[JCHS05]

As far as football goes I have no clue on offers but i know Virginia Tech has offered him a full ride in wrestling.

[horst muhlmann]

Jude is also ranked among the top wrestlers nationally in his weight class by some experts and I have heard that he has received attention from some D1 wrestling programs. If he does as well in wrestling the next two years as expected, he is going to have plenty of options available to him for college.

His football skills notwithstanding, if he can land a D1 wrestling scholarship, that would be awesome for him. From a toughness perspective, he seems to have D1 abilities, but his size may keep him from D1 in football. Have only seen him play once and he's a very downhill runner.

Looking forward to seeing him this Friday in Paintsville.

[whackem'n'stackem']

He's good, but his teammates have alot to do with it. They run an offense that throws a couple decoys at defenses and Jude exploits the gaps. He's strong, but in college everyone is strong. He may play D1 but I don''t see this kid having the same success as with this offense. If you put Elliott in the JC offense, I think he would be just as effective and even more difficult to bring down. I hope the young man proves me wrong, though.

[Hoot Gibson]

He's good, but his teammates have alot to do with it. They run an offense that throws a couple decoys at defenses and Jude exploits the gaps. He's strong, but in college everyone is strong. He may play D1 but I don''t see this kid having the same success as with this offense. If you put Elliott in the JC offense, I think he would be just as effective and even more difficult to bring down. I hope the young man proves me wrong, though.

Highlands' defense will have a chance to put your theory to the test. Highlands held Elliott to under four yards a carry in its last meeting with Ryle. If they do the same to Jude, which I do not expect to happen, then it could be a long night for the Golden Eagles.

[whackem'n'stackem']

Highlands' defense will have a chance to put your theory to the test. Highlands held Elliott to under four yards a carry in its last meeting with Ryle. If they do the same to Jude, which I do not expect to happen, then it could be a long night for the Golden Eagles.

wrong. reread my post.

[Hoot Gibson]

wrong. reread my post.

Then explain it to me. Are you saying that Highlands' excellent coaching staff, knowing that JC's offense will consist of giving the ball to J. J. Jude nearly every play will be less effective stopping him than they were in stopping Elliott in a more balanced offense? If so, how does that make your case that Elliott is as good and harder to stop than Jude? (Maybe you are saying that Ryle is not as well coached as Johnson Central, but then that would contradict claims that JC is too one dimensional and needs to pass the football to beat NKY teams.)

[whackem'n'stackem']

Then explain it to me. Are you saying that Highlands' excellent coaching staff, knowing that JC's offense will consist of giving the ball to J. J. Jude nearly every play will be less effective stopping him than they were in stopping Elliott in a more balanced offense? If so, how does that make your case that Elliott is as good and harder to stop than Jude? (Maybe you are saying that Ryle is not as well coached as Johnson Central, but then that would contradict claims that JC is too one dimensional and needs to pass the football to beat NKY teams.)

The Birds will not discriminate between backs. They'll attack whoever has the ball wether it be Hall, Bratton, Jude, or Ousley. If JC thinks they'll just key in on Jude, they're mistaken.

[Stardust]

Is JJ better than the young many who came out of Breathitt? I would assume it was against comparable competition?

[Hoot Gibson]

The Birds will not discriminate between backs. They'll attack whoever has the ball wether it be Hall, Bratton, Jude, or Ousley. If JC thinks they'll just key in on Jude, they're mistaken.

That was a pretty non-responsive response. If Elliott is better than Jude, then do you not expect that Highlands will hold Jude to under 4 yards a carry like they did Elliott? If not, why not? You say that Elliott was harder to bring down than Jude will be and Ryle had a passing attack that they used against Highlands. I am just trying to follow your logic in concluding that Elliott is a better back but you are not helping me out. :biggrin:

[Stardust]

That was a pretty non-responsive response. If Elliott is better than Jude, then do you not expect that Highlands will hold Jude to under 4 yards a carry like they did Elliott? If not, why not? You say that Elliott was harder to bring down than Jude will be and Ryle had a passing attack that they used against Highlands. I am just trying to follow your logic in concluding that Elliott is a better back but you are not helping me out. :biggrin:

I couldn't speak for JJ, and would not disrespect him. But for my money, Elliott is the best back in the State. He has played against the best competition in the state and put up numbers against the best 6A district in the state. He was coming off the concussion that he recieved in the Campbell County game when they played HHS the 2nd time, and Ryle went to Hempel out of the backfield. The Elliott that I just watched this Friday is a D1 level player.

