[EKUAlum05]

The Bluebirds open their season travelling to the middle of Louisville to take on 6A Manual. The Crimsons have proven in the past that they can play Trinity and St. Xavier close when they are overlooked, how will they fare against the mighty Bluebirds?

Predictions? Thoughts?

[Coach E]

I know 7 on 7 doesnt mean much for Wing T teams like Manual, but they didn't look very good. I think Highlands runs away with this one.

[BlackcatAlum]

I like Highlands as well by around 2 touchdowns, maybe more.

Best of luck to both!

[kywldcat01]

Highlands runs away with this one. Manual just doesn't have the personnel to keep up with the Birds.

Highlands 35
Manual 7

[Stardust]

Highlands has a 3 TD lead after the first quarter - wins in a route!

The Birds will make a statement to Kentucky Football that they can compete with anyone.

Anybody who knows Dale Mueller will know that he could care less about the score. If he can put up 60 in this game, he will!

[tradition]

I hear this is a very good Manual team.

[qryche11]

Highlands should roll on the road, they are going to be hungry coming out of the gate. The weapons they have are so deadly.

Highlands 48
Manual 14

[BlackcatAlum]

I've noticed that Highlands has had handfuls of problems out of quick/athletic football teams (i.e. Bryan Station, Lou. Central 2008) over the past year or so and Manual is most certainly one of those quick/athletic teams, plus they carry a lot of tradition on their backs.

[Stardust]

I've noticed that Highlands has had handfuls of problems out of quick/athletic football teams (i.e. Bryan Station, Lou. Central 2008) over the past year or so and Manual is most certainly one of those quick/athletic teams, plus they carry a lot of tradition on their backs.

I'll aruge that Highlands had trouble with Highlands, not BS ad Central! You make it sound like those two teams posed challenges due to their athletecism. If that was the case, there were tons of athletic teams on the Birds schedule!

[EKUAlum05]

I'll aruge that Highlands had trouble with Highlands, not BS ad Central! You make it sound like those two teams posed challenges due to their athletecism. If that was the case, there were tons of athletic teams on the Birds schedule!

I'll disagree... Central has given Highlands fits the past two seasons. Last year Highlands knew exactly what they were in for against Central and stillstruggled to put them away. I don't think Central's athleticism really translates to giving Highlands trouble froma defensive standpoint, but Highlands offense has been far from dominant against Central's team speed and physicality.

Bryan Station, IMO, was a mixture of athleticism and Highlands overlooking their opponent. Highlands is Highlands, and there will be times when they will play a game at about an 80% level, and not like they would against a big name 6A team or in the State Finals. Typically, even at 80% Highlands is so much more dominant than teams athletically and from an execution standpoint that you may not notice. Against BS, the Defenders actually had enough athleticism to make this prevalent. If Highlands played BS that very next Friday I have no doubt they would have won by 4-5 TD's, but that night BS was able to jump on them.

As for Manual, I have seen their teams over the years and, though I can't speak for this year's product, will say the typical Manual team is not in the same calibur of athleticism as a Male or Central. Manual's claim to fame is they typically execute well, they have great depth, they have a big physical O-line, and they have a scattering of athletes at the right skill spots to make plays when a defense makes mistakes.

I say Highlands wins fairly easily, 35-10.

[charlie22]

I'll disagree... Central has given Highlands fits the past two seasons. Last year Highlands knew exactly what they were in for against Central and stillstruggled to put them away. I don't think Central's athleticism really translates to giving Highlands trouble froma defensive standpoint, but Highlands offense has been far from dominant against Central's team speed and physicality.

Bryan Station, IMO, was a mixture of athleticism and Highlands overlooking their opponent. Highlands is Highlands, and there will be times when they will play a game at about an 80% level, and not like they would against a big name 6A team or in the State Finals. Typically, even at 80% Highlands is so much more dominant than teams athletically and from an execution standpoint that you may not notice. Against BS, the Defenders actually had enough athleticism to make this prevalent. If Highlands played BS that very next Friday I have no doubt they would have won by 4-5 TD's, but that night BS was able to jump on them.

As for Manual, I have seen their teams over the years and, though I can't speak for this year's product, will say the typical Manual team is not in the same calibur of athleticism as a Male or Central. Manual's claim to fame is they typically execute well, they have great depth, they have a big physical O-line, and they have a scattering of athletes at the right skill spots to make plays when a defense makes mistakes.

