[Wideleft01]

Covcath has exactly 1 state title since 1998. That's one title in 13 years. If you go back and count 1997, it's 2 in 16 years. Should they really be considered a football power, or a team that may win a state title every decade or more?

I know they have the obstacle of Highlands, who has won 8 titles and may well have a 9th this year in the same time frame. Ten titles for Highlands if you choose to extend the timeframe to 1996. Covcath has been noticeably absent in all but 2006. I noticed the Covcath fans came back in droves this year to the playoffs. After getting hammered again, it has to be discouraging for the alums. They lost to Highlands twice on all levels this year. Will the support continue, or will it dwindle now that it's been proven they're still not ready to beat Highlands? I predict the support will again go away until they actually do beat Highlands again. I also think it might be another decade before Covcath has a chance to win a state title.

[Blau Vogel]

Covcath has exactly 1 state title since 1998. That's one title in 13 years. If you go back and count 1997, it's 2 in 16 years. Should they really be considered a football power, or a team that may win a state title every decade or more?

I know they have the obstacle of Highlands, who has won 8 titles and may well have a 9th this year in the same time frame. Ten titles for Highlands if you choose to extend the timeframe to 1996. Covcath has been noticeably absent in all but 2006. I noticed the Covcath fans came back in droves this year to the playoffs. After getting hammered again, it has to be discouraging for the alums. They lost to Highlands twice on all levels this year. Will the support continue, or will it dwindle now that it's been proven they're still not ready to beat Highlands? I predict the support will again go away until they actually do beat Highlands again. I also think it might be another decade before Covcath has a chance to win a state title.

You just won't let up, will you?

[Wideleft01]

It's a legimate topic for discussion. Is this a discussion board, or should it be like the other board where we can't say much? Spend your time on the other board if you don't want to discuss the sensitive subjects. I bet I don't have 10 posts on there, so you won't hear much from me.

[Blau Vogel]

It's a legimate topic for discussion. Is this a discussion board, or should it be like the other board where we can't say much? Spend your time on the other board if you don't want to discuss the sensitive subjects. I bet I don't have 10 posts on there, so you won't hear much from me.

You are free to discuss any subject you wish. In some cases, I personally prefer to let sleeping dogs lie. Two championships to ten sounds about right to me.

[Stardust]

Yes they are

[Wideleft01]

I just don't think their program is going to ever get back to where it was in their heyday in the early 90's.

[Stardust]

^ I think they will

[bluedad1]

Covcath has exactly 1 state title since 1998. That's one title in 13 years. If you go back and count 1997, it's 2 in 16 years. Should they really be considered a football power, or a team that may win a state title every decade or more?

I know they have the obstacle of Highlands, who has won 8 titles and may well have a 9th this year in the same time frame. Ten titles for Highlands if you choose to extend the timeframe to 1996. Covcath has been noticeably absent in all but 2006. I noticed the Covcath fans came back in droves this year to the playoffs. After getting hammered again, it has to be discouraging for the alums. They lost to Highlands twice on all levels this year. Will the support continue, or will it dwindle now that it's been proven they're still not ready to beat Highlands? I predict the support will again go away until they actually do beat Highlands again. I also think it might be another decade before Covcath has a chance to win a state title.

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I believe that the strides which have been made in the Cov Cath program the past year or two can be traced back four years ago to the inception of the CYF (Colonel Youth Football) league and with Coach Dave Wirth.
Since the CYF joined the NKMSAA, both the 7th & 8th grade teams have either been in, or won their divisional League Championships just about every year.
I know Highlands has had a simialr youth feeder program for years. Now that the CYF is rolling, I think you will see a much better brand of football being played.
Some very strong palyers is coming up through those ranks and the Varsity program is loaded with returning Jr, Soph & incoming Freshman talent that was groomed in the CYF.

