EQUUS GREVYI

Okay, are we avoiding the elephant in the room? Or, literally, the elephant not in the room? Who doesn't think NCC is one of the 10 best 2A schools in the state? If NCC were scheduled to play any of the teams from 5-10 on the list, who do you think would be favored? I know they were 0-4 prior to district play, but are we making a poll on records or who you think the best teams are? Jumper Dad says "only 2 teams from the east and he doubts either one will be in Bowling Green". Why's that?

This game is equally important to both teams. Not necessarily for the same reasons, nor do both teams need the same outcome. It is very important to NCC to validate the brutal early schedule that was played. To confirm to the players, coaches (and fans) that they will be successful once back in their class. NCC needs to win the game to get things rolling. Lloyd doesn't necessarily need to win the game, although it would be very helpful. They need to compete and be within striking distance of a win to validate that they are making strides towards catching up. I agree that these two teams will be the contenders for the regional title and trip to state. Lloyd needs to serve notice to NCC that it is no longer a forgone conclusion. If they come in and get rolled by the Breds again, it could reaffirm that the region belongs to NCC.

There are so many things to enjoy about high school football season. Crisp, cool nights when it is perfect just to be outside. The walk to the stadium through fallen leaves with the smell of grills and sounds of the bands and pre-game music in the air. I like the gathering of fans in support of their team, even the opposing fans in support of their team. I enjoy the roar of the crowd on a long completion or the collective OOOHHH from both sides on a monster hit. But I think most of all, I like that there are so many opportunities for kids to participate. It's not all about the QB or star running back. There's a spot for the senior that has labored through 3+ years of high school ball and is just a little too small, or not quite quick enough to start somewhere. He has the opportunity to make a tackle on a kickoff, block for an extra point or cover a punt. There have been many times that I was getting in my car after a game and thought to myself "that's a lot of good stuff for only $10"

I agree with VOR on this topic. Ram, you seem determined to convince everyone that the size of the school or roster makes no difference, or very little difference in the quality of the team. I completely disagree. Let's try this ....take your roster of 90 players arranged by jersey number. Now draw a line through all the odd numbered players removing them from your roster. Now go make your team. How many positions become instantly weaker? That is a random reduction in numbers based solely on population. Did that make a difference in the quality of your team?

Well, first of all, there are always going to be anomalies in any statistical area. It may be a year where DeSales has an unusual number of talented sophomores or St. X has a down class. Injuries can factor in and at the JV level you may have one team playing a significant number of Juniors while the other plays only Sophs. Did DeSales have a +5 turnover ratio? There could be any number of reasons. How often do these two teams play each other and how often does DeSales win? And I'm not saying better in every way. Quality coaching and tradition can make a significant impact on a football team's performance as well.

No they don't. But good 6A programs have a huge advantage over good 1A & 2A schools. The enrollment numbers do correlate to having a much deeper pool of bodies to work with. I'd surely like to pick the best 11 - 20 players from a pool of 90 than from a pool of 40.

enrollments: Beechwood 401 NCC 353 Campbell Co 1535 Cooper 1157 Dixie Heights 1429 Simon Kenton 1702 CovCath 573 x 2 = 1146 Ryle 1715 I agree with your comments. That leads back to my thoughts that not only are Beechwood and NCC playing 5A & 6A schools, they are playing the best 5A & 6A schools in the area.

They all look 250 lbs with equipment on.

But it all runs in cycles. 5 years ago Ryle was the class of 6A and Beechwood/NCC had no chance of competing with them while both were beating Dixie and Campbell. Now Dixie and Campbell appear to be a little strong for the smaller schools, but will it stay that way? It would be great for both schools to have Scott, Holmes, Boone and Conner on the schedule as non-district big schools but will those schools schedule NCC & Beechwood? The last thing a 5A or 6A school wants is to get beaten by a smaller school. On the converse, does Cooper, Dixie, Campbell, Simon and CovCath get what they are looking for from these games?

