[Hoot Gibson]

I look for Johnson to play a 3 man front with press coverage and deny the deep ball with 2 deep safety. Johnson's D will just beg Highlands to run the ball and shorten the game. Highlands will keep sending Jude to cover post and deep corner patterns play after play. Jude will be raising his hand to come out, but he won't. Highlands will send players on those routes even when running the ball. Jude will be running for 400 plus yards in the first half alone. The only difference is this week it will be in an attempt to wear him down on defense. At least that would be my game plan.

The problem with your analysis is that Jim Matney is no idiot. Jude will not be running wind sprints on every play because at the behest of Highland's coaching staff. The Johnson Central secondary will probably get beaten a few times but Matney is not going to allow Highlands to take Jude away on both offense and defense by letting him be run to exhaustion by a simple minded strategy that any armchair quarterback can devise from the comfort of their Mom's basement.

Highlands will try to make fatigue a factor by running fresh people at Jude all night long but he is used to being hit on every play by teams that cannot defend him by employing their normal defensive schemes. It takes a platoon system to have any chance of wearing him down because no high school player is in better physical condition that J. J. Jude. Without big, experienced blockers like Ousley and Bratton, Highlands may have more success this season than they did last year - but last year Jude was still running strong at the end of the game.

[JarrBill525]

Last year Jude was getting hit 3 yards deep in the backfield. HHS's quickness will make that the same this year. Jude might have negative yards after the 1st quarter.

HHS-63
JCHS-6

[Ballers]

If Highlands don't win after all this smack talk, I will laugh so hard.

[Frozenbird]

Any video for this game? It's a 40 mile drive for me and my old football injuries don't like the cold weather. If there is no video I'll be there even if it kills me!

Do not know about video but audio will be available here:

http://www.highlands.localsportsradio.com

[charlie22]

The problem with your analysis is that Jim Matney is no idiot. Jude will not be running wind sprints on every play because at the behest of Highland's coaching staff. The Johnson Central secondary will probably get beaten a few times but Matney is not going to allow Highlands to take Jude away on both offense and defense by letting him be run to exhaustion by a simple minded strategy that any armchair quarterback can devise from the comfort of their Mom's basement.

Highlands will try to make fatigue a factor by running fresh people at Jude all night long but he is used to being hit on every play by teams that cannot defend him by employing their normal defensive schemes. It takes a platoon system to have any chance of wearing him down because no high school player is in better physical condition that J. J. Jude. Without big, experienced blockers like Ousley and Bratton, Highlands may have more success this season than they did last year - but last year Jude was still running strong at the end of the game.

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.

[Stardust]

The problem with your analysis is that Jim Matney is no idiot. Jude will not be running wind sprints on every play because at the behest of Highland's coaching staff. The Johnson Central secondary will probably get beaten a few times but Matney is not going to allow Highlands to take Jude away on both offense and defense by letting him be run to exhaustion by a simple minded strategy that any armchair quarterback can devise from the comfort of their Mom's basement.

Highlands will try to make fatigue a factor by running fresh people at Jude all night long but he is used to being hit on every play by teams that cannot defend him by employing their normal defensive schemes. It takes a platoon system to have any chance of wearing him down because no high school player is in better physical condition that J. J. Jude. Without big, experienced blockers like Ousley and Bratton, Highlands may have more success this season than they did last year - but last year Jude was still running strong at the end of the game.

This is not one of those "teams". This HHS team is the best that he has faced since last year, and I'd argue this years team is even better!

[JCHS Alumni Eagle]

This game will be close through the first half then FTH will open it up to win by a couple of scores in the second half. I don't expect us to come away with a suprising win this season. However, the best seasons for JC are yet to come... the talent in the middle grades and freshman and sophomore classes are great... I definately think that we will beat FTH within the next 4 years with this group of kids we have coming through.

[Eagle Eye]

Highlands by 36+. Calling towles with atleast 4 pass Tds & hold Jude to 75 rush Tds or less and 1 td.

That would be a shoot out!!! Most points ever in a high school game!!! nicker:

Couldn't resist!!

[Wideleft01]

I remember Lawrence Co coming in 1 time for a shootout. Lawrence put up about 40 pts. The problem for them was Highlands had 70 or more. I just don't see this Highlands defense giving up anywhere near that.

[Blau Vogel]

To all of the "Johnsonvillites" planning on heading this way on Friday...Get your rest tonight and enjoy a safe trip. It's a beautiful time of year for a drive through our beautiful state. We are all looking forward to a great, injury free game between two great teams. All of the bloviating on here doesn't mean thing once the kids step on the field. See you there!

