This past Friday night will be one most will not forget. This game pitted the two top teams in division 2 against each other two games to early. In the first half, I am convinced that Trotwood Madison was thinking this as the Knights rolled to a 20-0 score at the half while scoring what seemed at will the last 5 minutes of the half. We scored As a result of some great and athletic plays on offense by individuals. The defense was once again rock steady as they forced three turnovers that set us up for great field position. And even the special team unit contributed as they blocked a punt late in the half to set up yet another Kings score. When the dust had settled, the statistics were lopsided! Kings churned up almost 170 yards while TM mustard only 67. Most likely a year low for the Rams.
At the half, our locker room was loud but by no means over confident in any shape or form. This makes regional final #4 for most of our staff so as they say, “this was not our first rodeo”. In fact, all three coordinators of our team each made adjustments at the half in order to anticipate Trotwood’s next move.
Prior to the game, I was very concerned with the wind. It was blowing strongly away from the scoreboard all night. In the second half, since we won’t he toss, we of course chose to receive. Upon falling on the ball at about the 35 yard line, we began to mount what many thought could be possibly the game ending drive. As we converted a couple of first down, it seemed we were on our way. Our drive was stopped as a result of a forced fumble. And on the first play on scrimmage, the Rams would get their longest run on the night. The momentum shifted for the final time on this night. The #1 ranked Rams would score just once in the third quarter. However, due to their defense, which has been very strong all year, they forced the Knights into several 3 and outs couple with more turnovers. In the fourth and final quarter, while the wind blowing into our faces, we turned the ball over an additional 2 more times bringing the second turnover total to 4. Add to this that Trotwood’s average starting yard line the rest of the half would be at the 50 yard line. In most all cases, football games are lost as a result of the circumstances. This regional final would be no different. As the final horn sounded, the Knights season ended with a very unfamiliar score, Trotwood 35′ Kings 20.
So for the fourth time in as many tries, our football team fell short again as we would lose in the regional final. As a staff and for me personally, I think Trotwood can and should win the D2 Championship. But as we all know too well and to honest, we look forward too, a game played by high school athletes in which case anything can happen on any given night!
See you on the field,
Coach Olds
GO KNIGHTS!!!
This past Friday night, the “Kings Mills Kings” football team made a statement… “We can do better!” This statement refers to the first match up with Turpin in game 10 of the regular season when Kings clinched the FAVC title after beating a resilient Turpin team by the score of 35-27. This would be the most points the stingy defense has given up the entire season. Without question, our defense wanted to prove that they could play better the second time around. When the final horn sounded this past Friday, the Knights sat on top with a score of 24-0. The defense regained what little swagger they lost and the offense continues to play better and better!
As a football staff, we have been very, very fortunate that our players have always played their best football towards the end of the season. After all, that is what we should do. But in high school football, that is certainly not the case. There are many reasons, in fact too many to document, as to why teams tail off at the end of a season when playing well should be at a premium. The 2011 version of Kings Football is starting to come in to its’ own stride, especially of offense. Our defense has been a different animal and quite frankly, as consistent as a sunrise. Offenses in football, especially at the high school level, are about timing, continuity, personnel, and consistency. On the offensive side of the ball, we have had our share of setbacks throughout the season but continued to score points consistently for the most part. But it is very clear, we are playing our best football now and it could not come at a better time! Friday night out timing will need to be at an all-time high in every phase of the game!!!
See you on the field!
Coach Olds
GO KNIGHTS!!!
The win over visiting Harrison High School was a little closer than we’d like as players, coaches, and most Kings fans. But as I stated in last week’s Coaches Corner, it is games exactly like this that will allow all of us to learn how to play, work, and train even harder than the week before. I will confirm that last week’s 35-27 win over Turpin prepared us for the rematch with Harrison. And it will be the close game with Harrison that will contribute to us being better prepared for round 2 with Turpin.
Regardless of how the game was played or even turned out, there is no denying the great crowd that assembled at Kings Stadium this past Friday night. From the time I walked out of the school at 2:35, the first news truck was on site and ready for action. Eventually, all three news stations had live coverage at the game at one point or another. And for the second time this season, Kings Football was on the cover page on the Cincinnati Enquirer! Thousands upon thousands started their Saturday morning breakfast out with looking at Kings Football! That is very special and something that should never, ever be taken for granted!