I say Highlands wins fairly easily, 35-10.

Highlands beat Central last year 28-0. Not sure that would constitute giving Highlands fits. Did any other team beat Central by a bigger margin last year or for that matter shut out their O?

Having said that, I don't look for Highlands to blow Manual away like some other posters do. Manual is a very, very good 6A school and will be well prepared for the Birds. I think it will be a much closer game.

[Real Badman]

Upset Alert!

Manual-27
Highlands-21

[Stardust]

I'll disagree... Central has given Highlands fits the past two seasons. Last year Highlands knew exactly what they were in for against Central and stillstruggled to put them away. I don't think Central's athleticism really translates to giving Highlands trouble froma defensive standpoint, but Highlands offense has been far from dominant against Central's team speed and physicality.

Bryan Station, IMO, was a mixture of athleticism and Highlands overlooking their opponent. Highlands is Highlands, and there will be times when they will play a game at about an 80% level, and not like they would against a big name 6A team or in the State Finals. Typically, even at 80% Highlands is so much more dominant than teams athletically and from an execution standpoint that you may not notice. Against BS, the Defenders actually had enough athleticism to make this prevalent. If Highlands played BS that very next Friday I have no doubt they would have won by 4-5 TD's, but that night BS was able to jump on them.

As for Manual, I have seen their teams over the years and, though I can't speak for this year's product, will say the typical Manual team is not in the same calibur of athleticism as a Male or Central. Manual's claim to fame is they typically execute well, they have great depth, they have a big physical O-line, and they have a scattering of athletes at the right skill spots to make plays when a defense makes mistakes.

I say Highlands wins fairly easily, 35-10.

Charley beat me to it EKU, as I said Central is solid, just not at the same level that HHS has been over the past few years. The Birds in both the Central and BS games did not play their best, which could be easily credited to Central and BS, but many of the teams on HHS schedule were more sound than either of those two teams.

[Stardust]

Upset Alert!

Manual-27
Highlands-21

Well it would be an upset

[whats-it-2u]

Manual needs this win to build confidence to tangle with T and X? I pick them by 10.

[Stardust]

Manual needs this win to build confidence to tangle with T and X? I pick them by 10.

Manual is not in the same league with the three best teams in the state. To think that Manual can be a nationally ranked team like HHS is a stretch.

[cats2000]

Does highlands play any cincy schools this year?

[kywldcat01]

Does highlands play any cincy schools this year?

Cincy St. X and Withrow.

[jbwill2]

I remember that when Highlands played Ryle at HHS in the season's first game last year, Highlands didn't really establish an offense flow during the whole game.

[Stardust]

I remember that when Highlands played Ryle at HHS in the season's first game last year, Highlands didn't really establish an offense flow during the whole game.

It happens, but I think a team coming into the season nationally ranked will be mentally prepped for this game.

[jbwill2]

It happens, but I think a team coming into the season nationally ranked will be mentally prepped for this game.

This may be the case (and I hope it is!), but my only point is that sometimes teams take a little bit of time to "work out the kinks" at the start of a year, and as such the first game of the season is often a little tricky to predict.

[outdoorsman43]

I'll say Collinsworth proves his ability at running back in this game.

Highlands - 31
Manual - 13

Good luck to both!

[wildcat1323]

highlands takes it with ease

[qryche11]

I amjust looking forward to seeing a good game between two very good teams. Even if the Birds win big I dont think it will be because Dupont Manual layed down or didnt play hard.

The Birds will have a very tough scrimmage this Friday night vs. Lou. Male so it should be a good indicator for the type of athleticism they will face agains Manual. I hope everyone on both teams stays healthy so they can start their first games.

[Spud6]

I'm gonna say...

Highlands - 42
Lou. Manual - 14

[charlie22]

I remember that when Highlands played Ryle at HHS in the season's first game last year, Highlands didn't really establish an offense flow during the whole game.

You may be right, but there are several differences between last year and this year's team. Last year there was only one returning offensive lineman. This year, there are 3. Big difference. Last year all of our starting wide receivers were new starters. This year we have Buten, Hogue and Gold returning. Big difference. Last year we had no returning starting tight end. This year, Roller if he plays tight end is a returning starter. If he doesn't Welz, who started at tight end after Roller got hurt, will start. Big difference. Last year, Conner got hurt in the scrimmage before the Ryle game. Let's hope that's a big difference too and that no one gets hurt in Friday's scrimmage.

