[sstack]

The field was wet for Taylor County too, unless I am mistaken. Bryan Station always has an athletic team but they rarely make good use of their talent.

Unless Highlands is way down from past years, I see Highlands running away with this one. LC may tack on some garbage points to make it look closer than it was.

This is what everyone seems to be thinking around the state, but truth is they may be down a little, but still have a lot of talent (D1 QB leading the team and making ESPN highlights) and great coaching. If HHS comes out playing their best and avoids TO's they should win this game comfortably.

[Football Junky]

Did you see the games or just the score? Have you seen any HHS games this year? Ashland was 15 pt win because HHS played worst game of year and they still won. Cov Cath could have been a blowout if HHS does not have 3 TO's that CCH turned into 21 points; and HHS had over 530 yards offense which does not sound like a team that is struggling. Where have you been, did you know CCH had a ton of injuries in Beechwood game? People have been saying since start of year that this is the year to beat HHS, but they just keep winning. LC has played weaker schedule with best wins against Boyle. LC better hope the get some gift TO's like Cov Cath did if they are going to stay in this game. This HHS offense is a machine and will put up a lot of points. LC needs to score on all possessions they get on offense and then hope HHS has an off night with turnovers.

2nd and 3rd round of the playoffs are not a good indicator when turning the ball over and having worst games of the season. Last years catholic team would have lost to Boyle. New coaching staff has made them better this year as the seasons progressed

[Hoot Gibson]

Did you see the games or just the score? Have you seen any HHS games this year? Ashland was 15 pt win because HHS played worst game of year and they still won. Cov Cath could have been a blowout if HHS does not have 3 TO's that CCH turned into 21 points; and HHS had over 530 yards offense which does not sound like a team that is struggling. Where have you been, did you know CCH had a ton of injuries in Beechwood game? People have been saying since start of year that this is the year to beat HHS, but they just keep winning. LC has played weaker schedule with best wins against Boyle. LC better hope the get some gift TO's like Cov Cath did if they are going to stay in this game. This HHS offense is a machine and will put up a lot of points. LC needs to score on all possessions they get on offense and then hope HHS has an off night with turnovers.

If, if, if - Baker ran wild on Ashland's defense. The result of that game was more than just Highlands playing badly. Johnson Central shutdown Ashland's offense by dominating the LOS. Ashland exploited some weaknesses in Highlands defense and showed that they are vulnerable against a decent running attack. Highlands obviously has some defensive vulnerabilities but there may not be any teams left in the playoffs capable of taking advantage of those weaknesses.

[sstack]

If, if, if - Baker ran wild on Ashland's defense. The result of that game was more than just Highlands playing badly. Johnson Central shutdown Ashland's offense by dominating the LOS. Ashland exploited some weaknesses in Highlands defense and showed that they are vulnerable against a decent running attack. Highlands obviously has some defensive vulnerabilities but there may not be any teams left in the playoffs capable of taking advantage of those weaknesses.

Most games have some if's in them, I gave credit to cov cath for taking advantage of the TO's, but the big if's are that is 21 pts they got of TO's and kept them in the game, no TO's and it is probably a running clock again like first game, I know that is big if's, but very possible.
Ashland did not exploit their weakness, Baker had two very long runs (95 and 70 roughly) when some good blocking opened huge holes for him, when he hits secondary he is gone. Rest of game their offense was shut down. Highlands D is strong against the run, their weakness is pass defense which is what kept Cov Cath close (two very long passes one almost intercepted and one DB got turned the wrong way, good passes and catches by CCH) and is what Lex Cath has. Funny that you think they are vulnerable against the run; It has always been passing game or quick teams; they do well against teams bigger than them by being faster and sound technique. If HHS does not give up long TD passes to Lex Cath like they did with Cov Cath, they win game handily.

[sstack]

2nd and 3rd round of the playoffs are not a good indicator when turning the ball over and having worst games of the season. Last years catholic team would have lost to Boyle. New coaching staff has made them better this year as the seasons progressed

They beat Boyle last year.

[Football Junky]

They beat Boyle last year.

If last years team (catholic) played this years Boyle team. C'mon

[Hatz]

They beat Boyle last year.

Actually Boyle beat Lex Cath last year but were then upset by Mercer in playoffs.