Once again, for the 11th time this season, we took the lead into the locker room with a score of 7-0. Also at the half, the stats showed the Knights were an outstanding 7 of 8 on 3rd down conversions-an O.C.s dream. However, we did not convert in the red zone as we would have liked to. In the second half, Harrison mounted a very nice drive to knot the score up at 7 all. It would not be until late in the fourth quarter that the score board would be lit up with a 31 yard field goal by Junior Evan Berg. Just as in the 12 field previous field goals this season, long snapper Ryan Anthony, holder and signal caller Alex Rice, and the front line were again perfect when it counted most! The Wildcats would get one more possession to try to tie it with a field goal or go ahead with a touchdown. But on this night, the Kings defense smothered any last chance Harrison had with the same pressure, speed, and intensity it had played with all year long.
Knights fans, pack those tailgate dinners…it looks like we are heading to Hamilton High School to play FAVC league rival Turpin for the second time this season as they beat Tipp City in round 1.
See you on the field!!!
Coach Olds
GO KNIGHTS!!!
As most adults know and those who have a strong faith, the most growth people, businesses, organizations, and even teams experience is when things don’t go quite as planned. Sometimes these experiences can be so overwhelming that the entities potentially collapse! But if they can endure, fight through, and make the adjustments to overcome this adversity, they rebuild themselves only to be stronger in many, many different ways.
Friday night, Turpin came to the castle playing very good football and with a record of 7 & 2 (4-0 in FAVC play). By the end of the quarter, the score read Kings 14- Turpin 0. But by the end of the half, the score going into the half read Kings 28, Turpin 24. This was the largest amount of points ever given up by the Knights stingy defense all year. We went into the locker room to regroup, as one would expect given the history of our previous games. In the second half, our defense began to stiffen as Turpin had to settle for a field goal to close the gap to 1 by a score of 27-28 Kings. The Kings defense again provided a turnover for our offense and gave up a starting field position at the mid field strip. The Kings ground machine marched down to the four yard line. And on 4th and goal with just under 2 minutes remaining, the choice to seal the game with a touchdown was made. Senior QB Jensen Gebhardt found senior Zach Hilderbrand in the end zone. Turpin would mount one more drive that ended on the Knights 40 yard line with Turpin’s version of the “Hail Mary” only to be intercepted by Mason Barker, leaving one second on the clock on this memorable Senior Night!
So Kings would win the last FAVC championship on its home field in a very, very hard fought game! Congratulations to the senior class of 2012, to the supporting Junior class, to the rest of the team, to the parents, to the coaches, and to our community! The second season begins now!
The Knights rolled into Wilmington College to take on an improving 6 & 2 Hurricane team for their senior night. On this evening, the weather was perfect for the FAVC showdown! The team mantra all year has been “one at a time”. On this night it would be tested as the following Friday could be the perfect setting for Kings as we host Turpin on our senior night. They potentially could bring a perfect 4 & 0 league record to make for a “dramatic” and fitting final championship match up. This marks the last league game the FAVC Cardinal would ever see.
Knowing that this scenario could play out, we would have to once again, take care of the business at hand-Wilmington. If there was an award that recognizes a team for improvement over the course of a season, it would have to go to the Hurricanes. Their offensive and defensive lines were some of the strongest we have played all year so going into the game we knew as a staff that it would be a competitive match up. One of the biggest plays in the game came with just 5 seconds remaining in the first half. Wilmington turned the ball over on downs at the midfield stripe to give us a great chance to run the Kings version of the “Hail Mary”. We practice this play every Thursday for just this situation. Although it did not come with the dramatics as the Michigan State – Wisconsin game Saturday night, it could have very well been the straw that broke the home teams’ back. That made it 17-0 at the half. With the Kings defense playing well, the Hurricane were held to 40 total yards at the half. And when the low lying smoke cleared as the final horn sounded, the scoreboard at Townsend Field read Kings 37, Wilmington 7. Week 10 is upon us!!!
See you on the field!
Coach Olds
GO KNIGHTS!!!