I'll be really surprised and admittedly disappointed if Highlands O isn't much more productive against Manual than it was last year against Ryle. I don't expect them to be hitting on every cylinder in their first game; just much better than they were last year.

[kywldcat01]

You may be right, but there are several differences between last year and this year's team. Last year there was only one returning offensive lineman. This year, there are 3. Big difference. Last year all of our starting wide receivers were new starters. This year we have Buten, Hogue and Gold returning. Big difference. Last year we had no returning starting tight end. This year, Roller if he plays tight end is a returning starter. If he doesn't Welz, who started at tight end after Roller got hurt, will start. Big difference. Last year, Conner got hurt in the scrimmage before the Ryle game. Let's hope that's a big difference too and that no one gets hurt in Friday's scrimmage.

I'll be really surprised and admittedly disappointed if Highlands O isn't much more productive against Manual than it was last year against Ryle. I don't expect them to be hitting on every cylinder in their first game; just much better than they were last year.

Well said. Coming in to last year everyone knew how good the Birds were supposed to be at the skill positions but there was a lot of questions surrounding the o-line. By week 5, all of those questions were answered and people began talking about how good the o line was.

I expect H to come out firing on all cylinders. Not only do they return a lot of talent this season, but they also have the experience to go with it. Really looking forward to seeing Brandon Roller get back out on the field after having his season ended last year in the playoffs due to an injury.

[Stardust]

You may be right, but there are several differences between last year and this year's team. Last year there was only one returning offensive lineman. This year, there are 3. Big difference. Last year all of our starting wide receivers were new starters. This year we have Buten, Hogue and Gold returning. Big difference. Last year we had no returning starting tight end. This year, Roller if he plays tight end is a returning starter. If he doesn't Welz, who started at tight end after Roller got hurt, will start. Big difference. Last year, Conner got hurt in the scrimmage before the Ryle game. Let's hope that's a big difference too and that no one gets hurt in Friday's scrimmage.

I'll be really surprised and admittedly disappointed if Highlands O isn't much more productive against Manual than it was last year against Ryle. I don't expect them to be hitting on every cylinder in their first game; just much better than they were last year.

Well said. Coming in to last year everyone knew how good the Birds were supposed to be at the skill positions but there was a lot of questions surrounding the o-line. By week 5, all of those questions were answered and people began talking about how good the o line was.

I expect H to come out firing on all cylinders. Not only do they return a lot of talent this season, but they also have the experience to go with it. Really looking forward to seeing Brandon Roller get back out on the field after having his season ended last year in the playoffs due to an injury.

very good posts:Thumbs:

[qryche11]

You may be right, but there are several differences between last year and this year's team. Last year there was only one returning offensive lineman. This year, there are 3. Big difference. Last year all of our starting wide receivers were new starters. This year we have Buten, Hogue and Gold returning. Big difference. Last year we had no returning starting tight end. This year, Roller if he plays tight end is a returning starter. If he doesn't Welz, who started at tight end after Roller got hurt, will start. Big difference. Last year, Conner got hurt in the scrimmage before the Ryle game. Let's hope that's a big difference too and that no one gets hurt in Friday's scrimmage.

I'll be really surprised and admittedly disappointed if Highlands O isn't much more productive against Manual than it was last year against Ryle. I don't expect them to be hitting on every cylinder in their first game; just much better than they were last year.

Dont forget about John Drennan the transfer from Illinois. He is a stud and has wheels. He was on the 4 x100 state championship team in track. I honestly dont know how anyone will try to defend the Birds. They have so many targets to throw at and then you have AC in the backfield. Not to mention, Tyler Fennell is a great RB who runs low to the ground, has amazing leg drive and will get you the tough yards.

Pick your poison basically. BArdo will ask himself, do I want to throw it to Buten/Gold/Drennan on a fly pattern? Do I want to hit Roller or Welz on a 20 yrd post down the middle from the TE spot? Do I want to pitch it to AC and watch him burn the corner and sprint 80 yrds for a score or do I want to hand it to Fennell for 4/5 yrds? Or maybe I should just run Keep and use my state championship sprinter speed and dash 80 yrds myself.

:1::1::1: Crown em !!!!

[Stardust]

^ lol :Cheerlead