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10-06-2015, 10:46 PM
As many have pointed out on this board for years and years, Highlands has never had to stress of phasing a "rebuilding" year because it is simply non-existent when it comes to their program. We have learned that is all so false now, as the talent has rapidly depleted in Fort Thomas. While they are still in contention and haven't played a single district game yet, they have had running clock after running clock slapped down on them. Not exactly something I can explain to a tee, but there is obviously something wrong. MY big question is, what should we expect from Highlands from here on out? Is this your daddy's Bluebirds anymore? Is this the level of competitiveness we will see from Highlands year in and year out? It's hard to get an understanding for the current situation at Highlands, maybe some of you that are more "in the know" can inform me/us.
Is Highlands in trouble? Will they stay bad? How much improvement can they foresee with the lack of talent within the school system now due to being a closed district?
Is Highlands in trouble? Will they stay bad? How much improvement can they foresee with the lack of talent within the school system now due to being a closed district?
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10-06-2015, 10:53 PM
I don't think Highlands is in trouble. Take a look at that schedule, the worst team to beat them is Cooper, everyone to beat HHS are having great years and could make a case for 6A top 10.
Highlands may be "down" but I don't expect them to stay down for a long period of time.
They obviously have some issues to work out but has anyone else in 5A played as tough a schedule? (Honest question have not done the research) Maybe Cov Cath and their fate so far this year is similar.
Highlands may be "down" but I don't expect them to stay down for a long period of time.
They obviously have some issues to work out but has anyone else in 5A played as tough a schedule? (Honest question have not done the research) Maybe Cov Cath and their fate so far this year is similar.
10-06-2015, 11:06 PM
AtlPirateFan Wrote:I don't think Highlands is in trouble. Take a look at that schedule, the worst team to beat them is Cooper, everyone to beat HHS are having great years and could make a case for 6A top 10.
Highlands may be "down" but I don't expect them to stay down for a long period of time.
They obviously have some issues to work out but has anyone else in 5A played as tough a schedule? (Honest question have not done the research) Maybe Cov Cath and their fate so far this year is similar.
The way I look at it is, who would have a better record against the competition that Highlands has had?
Obvious answers:
Bowling Green
Owensboro
Covington Catholic
...?
After that I really couldn't tell you. However I will say that now that they have played NKY teams again, the scores have not been fair to them. You can't help but notice the drop in talent and production.
10-07-2015, 11:34 PM
In reality, the well is dry and the only positive comments you'll hear about the upcoming Highlands seasons will be the "over" self promoting of players by parents. That is evident of the talent currently playing. The program had a nice run, leave it at that. IMO, I think you'll see multiple coaching changes as a response to bring back the glory days, but it doesn't have anything to do with that. It comes down to talent and kids aren't focused as much towards football like they use to be.
10-08-2015, 09:09 PM
They have some talent. But this going one way is not the answer. You're right the talent is down. But they have enough to be competitive going both ways. Coaching is part of this. I'm not saying they would be undefeated. But they sure wouldn't be getting blown out.
10-08-2015, 09:48 PM
Every program has down years . . . Every. Single. One.
With that said, given the sheer numbers at Highlands and the precipitous drop, one has to wonder what primary factors contribute to their current state. As a TOTAL outsider looking in, I speculate the following:
1) Dale Mueller is gone - Face it, he was a very special coach with a somewhat quirky and wholly appropriate approach to the game and the expectations at Highlands. No program can simply "keep rolling" after the loss of a presence like his . . . Not without a couple bumps along the way.
2) Complacency - After such an unprecedented run of success, it's natural for kids, parents and (yes,even coaches) to assume that the wins will just keep coming. The world doesn't work like that. Pride cometh before the fall.
3) Highlands is an ocean-liner, not a jet-ski--steer carefully. Culture changes in bigger, successful programs always require more time, patience and conflict than the same modifications in smaller, less prestigious ones. The more success a program enjoys, the more "consultants", hangers-on and peripheral egos that play into the daily operations. Change makes people uncomfortable, and the more people involved, the more collective distemper a new coach must navigate.
Again, all of the above is a completely uninformed guess on my part, but I would bet that some of it is likely accurate. I agree with other posters, though. If you wanna get the Bluebirds, you better get 'em fast.
With that said, given the sheer numbers at Highlands and the precipitous drop, one has to wonder what primary factors contribute to their current state. As a TOTAL outsider looking in, I speculate the following:
1) Dale Mueller is gone - Face it, he was a very special coach with a somewhat quirky and wholly appropriate approach to the game and the expectations at Highlands. No program can simply "keep rolling" after the loss of a presence like his . . . Not without a couple bumps along the way.
2) Complacency - After such an unprecedented run of success, it's natural for kids, parents and (yes,even coaches) to assume that the wins will just keep coming. The world doesn't work like that. Pride cometh before the fall.