I only know about JJ from the writings of this website. I seen no other stories from any other median, but I take the judgements from everyone who has seen him play. Will JJ get more than 4 yards a pop, he may well be able to. But you can't make the comparison to Elliott from that. I'd ask the Bird fans after Friday's game, they have seen Travis several times over the past few years and will get to witness JJ this week.

[Hoot Gibson]

I couldn't speak for JJ, and would not disrespect him. But for my money, Elliott is the best back in the State. He has played against the best competition in the state and put up numbers against the best 6A district in the state. He was coming off the concussion that he recieved in the Campbell County game when they played HHS the 2nd time, and Ryle went to Hempel out of the backfield. The Elliott that I just watched this Friday is a D1 level player.

I only know about JJ from the writings of this website. I seen no other stories from any other median, but I take the judgements from everyone who has seen him play. Will JJ get more than 4 yards a pop, he may well be able to. But you can't make the comparison to Elliott from that. I'd ask the Bird fans after Friday's game, they have seen Travis several times over the past few years and will get to witness JJ this week.

Highlands also saw Jude last season as a sophomore. Elliott may be a better D1 prospect than Jude - I have only seen a few clips of him playing - but I think you owe it to yourself to watch Jude before arguing that he is not as good a high school running back as Elliott. The CovCath game against JC is available on iHigh.com.

Elliott had roughly the same yds/carry average in his game against CovCath early in the season, a game that Ryle won 61-7, as Jude had against the Colonels. Everybody from NKY says that CovCath has improved by leaps and bounds since then, so Jude's game against a new and improved CovCath team should impress most skeptics.

I was challenging whack'em's logic more than trying to make the case for Jude being better than Elliott. If Elliott is better and is harder to tackle when caught, then Highlands should find it easier to control Jude in what whack'em says is a one-dimensional offense than it was for them to contain Elliott in a more balanced offense. I am eagerly awaiting his explanation. :biggrin:

[SweetLemonade]

Is JJ better than the young many who came out of Breathitt? I would assume it was against comparable competition?

Fugate was bigger than JJ and they both have a different running style, which makes them hard to compare. Stat wise it looks as JJ is better though. And yes it was comparable competition.

[Stardust]

Highlands also saw Jude last season as a sophomore. Elliott may be a better D1 prospect than Jude - I have only seen a few clips of him playing - but I think you owe it to yourself to watch Jude before arguing that he is not as good a high school running back as Elliott. The CovCath game against JC is available on iHigh.com.

Elliott had roughly the same yds/carry average in his game against CovCath early in the season, a game that Ryle won 61-7, as Jude had against the Colonels. Everybody from NKY says that CovCath has improved by leaps and bounds since then, so Jude's game against a new and improved CovCath team should impress most skeptics.

I was challenging whack'em's logic more than trying to make the case for Jude being better than Elliott. If Elliott is better and is harder to tackle when caught, then Highlands should find it easier to control Jude in what whack'em says is a one-dimensional offense than it was for them to contain Elliott in a more balanced offense. I am eagerly awaiting his explanation. :biggrin:

First off Hoot, I said from the very beginning that I know nothing of JJ, never heard his name until the posts from BGR this year, so I'm making no comparisons of JJ to Elliott, only telling what I know of Elliott.

As for CCH, they were terrible last year, so the improvement they made this year was tremendous. But are they the power that they were a few years ago? Not close.

[Hoot Gibson]

First off Hoot, I said from the very beginning that I know nothing of JJ, never heard his name until the posts from BGR this year, so I'm making no comparisons of JJ to Elliott, only telling what I know of Elliott.

As for CCH, they were terrible last year, so the improvement they made this year was tremendous. But are they the power that they were a few years ago? Not close.

As I said, my questions were aimed at the illogical comments that whack'em made about Jude. I know very little about Elliott but I do know that J. J. Jude had more total yards against CovCath this season than Highlands did - a lot more. If Highlands does not begin Friday's game keying on Jude, then they will need to make a quick adjustment to their game plan.

[Brave Soul]

As far as football goes I have no clue on offers but i know Virginia Tech has offered him a full ride in wrestling.

It is pretty unlikely that he has been offered a full ride @ VT considering J.J. has not even wrestled his first match as a junior, and also considering that D1 wrestling programs only get 6 scholarships a year, however I am pretty certain he has talked to Coach Dresser

[Wideleft01]

Jude is a great high school player. More often than not, being a great high school player only gets you to a small college if you don't have the size. I've seen many great players end up at Georgetown College or places like that, and less valuable guys end up at UK or UC because they're 6'3" to 6'5" 240 lbs of muscle.