[LWC]

There are about 10 teams in 4A that have historically proven that they are contenders over the past 20 years:
Highlands, Boyle, Lex Cath, Cov Cath, Johnson Central, Lone Oak, Rockcastle, Bell (3A now),
(I am probably forgetting someone)

Not all those teams have won titles, but they have shown the ability to always be a Regional contender and all have at least been to the state game multiple times. I believe that in any random year, these teams will be the contenders, and have proven their history as a contender. When I say contender, I do not mean favorite necessarily. Just the fact that they will be a force to be reckoned with in any given year. Rock and Cov Cath have been down in recent years but everyone in the state knows that you never know when they will have a great year.

[NCC41]

Yes they certainly can. They came within 5 points of Highlands this year. They could certainly win a state title in the very near future. they are without a doubt the second best team in 4A this year.

[toussaints]

CovCath will be a legit threat to win state and is a football power in Kentucky. Highlands is just on another level right now

[know1]

They're about as much a threat to win a championship as Highlands is to end up forfeiting another season.

[tomcatfan722000]

Yes highlands will not be this good forever. This is a special time in Highlands history cause runs like this usually go in cycles Just look at boyle after they won 5 titles.

[swedge58]

I agree with Bluedad1 and just to add a little bit more. Cov Cath also started a 5th and 6th grade team (new for 2011). You have to build from the bottom up period. Highlands has a excellent feeder program and look at the results. You should start seeing results from this feeder system in the near furture. Running the same offense and defense for years makes the system better. The success of their 7th and 8th grade teams only builds the program from a different angle. Winning breeeds winning! Just ask Highlands its a formula that is proven. In that program there is no "we think we can win". Having a winning attitude is huge!!!!! This series will get more competitive over the years. CovCath had a great season if not for Highlands maybe a championship season.

[KState]

Let it go already

[Blau Vogel]

Yes highlands will not be this good forever. This is a special time in Highlands history cause runs like this usually go in cycles Just look at boyle after they won 5 titles.

Not really a special time. Yes the championships are coming a little closer together, but since the playoff system began in 1959 (50+ years ago) the Birds are averaging a championship appearance every other year with a championship just under every three years. The longest drought without a championship was 7 years. (1981 - 1989) I would venture a guess that 70% to 80% of kids that played 10th through 12th grade since '59, won at least one ring.

[LWC]

^wow!

[Hatz]

Not really a special time. Yes the championships are coming a little closer together, but since the playoff system began in 1959 (50+ years ago) the Birds are averaging a championship appearance every other year with a championship just under every three years. The longest drought without a championship was 7 years. (1981 - 1989) I would venture a guess that 70% to 80% of kids that played 10th through 12th grade since '59, won at least one ring.

I would disagree and say it is a special time.

Five straight titles is something only one other program has done. Maybe you can say it is because we have 6 classes now that it is not what it used to be but I disagree.

I think HHS would be THE story this year if not for Trinity's magnificent run.

These kind of runs don't happen all the time, even at HHS or Trinity. Just my take.

[sstack]

Not really a special time. Yes the championships are coming a little closer together, but since the playoff system began in 1959 (50+ years ago) the Birds are averaging a championship appearance every other year with a championship just under every three years. The longest drought without a championship was 7 years. (1981 - 1989) I would venture a guess that 70% to 80% of kids that played 10th through 12th grade since '59, won at least one ring.

Highlands was state champs in 1982, and only lose in 1983 was to Conner in the mud bowl 1, who went on to win state that year.

I know HHS has had some very good athletes the last 4-5 years, but I think the biggest reason they have stepped up the program as of late, is due to coaching. The coaching staff is tremendous, and if Dale ever decides to step down, the assistants are said to have even more "football smarts" than Dale!

Cov Cath is going to be a big factor in 4A, but their biggest obstacle to get to the finals will continue to be Highlands.Cov Cath would flat out demolish the teams in the west.

[toussaints]

Cov Cath is going to be a big factor in 4A, but their biggest obstacle to get to the finals will continue to be Highlands. Cov Cath would flat out demolish the teams in the west.

Not only would they win state if they got past Highlands, but I think they would win 3A easily and make it to the finals in 5A and 6A. Probably win 5A

[nky]

Highlands was state champs in 1982, and only lose in 1983 was to Conner in the mud bowl 1, who went on to win state that year.