3) Highlands is an ocean-liner, not a jet-ski--steer carefully. Culture changes in bigger, successful programs always require more time, patience and conflict than the same modifications in smaller, less prestigious ones. The more success a program enjoys, the more "consultants", hangers-on and peripheral egos that play into the daily operations. Change makes people uncomfortable, and the more people involved, the more collective distemper a new coach must navigate.
Again, all of the above is a completely uninformed guess on my part, but I would bet that some of it is likely accurate. I agree with other posters, though. If you wanna get the Bluebirds, you better get 'em fast.
10-09-2015, 01:54 AM
^
So you think that's the major factor??
So you think that's the major factor??
10-09-2015, 06:01 AM
Coaches DO make programs in HS. My personal suspicion is Mueller saw the writing on the wall after the Collins game, evaluated the pipeline, and decided maybe he'd done enough on the football field. (And God knows he has.)
Some programs will always be competitive. But a good coach motivates, organizes, understands. A good coach can be the difference between that kid in the hallway coming out for the team or staying home to play video games. A good coach can be the difference when that star 8th grader is deciding which HS to play for.
Remember Highlands with Duffy vs. Highlands with Muller? Or if you want a more drastic example, Johnson Central went 2-8, 2-8, 1-9 in 2001-3. Hired Jim Matney and he took the same kids and went 7-4 in 2004 and the beat has gone on ever since. They didn't suddenly find a bunch of star athletes in one off-season. The attitude change is everything. Culture is contagious. Winners rub off on kids and communities. Unfortunately...so does losing. Not sure the Highlands new coach has been given a fair chance yet, but two years at the helm should tell most of the story.
Some programs will always be competitive. But a good coach motivates, organizes, understands. A good coach can be the difference between that kid in the hallway coming out for the team or staying home to play video games. A good coach can be the difference when that star 8th grader is deciding which HS to play for.
Remember Highlands with Duffy vs. Highlands with Muller? Or if you want a more drastic example, Johnson Central went 2-8, 2-8, 1-9 in 2001-3. Hired Jim Matney and he took the same kids and went 7-4 in 2004 and the beat has gone on ever since. They didn't suddenly find a bunch of star athletes in one off-season. The attitude change is everything. Culture is contagious. Winners rub off on kids and communities. Unfortunately...so does losing. Not sure the Highlands new coach has been given a fair chance yet, but two years at the helm should tell most of the story.
10-09-2015, 11:58 AM
Diogenes Wrote:Coaches DO make programs in HS. My personal suspicion is Mueller saw the writing on the wall after the Collins game, evaluated the pipeline, and decided maybe he'd done enough on the football field. (And God knows he has.)
Some programs will always be competitive. But a good coach motivates, organizes, understands. A good coach can be the difference between that kid in the hallway coming out for the team or staying home to play video games. A good coach can be the difference when that star 8th grader is deciding which HS to play for.
Remember Highlands with Duffy vs. Highlands with Muller? Or if you want a more drastic example, Johnson Central went 2-8, 2-8, 1-9 in 2001-3. Hired Jim Matney and he took the same kids and went 7-4 in 2004 and the beat has gone on ever since. They didn't suddenly find a bunch of star athletes in one off-season. The attitude change is everything. Culture is contagious. Winners rub off on kids and communities. Unfortunately...so does losing. Not sure the Highlands new coach has been given a fair chance yet, but two years at the helm should tell most of the story.
You do realize that Duffy won two state titles in his short tenure at HHS, right?
Duffy's problem was his personality and the way he did things but he was successful.
10-09-2015, 01:03 PM
I don't know much about Highlands, and don't pretend that I do, but I thought the guy who took over as HC had been an assistant for a long time. If that's true, wonder why he couldn't slide into that HC position a little more seamlessly.
10-09-2015, 01:42 PM
Yes a coach makes a difference and their current woes may be due to a shift in culture but if you didn't know any better you would think reading this thread that Brian Weinrich just took over the program and sunk it. Is it so easy to forget this same coach led them to a 4A title last year?
Some statements in this thread seem to proclaim its the end of Highlands as a KY powerhouse. I think people forget that Highlands is more than the last 7-8 years. That run was one of those magical things that happen but can't last forever. It had to end.
Highlands was a state power before the run began and they will be again. 23 State Titles since 1960. The longest state title drought was 7 years (1982 - 1989), aside from that they average a title every 3 - 4 years since 1960. That tells me over the years they knew how to adapt.
I also keep hearing the can't go one way argument. I don't really understand why this being touted. Are the number of kids going out for football down? The population of Ft Thomas has been pretty steady since at least 1970. It's not like there is a mass exodus from the area. The platooning has worked for years. Is there some exceptional athletes playing one way that all the bleacher experts feel should be on the field at all times? Unless the enrollment numbers or number of kids going out for Football has declined there is no reason to say that what worked in the past wont work anymore.
Full disclosure, I have not seen the Bluebirds play this year and I am not fully aware of their situation. All of the above is basically me questioning previous posts that make statements and allegations but do't really give the answer as to why they feel these things are true.