The size of the school doesn't necessarily change the size of the player, but it surely changes how many larger players each school has. So if on average, 15% of your roster is 200+ pound bodies (I have no idea on accuracy but play along), that means a roster with 40 players has 6 large lineman and a roster of 90 has 13-14 large lineman. So the small school ends up having to play smaller players to fill the interior line spots. That's how the size of the school effects the size of the players. If the smaller school gets into a situation where they lose 2 or 3 lineman due to injury, it becomes a major problem.

The problem is that NCC and Beechwood are playing the best 5A & 6A schools. Beechwood plays CovCath, Simon Kenton, Dixie and Franklin County while NCC plays Simon, Cooper, Campbell and Dixie. It might make sense for Beechwood to play a natural rival like CovCath and NCC plays Campbell County on a regular basis but the rest of the schedule is just too difficult. The problem then becomes "Who do you play"? The weaker 6A and 5A schools won't likely schedule them. There are no 3A schools in NKY.

I would agree that the defense was having difficulty clearing, but truly the threat had passed (or apparently, not as it turned out) when the goal was scored. CovCath was clearly the stronger offensive team last night and outshot NCC by a wide margin. The NCC defense and keeper did a very nice job. Any reports about Hensley being inferior to anyone defensively are very misleading. He is a very strong player with size and speed. However, the score was 2-1 with about 15 minutes remaining and NCC made numerous runs at the goal without gaining the equalizer.

Let's be honest, the third goal was scored with 12 seconds remaining on a weak roller that the NCC keeper was in position to gather. The defender touched the ball deflecting it over the keeper's head. It appeared to be an unfortunate lack of communication in the waning seconds of the game rather than a product of outstanding offensive play.

Wow, "All A" state champion in golf and "All A" MVP for basketball. That's an odd combo. I'll bet that hasn't happened before.

I would expect a 2A school to have a losing record against 6A schools.

I don't disagree with your assist analysis, but even dribbling 30 yards or more could still involve an assist. I through-ball beating a defender near midfield would still be an assist even if the scorer carried the ball 30-40 yards prior to taking the shot.

Easy now on ScottEagle. We don't need to be chasing anyone off and I'm sure they got the message. Please, just be a little more considerate in your posts.

In basketball and baseball you can go 0-25 and are still included in the playoffs. How is that a problem? Softball, Volleyball, Soccer all are the same. Why does the season need to "count for something" in football?

Probably a good idea to have your son speak only American while on the pitch.

Or was it Patrick VanZant?

I agree with both. Bad language is "over the top" and reflects poorly on the school. I wish it would be addressed. The announcer is not there to support or announce for just one team. The visiting team would like to know who made a tackle or defended a pass just as much as the home team would. It's a big deal for a player's parents to hear their son's name over the PA system. If it's too much for one person to do, get a spotter to help.

I don't understand why the "All A" is played so early in the season. I don't think the next rounds are played until late in September.

As an outside observer I see both sides to this discussion. Here are my thoughts to Red Card's question. On the positive side - CCH playing the stronger schedule may help keep them "grounded" and help them recognize their weaknesses and improve upon them. It allows them to prepare for the post season and may help keep "elusions of grandeur" to a minimum. On the down side, some CCH supporters will take an elitist attitude by touting "Look who we play", "Our schedule is so much stronger than the rest of NKY". When in reality, if you don't beat any of these teams, so what??? With Cooper's weaker schedule - on a positive side - They build a strong record and have area leading goal scorers. This garners attention and interest in the program which will help it continue to improve. On a negative side, supporters will put way too much stock in that record and goal differential and then wonder why they aren't taken seriously as a regional contender. If the program is that strong, then win the district seed games and you only need to beat Conner to get to the regional tournament.

I may be wrong, but think he played golf as an 8th grader.

I believe the A-Sun removed the ineligibility on NKU making them eligible for the NCAA tournament this season.