[birdman44]

You are still not answering the question or even discussing it for that matter.
Just because the classes are "tougher" and Highlands is at a disadvantage but still wins doesn't make it right. Don't let your superiority complex get in the way here. Nobody is talking about Highlands ability to win football games or even compete in them. My question, was, is, and always will be why are teams allowed to move when they want to? Lets also be honest here, its very possible 3A could be stronger than 4A and 5A overall the next couple of years.
Mayfield does it right by playing where they are suppose to play. Who cares if 1A has been a cakewalk for them. They got 2A numbers now and they go to 2A like theyre suppose to.
I have still yet to hear a valid argument of why playing up or down should be allowed. You didn't answer it. Its KY high school football, just because its a larger class doesn't mean it will be harder. There are a lot of bad teams in 5A. Very few quality teams, so its not like its more challenging for a school like highlands. One of these days this will become an issue schools like Highlands will lose.

teams don't move around... they are only allowed to play up. that's why its allowed. Highlands plays up to higher competition because blowing everyone out in their class size is LESS competitive. Look at it... Highlands should be knocking heads with Bowling Green and co. for state championships so Highlands isnt in the State game every year. ask Lex Cath , Boyle and all the rest if they mind. Look at the Highlands and Harrison games, those kids love being blown out every year, its not good sportsmanship.

Belfry wouldn't win 5A... get real 1A,2A<3A<4A<5A<6A

The superiority complex from Highlands is not very complex. Highlands is a superior program... FACT. They do more with less kids than anyone. Proof is in the pudding, and its better for KY that kids in less structured programs dont get their brains beat in. And I think in the late 90s Highlands tried to move to 4A (biggest at the time) but was not allowed by KHSAA.

Reasons
1 More competitive games... in terms of play.. score etc.
2 Better for Ky Football... blowouts suck. Its a classy move

[oldcardfan]

It could be out of respect, being that Oboro's head coach is a grad of Mayfield High class of 82

[charlie22]

Lets get something straight right now... when Highlands plays ""up"" they are playing "up". 5A is tougher than 4A and 4A is tougher than 3A. Below that may be a little more interchangeable. 6A is better than all of them... due to like 3-4 teams... T,X,Male.... these teams have around twice the kids to put a football team together than Highlands... Highlands plays up a class just because we can... the team that steps down is probably not too far off that class.... it makes it more competitive on both ends. Saying it should be playing up 6A or nothing is dumb. It is an amazing program that completely dominates schools of equal size... its the right thing to do.

Mayfield is pretty much the same thing. they should play up too.

And there have been plenty of years Highlands would have won the big class... 96,98,99,00 to name a few.

You should definitely add 09 to that list.

[Can you dig it?]

Jealous of what? I'm a grown ass man. I don't get upset over high school football. I put the letterman up a long time ago. Maybe you should as well. This is a discussion board. Its here for.....wait for it.....discussion.
I don't care where they get there kids from. Im not accusing you of recruiting or anything like that. Im asking a simple question as to why Highlands get preferential treatment when it comes to playing in the classes they so choose. Highlands should be playing in 3A or 4A, wherever there number put them. The only waivers should be for schools that have to travel hours to get to a district game. That would not be the case with Highlands. Don't say every team has the opportunity to play up so its fair because nobody else wants to.
I didn't hear any complaining from Highlands when they were stuck in the correct class over the last 4 years, but it became apparent with Bowling Green having the teams they had, Highlands wouldn't have wanted to play up anyways.

It all connects.
Its simple. I don't care if you have 30 boys or 300, play in the class you are suppose to play in. If you get the urge to play up, then play up to 6A, don't be scared.

Something that's missing from this discussion is that Highlands goes where CovCath goes. CovCath is now in the 5A class based on student population, so Highlands takes the opportunity to play up so that they can remain in the same district. If they were to stick with 4A they'd be in a district with Mason County, Scott, Bourbon County, Harrison County and Holmes. If they stayed in 3A where they actually fall from a size standpoint they'd be in with Fleming County, Lewis County, Pendleton County and Russell. Not really much in the way of competition there with all due respect. CovCath is the established rival and one of the few teams that occasionally gives Highlands a game, so they stick together.

[Can you dig it?]

I do not see Owensboro being #4, I would put HHS, Cov Cath, Lex Cath, Boyle, Ashland and JC ahead of them.

Not so sure Ashland belongs in this mix, but I think JC and Owensboro would be a pretty good game.

