Would Highlands win State without Collinsworth?

whackem'n'stackem' · 10-23-2009, 08:49 AM

With Austin currently banged up from an outstanding performance against arch-rival Cov. Cath, could Highlands win with the likes of Streeter, Fennell, and possibly a healthy Bardo in the backfield?

NCC41 · 10-23-2009, 09:01 AM

Yes they will still win the 5A championship. Their defense has become very dominant. AC will be back for sure!

**Stardust** · 10-23-2009, 09:03 AM

Yes, if they had Bardo. No way could you take both of them out of the line-up and expect the same results. This is a very deep, extremely talented team, but IMO, the reason that Towles is playing so well is that he feels no presurre. AC with his senior leadership, and let's face it, God given ability, makes the job very easy for Towles.

GRIFFIN · 10-23-2009, 09:07 AM

Yes

pigskin · 10-23-2009, 09:51 AM

NCC41 Wrote:Yes they will still win the 5A championship. Their defense has become very dominant. AC will be back for sure!

Highlands toughest game coming up is against Ryle. Although Highlands may be without AC they should have Bardo back which gives them another weapon for the defenses to think about. I agree the difference will be the defense in this next match-up between Ryle and Highlands. Roller and crew will handle Ryle's offense, Highlands offense should score enough points to win this game. So yes, they should still win 5A and Austin will be back by playoff time.

charlie22 · 10-23-2009, 09:55 AM

I think the answer to the question is probably yes, but I don't think we have to worry about that situation.

This is the deepest Highlands team that I have ever seen in my many, many years of following the Birds, which is the main reason Highlands beat St. X. Even without AC, the Birds have at least a couple of running backs that would start for almost every team in the state.

No doubt that without AC the Birds would lose some of the big play capability from their running game, but the Birds O line is the best one I've seen this year and can continually open holes for the running backs filling in for AC. Even when AC when out early in the 3rd quarter against CovCath, the Birds continued to run the ball against a defense that was committed to stopping Highlands run game, if that tells you any thing about Highlands O line.

Plus they pass block so well. If you saw the CovCath game, Towles had a lot of time to pass the ball and find the open receiver. When he hit Welz for a big first down, Towles had a very long time to pass the ball. I think Welz was probably his 3rd or 4th look. And Towles still wasn't touched.

It's actually the O line that takes the pressure off of Towles and makes it much easier for him to perform.

whackem'n'stackem' · 10-23-2009, 10:40 AM

I never thought this particular scenario would possibly play itself out, but it just goes to show that getting to, and winning State, is no given. It is quite amazing at just how deep Highlands offense is. It appears that Bowling Green is a likely opponent if the Birds make it to State. BG lost a rather close one to Trinity. I still think Highlands beats a team like BG, but it would be no easy task without Bardo and Austin at Bowling Green. Bardo and AC are quite possibly the 2 best offensive players on this Bluebird squad. Dale has some big decisions to make over the next few weeks on what's most important, an undefeated season or State champs. A loss against Ryle would destroy National hopes, but putting an unhealthy AC in might come back and bite him. I still don't see Ryle getting through Highlands at home even without AC, but i've seen stranger things happen. Somehow I just can't get the fumbles out of my mind....

tradition · 10-23-2009, 10:56 AM

Just curious since the Ryle / Highlands match up is being discussed , but has Ryle suffered any key player losses?

whackem'n'stackem' · 10-23-2009, 11:07 AM

12. Highlands (Fort Thomas, Ky.), 8-0. Last Week: 12. The Bluebirds enjoyed a blowout win over rival Covington Catholic 36-7. However, Highlands suffered a blow when star Austin Collinsworth suffered a hand injury in the second quarter. He played into the third quarter before leaving the game and the severity of the injury is unknown.

This exerpt is from Max Preps. I bet the 5a teams are salivating right now....

**kywldcat01** · 10-23-2009, 11:18 AM

This thread is kinda pointless. AC may be banged up right now and will likely be kept out the next 2-3 weeks as a precaution, but he is a tough kid and would play if needed.

As stated in several other posts, this is one of the deepest squads Dale has ever had. Fennell and Streeter are extremely under-appreciated and overlooked by many. Also, Bardo will be back within the next 2 weeks as well which gives the Bluebird offense another weapon.

To answer the question of the thread though, yes Highlands would still win state without AC. The reason? Their defense. No team is going to be able to put enough points on the board to beat the Birds.

charlie22 · 10-23-2009, 11:18 AM

whackem'n'stackem Wrote:12. Highlands (Fort Thomas, Ky.), 8-0. Last Week: 12. The Bluebirds enjoyed a blowout win over rival Covington Catholic 36-7. However, Highlands suffered a blow when star Austin Collinsworth suffered a hand injury in the second quarter. He played into the third quarter before leaving the game and the severity of the injury is unknown.
This exerpt is from Max Preps. I bet the 5a teams are salivating right now....

