[Allsports#1]

I love ball control offenses. In today's game, speed is the name of the game and teams are looking to score fast and play fast. In my honest opinion, the wishbone/flexbone offenses are great to fight that with because it slows the pace down and keeps the ball out of the scoring teams hands. The easiest way to play defense is with your offense on the field. Now, of course, we've learned a lot from the 4 losses to Louisville Central over the past 6 seasons but I think the difference in losing in 07/10 and barely losing in 11/12 is not turning the ball over. It ruins the time of possession slow paced concept if you hand them the ball. You want to grind them out, long, demoralizing hopefully scoring drives. Teams today are looking for the big play and with the wishbone you are going to go against that and be patient. When teams put 9 in the box, unless they put them play side it's usually a non-factor. Although the back side unblocked players may be fast enough to get there and make the play, the quick hitting style of wishbone and option plays still allows 2, 3, or 4 yards. When you spread it out, you may be able to out-athlete and out run some teams but Highlands, it isn't going to work. So you try to do a contrasting style. Johnson Central got awfully close to Highlands by doing this, but couldn't seal the deal. Just the same as Belfry with Central in 11/12. The catch here is when playing a spread/speed/finesse team you have to be patient and physical with them to try and neutralize their speed, but in district play when they play JCHS who runs the same style they will simply have to be more physical. That is a very tall task. I think if Ashland can get the line technique right, they will stand a far better chance in an option bone offense than a spread look. Mainly because I don't like spread offenses unless you are athlete LOADED.