[pjdoug]

A lot of good points have been made in this thread. Two that really stand out to me are better youth football programs and qualified teacher/coaches.

I see the benefit of both in NKY and will tell you first hand there is a huge advantage in hs football when a program has a well established youth program with buy in/consensus building on all levels.

Accompany this with teachers who coach as well with a daily school presence to better build rapport and assist their student/athletes. These factors are game changers.

I would add good alumni support, whether former players coming back to coach/mentor or donations to better fund equipment, 7-on-7 tournaments, address needs...

if every school in the state used this common sense solution, imagine how fast Kentucky football would improve. teams like Highlands are always so good because they are well coached from a young age and fundamentally sound.not to mention the financial support.