I know HHS has had some very good athletes the last 4-5 years, but I think the biggest reason they have stepped up the program as of late, is due to coaching. The coaching staff is tremendous, and if Dale ever decides to step down, the assistants are said to have even more "football smarts" than Dale!

Cov Cath is going to be a big factor in 4A, but their biggest obstacle to get to the finals will continue to be Highlands.Cov Cath would flat out demolish the teams in the west.

:redboxer:don't remind me I still have issues about the CovCath Highlands game in the playoffs that year

[oldbird]

I still think that was one of the best game I have ever watched.

[sstack]

:redboxer:don't remind me I still have issues about the CovCath Highlands game in the playoffs that year

That HHS/CCH 1982 game has to be one of the top 5 all time games in Highlands history. That game was a classic. The game this year felt like that game in the first quarter and I have to say that I (and many other fans) really miss those exciting HHS/CCH games.

[nky]

That HHS/CCH 1982 game has to be one of the top 5 all time games in Highlands history. That game was a classic. The game this year felt like that game in the first quarter and I have to say that I (and many other fans) really miss those exciting HHS/CCH games.

It was a great game My vantage point was somewhat blocked ( I was on the bottom of the pile as the game winning TD was being scored:HitWall

[Nefarious83]

Covington Catholic will dominate Highlands next season.
/sarcasm

[Bird4Life]

A team with only 1 championship in 13 years can not be considered a serious threat to win more titles.

[sstack]

It was a great game My vantage point was somewhat blocked ( I was on the bottom of the pile as the game winning TD was being scored:HitWall

I was only a sophmore and did not get in the game,but had a front row seat on the sidelines. I think I remember seeing you as I ran past you to join in the celebration in the endzone:biggrin:

[nky]

I was only a sophmore and did not get in the game,but had a front row seat on the sidelines. I think I remember seeing you as I ran past you to join in the celebration in the endzone:biggrin:

:hilarious:

[charlie22]

I would disagree and say it is a special time.

Five straight titles is something only one other program has done. Maybe you can say it is because we have 6 classes now that it is not what it used to be but I disagree.

I think HHS would be THE story this year if not for Trinity's magnificent run.

These kind of runs don't happen all the time, even at HHS or Trinity. Just my take.

Hatz, your point is a valid one: that being winning 5 straight is a rare accomplishments. But I get Blau's point also: Highlands historically has avoided the deep and long down cycles.

To be candid but hopefully without being arrogant, unless some other 4A program steps up big time in the next couple of years, I don't see the cycle turning down for Highlands in the near future. In talking to Dale, I don't think he has any intention of retiring soon. I hear no talk of any assistants thinking of leaving. The program is stacked with talent in the junior and sophomore classes. They will have a ton of experience and starters returning next year on O. We'll lose a lot of starters on D, but there have been a lot of younger, very talented kids that have gotten a huge amount of varsity experience this year due to the blowouts. Obviously anything is possible, and if the players don't stay really focused and committed, I'm sure this post will be pulled up and I'll be made the fool.

No doubt that these are special times at Highlands but I don't see those special times ending soon unless there is some other 4A program out there that has a lot more returning than what I've seen. And when those times end, I doubt it will be a long state championship drought. The program is simply on a completely different level than it was when I played a long, long time ago or as recently as 10 years ago.

As to the question in the OP: yes CovCath should still be considered a serious threat. Wirth has done a great job turning around the mess that Rodenburg left behind (I blame him more than Brossart). Their youth league will pay big dividends. Their players believe. Do I think that will get them over the hump against Highlands in the next couple of years? No I don't. But eventually they will beat Highlands and I think we'll start seeing a lot more close games. A whole lot of CovCath's future success will depend upon how successful Boone, Ryle, Dixie Heights, Simon Kenton and Beechwood are in the future. If those schools have success and kids/parents believe those programs are run the right way, it decreases the chances that kids wanting to play for strong football programs will be funnelled to CovCath.

[FBALL]

Yes they are a threat.