Bluerunner

Unfortunately missed both games, looking to see the Bearcats this Friday. Sounds like Walton was in both games down to the wire even with major miscues. Keep your head up boys, take care of business this week.

I just watched the game from my DVR. I imagine some adjustments will be made in the approach to the game plan. Platoon system and spreading the field may not be this groups best option for this season. They have the athletes and good enough talent to have a great season. They have a real game on film, so they can see in full speed where course correction is needed. I am sure the coaching staff will set their guys up to succeed this week.

Congrats to Austin. Austin has been working his tail off. He has the tools.

I heard offseason workouts had the best attendance in a few years. Only time will tell if it pays dividends on Friday nights. Should be an interesting year in Verona.

Congrats to the Birds. The Jimmies and Joe's will develop over time when you have the environment (culture). Ask the football program. When JB took over the program you just about had to sell the program to guys walking the hallways. I don't believe we had a JV or Freshman team years ago when I played. I believe they had over 110 kids try out for those 3 teams this season. Success leaves clues. Awesome job to the kids who bought in and developed under an excellent coaching staff. Hope they win it all!

The fact that the state has only one player even rated on the Scout site, 2 star, shows the overall lack of elite level talent in Kentucky high school football.

Wow, nice hire for Bellevue! Numbers have been down recently, but Bellevue has a strong football tradition. Woody should do very well, congrats to both sides.

Walton lost a lot of great seniors from both sides of the ball which will be tough to replace. That said, the Walton kids always play hard and are technically sound. I forecast another successful season for the Bearcats.

Barth was an assistant football coach at South Oldham Middle School for 6 or 7 years, and 8th grade head basketball coach for several years. If you can coach you can coach. Whether the "internship" is varsity assistant or in the middle school ranks, both can provide successful high school coaches. It definitely helps when guys play for successful high school coaches and have some level of college playing experience.

4 coaches in 6 years has almost decimated a once proud and vibrant program. I understand Coach Eckstein "left" to move up the ladder into administration, but the longest tenure of the next 3 coaches was 2 years. Is this simply terrible hiring on Bellevue's behalf or is something inherently wrong with job driving guys away? The community, and most importantly the players, deserve better.

It is my understanding schools were notified last summer of the July 22nd policy & the rule clearly states helmets MAY be worn after Juy 10th if participating in 7 on 7 activities. You can see the full listing under the KHSAA limitation of seasons policy. The shift is official mandatory practices with a helmet from the previous date of July 15 to July 22. I disagree with that rule change, but the misinformation on this thread about helmets and 7 on 7s is ststaggering. Helmets CAN be worn for 7 on 7s as of July 10.

If living in the community is a requirement then some type of housing should be provided or a housing bonus included when signing. Which will never and should never happen at the high school level. If location is the only reason people are being let go, the KHSAA should sanction the school or coach should file a legal grievance.

Will Latimore, Walton Verona: 8 total, 7 interceptions, 2 returned for tds, 1 fumble recovery.

Great recognition for Latimore, a phenomenal football player. The young man is definitely a DI talent. A complete package of speed, agility, and power with the ball in his hands. Heavy hitter on defense, blocking, and a ball hawk too. Congrats and good luck at the next level.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2860514/highlights/209216375 Great kid with a lot of skills. Patient runner with great vision, deceptive power and speed. Fun to watch the last few years.

Will Latimore 2014 - Will Latimore highlights I think I loaded this correctly. Will Latimore is an exceptional talent. I hope to see this kid playing next season.

"Lossed," that's fantastic. Elementary school taught me lost would be a better fit. Probably time to shut this one down. Great seasons for both Walton and Newport. Only six happy teams in the end, but many more memorable teams and runs throughout the state.

I have seen the tape. No what if about it. Julian Tackett has the film now, too. Nothing can be done, but maybe the refs calling the game can learn for their next game.

A bit sad this turned into a he said she said fest. Newport won an instant classic, Walton came up a point short. Newport is historically a bit dirty, you know that going into the game. Both teams played with an edge and had personal fouls called. The biggest problem for Walton is getting over the "what ifs." What if a cross field side judge doesn't blow a clear fumble recovery dead when the play side judge moves with the recovery? What if a back judge doesn't throw a phantom hold 30 yards away from the play to take away a td and ultimately have to punt? What if a side judge doesn't throw a penalty on a textbook receiver block to take away a 95 yard go ahead td with less than 5 minutes left? Tough pills for guys in blue to swallow, but the reality is Newport played a great game and won. Good luck against NCC, should be a great matchup.

Thoughts and prayers to the Herrmann family.

The game did a bit out of hand on the field. Walton had to keep their heads. Kids were being pinched, choked, eyes gouged and grabbed in unmentionable places in tackle piles. The refs typically do see the 2nd all the time. #2 for Walton did take a swing and likely should have been tossed. Have to keep your head.

Reflection of last night's game: Will Latimore last night: 178 yards and 3 touchdowns, 2 additional scores for 140 yards (95 yard and 45 yard runs) that were called back on (according to film) questionable at best holding calls. No points on either of those drives and the 95 yard yard score would have the Bearcats up with 2 minutes left in the game. Quote an old coach of mine: "If ifs and buts were fruits and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas." Excellent season for the Bearcats. Always a lesson in a journey. Good luck to a tough Newport team next week.

Same guy who pumped #68 in prior threads as best OL in NKY, and predicted Holy Cross to "Run 2A" in August. How's that looking now? Shame is, #68 was very impressive, probably the best OL on the field Friday. After that, the comments are foolish. I commented Friday it was nice to see #54 Carr getting back to game shape after missing most of the season due to injury. Looked like he played with a little too much depth, but never once saw him pancaked or on his back. Carr seemed to have 5 or 6 tackles and I know he recorded a sack early in the first quarter. I've watched Walton's defense several years, they flip-flop their front routinely throughout the game, some games after every play. I conclude utter nonsense on the #54 Anti-Carr posts, and wish him well the rest of the way and at the Blue Gray All-American game he is playing this January in Tampa. For the sake of the thread, I like Walton in a close one. Two good teams, I like the home team in the playoffs.

If I've learned anything about the Walton players and staff over the years, there is one focus this week. Beat Holy Cross!

I guess all the "Walton doesn't play anybody," folks can simmer down for a week. The Bearcats are legit, good luck in the playoffs!