[cuppett777]

If not for the fumble return TD it's a rout IMO. JC wasn't stopping Highlands, Highlands stopped themselves with some questionable play calls and then while Towles was getting taped up. If they go up 21-0, JC has no chance to even get back in the game.

On a side note, I appreciated the opportunity to watch the game and not having to drive 3+ hours. However, I've never heard more whining and crying from announcers than what I heard tonight. Especially in the first half. Questioning every spot and every call. Maybe they didn't have a good view from their vantage point, but it was tough to listen too. I even tried turning down the sound and listening to the Highlands broadcast, but it was several minutes ahead of the video feed.

Overall,both teams played hard. Each guy left it on the field. Jude found out he wasn't playing patsies this week like usual. I did love his heart and effort, but he's not going to run for big yards against decent teams. (Covcath was not good). My prediction is Highlands crushes JC the next 3 years.

IF JC would have scored both times inside the redzone the 1st half , they would have tied at half, so i guess the IFS dont matter..

[BaseballIsLife]

IF JC would have scored both times inside the redzone the 1st half , they would have tied at half, so i guess the IFS dont matter..

Correction, they were only in the redzone once in the 1st half where they turned the ball over on downs at the 10. They turned the ball over on downs again when they were at the HHS 30. I know it is nit-picking about 10 yards but I thought I'd correct you.

[Stardust]

Well played on both sides of the ball this evening...I have a lot of respect for JC's team and community. Caught the tail end of Highlands audio broadcast and they had nothing but good things to say about the support and hospitality they received from the JC staff...so thank you!

Both teams fought extremely hard and I hate to see this one end....

Highlands will need to find their rythm to advance to state...no room for drop balls...and get back to the counters and off tackle....protect Towles.....

Hope everyone heals well...have a blessed weekend!

:Thumbs:

[Wideleft01]

IF JC would have scored both times inside the redzone the 1st half , they would have tied at half, so i guess the IFS dont matter..

Good point. I guess it was what it was. If JC scores at the end, I would have gone for 2 if I was coach Matney. No way Highlands stops them on the 2pt conversion.

[eagle8966]

If not for the fumble return TD it's a rout IMO. JC wasn't stopping Highlands, Highlands stopped themselves with some questionable play calls and then while Towles was getting taped up. If they go up 21-0, JC has no chance to even get back in the game.

On a side note, I appreciated the opportunity to watch the game and not having to drive 3+ hours. However, I've never heard more whining and crying from announcers than what I heard tonight. Especially in the first half. Questioning every spot and every call. Maybe they didn't have a good view from their vantage point, but it was tough to listen too. I even tried turning down the sound and listening to the Highlands broadcast, but it was several minutes ahead of the video feed.

Overall,both teams played hard. Each guy left it on the field. Jude found out he wasn't playing patsies this week like usual. I did love his heart and effort, but he's not going to run for big yards against decent teams. (Covcath was not good). My prediction is Highlands crushes JC the next 3 years.

what game was you watching

[Wideleft01]

what game was you watching

Well, when I wasn't refreshing your video feed, and when it worked properly, I was watching Highlands beat Johnson Central.

[Matman]

If the kid had more tries during the year, maybe he would have felt more comfortable out there and caught the ball. He was wide open!

It was good defense by Highland's Dback. Quit down grading the kids play. JC had the perfect game plan. They ran it right down to the wire. They took the ball out of Highland's hands and prevented them from scoring. The clock management was great. Could have used just a few more seconds but thats pretty dang good. They would have taken it to overtime if they would have got the TD that they almost had twice. If they would have scored then we would be talking about how great their clock management and game plan was. Instead we are arm chair coaches using hindsight to say how we would have got it right. You can't throw the ball when your so far up on a team like WC. Look at how they responded to JJ running like he did. They would have cried louder if they kept passing the ball when up.

[eaglefan98]

Central did not lose tonight because Highlands was the better team. They lost because of a lot of mistakes that were made. Sometimes it is not always better to keep your same game plan. It needs to be changed up so that the other team doesn't always know what you are going to do. They ran way too much time off the clock at the end and used their last time out at the wrong time. At least it wasn't a blow-out like alot of people thought. This is the closest we have come to beating Highlands. The Golden Eagles have nothing to hang their heads about, They did a great job and hung in there. Hopefully they will get another shot next year!