[pjdoug]

Actually Boyle beat Lex Cath last year but were then upset by Mercer in playoffs.

thats right and that was a shocker.

[Hoot Gibson]

Most games have some if's in them, I gave credit to cov cath for taking advantage of the TO's, but the big if's are that is 21 pts they got of TO's and kept them in the game, no TO's and it is probably a running clock again like first game, I know that is big if's, but very possible.
Ashland did not exploit their weakness, Baker had two very long runs (95 and 70 roughly) when some good blocking opened huge holes for him, when he hits secondary he is gone. Rest of game their offense was shut down. Highlands D is strong against the run, their weakness is pass defense which is what kept Cov Cath close (two very long passes one almost intercepted and one DB got turned the wrong way, good passes and catches by CCH) and is what Lex Cath has. Funny that you think they are vulnerable against the run; It has always been passing game or quick teams; they do well against teams bigger than them by being faster and sound technique. If HHS does not give up long TD passes to Lex Cath like they did with Cov Cath, they win game handily.

C'mon, sstack, you can do better than that. Look at Ashland's schedule. Baker had more rushing yardage against Highlands than any team that he played against all season with the exception of Sheldon Clark.

Johnson Central, Greenup Co., and Ironton gave up 188 yards to Baker combined. Baker ran for 239 yards against Highlands in a single game.

Baker is a big play running back. You can pick out any game where he ran for more than 100 yards and argue that the opposing team did a good job containing him except for two or three big plays. Highlands did not do a good job of defending Baker.

[sstack]

C'mon, sstack, you can do better than that. Look at Ashland's schedule. Baker had more rushing yardage against Highlands than any team that he played against all season with the exception of Sheldon Clark.

Johnson Central, Greenup Co., and Ironton gave up 188 yards to Baker combined. Baker ran for 239 yards against Highlands in a single game.

Baker is a big play running back. You can pick out any game where he ran for more than 100 yards and argue that the opposing team did a good job containing him except for two or three big plays. Highlands did not do a good job of defending Baker.

160 yards on 2 plays, 80 yards rest of game. Did a great job defending him except for those 2 plays. He had 2 long TD runs for 160 yards and nothing to hurt Highlands rest of game. I will take holding big play running team to 15 points every game when your offense averages 40 PPG. HHS always runs a bend but don't break D and is willing to give up yardage, make other team run a lot of plays to score and let them make mistakes. They are told all the time to keep play in front of them and not let offense get behind them. You can get 5-8 yard passes all game long and then it gets tough in the red zone. The 2 long TD passes in Cov Cath game are the first I can remember in ages, they gear their D to not give up big play and make the offense earn it. I still am telling you despite what you think after this game, HHS weakness on D is pass defense. Ashland could not move the ball in the game against HHS except for the 2 breakaways Baker had.

[Hoot Gibson]

160 yards on 2 plays, 80 yards rest of game. Did a great job defending him except for those 2 plays. He had 2 long TD runs for 160 yards and nothing to hurt Highlands rest of game. I will take holding big play running team to 15 points every game when your offense averages 40 PPG. HHS always runs a bend but don't break D and is willing to give up yardage, make other team run a lot of plays to score and let them make mistakes. They are told all the time to keep play in front of them and not let offense get behind them. You can get 5-8 yard passes all game long and then it gets tough in the red zone. The 2 long TD passes in Cov Cath game are the first I can remember in ages, they gear their D to not give up big play and make the offense earn it. I still am telling you despite what you think after this game, HHS weakness on D is pass defense. Ashland could not move the ball in the game against HHS except for the 2 breakaways Baker had.

Maybe Highlands weakness is its defense period, because Highlands did a poor job defending the run against Ashland. I have a hard time believing that Highlands' pass defense is worse than its rushing defense because it gets to practice against Highlands' potent passing offense every day in practice.

[KyRock]

Hard to pick against Highlands any time of the year. But extra especially this time of Year Highlands Big!!

[pjdoug]

160 yards on 2 plays, 80 yards rest of game. Did a great job defending him except for those 2 plays. He had 2 long TD runs for 160 yards and nothing to hurt Highlands rest of game. I will take holding big play running team to 15 points every game when your offense averages 40 PPG. HHS always runs a bend but don't break D and is willing to give up yardage, make other team run a lot of plays to score and let them make mistakes. They are told all the time to keep play in front of them and not let offense get behind them. You can get 5-8 yard passes all game long and then it gets tough in the red zone. The 2 long TD passes in Cov Cath game are the first I can remember in ages, they gear their D to not give up big play and make the offense earn it. I still am telling you despite what you think after this game, HHS weakness on D is pass defense. Ashland could not move the ball in the game against HHS except for the 2 breakaways Baker had.