[Tommy2tone]

Back to the title of this Thread. I have been on the Owensboro band wagon from the start of the season. Always felt they were one of the top 3 teams in the state and #1 from the West based on what I saw last year and what they had returning. If Owensboro keeps the TO's to 2 or less then they will prevail 35-5. If they think they can go in and lay it around 4 or 5 times then the Birds will make the score whatever they want it to be.

[RunItUpTheGut]

teams don't move around... they are only allowed to play up. that's why its allowed. Highlands plays up to higher competition because blowing everyone out in their class size is LESS competitive. Look at it... Highlands should be knocking heads with Bowling Green and co. for state championships so Highlands isnt in the State game every year. ask Lex Cath , Boyle and all the rest if they mind. Look at the Highlands and Harrison games, those kids love being blown out every year, its not good sportsmanship.

Belfry wouldn't win 5A... get real 1A,2A<3A<4A<5A<6A

The superiority complex from Highlands is not very complex. Highlands is a superior program... FACT. They do more with less kids than anyone. Proof is in the pudding, and its better for KY that kids in less structured programs dont get their brains beat in. And I think in the late 90s Highlands tried to move to 4A (biggest at the time) but was not allowed by KHSAA.

Reasons
1 More competitive games... in terms of play.. score etc.
2 Better for Ky Football... blowouts suck. Its a classy move

That's my point though. Highlands will have just as many blowout wins in 5A as they do in 4A. Who in the east will even give them a game most years? You act like 5A is so much more difficult when in reality it's not. Hence the reason Highlands dominated 5A after the first big realignment. Who know if BG will continue there trend. You don't think 3A will be just as tough? Name 3 5A schools who can continually beat Lex Catholic, Boyle, Central, and Belfry on a consistent basis. Did you forget how teams like BC and LC were moving down?
Why is it so important to follow Cov Cath? I'm a 100% sure you'd still play then in the regular season.

[horst muhlmann]

Back to the title of this Thread. I have been on the Owensboro band wagon from the start of the season. Always felt they were one of the top 3 teams in the state and #1 from the West based on what I saw last year and what they had returning. If Owensboro keeps the TO's to 2 or less then they will prevail 35-5. If they think they can go in and lay it around 4 or 5 times then the Birds will make the score whatever they want it to be.

Can't remember the last time the Birds were held to 5 points... a Field goal and a safety.

Looks like the deluge of rain forecast for today's game will be out of the way for the 4A and 6A games.

If they don't turn the ball over Highlands wins by 3 or more scores. Owensboro isn't built to come from behind. I'll say Highlands 50, Owensboro 20.

[Tommy2tone]

dang typo...LOL 36-35 O...

[adopted purple]

Owensboro has a rich football tradition. This years team can beat Highlands, if they don't turn the ball over and they don't get the big game jitters. They can get a little frustrated at times, but they have some very good football players on their squad. If they are at full strength, they will be competitive. A very fast team!

[Can you dig it?]

Why is it so important to follow Cov Cath? I'm a 100% sure you'd still play then in the regular season.

Because it's THE rivalry. It's like Boyle and LexCath. Trinity and St. X. It's nice to have a local team in the district that occasionally challenges you. Would they get that from Mason County, Scott, Bourbon County, Harrison County or Holmes? Holmes and Mason County at one time. The others, not so much.

[WideRight05]

I have been celebrating the state championship win ever since Cov Cath.

[Fundamentals]

Where do you get your logic on Belfry not winning 5a? Belfry hammered a Southwestern team that Pulaski struggled with , and didn't tilghman give Graves all they wanted?

[birdman44]

That's my point though. Highlands will have just as many blowout wins in 5A as they do in 4A. Who in the east will even give them a game most years? You act like 5A is so much more difficult when in reality it's not. Hence the reason Highlands dominated 5A after the first big realignment. Who know if BG will continue there trend. You don't think 3A will be just as tough? Name 3 5A schools who can continually beat Lex Catholic, Boyle, Central, and Belfry on a consistent basis. Did you forget how teams like BC and LC were moving down?
Why is it so important to follow Cov Cath? I'm a 100% sure you'd still play then in the regular season.

That's a good point... 4A has more overall quality but BG has been a giant lately.... I would rather H be in the class that is better.. I have no idea who decides this. I guess it is all about remaining with Cov Cath.

[RunItUpTheGut]

Because it's THE rivalry. It's like Boyle and LexCath. Trinity and St. X. It's nice to have a local team in the district that occasionally challenges you. Would they get that from Mason County, Scott, Bourbon County, Harrison County or Holmes? Holmes and Mason County at one time. The others, not so much.