[livewire220]

Great game to watch. The if's, could'ves and would'ves are part of the game. Being from neither team I couldn't help but notice that the ball did seem to be spotted forward giving the bounce for the birds but seemed to be the other way for the eagles. Might have affected some of those 1st downs on both sides. I believe jc did turn over on downs in the red zone by a few inches early in the game. I also noticed that the white hat changed the tempo of the game very late when time was precious for the eagles. All night he had not started the clock until the chains were completely set but last few minutes he started the clock quick. Anyway the white hat wouldn't matter if JC had managed the clock and TO's better. Still the right stripes crew can affect the outcome of the game and most with the untrained eye won't even catch it. Everybody knows JC is on the KHSAA and Tackett's crap list.

[Wideleft01]

And what about the announcers comments about #17 Bowden? I think they said something like, "he lives alone in the dorms up there". Was that humor that I didn't get? Why say something like that? No basis to say anything derogatory about the player.

I don't see Highlands ever losing to Johnson Central in the forseeable future since they survived tonight. This was the year. I'd hate if my team kept losing to the same team year after year, but I would make comments like that.

[cuppett777]

Correction, they were only in the redzone once in the 1st half where they turned the ball over on downs at the 10. They turned the ball over on downs again when they were at the HHS 30. I know it is nit-picking about 10 yards but I thought I'd correct you.

sure looked like they was at the 20 the 2nd time, maybe was 30 i was going back in forth, but anyway they had chances..

[Stardust]

sure looked like they was at the 20 the 2nd time, maybe was 30 i was going back in forth, but anyway they had chances..

It was the 30, but you are right, they certainly had their chances. That's when they should have taken the shots in the air. I still contend they could have done more damage to the Birds if they would have passed a few more times in the first half. Instead of being down 14-0, if they had scored, they would have forced HHS to play differently as well.

[sstack]

Central did not lose tonight because Highlands was the better team. They lost because of a lot of mistakes that were made. Sometimes it is not always better to keep your same game plan. It needs to be changed up so that the other team doesn't always know what you are going to do. They ran way too much time off the clock at the end and used their last time out at the wrong time. At least it wasn't a blow-out like alot of people thought. This is the closest we have come to beating Highlands. The Golden Eagles have nothing to hang their heads about, They did a great job and hung in there. Hopefully they will get another shot next year!

I do not know of anybody in their right mind who predicted a blow out. JC has a very good team and HHS fans knew that.

[Wideleft01]

Great game to watch. The if's, could'ves and would'ves are part of the game. Being from neither team I couldn't help but notice that the ball did seem to be spotted forward giving the bounce for the birds but seemed to be the other way for the eagles. Might have affected some of those 1st downs on both sides. I believe jc did turn over on downs in the red zone by a few inches early in the game. I also noticed that the white hat changed the tempo of the game very late when time was precious for the eagles. All night he had not started the clock until the chains were completely set but last few minutes he started the clock quick. Anyway the white hat wouldn't matter if JC had managed the clock and TO's better. Still the right stripes crew can affect the outcome of the game and most with the untrained eye won't even catch it. Everybody knows JC is on the KHSAA and Tackett's crap list.

Well, when the chain gang is walking down the field in a slow deliberate walk, the ref has to take control. Come on, spotting the ball was questionable??? Must have been listening to the video announcers too much. The refs didn't lose the game. The better team, with long storied history, went on the road and got the BIG W. I venture to say, next year it won't be close. The offseason starts in the morning.

[Duke45]

Central did not lose tonight because Highlands was the better team. They lost because of a lot of mistakes that were made. Sometimes it is not always better to keep your same game plan.

They lost because Jude got shut down and they didn't have a good enough pass offense or time management to score on their final drive. If we want to mention mistakes, let's not forget the biggest mistake of a blowout that turned it into a game: a Highlands fumble returned for a TD. Without that fumble, JC is completely demoralized after getting scored on a 3rd time and ends up losing by 3-4 scores. Highlands was the better team tonight and that's why they won; there's no reason to be taking away from a victory that means more than you think to this team who has been criticized all season as a down-year team.