This past Friday night, the West Carrolton Pirates visited the Castle for the first and last time as they will be dropped from our schedule as both schools will join new leagues in 2012. If other high school teams ever wondered how Kings Football continues to turn out great seasons on a very regular basis, all they needed to do was be present at this week’s pre game festivities. On this night, we recognized coaches, players, and cheerleaders from grades 1st through 8th grades. Although I have not seen the photos of the group shot, I am quite sure it is more than impressive numbering close to 500 total participants! As we spoke purposely in the pregame talk that we are all role models and are on display for all to see 24-7! When our upper classmen see young players wearing their number and asking for an autograph as if they played for a professional team, it really sets in that many, many eyes are upon them. So along with the privilege of playing for and wearing a varsity uniform comes the responsibility that we all have to be not only the best players and coaches, we also need to be the best students, the best teachers, and the best people we can be!
When the horn sounded as the final seconds ticked off the clock for Youth Night, the score board read, Kings 45, West Carrolton 20. As we rolled up 28 points in the first quarter and the defense flexed its muscle, we as a staff knew quickly that this would be a very good opportunity to give our regulars a much deserved break as we begin to finish up our regular season schedule. Our reserves got the majority of the minutes for almost a full three quarters of play. Bright spots for those young guys included running back Michael Ovington, wide receiver Willie Strosnider, and back up QB Drew Patterson. All of these guys and many more have earned the right to show what they could do under the lights. All of the varsity coaches were more than eager and excited for all of our young guys on this night!
This week, we travel to Wilmington College to take on the Hurricane for the last road trip of the regular season. They bring an impressive 6 & 2 record overall with only 1 loss in league play.
See you on the field!
Coach Olds
GO KNIGHTS!!!
Electricity was certainly in the air at Kings Stadium Friday night! It was homecoming weekend and the weather was outstanding with game time temps right at 70 degrees.
Friday started off in a fantastic way with a pep assembly that moved even me. In fact, it was so energetic that is reminded of the “good ole days” back when I played high school. It seemed the gymnasium was packed with the entire student body. Each class was easily identifiable by the four colors Columbia Blue, Red, White, and Black! No assembly would be complete without the help of Math teacher and Golf Coach Ben Tilton. He definitely brought his “A” game to the assembly this time and it showed as the students yelled till kids most lost their voices!
As the Annual Homecoming parade came to a conclusion, the home stands filled to capacity very quickly. Walnut hills not only brought a 6-0 record to Kings, they also brought a very good cheering section. Unfortunately Walnut’s cheering section had very little to make noise about as the score read 23-0 Kings. It was not until mid way through the 4th quarter that they would get their first 1st down! Wow…..
To make the night complete, senior defensive end Max Demumbra was selected as Home Coming King! The student body could not have picked a better young man to represent Kings at Homecoming! A GREAT choice and very well deserved!!
But perhaps the coolest thing that happened that weekend is when I picked up the Enquirer on Saturday a.m. only to see that senior RB Brian Huffman had made the front page with a wonderful color action shot along with a very nice write up to boot! Kings FB also dominated the inside sports section as well! I was very happy for the entire Football program which includes players and coaches in the KYO ranks through the junior high program, and ultimately to and through the players and coaches at the high school level! Many hours, days and months of strength training, speed training, and numerous film sessions have been logged to get the program to this point.
In closing, a special thanks and congratulations go out to Mr. Phil Poggi, our new Athletic Director at Kings. Friday night’s event was nothing short of “perfect”! He and his staff showed all of Kings Alumni what we’re all about. It was a first class event! Again, thanks to Phil and his vary hard working athletic staff!
See you on the field!
Coach Olds
“GO KNIGHTS”
One of the oldest existing rivalries in the FAVC came to an end this past Friday. Despite playing subpar football, the Knights rolled up 45 points and 466 yards of offense. The defense continues to dominate as our reserves gave up the only score on the night. Our special teams also played well with Evan Berg hitting 3 field goals while punter Zac Hildebrand punted only 2 x he averaged just over 47 yards per punt. Once again, the seniors of this team can chalk up another accomplishment to add to their legacy by ending the Panther-Knight rivalry with a convincing win.