So you have to be district opponents for the rivalry to mean something?
You would think theyd want to be in different class so each has a shot to win a title and they would still settle the score in the regular season.

Im just not seeing the logic. I have still yet to see anything that persuades me that picking and choosing what class you want to play in is okay.

[birdman44]

Where do you get your logic on Belfry not winning 5a? Belfry hammered a Southwestern team that Pulaski struggled with , and didn't tilghman give Graves all they wanted?

I was not taking a shot at Belfry, I was just pointing out that a 3A team would have trouble with BG at their best. Belfry looked awesome today and would prob be able to play with both of the 5A championship teams... bad example. If you've ever been to a Highands vs Harrison Co game you would understand.

[RunItUpTheGut]

That's a good point... 4A has more overall quality but BG has been a giant lately.... I would rather H be in the class that is better.. I have no idea who decides this. I guess it is all about remaining with Cov Cath.

Thank you for being the first to at least acknowledge that 4A could be just as good as 5A, (and has been) thus making the argument of playing tougher competition irrelevant. 3A will be tougher than both 4A and 5A the next few years IMO, if you take out HHS and Cov Cath. BG is the only team in 5A that has played like a 5A team with those numbers should over the past few years. Even schools that are usually decent like John Hardin have REALLY struggled lately against good competition. With everyone exiting 4A, its going to be weak, but no more weak or watered down than 5A currently is.

When I look at the alignment of teams next year, I would take the top 10 3A teams from top to bottom over that of the 4A and 5A (minus Highlands and CC since there what were talking about) teams. I just think Lex Cath, Boyle, Central, Corbin, Belfry, South Warren, Bell, etc is a better group of good football teams than what we will see in 4A and 5A.

[birdman44]

Owensboro has a rich football tradition. This years team can beat Highlands, if they don't turn the ball over and they don't get the big game jitters. They can get a little frustrated at times, but they have some very good football players on their squad. If they are at full strength, they will be competitive. A very fast team!

Of course they can beat them.... but will they? If Owensboro plays at their best and Highlands plays like they did against Ashland Owensboro will win by 3 scores. I don't think it will be like that though. How awesome is it that this game is happening tomorrow... im pumped. Think Johnny Depp will be at the game?

[RunItUpTheGut]

Forgive me for hijacking the thread with my comments on playing up, but I think we all know this wont be much of a game. I really wish it would be, but I don't think so.

[birdman44]

Thank you for being the first to at least acknowledge that 4A could be just as good as 5A, (and has been) thus making the argument of playing tougher competition irrelevant. 3A will be tougher than both 4A and 5A the next few years IMO, if you take out HHS and Cov Cath. BG is the only team in 5A that has played like a 5A team with those numbers should over the past few years. Even schools that are usually decent like John Hardin have REALLY struggled lately against good competition. With everyone exiting 4A, its going to be weak, but no more weak or watered down than 5A currently is.

When I look at the alignment of teams next year, I would take the top 10 3A teams from top to bottom over that of the 4A and 5A (minus Highlands and CC since there what were talking about) teams. I just think Lex Cath, Boyle, Central, Corbin, Belfry, South Warren, Bell, etc is a better group of good football teams than what we will see in 4A and 5A.

Yeah its true today that 4A and 5A are pretty interchangeable... when talking about competition I was talking more about when I played we were 2A and played up to 3A (4 class days) and it was BIG difference. Its probably more about competition within the district too.. Cov Cath Dixie and such are far better than holmes and Harrison. I just miss BG being there on the other side that was always a great state championship matchup. But ill concede that 4A overall is as good maybe better than 5A.

[birdman44]

Thank you for being the first to at least acknowledge that 4A could be just as good as 5A, (and has been) thus making the argument of playing tougher competition irrelevant. 3A will be tougher than both 4A and 5A the next few years IMO, if you take out HHS and Cov Cath. BG is the only team in 5A that has played like a 5A team with those numbers should over the past few years. Even schools that are usually decent like John Hardin have REALLY struggled lately against good competition. With everyone exiting 4A, its going to be weak, but no more weak or watered down than 5A currently is.

When I look at the alignment of teams next year, I would take the top 10 3A teams from top to bottom over that of the 4A and 5A (minus Highlands and CC since there what were talking about) teams. I just think Lex Cath, Boyle, Central, Corbin, Belfry, South Warren, Bell, etc is a better group of good football teams than what we will see in 4A and 5A.

wait a min... lex cath and boye will move to 3A? that is weird.... I doubt corbin and south warren are better that the top 10 5A teams though.