Some statements in this thread seem to proclaim its the end of Highlands as a KY powerhouse. I think people forget that Highlands is more than the last 7-8 years. That run was one of those magical things that happen but can't last forever. It had to end.
Highlands was a state power before the run began and they will be again. 23 State Titles since 1960. The longest state title drought was 7 years (1982 - 1989), aside from that they average a title every 3 - 4 years since 1960. That tells me over the years they knew how to adapt.
I also keep hearing the can't go one way argument. I don't really understand why this being touted. Are the number of kids going out for football down? The population of Ft Thomas has been pretty steady since at least 1970. It's not like there is a mass exodus from the area. The platooning has worked for years. Is there some exceptional athletes playing one way that all the bleacher experts feel should be on the field at all times? Unless the enrollment numbers or number of kids going out for Football has declined there is no reason to say that what worked in the past wont work anymore.
Full disclosure, I have not seen the Bluebirds play this year and I am not fully aware of their situation. All of the above is basically me questioning previous posts that make statements and allegations but do't really give the answer as to why they feel these things are true.
10-09-2015, 02:33 PM
Having 100 kids on a roster does not necessarily mean that you have 100 "football players". There are kids being forced to play because of the 2-platoon system that quite honestly are not high school football players at this time. May be a year from now or even 2 years from now. There are holes that could be plugged by simply playing kids on both sides of the ball and perhaps changing the offensive philosophy because it is rather apparent that what is being done now does not work THIS YEAR. To date, Highlands has not put together a "drive" to score a touchdown and that right there says quite a bit.
The coaches have not all of a sudden forgotten how to coach the game, but the unwillingness to make "some" changes sure leaves many with scratching their head.
The coaches have not all of a sudden forgotten how to coach the game, but the unwillingness to make "some" changes sure leaves many with scratching their head.
10-09-2015, 02:42 PM
mantax Wrote:Having 100 kids on a roster does not necessarily mean that you have 100 "football players". There are kids being forced to play because of the 2-platoon system that quite honestly are not high school football players at this time. May be a year from now or even 2 years from now. There are holes that could be plugged by simply playing kids on both sides of the ball and perhaps changing the offensive philosophy because it is rather apparent that what is being done now does not work THIS YEAR. To date, Highlands has not put together a "drive" to score a touchdown and that right there says quite a bit.
The coaches have not all of a sudden forgotten how to coach the game, but the unwillingness to make "some" changes sure leaves many with scratching their head.
mantax, I am not questioning your integrity, so please don't be offended when I ask if you are sure that is an accurate statement. If it IS accurate, then OMG!! That statement says volumes.
10-09-2015, 03:28 PM
I keep saying both ways. It only applies to this year. Or any other year the talent is down. You have the athletes to go one way. That's fine. They've had success doing that. But my question. Are they in condition to go both ways? They work so much on quickness. But not so much on endurance.
10-09-2015, 03:59 PM
Granny Bear Wrote:mantax, I am not questioning your integrity, so please don't be offended when I ask if you are sure that is an accurate statement. If it IS accurate, then OMG!! That statement says volumes.
I consider a "drive" to be going from your end of the field to the opponents end of the field and scoring a touchdown. A "big" play from your end of the field is not a "drive" in my book. I am just thinking of the top of my head, there were no touchdowns against SK or STX so that is 2 games. One score against Cooper was a punt return. There may have been one, but not more than two that I can remember. Most of if not all the points scored against Campbell County were on short fields with the exception of a 60 plus yard run for a touchdown. I know one score against Ryle was a long pass play of over 50 yards. An even bigger sign of offensive struggles is that they have attempted and made 3 field goals in excess of 40 yards and in the past they have simply gone for it in those situations. When you have kids at QB that have thrown twice as many picks as touchdowns, you become very one dimensional and your backs are not the type to run between the tackles you are going to struggle moving the ball. This puts pressure on the O-line which appeared to be a strength coming into the season, but has been disappointing except for the center and one guard. Guys playing on the other side of the ball could help fill these voids on offense and vice versa, but there is a reluctance of the coaches to make any changes. You have gaping holes on both sides of the ball and teams are exposing those weaknesses.
10-09-2015, 05:46 PM
Wow!!
I agree with you, no sustained scoring drives.
I agree with you, no sustained scoring drives.
10-10-2015, 05:30 AM
bo67 Wrote:Bad loss to Cooper? They just beat Ryle. The night Cooper beat Highlands it turned into a mud bath. Without that. Cooper puts over 50 points on the board easily
Reading comprehension isn't hard. I am the one who said Cooper was their worst loss. At the time that statement was made The Cooper loss was the worst one on paper and it was to mark that Highlands schedule has not been an easy road to navigate with Cooper being the "worst" team to beat them.
10-10-2015, 05:36 AM
bo67 Wrote:Well now Ryle is the worst team to beat them. Paper doesn't play football games
Is anyone debating that? Go lay down somewhere Becky
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