Or is it?:biggrin:

**kywldcat01** · 10-23-2009, 11:20 AM

charlie22 Wrote:Or is it?:biggrin:

It's much more fun to let people keep guessing. Confused

hh:

whackem'n'stackem' · 10-23-2009, 11:45 AM

kywldcat01 Wrote:This thread is kinda pointless. AC may be banged up right now and will likely be kept out the next 2-3 weeks as a precaution, but he is a tough kid and would play if needed.

As stated in several other posts, this is one of the deepest squads Dale has ever had. Fennell and Streeter are extremely under-appreciated and overlooked by many. Also, Bardo will be back within the next 2 weeks as well which gives the Bluebird offense another weapon.

To answer the question of the thread though, yes Highlands would still win state without AC. The reason? Their defense. No team is going to be able to put enough points on the board to beat the Birds.

Doesn't necessarily mean he would be effective now does it? Fumbles happen with healthy fingers too....

**kywldcat01** · 10-23-2009, 12:21 PM

whackem'n'stackem Wrote:Doesn't necessarily mean he would be effective now does it? Fumbles happen with healthy fingers too....

True...but Austin is also able to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball as well when he's in there....

whackem'n'stackem' · 10-23-2009, 12:27 PM

kywldcat01 Wrote:True...but Austin is also able to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball as well when he's in there....

If the Birds D get anymore help it would be borderline obnoxious.

qryche11 · 10-23-2009, 12:38 PM

Yes, they have enough depth and talent on the offensive line that they could win out. The Defense is playing very well and are playing with tons of confidence.

pigskin · 10-23-2009, 01:16 PM

qryche11 Wrote:Yes, they have enough depth and talent on the offensive line that they could win out. The Defense is playing very well and are playing with tons of confidence.

What if Collinsworth and Bardo are not ready to play offense...What if they were added to the defensive side of the ball? The defense is playing very well but what if you added both on these players to the defense...:yikes:

NCC41 · 10-23-2009, 02:28 PM

I agee totally about the offensive line comment. If you give him time back there he will complete a lot of passes. He had a nice run last Saturday also.

tradition · 10-23-2009, 03:35 PM

pigskin Wrote:What if Collinsworth and Bardo are not ready to play offense...What if they were added to the defensive side of the ball? The defense is playing very well but what if you added both on these players to the defense...:yikes:

As stated above, it would be obnoxious.:1:

ScottsvillePatriot · 10-23-2009, 05:43 PM

I think they would. I mean theyre ranked like, what? 15th nationally? That's pretty dang good and Im sure its not ALL because Collinsworth..their whole team is stacked with talent.

99PIRATEFAN · 10-24-2009, 01:09 PM

Yes they are loaded.

BIGRAMLOVER1979 · 10-24-2009, 08:43 PM

yes

**BigBlueBobcatFan** · 10-24-2009, 10:34 PM

oh yeah

mr.charlie hustle · 10-28-2009, 09:31 AM

Highlands is the best until proven different. It's a team sport ( 11 players}

The Iceboxx · 10-29-2009, 03:39 AM

They may still win a title. IT would be very hard considering Bardo is out as well.

but when I read this thread, I thought to myself. Can you get bannana pudding, w/o bannanas???

**Playboy5** · 10-29-2009, 07:03 AM

I think the answer is YES..EASILY!

Schmilla88 · 10-29-2009, 08:35 AM

tradition Wrote:Just curious since the Ryle / Highlands match up is being discussed , but has Ryle suffered any key player losses?

No, Ryle has been very good with injuries this year. With only a few this year (nothing major). but currently the only injury is logan carney, with a hand injury from a couple weaks ago but he has kept playing and dosen't show any pain on the field.

Ryle is looking foward to getting another shot at the birds.
:letsfight

Tony_Delk_fan_00 · 10-29-2009, 09:05 AM

This team is so good they could win with me at wide reciever lol.

Bobcat_Dad · 10-29-2009, 10:21 AM

I have not seen HHS this year but I would say YES they can. HHS is more than 1 player. I have seen him play a few times over the years and I agree he is a nice player but they are a very good team with or without him.

BelfryPirateForever · 10-29-2009, 10:23 AM

Highlands is the team to beat. I don't think anyones is even close. My grandmother could be playing running back for them and they'd still win.