we have a problem with the entire system, not one class. Wouldn't Kentucky football be better if we were discussing which class would have the best playoff matchups instead which class is the worst of a bad lot? Which brings me to the last quoted. Yep 5A is likely a one horse race, but so is 4A, and I think I can at least make an argument that 3A could be. I know I could argue 6A is. People would disagree, but I can make a compelling argument. If after two weeks of football, I can argue that 2/3's of the classes are one-horse races, isn't that an indictment of the system? Is there a class that's more than a two-horse race? I recall one of the reasons for moving to six classes was to create more parity. That was well thought out.

Scott wins because they are pretty good. Aiken, is not.