[BFritz]

Highlands has had a grade school program for a long time, which is one reason why they're always so good- because they've been playing together so long and it also draws kids from more than just Fort Thomas (not positive on the second part, but just knowing that there's a lot of kids from outside of Fort Thomas at Highlands, it seems logical).

Anyways, since CovCath started their grade school program (not sure exactly when, but it's just taken off in the last few years), will they be on-par with or better than Highlands more regularly?

Starting kids at a younger age in the program, molding them for CovCath football, and being familiar with one another should build more success for the high school team, don't you think?

Is this just a fantasy, or will it have the same success that it has had for Highlands?

[BFritz]

Nobody?

[toussaints]

it would certainly help, but it doesn't do much for them if a good chunk of those kids end up going to dixie, beechwood, scott, or holy cross.

[plantmanky]

Cov Cath's middle school program started in 2008, and it has been the main reason for the turn around at Cov Cath.

[Chorn]

Cov Cath's middle school program started in 2008, and it has been the main reason for the turn around at Cov Cath.

What turn around? They don't have a decent win in over 5 years.

[charlie22]

Highlands has had a grade school program for a long time, which is one reason why they're always so good- because they've been playing together so long and it also draws kids from more than just Fort Thomas (not positive on the second part, but just knowing that there's a lot of kids from outside of Fort Thomas at Highlands, it seems logical).

Anyways, since CovCath started their grade school program (not sure exactly when, but it's just taken off in the last few years), will they be on-par with or better than Highlands more regularly?

Starting kids at a younger age in the program, molding them for CovCath football, and being familiar with one another should build more success for the high school team, don't you think?

Is this just a fantasy, or will it have the same success that it has had for Highlands?

The success of Highlands has nothing to do with the kids in the youth league playing together, because basically they don't. There are 4 teams in the 7th and 8th grade division and the kids are split up amongst those 4 teams. The first time they play together is in their frosh year.

Actually having 4 teams helps more than playing together, as you have 4 qbs being developed; 4 sets of RBs; 4 o lines; 4 etc., etc. Then at the frosh level, the coaches determine who is the best of those groups.

Another very big component of the success caused by the youth league is the player participation emphasis. Dividing the players amongst 4 teams means that a kid that is not very good at that level is still going to get on the field a lot (combine the players into 1 or even 2 teams and that is much less likely to happen). So that less talented kid keeps playing, enjoys the activity and remains interested in football. He more often than not comes out for frosh football because he has enjoyed the sport of football in the past and wants to be part of Highlands football. He develops physically and with good coaching develops into a heck of a fine high school football player, that frankly many couldn't have envisioned when he was a 7th or 8th grader. It's not even a surprise anymore when it happens because it has happened so frequently in the past. The number one rule of the Ft. Thomas Jr. Football League: is keep it fun for the kids so they keep playing. Some solid instruction is helpful, but not necessary. If they keep playing, the Highlands coaches will give them all the instruction they need when they get to the high school level.

[WideMiddle03]

ya i think that will help cov cath and make them a much better program.

[Wideleft01]

The success of Highlands has nothing to do with the kids in the youth league playing together, because basically they don't. There are 4 teams in the 7th and 8th grade division and the kids are split up amongst those 4 teams. The first time they play together is in their frosh year.

Actually having 4 teams helps more than playing together, as you have 4 qbs being developed; 4 sets of RBs; 4 o lines; 4 etc., etc. Then at the frosh level, the coaches determine who is the best of those groups.

Another very big component of the success caused by the youth league is the player participation emphasis. Dividing the players amongst 4 teams means that a kid that is not very good at that level is still going to get on the field a lot (combine the players into 1 or even 2 teams and that is much less likely to happen). So that less talented kid keeps playing, enjoys the activity and remains interested in football. He more often than not comes out for frosh football because he has enjoyed the sport of football in the past and wants to be part of Highlands football. He develops physically and with good coaching develops into a heck of a fine high school football player, that frankly many couldn't have envisioned when he was a 7th or 8th grader. It's not even a surprise anymore when it happens because it has happened so frequently in the past. The number one rule of the Ft. Thomas Jr. Football League: is keep it fun for the kids so they keep playing. Some solid instruction is helpful, but not necessary. If they keep playing, the Highlands coaches will give them all the instruction they need when they get to the high school level.

100% accurate, but why tell them?

[WideMiddle03]

covington catholic is back this is the best team since 06

[Wideleft01]

covington catholic is back this is the best team since 06

That's not saying much.

[Stardust]

it would certainly help, but it doesn't do much for them if a good chunk of those kids end up going to dixie, beechwood, scott, or holy cross.

Good GAWD, why would anyone send their kid to one of those schools now? It certainly appears that the parents that chose that list of schools are the one's whose players would not have seen the field for CCH! Those schools just might have dried up talent wise! All three teams for CCH are very very good!

[hop24]

Good GAWD, why would anyone send their kid to one of those schools now? It certainly appears that the parents that chose that list of schools are the one's whose players would not have seen the field for CCH! Those schools just might have dried up talent wise! All three teams for CCH are very very good!

Don't think all those schools combined would give CCH much of a fight this year.

[Stardust]

^ No, they sure wouldn't!

[birdman44]

the fort thomas jr feeder league for highlands sends kids to newcath, campbell co, brossart, and some schools in ohio.

[toussaints]

Good GAWD, why would anyone send their kid to one of those schools now? It certainly appears that the parents that chose that list of schools are the one's whose players would not have seen the field for CCH! Those schools just might have dried up talent wise! All three teams for CCH are very very good!

maybe they can't afford the tuition and fees at CCH lol

[WideMiddle03]

That's not saying much.

oh come on man yes it is we won state in 2006 with an awesome team and beat lowlands twice that year what what

[30 going on 40]

the fort thomas jr feeder league for highlands sends kids to newcath, campbell co, brossart, and some schools in ohio.

Beechwood as well