[RunItUpTheGut]

I see what you are both saying, but let's be blunt... Highlands is more the exception rather than the rule.

IMHO, what separates Highlands and has allowed their success begins and ends with Highlands being an elite "program" from top down and having that consistency for decades. Success breeds success. Coaching stability to the max,, even when a great coach like Duffy is no longer there they hired the right guy to replace him who didn't try to tear the whole program down and re-build it all over again. Amazing feeder system, community support, administrative support, and conditioning programs for years. Success sending kids to play collegiate football which has caused parents specifically to send their kids to Highlands and even move there pre-Freshman year (by no means is the a "recruiting" remark.. it is a compliment). Highlands has been good for decades and now you see countless 2nd generation players who have known only success from their father down.

Highlands consistency in all these things is unmatched, even by X and Trinity who dont have the luxury of a true feeder system, and this consistency from top to bottom sets Highlands apart from other "elite"programs even with the absence of true physical specimens and athletes.

Look at the top programs in EKY and a couple more examples in comparison:

Bell County- Success began with Dudley Hilton..his first retirement they had a lull..he returns and they enjoy perhaps their best run ever... he is gone again and once again they are backsliding.

Belfry- Coaching stability has been there, but feeder system and the conditioning programs have not always been elite. No surprise that Belfry has elevated their program to new heights as a result of Middle School Consolidation, better facilities, and more access to outside influences for strength and conditioning. Belfry is also seeing more 2nd generation players who have known only success. Fairly high clip of people who re-locate Pre-HS to bring their kids up through belfry's feeder system

Rockcastle County/Harlan County- Success begins and ends with Tom Larkey. Rockcastle emerged as a state contender prior to his departure, they have drastically trended down as Harlan County's program has ascended.

Johnson Central- Was one of the weakest programs in EKY pre-Matney.. Now potentially the best team year-in-year-out. Revitalized feeder system is one of the best in the state. Drastically improved strength and conditioning programs. Still lack those 2nd generation players and the Eagles are just starting to see kids who have literally grew up through their entire program from Pee Wee to Senior in HS. More and more people moving in Pre-High School from surrounding areas.

Pikeville- Under Hilliard Howard was a 1A Blue Blood. Howard retires and they take a step back. Two coaching hires of guys who basically try to reconstruct the entire program their way that fails. The HS team and Feeder System is set back a full decade before the stability of McNamee has them returning to prominence.

Pulaski Southwestern- Not an elite program, but an interesting example. Southwestern has possibly the best Middle School program in the State. Southwestern has sent a surprising number of kids to play D-1 ball. Southwestern has not had the coaching stability or community support and it has basically translated to mediocre at best performance at the HS level.

To bring it together,,athletes certainly help, but a true program can excel without athletes. Paducah Tilghman is arguably one of the state's 2 or 3 most athletic teams year in and year out, but their success has been underwhelming by and large. If athletes alone ruled KY HS Football then Louisville Western would be an elite program. For these EKY teams to catch up it simply requires continued stability, parents willing to go the extra mile in developmental camps, and a program that is constantly evolving itself to push ahead. Dale Mueller is an innovator and starts the trends and uses a machine of a program to give him the kids to mold how he wants..that is why Highlands transcends.

Nicely Said.