You described Highlands perfectly.they are always fundamentally sound and just patiently wait for you to make mistakes

[sstack]

You described Highlands perfectly.they are always fundamentally sound and just patiently wait for you to make mistakes

Most years this is how Highlands wins with their D, they usually do not dominate on D, but make you work for every yard and take advantage of other teams mistakes.

[Blau Vogel]

Maybe Highlands weakness is its defense period, because Highlands did a poor job defending the run against Ashland. I have a hard time believing that Highlands' pass defense is worse than its rushing defense because it gets to practice against Highlands' potent passing offense every day in practice.

For the game:

251 yards on 41 carries avg 6.1 per (not terrible D)

Baker had 164 on 2 carries (oops!)

What's left?

87 yards on 39 carries avg 2.2 (outstanding D)

Overall, hardly a "poor job".

[Hoot Gibson]

For the game:

251 yards on 41 carries avg 6.1 per (not terrible D)

Baker had 164 on 2 carries (oops!)

What's left?

87 yards on 39 carries avg 2.2 (outstanding D)

Overall, hardly a "poor job".

Ashland had a mediocre team this season. Giving up 251 yards of rushing to Baker was a poor defensive effort no matter how you massage the numbers. Baker had only 77 yards rushing against Ironton and only 29 yards against Johnson Central. I did not expect him to shred Highlands' defense for 251 yards. 'Birds fans may consider that a defense "bending but not breaking" but if so, I wonder what a "breaking" defense would look like.

[Football Junky]

Ashland had a mediocre team this season. Giving up 251 yards of rushing to Baker was a poor defensive effort no matter how you massage the numbers. Baker had only 77 yards rushing against Ironton and only 29 yards against Johnson Central. I did not expect him to shred Highlands' defense for 251 yards. 'Birds fans may consider that a defense "bending but not breaking" but if so, I wonder what a "breaking" defense would look like.

How many more running backs will highlands face that have that break away speed that Baker had... That's the question

[Hoot Gibson]

How many more running backs will highlands face that have that break away speed that Baker had... That's the question

None, but they will face better offensive lines than Ashland had.

[Football Junky]

How about this....highlands/ catholic play at 6:00. beechwood/mayfield play down the street at 7:30 and Dixie/Ballard down the street a bit at 7:30. If one plans it out they can catch probably almost all the highlands game and each half of the other two... A high school football fans dream night!!!!

[bo67]

HHS should win by at least 3 TDs Mistakes or no mistakes. Bryan Station killed Lex Cath. And they even lost to Lafeyette This is a so so Lex Cath team And Bowling Green crushed them

[strawberryshakeman]

Good luck Birds

[pjdoug]

How about this....highlands/ catholic play at 6:00. beechwood/mayfield play down the street at 7:30 and Dixie/Ballard down the street a bit at 7:30. If one plans it out they can catch probably almost all the highlands game and each half of the other two... A high school football fans dream night!!!!

thats some good football for sure.keep us updated

[birdman44]

I am stuck in valpo in for thanksgiving. Anyone know if I can watch/listen to this game online?

[kybred]

I am stuck in valpo in for thanksgiving. Anyone know if I can watch/listen to this game online?

I do not see the link posted as of 4:15 pm but I expect the game will be available as an audio broadcast.
A speaker will appear in the box score when the broadcast has started. Just click on the speaker when available on this website
http://www.nkysports.com/broadcasts.asp

The Highlands Radio link is old and no longer works. BTW, this will be the HIghlands broadcasters. Lex. Catholic broadcast may also be available at a link unknown to me.

[kybred]

I am stuck in valpo in for thanksgiving. Anyone know if I can watch/listen to this game online?

I missed the early start. Here is a link to live video feed. Lex. Cath just scored to make the score 28-13 Highlands with 5:30 left in first half.

http://prepspin.com/khsaa-class-4a-state...highlands/

Enjoy and sorry for the late post.