[sstack]

It was good defense by Highland's Dback. Quit down grading the kids play. JC had the perfect game plan. They ran it right down to the wire. They took the ball out of Highland's hands and prevented them from scoring. The clock management was great. Could have used just a few more seconds but thats pretty dang good. They would have taken it to overtime if they would have got the TD that they almost had twice. If they would have scored then we would be talking about how great their clock management and game plan was. Instead we are arm chair coaches using hindsight to say how we would have got it right. You can't throw the ball when your so far up on a team like WC. Look at how they responded to JJ running like he did. They would have cried louder if they kept passing the ball when up.

Sorry, that was not a good D play. He was way off the WR and the WR was hit chest high, right in the hands with the ball. The kid has to make that catch when playing a team like HHS.

[Matman]

Sorry, that was not a good D play. He was way off the WR and the WR was hit chest high, right in the hands with the ball. The kid has to make that catch when playing a team like HHS.

So i guess your saying your D backs are garbage and you all are just lucky to have won tonight? I personally think your kids played a good game and came out on top due to playing a consistant, good game.

[WildDawg]

Central had their chances. Waisted timeouts and a ball that fell threw the receivers hands in the end zone killed their chances. Hats off to Central though. They played a heck of a game but came up a little short.

[Eagle Eye]

If not for the fumble return TD it's a rout IMO. JC wasn't stopping Highlands, Highlands stopped themselves with some questionable play calls and then while Towles was getting taped up. If they go up 21-0, JC has no chance to even get back in the game.

On a side note, I appreciated the opportunity to watch the game and not having to drive 3+ hours. However, I've never heard more whining and crying from announcers than what I heard tonight. Especially in the first half. Questioning every spot and every call. Maybe they didn't have a good view from their vantage point, but it was tough to listen too. I even tried turning down the sound and listening to the Highlands broadcast, but it was several minutes ahead of the video feed.

Overall,both teams played hard. Each guy left it on the field. Jude found out he wasn't playing patsies this week like usual. I did love his heart and effort, but he's not going to run for big yards against decent teams. (Covcath was not good). My prediction is Highlands crushes JC the next 3 years.

Glad you didn't come either!!! :Thumbs: Great game to actually watch live with fans with a little class!! I thought JJ ran as hard as he could with the fact he had 7 or 8 bluebirds tackling him even if he didn't have the ball. That is why I hate it for the Bluebird faithful that actually know football that it is people like you that I have to root for whoever plays Highlands!!!

[Stardust]

Central did not lose tonight because Highlands was the better team. They lost because of a lot of mistakes that were made. Sometimes it is not always better to keep your same game plan. It needs to be changed up so that the other team doesn't always know what you are going to do. They ran way too much time off the clock at the end and used their last time out at the wrong time. At least it wasn't a blow-out like alot of people thought. This is the closest we have come to beating Highlands. The Golden Eagles have nothing to hang their heads about, They did a great job and hung in there. Hopefully they will get another shot next year!

Who? From the prediction thread I didn't see that...

Johnson Central dominates on the ground once again.
JC-28 HHS-21

I'm goin with JC. Look for Jude to have another big game.
JC - 35
HHS - 28

It all depends on time of possession, and just some timely plays. Had two balls been caught (that should've been caught) last night, we may be talking about another team in this game vs Highlands. I think JC will control the clock and the defense will step up and make some big plays. Look for Tate Salyer to have another big game on defense.
Johnson Central-24
Highlands-21

Highlands by 10

I really think this is the year. If JC plays like they did in the second half, noone will be able to stop them. Eagleville will be a rowdy place next friday night....and when the dust settles, the Bluebirds may end up canned(reference to Bluebird Vienna Sausages..don't know if they still make those things or not???)
Johnsonville -- 34
Highlands -- 21

Close early, with Highlands pulling away in the 2nd half.
Highlands 34
JC 20

Johnson Central 21
Highlands 28

Highlands 35-28.

