bhensley1

I think it would be a lot easier for Scott to make the playoffs in this new format. Scott could be 0-9 and just have to beat Holmes to get into the playoffs, instead of making it in front of four other teams. It would kind of be like a few years ago when Scott was still in 3A with Highlands, CovCath, Holmes, and Grant Co. That last playoff spot came down to whoever won that Scott-Grant Co. game.

Dixie rebounds this week and wins 20-12.

Dixie @ CovCath

Elder smoked Fairfield two weeks ago in a scrimmage, but CovCath looked good against Boone Co. I'm going to go with size in this one and take Elder, but I think CovCath will hang with them.

Lloyd in a close ugly game.

That will be a good district. I'm sure CovCath fans and Highlands fans will be happy that they will not have to travel for district games to Oldham Co. anymore.

Highlands in a rout

The preview in the Cincy Enquirer made it seem that Scott will not be a very good team this year.

I hope you're right. Do you think they can do this? They run more of a spread offense and like to throw the ball around, than just lining up and shoving the ball down you throat.

The way the Kentucky playoff system is setup, I agree with Coach Spritzky on scheduling as tough as possible out of district because it does nothing but helps you get ready for your district schedule and a playoff run. My comments came from a comment that the first three games are scrimmage games. If you notice, the top rated programs in NKY have pretty tough out of district schedules. Dixie, Highlands, CovCath, Ryle, NCC, Boone Co., and Beechwood all play pretty tough schedules. Just to let you know as an alum, I am rooting for Dixie, but I don't know if they will pull this one out. I believe it will be close, but Highlands will pull away late 28-14. I am going to say that Dixie comes back next week and beats Beechwood.

I doubt Coach Spritzky views the first three games as scrimmages, especially Highlands and CovCath. Except for '94, Coach Browning didn't have the most talent to work with, or a lot of the better football players either played another sport or went to another school. Even the first couple of years that Coach Spritzky coached, they were not were they are now. As my earlier post said, I may not agree with not doing a full two-a-days the first two weeks you are allowed to practice in KY, but Coach Spritzky definitely has built a nice program. The number of kids in the program are staggering compared to ten years ago, and that is a tribute to the kids actually wanting to play for him and those who should be attending Dixie are actually attending Dixie instead of another school.

I'm surprised that they do not do the traditional two-a-days. That means Dixie is getting approximately half the amount of practice time as the rest of the teams. Walk throughs are nice and all, but actually running through plays and doing positional work is a major part of practice. A lot of positional drills would be kind "watered down" if your in shorts and a helmet.

Dixie vs. Beechwood CovCath vs. Elder

Louisville St. X does have a tough schedule, but I am sticking with CovCath as having the toughest schedule. They definitely have the toughest out of district schedule. That is pretty much secure by them playing Cincy St. X and Elder this year, to go with the other out of district teams they have scheduled.

Dixie's looks pretty tough this year playing Highlands, Beechwood, and CovCath before district play. CovCath's looks pretty brutal though. Boone County, Dixie, NCC, Beechwood, two Cincinnati GCL teams, and Bishop Watterson.

Glen Este is just as good this year as last year, and this game was not even close last year. They don't play this week because Ohio does not start for another, so I will go with Male over New Albany.

Elder also lost quite a bit of players from last year's team, but according to some of their alums, they are going to be really good this year. They had a down year last year, but a lot of schools would have had a down year with the schedule they play. They were probably the best 4-6 team in the nation last year. NKY schools have not faired well with the Ohio D1 power teams the past couple of years, but hopefully this is a year that one of the NKY schools break through.

28-14 sounds much more realistic than 63-7. Dixie may not get by Highlands this week, but they will beat Beechwood and/or CovCath and use the experience to help them repeat as 4A District champs. This Dixie team returned a lot of experience from last year's District champion team.