[sstack]

What you don't understand is that Highlands has struggled with JC's running game in the past, knowing that the Golden Eagles would throw very few passes. In fact, the Golden Eagles lost by only 7 in one regional championship game when a JC drive ended with a dropped potential game winning touchdown pass with only seconds left in the game. JC has dominated Covington Catholic, despite the Colonel's balanced attack in more than one game. No NKY team has shutdown JC's ground game, even in years when Highlands and Covington Catholic have had far superior teams.

No team in Kentucky has had a consistently better running game than Johnson Central has had during the Matney era. That is what has won 6 out of the past 7 district titles and it is what gives JC the best chance of eliminating Highlands from the playoffs this season. If JC falls so far behind Highlands (or Covington Catholic) that they are forced to abandon what got them there, then they will lose. Those games will be decided by turnovers, IMO. I don't think that there
will be many punts in JC's playoff games.

Hoot I agree with some of what you say but the facts are it is not working. Highlands tends to play better against bigger teams and JC is usually bigger than HHS. Highlands D philosophy against all teams is that the will allow you to have 3-4 yards but play a D designed not to give up a big play. They now if they can stop a couple drives that they can out score them. I know you disagree with the pass but this weeks game is good example. PT passed the ball alot for short 3-6 yard gains all night and also had very good running game with fast backs. They hit HHS at their weakness of speed offenses and defending the short pass. PT was in the game until last 10 mins of game. If JC makes Highlands defend the pass it makes their good running game even better IMO. if they have troubles stopping the run now and you pull their D further away from line of scrimmage defending the pass, it will make their running game even better.