[Hoot Gibson]

Jude is a great high school player. More often than not, being a great high school player only gets you to a small college if you don't have the size. I've seen many great players end up at Georgetown College or places like that, and less valuable guys end up at UK or UC because they're 6'3" to 6'5" 240 lbs of muscle.

I agree totally. But I remember Woody Hayes taking a chance signing a short muscular prospect named Archie Griffin (5'9", 188 lbs.) back in tOSU's glory days. Signing the bigger player is the safest thing for s college coach to do, all else being equal, but sometimes it pays to take a chance on a smaller guy.

Arliss Beech was probably the most talented high school running back that I saw play in person but I would rather have Jude as a high school running back because of his endurance. Beech ran for over 300 yards against a badly coached JC team one year on very few carries but he spent about half the game on the sideline trying to shake leg cramps. I also saw Michael West play for Lawrence County, and IMO, Jude is better.

[RunItUpTheGut]

What does JC run on offense?
It's hard to tell from watching sports overtime. Is it the Veer?

[Stardust]

As I said, my questions were aimed at the illogical comments that whack'em made about Jude. I know very little about Elliott but I do know that J. J. Jude had more total yards against CovCath this season than Highlands did - a lot more. If Highlands does not begin Friday's game keying on Jude, then they will need to make a quick adjustment to their game plan.

It sounds like JJ is the only weapon that they have. For Ryle, Elliott was not the only runner, and definitely not the only offense that Ryle put's on the field. As I said, if JC's only offense is JJ, then they are one dimensional. When top 10 teams in the state play, one dimensional teams don't necessarily fair well in the W/L column. I'd say that JJ will get his yards, but as I said, in the Red Zone, those teams become too predictable. So, will JC have solid options to keep HHS from just keying on JJ. HHS nor CCH made that mistake against Elliott, and it was others that beat them.

[Matman]

It is pretty unlikely that he has been offered a full ride @ VT considering J.J. has not even wrestled his first match as a junior, and also considering that D1 wrestling programs only get 6 scholarships a year, however I am pretty certain he has talked to Coach Dresser

JJ wrestled VT's All American wrestler this past summer and put him on his back. JJ hasn't been told he will receive a full ride yet. He has been told if he has a good couple seasons it is going to happen. I don't think they can offer him a full ride yet. As for football. I don't think his size will hurt him at all. Alot of college running backs have low hips and are shorter. 5'9 is perfect. He is 175lbs but could easily be 200lbs by the time he gets to college. However he is an absolute beast on the mat and I expect him to go that direcetion.

[Hoot Gibson]

It sounds like JJ is the only weapon that they have. For Ryle, Elliott was not the only runner, and definitely not the only offense that Ryle put's on the field. As I said, if JC's only offense is JJ, then they are one dimensional. When top 10 teams in the state play, one dimensional teams don't necessarily fair well in the W/L column. I'd say that JJ will get his yards, but as I said, in the Red Zone, those teams become too predictable. So, will JC have solid options to keep HHS from just keying on JJ. HHS nor CCH made that mistake against Elliott, and it was others that beat them.

If Highlands can't stop Jude, then you will see him carry the ball 30+ times again. Any sane coach would key on Jude and try to force JC to beat them some other way. Hopefully, Highland's will employ the strategy that Whack'em outlined in his post.

As for having other weapons, JC has them. Bratton has played solidly against Highlands in the past and so has J. K. Hall. But if Jude can average 8 to 10 yds. a carry or more, then Hall will be content to hand the ball to him and save his energy to play defense. And if the Birds believe JC has no receivers, then they may be shocked to find out that they are mistaken at an inopportune time. Matney will have a Plan B if Highlands proves that it can contain Jude and Highlands will see things from JC's offense that no other opponent has seen this season.

[Nasty]

JJ is a good back but he is about the 4th best back in the mountains
1. Davenport Bell
2. Smith Middlesboro
3. Canady Knox
4 Jude

:lmao: You can't be serious!

[Brave Soul]

JJ wrestled VT's All American wrestler this past summer and put him on his back. JJ hasn't been told he will receive a full ride yet. He has been told if he has a good couple seasons it is going to happen. I don't think they can offer him a full ride yet. As for football. I don't think his size will hurt him at all. Alot of college running backs have low hips and are shorter. 5'9 is perfect. He is 175lbs but could easily be 200lbs by the time he gets to college. However he is an absolute beast on the mat and I expect him to go that direcetion.

That is awesome! Who was the All American?

[Stardust]

If Highlands can't stop Jude, then you will see him carry the ball 30+ times again. Any sane coach would key on Jude and try to force JC to beat them some other way. Hopefully, Highland's will employ the strategy that Whack'em outlined in his post.