I want highlands to be with BG, Lex Cath, Boyle, Cov Cath, Pulaski.... I miss the old 4 class system

[birdman44]

So you have to be district opponents for the rivalry to mean something?
You would think theyd want to be in different class so each has a shot to win a title and they would still settle the score in the regular season.

Im just not seeing the logic. I have still yet to see anything that persuades me that picking and choosing what class you want to play in is okay.

IMO yess... there is something to the twice a year meeting and shattering playoff dreams when it really counts... Cov Cath and Highlands have to remain together Cov Caths window is opening soon. I think the rivalry would die (probably slowly) if they parted.

[RunItUpTheGut]

wait a min... lex cath and boye will move to 3A? that is weird.... I doubt corbin and south warren are better that the top 10 5A teams though.

I want highlands to be with BG, Lex Cath, Boyle, Cov Cath, Pulaski.... I miss the old 4 class system

Yes, the new alignment puts both LC and BC in 3A.
I think some of your fellow brethren forgot that when they first responded to me. 4A will definitely be weaker then 3A next year IMO, and just as tough as 5A, minus HHS and CC.

[bo67]

I have read and said Hey That makes since. That's true. And also laughed. Highlands should I say should win By 4 TDs. The Ashland game? Give a team some credit for once cake boys. Oops. I'm a cake boy. lol. EVERYTIME the birds get beat or have a close game it's. Oh they played terrible. Never any credit to the other team. And Collins lost everyone from a team that took home state last year. Guys that wasn't luck. It was good coaching. They started playing their best players both ways

[pjdoug]

Yes, the new alignment puts both LC and BC in 3A.
I think some of your fellow brethren forgot that when they first responded to me. 4A will definitely be weaker then 3A next year IMO, and just as tough as 5A, minus HHS and CC.

I hope so because 3A is about as weak as it can get this year.

[birdman44]

I have read and said Hey That makes since. That's true. And also laughed. Highlands should I say should win By 4 TDs. The Ashland game? Give a team some credit for once cake boys. Oops. I'm a cake boy. lol. EVERYTIME the birds get beat or have a close game it's. Oh they played terrible. Never any credit to the other team. And Collins lost everyone from a team that took home state last year. Guys that wasn't luck. It was good coaching. They started playing their best players both ways

I love my birds and I actually think these birds are underrated this year... when they're at their best. They have a larger range of play than your average highlands team but can play with anybody. I think Highlands should score 40 points and hold Owensboro under 20 points. The past two games they looked unstoppable, especially Beau. but when they've been off its been off... enough for someone to sneak one on them like last year. And I think Owensboro has just enough speed to pull of a few big plays. If Owensboro can get 3 or more turnovers, make a couple big plays, and get Highlands on a off day they can do it.

What Highlands needs to do is kick it off with a mixture of Hoge, Kendall and Urlage running the ball for like the first two drives. Then throw in a couple roll outs for Beau with the option to hit Veneman or run it. Don't give up the big play on defense but force them to pass it... they cant rely on volleyball miracles. Running is their heart and they are good at it focus on that. If they do that they can run away with it.

[bo67]

If the Birds or Owensboro turns it over more than twice. It's anyone's game. They do have speed. So if Birds win by 3 or 4 TDs. It will because Owensboro played a bad game. Like they did when they got beat by a 7 loss Henderson County team

[Fundamentals]

Classy post birdman. I agree with alot of things you mentioned and have always had the up most respect for Highlands. Nice to see a Highlands fan that respects their opponent unlike some others...Lol

[Mountaineer Man]

Being from O'boro and having watched the Devils, the good news is they get a chance to play for the title. The bad news is there chance to win the title is slim to none and slim just left town.

Coach Prince will have his team ready to play, but Highland's is way to talented for O'boro. As bad as I hate to say it, this one will join the rest of the Saturday games with a running clock.

[birdman44]

If the Birds or Owensboro turns it over more than twice. It's anyone's game. They do have speed. So if Birds win by 3 or 4 TDs. It will because Owensboro played a bad game. Like they did when they got beat by a 7 loss Henderson County team

I think a key to Owensboro is to win is open exactly like Lex Cath did... but more on the run side of things...have a scripted all run first drive score, onsides kick kind of deal. throw a gimic playin there kind of stuff. and put together a few long drawn out run drives draining the clock. maybe throw two play actions bombs in the game.
On D they need to pressure Beau Hoge, get a hat to him every play as early as possible. they will also need to actively claw at the ball even if it means giving up a few extra yards on the tackle.