[DollarBill]

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.

My recollection of last year's game was that Jude was used to blitz the QB from the outside edge of the line on a number of occasions and sometimes effectively as his speed and quickness in getting in the backfield made him a tough guy for the RBs to pick up so the quick pressure on the QB was effective at times. I wouldn't be surprised to see that some again this year and I am sure the Highlands coaches will have worked on their approach to pick that up as well. But that is at least one alternative to him chasing WRs while trying to limit passing effectiveness by reducing the time the QB has to look downfield.

[Hoot Gibson]

This is not one of those "teams". This HHS team is the best that he has faced since last year, and I'd argue this years team is even better!

And I would argue that it is not because this year's Highlands team played a much weaker schedule than last year's team. However, fortunately for the Birds, this Johnson Central team is very young compared to last year's team, so it probably won't matter whether Highlands is as good as last year or not.

[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.

[Stardust]

And I would argue that it is not because this year's Highlands team played a much weaker schedule than last year's team. However, fortunately for the Birds, this Johnson Central team is very young compared to last year's team, so it probably won't matter whether Highlands is as good as last year or not.

So there is the excuse for the 40 point loss???

[IRISH4]

So there is the excuse for the 40 point loss???

I dont think Hoot was making an excuse for anything. Just stating the facts. JC lost 8 starters on offense and 4 or 5 on defense.

[Hoot Gibson]

So there is the excuse for the 40 point loss???

Highlands is a huge favorite in this game. If acknowledging that Highlands is the more experienced and better team and the better team usually wins is making an excuse, then call it an excuse. Upsets happen but this is a rebuilding year for Johnson Central. It sounds like anything short of a 60-point blowout by Highlands is going to be a big disappointment to some of the Birds' fans. I think those fans are going to be very disappointed, win or lose.

Johnson County has plenty of talent in its pipeline, so if Highlands does win and decides to try to run up the score as it has done so many times in the past, Matney will use it to motivate his team over the next 12 months as he prepares for another rematch.

[Blau Vogel]

And I would argue that it is not because this year's Highlands team played a much weaker schedule than last year's team. However, fortunately for the Birds, this Johnson Central team is very young compared to last year's team, so it probably won't matter whether Highlands is as good as last year or not.

I have heard many reasons for a team being better or worse than a prior year, but never have I heard a team is not as good because they played a weak schedule.

[THOMCAT]

Wonder if WSIP will have a place in the pressbox this time or will they be exiled to the corner of the bleachers?:pondering:

[NCC41]

Highlands is a huge favorite in this game. If acknowledging that Highlands is the more experienced and better team and the better team usually wins is making an excuse, then call it an excuse. Upsets happen but this is a rebuilding year for Johnson Central. It sounds like anything short of a 60-point blowout by Highlands is going to be a big disappointment to some of the Birds' fans. I think those fans are going to be very disappointed, win or lose.

Johnson County has plenty of talent in its pipeline, so if Highlands does win and decides to try to run up the score as it has done so many times in the past, Matney will use it to motivate his team over the next 12 months as he prepares for another rematch.

Please don't tell me you have resorted to this.

[Hoot Gibson]

I have heard many reasons for a team being better or worse than a prior year, but never have I heard a team is not as good because they played a weak schedule.

That's funny because Johnson Central fans hear that all the time. They can't possibly be as good as Highlands, Covington Catholic, etc. because they play a weaker schedule.

Strong competition is an advantage and winning some close games against strong competition does make a team better. Through no fault of Highlands, most of the teams on its schedule have been down compared to the recent past. That doesn't mean Highlands is not a very good team but it means that they probably would have been better if their competition had been able to push them a little more. Think of how many more snaps their first team offense and defense would have had if they had been involved in a few less 60+ point beatdowns.

[Hoot Gibson]

Please don't tell me you have resorted to this.

68-0, 77-0, and 79-0 - just stating the obvious.

[Frozenbird]

Yep, running up the score when the first team is pulled in the second quarter, or like last week, at the end of the first quarter. Sounds like running up the score to me.:eyeroll:

[sstack]

68-0, 77-0, and 79-0 - just stating the obvious.

The only thing obvious is that you did not see those games!

[Blau Vogel]

That's funny because Johnson Central fans hear that all the time. They can't possibly be as good as Highlands, Covington Catholic, etc. because they play a weaker schedule.