As for having other weapons, JC has them. Bratton has played solidly against Highlands in the past and so has J. K. Hall. But if Jude can average 8 to 10 yds. a carry or more, then Hall will be content to hand the ball to him and save his energy to play defense. And if the Birds believe JC has no receivers, then they may be shocked to find out that they are mistaken at an inopportune time. Matney will have a Plan B if Highlands proves that it can contain Jude and Highlands will see things from JC's offense that no other opponent has seen this season.

:lmao: Snap!

[Hoot Gibson]

:lmao: Snap!

If Johnson Central beats Highlands, then Coach Matney will begin preparing for the next game immediately, but preparation for this week's game began as soon as Highlands eliminated the Golden Eagles from the playoffs last season. You can bet that he has some tricks in his bag that have been put there just for the Highlands game.

[Stardust]

If Johnson Central beats Highlands, then Coach Matney will begin preparing for the next game immediately, but preparation for this week's game began as soon as Highlands eliminated the Golden Eagles from the playoffs last season. You can bet that he has some tricks in his bag that have been put there just for the Highlands game.

Good luck with tricks!

[sstack]

If Highlands can't stop Jude, then you will see him carry the ball 30+ times again. Any sane coach would key on Jude and try to force JC to beat them some other way. Hopefully, Highland's will employ the strategy that Whack'em outlined in his post.

As for having other weapons, JC has them. Bratton has played solidly against Highlands in the past and so has J. K. Hall. But if Jude can average 8 to 10 yds. a carry or more, then Hall will be content to hand the ball to him and save his energy to play defense. And if the Birds believe JC has no receivers, then they may be shocked to find out that they are mistaken at an inopportune time. Matney will have a Plan B if Highlands proves that it can contain Jude and Highlands will see things from JC's offense that no other opponent has seen this season.

Let's be serious. Everybody knows JC has NO passing game. Yes, they may surprise HHS with one or two pass plays, and if lucky complete them. You do not play running game all year and then expect the passing game to work in the playoffs agianst a team like Highlands. If JC was going to pass this year they would have worked on it in regular season, and not try to go to a new offensive scheme agianst Highlands. You know as well as the rest of the JC fans that your QB is in there for his legs and handoff skills and does not have a throwing arm. Even if you continue to disagree about their ability to throw, you have to agree that there is no way the QB and WR's have their timing down at game speed and agianst top D.

[sstack]

I couldn't speak for JJ, and would not disrespect him. But for my money, Elliott is the best back in the State. He has played against the best competition in the state and put up numbers against the best 6A district in the state. He was coming off the concussion that he recieved in the Campbell County game when they played HHS the 2nd time, and Ryle went to Hempel out of the backfield. The Elliott that I just watched this Friday is a D1 level player.

I only know about JJ from the writings of this website. I seen no other stories from any other median, but I take the judgements from everyone who has seen him play. Will JJ get more than 4 yards a pop, he may well be able to. But you can't make the comparison to Elliott from that. I'd ask the Bird fans after Friday's game, they have seen Travis several times over the past few years and will get to witness JJ this week.

I have seen Elliott many times over the last several years and Jude twice live and several times on internet. I would say very different styles. Elliott is much bigger and rather run you over and try to hurt you rather than run around you(and then be the first one up off the turf and back in the huddle). Jude is faster and looking for the open hole. Jude looks tough, but Elliot is a beast. Jude did show he likes to hit on D, but on O he would rather use his speed to run away from you. Elliot will not show that you hurt him(unless you knock him out like Campbell Co. did), and in the games I have seen Jude play he is slow to get up and looks fatigued at times (which means nothing as long as he keeps adding up the yards). Elliott's body size makes him a no doubt D1 player, Jude's body size leaves question mark(The kid definitely has heart).

[Hoot Gibson]

Let's be serious. Everybody knows JC has NO passing game. Yes, they may surprise HHS with one or two pass plays, and if lucky complete them. You do not play running game all year and then expect the passing game to work in the playoffs agianst a team like Highlands. If JC was going to pass this year they would have worked on it in regular season, and not try to go to a new offensive scheme agianst Highlands. You know as well as the rest of the JC fans that your QB is in there for his legs and handoff skills and does not have a throwing arm. Even if you continue to disagree about their ability to throw, you have to agree that there is no way the QB and WR's have their timing down at game speed and agianst top D.

I didn't say that Plan B would be Air Matney. :biggrin:

What I am saying is that if Highlands contains Jude early in the game, Matney will make adjustments. Highlands will not contain Jude for an entire game.

[Stardust]

^ Great post