This coming Friday marks Homecoming for the Kings community as undefeated league foe Walnut Hills visits the castle. Once again, the Kings Football Alumni hospitality tent will be welcoming all Kings FB alumni along with our friends from ProCamps, Ltd. Founder and CEO Gregg Darbyshire was the former Athletic Director at Kings and was also the A.D. who hired me back in 1998 as the head coach.
As we look to the extended forecast for Friday, it looks like the game time temps will be hovering in the mid to low 70’s making for a great set up for a great game!
See you on the field!
Coach Olds
GO KNIGHTS!!!
Times have certainly changed since the time most of my coaching staff played high school football. “Back in the day” as our players would say, grass fields were the standard. Parents had no issues with getting out grass and mud stains from the previous nights football game. Weather was certainly a huge factor back then. In fact, back in 2002 during the region 8 final game against C.J., Cincy took almost 5 inches of rain in less than a 24 hour period. These rains were steady throughout the contest at Princeton’s Mancuso Field. In fact, this would be the last football game ever to be played on a grass surface on this field.
But since then, field turf facilities have become the “norm” while the nice well kept grass fields are rarely seen. At Glen Este, the players and coaches got to experience something that in this day and age would be considered rare. This natural grass field was very saturated with rain from the days earlier in the week. Water was standing in several places. Lucky enough for our kids, we had three chances to practice on our own grass practice fields. This helped players and coaches alike to prepare for the game time conditions.
Both our players and coaches adapted extremely well. Again on this night, the defense played extremely fast and swarmed as if they were on dry field turf and our offensive ground game went well over 200 yards once again.
But probably the coolest thing that seems to get lost in the contest was the pure fun of playing a game in muddy conditions! All of the coaching staff has at least one special game they played in that they will never forget whether it be in high school or in college that was played in similar conditions. Now, the 2011 Knights can add this past Friday night’s game with the Trojans to their memory books!
See you on the field!
Coach Olds
GO KNIGHTS!!!
Location can make for a key factor in creating a great rivalry. In Friday’s case Loveland High School is less than 5 miles from Kings. Our districts border each other. We even have several players on our team with Loveland zip codes! When this factor is present, it is common for players to literally grow up competing against each other in every sport imaginable. In some cases, these rivals at some point were team mates during their childhood years. Regardless the case, a “rivalry” exists between Kings and Loveland. Rivalries such as this can bring out the good, the bad, and the ugly.
On Friday night, this game hit all three facets! In fact, I would go as far to say that the good was “great” in the first half for our offense as well as for our defense. We had the ball three times and hit pay dirt all three times. We converted third and fourth down tries. The kids simply made plays. We had no penalties to slow us down. We managed the clock as well as a team could do! And when the horn sounded to end the first half, the scoreboard would show Kings 21, Loveland 0. I can’t recall the halftime stats but I am pretty sure it was very lopsided. Westbrook and the offensive line went for well over 100 yards rushing in the first half while Loveland’s offense never posed a threat. The defense that had a reputation for playing fast, hitting hard, and swarm tackling even raised their play to a new level. Collectively, they filled the highlight reel with several plays in the first half alone. And then there was the second half. Since we won the toss, we elected to defer. This would mean that we would receive the kickoff to open up the second half. Offensively, we started off with 2 penalties that would eventually move us deep into our own territory. We would give up a safety with a botched snap in the end zone. As we played poorly on offense, this would pump life into the Tigers. As Loveland began to sense the opportunity to turn the tide, it was very evident that Kings’ defense would not cooperate and simply would match the Tigers intensity and will to mount a comeback. This is when Loveland became very frustrated and then the ugly side of the rivalry showed itself. Both sides would accumulate personal fouls as both teams would get “chippy”. At one point, the head official called both captains to midfield and gave both teams an “official” verbal warning. From that point, both teams seemed to go from “boiling point” back down to what I would consider a “simmer”. When the final horn sounded, the score would read 28-2.
Both teams shook hands and as did the coaching staffs at the conclusion. In the end, a hard fought game was played by both teams and their efforts did not disappoint anyone. And when next season rolls around, you can bet that the players will be ready to write the next chapter as this “backyard rivalry” continues!
See you on the field,
Coach Olds
GO KNIGHTS!!!