[Hoot Gibson]

Hoot was the bolded really necessary? We have wideleft trying to be a kinder gentler wideleft and you pummel him like that? Heck, I appreciate the fact that his post is one of the few actually talking about game strategy instead of the stupid stuff this thread evolved into. Aren't we all arm chair quarterbacks on this site, you included as you offer your opinion of how Matney will use Jude on defense? That's what I thought.

I also agree with wideleft. If Highlands sees Jude matched up on our WRs, they'll run him deep every play. Perhaps Matney won't put Jude in that position to save his legs for O. With Jude being the best DB or one of the best DBs JC has on its team, that's quite a gamble by Matney. If he takes it, I think JC's secondary could get beaten deep more than just a few times (unless by "few" you mean three or more, and if so, it will be the "more" part of that definition). Tough spot for Matney to be in.

I do agree with you that Jude is an exceptionally conditioned athlete. I've seen him play a lot of games now and the kid has no quit in him. But if Matney utilizes him as a DB (he has in past matchups with Highlands and its logical that he'd do so again this year), it will take a toll on him. You are right, the two platoon system will help Highlands. We make no apology for it. We are playing to win the game; not some Iron Man competition.

Yeah, I felt it was necessary. When Wideleft stops making his obnoxious insults in every JC thread, whether the thread involves Highlands or not, then I will make a better effort to control my urge to return the favor. He is not a good ambassador for Highlands.

I agree that Highlands will do everything that they can to wear Jude down but Matney is not going to have Jude running down the field covering alternating decoys until he can't be effective on offense. There's nothing wrong with that - it just shows how much respect that they have for his ability. Another thing that you will not see is Johnson Central throwing the ball all over the yard if they get behind by a few scores. Highlands' defense faces a great passing offense everyday in practice. Johnson Central will not participate in turning a loss into a rout. If Mueller wants to run up the score on JC, then he will need to find another way of doing it than forcing JC away from its offensive strengths.