Strong competition is an advantage and winning some close games against strong competition does make a team better. Through no fault of Highlands, most of the teams on its schedule have been down compared to the recent past. That doesn't mean Highlands is not a very good team but it means that they probably would have been better if their competition had been able to push them a little more. Think of how many more snaps their first team offense and defense would have had if they had been involved in a few less 60+ point beatdowns.

That is not saying the are not as good from one year to the next because of their schedule. What you are talking about relates more to the ability to tell how good a team is because of a weak schedule. A few years ago, NOBODY expected Rockcastle to clean Highlands clock. It is really hard to tell how good a team is that is not really tested.

What I was talking about was a teams inability to be as good as a prior year simply due to a weaker schedule. You make great points taking about more snaps and having to work harder against better competition. Having watched the Birds both years, I would say the teams a generally the same with two exceptions. 1) I believe the receiving corp is deeper and more talented 2} The QB play has improved more than I could have imagined.

[Tammi]

Highlands has the better team..
Johnson central has the best Player than on either team.
But..Since its a team sport. Highlands wins by 3-4 touchdowns.
But Jude will leave a good impression along with Bumps and bruises
to remember him by...thats a Given.

[Hoot Gibson]

That is not saying the are not as good from one year to the next because of their schedule. What you are talking about relates more to the ability to tell how good a team is because of a weak schedule. A few years ago, NOBODY expected Rockcastle to clean Highlands clock. It is really hard to tell how good a team is that is not really tested.

What I was talking about was a teams inability to be as good as a prior year simply due to a weaker schedule. You make great points taking about more snaps and having to work harder against better competition. Having watched the Birds both years, I would say the teams a generally the same with two exceptions. 1) I believe the receiving corp is deeper and more talented 2} The QB play has improved more than I could have imagined.

My point is that this year's team has not been tested by the competition as much as last year's team because the teams on its schedule have not been as good as they typically are. Even if this team is more talented than last year's team, it is difficult to compare the two teams overall for the same reason that it is difficult to compare two teams with no common opponents. Would this team handle the pressure of a tight playoff game as well as last year's team did? I hope that we will find out, but Highlands may go untested in the playoffs this season.

[THOMCAT]

2011 HIGHLAND SCHEDULE

Defeated Harrison County 68-6 (Harrison County record is 2-9)
Defeated Mason Co. 71-8 (Mason County record is 2-8)
Defeated Pendleton County 79-0 (Pendleton County record is 2-8)
Defeated Cincinnati Elder 34-29 (Elder record is 2-8)
Defeated Dixie Heights 61-13 (Dixie Heights record is 3-8)
Defeated Holmes 77-0 (Holmes record is 4-7)
Defeated Boyd County 63-7 (Boyd County is 5-6)
Defeated Western 56-0 (Western record is 6-5)
Defeated Ryle 63-14 (Ryle record is 7-4)
Defeated Boyle County 35-14 (Boyle County is 35-14)
Defeated Covington Catholic 42-37 (Cov Cath record is 9-2)

Sorry guys for my doubt but I truly did not realize the strength of schedule that they had faced. I'm impressed.

[Hoot Gibson]

The only thing obvious is that you did not see those games!

Throwing long touchdown passes and taking very little time off the clock with a 40-0 first half team is running up the score. I have never understood why Highlands playing its first team offense with a 40-0 1st or 2nd quarter lead and conserving ticks of the clock by running mostly pass plays is better sportsmanship than Johnson Central subbing throughout most of the game and running time off the clock quicker by keeping the ball on the ground. I think the answer is - it isn't - it's all a matter of whose ox is being gored.

[NCC41]

Throwing long touchdown passes and taking very little time off the clock with a 40-0 first half team is running up the score. I have never understood why Highlands playing its first team offense with a 40-0 1st or 2nd quarter lead and conserving ticks of the clock by running mostly pass plays is better sportsmanship than Johnson Central subbing throughout most of the game and running time off the clock quicker by keeping the ball on the ground. I think the answer is - it isn't - it's all a matter of whose ox is being gored.

If they didn't very few starters would letter Hoot.

[sstack]

Throwing long touchdown passes and taking very little time off the clock with a 40-0 first half team is running up the score. I have never understood why Highlands playing its first team offense with a 40-0 1st or 2nd quarter lead and conserving ticks of the clock by running mostly pass plays is better sportsmanship than Johnson Central subbing throughout most of the game and running time off the clock quicker by keeping the ball on the ground. I think the answer is - it isn't - it's all a matter of whose ox is being gored.

JC is run oriented offense and HHS is a pass Oriented offense; that is why they both do what they do. No one would complain about JC lopsided scores if starters were not in the game in fourth quarter.