Agree totally. Jude carries the wings in his equipment bag. Breaks them out right before kick off and shows Highlands what all the fuss has been about this year. Highlands is a great team who will be stunned in a 3 point loss to JC - 27 to 24

While I generally tend to cheer for Highlands as they are in my alma mater's district (Scott High School), the Birds play against Dixie worries me and Jude worries me more at this point.
I feel like this Highlands team is only an "average" Highlands team if you compare them with past teams.
With that being said, I'll pick Johnson Central in the upset...
Johnson Central 35
Highlands 28

JC pulls the off the upset, J.J Jude run all over the blue birds...
JC 28 Highlands 20

Highlands - 25
Johnson Central - 17

[nky]

Nice win Bluebirds in Johnsonville

[Wideleft01]

Why are you disrespecting a kid on an internet forum? JJ has worked his tale off and has had a heck of a season. I have played against Highlands and with a few of their players. They had alot of players and alot of money compared to us poor mountain teams. But not one player that I have met from there has half the heart of a player like JJ. So congrats on your win. But hopefully with a program that wins as much as yours does you can develop some respect and class.

I agree that no one should disrespect the player. He played hard. Even though he didn't break one, he sure had this fan worried that he could at anytime. He was tough to take to the ground, and gave a great effort blitzing the QB play after play. He has a no quit attitude that anyone who has ever played a down can appreciate. I didn't see him take a play off when he was on the field like a lot of guys do, and he never looked tired. He brings it every play, which as a football fan, is what I want to see from everyone on the field. Outstanding effort by Mr. Jude.

[sstack]

So i guess your saying your D backs are garbage and you all are just lucky to have won tonight? I personally think your kids played a good game and came out on top due to playing a consistant, good game.

If you have followed my posts all year, I have said the way to beat HHS is to throw the ball, that is their weakness. They are not garbage, but that is the D's weakness. What should I do, lie and say the pass D is great. I try to post honest about my team, good and bad.

[BlackcatAlum]

Guys, let's stop with the personal shots at one another and players right now!

[Matman]

The crap about money is stupid, does not come into play at all(unless you are talking about the larger % tax money JC gets over HHS). As for Jude, I think he is a stud. I like his play even more on D than on O.

I never went to JC. I am talking about Highlands compared to most schools in EKY. Of course Johnson Co gets a bigger percentage they contribute more to Ky. I was in that reserve unit there and the first thing one of the COs said to me was that most of the people in the unit wasn't from there other than him. They were too poor and lived in Covington. But that isn't about the game, more about the attitude in Fort Thomas.

[PaintsvilleTigerfan]

If JC played a pro style or spread offense would this even be a ballgame lol. I think not. JC had the perfect gameplan tonight and just fell short. Instead of questioning their passing game applaud those kids for putting in the work they have and not letting HHS out without a fight.

[BlackcatAlum]

Highlands was the better team tonight. JC played well enough on defense to win this game, but like others have said, the lack of a 2 minute offense cost them this game. Also, blowing their first time out early in the second half after the fumble return defiantly come back to bite them, because they clearly could have used it late in the game.

I was really impressed with Towels, as he has one of the better arms I've seen. HHS's defense swarmed to the ball and really kept Jude from breaking the big one. HHS had their chance to blow this one open and JC had a chance to tie it up, but I will say that it was a great game and I'm glad I had the opportunity to attend this one.

Best of luck Birds on the rest of the season... great season Eagles!

[9-POINT]

I did call this score, numm numm numm ,,,hard fought games by both teams. Judes a nice ball player and was keyed on all game. Didnt seem to get many yards, kind of like the SC game. Was extremely empressed with the throwing game of Highlands. The QB made multiple 60 yard bombs (college material). I hate to see it end for JC because they played there hearts out. However, Highlands was clearly the better team.....

[sstack]

Highlands was the better team tonight. JC played well enough on defense to win this game, but like others have said, the lack of a 2 minute offense cost them this game. Also, blowing their first time out early in the second half after the fumble return defiantly come back to bite them, because they clearly could have used it late in the game.

I was really impressed with Towels, as he has one of the better arms I've seen. HHS's defense swarmed to the ball and really kept Jude from breaking the big one. HHS had their chance to blow this one open and JC had a chance to tie it up, but I will say that it was a great game and I'm glad I had the opportunity to attend this one.

Best of luck Birds on the rest of the season... great season Eagles!

great post:notworthy

[VoR_58]

Heck.Of.A.Game...

I sat on Higlands side because it was less crowded and it amazed me how quiet they were. The barely cheered when their team scored and didnt do much of anything really if they made a good play or got a first down. Its like they just expect them to do it and if they dont play good then they start whinin and moanin. LOL

Awesome game to watch though.

Cant wait til the state finals!