Saturday, September 29, 2007

2007 Week Six: Highlands 42 Hopkinsville 8

Highlands defeated Hopkinsville 42-8 to stay perfect for the 2007 season. The 'Birds led the entire game. Running backs Josh Conner and Clint Crawford headed up the rushing attack, with Conner logging his fifth 100-yard game of the 2007 season. Highlands outgained Hopkinsville 405-182 yards in the contest. Defensive back Austin Collinsworth (son of former NFL player and current commentator Cris Collinsworth) had two interceptions and returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown. Highlands' 2007 varsity district record to-date: 3-0. Highlands' 2007 varsity record to-date: 6-0.

Also, the Highlands freshman team beat Scott 34-0, improving to 4-1 on the 2007 season. The Highlands JV team had a bye this week. The JV team's 2007 record is currently 4-1.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

2007 Week Five: Highlands 28 Covington Catholic 14

Highlands defeated district archrival and defending state champion Covington Catholic 28-14 at Covington Catholic. Quarterback Clay Cecil threw for 124 yards and rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown to lead the way for the Bluebirds. Jay Draper caught four passes for 116 yards. Running back Josh Conner scored three touchdowns in the contest. The Highlands defense held the Colonels to just 130 total yards for the entire game. This win gives the 'Birds victories in 17 of the last 21 games of the storied Highlands-Covington Catholic rivalry. Highlands' 2007 varsity district record to-date: 3-0. Highlands' 2007 varsity record to-date: 5-0.

Also, the Highlands freshman team defeated Dixie Heights 24-3 to move to 3-1 on the season. The Highlands JV team defeated rival Covington Catholic by a final score of 53-21, which puts them at 4-1 on the JV season.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

2007 Week Four: Highlands 44 Dixie Heights 14

In a game that quite possibly decided the Class 5A, District 5 regular season championship, Highlands pulled away from Dixie Heights and defeated the Colonels 44-14. The 'Birds led 14-7 late in the second quarter, but extended their lead with a 48-yard field goal by Drew Bathiany as time expired in the first half. Highlands outgained Dixie 547 yards to 303 yards in the game, with running backs Josh Conner and Zach Hurtt gaining 141 yards on the ground (along with passing for 85 yards and a touchdown) and 102 rushing yards, respectively. Highlands' varsity district record to-date: 2-0. Highlands' 2007 varsity record to-date: 4-0.

Also, the Highlands freshman team defeated Boone County by a score of 25-6, going to 2-1 on the season. The Highlands JV team defeated Dixie Heights 44-0, moving to 3-1 on the season.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

2007 Week Three: Highlands 52 Covington Holmes 14

Highlands won their first district game of the year in convincing fashion, defeating Holmes 52-14 in the home opener. Zach Hurtt returned a kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown to spark the Bluebirds. Hurtt also added another rushing TD in the game. Highlands RB Josh Conner scored two rushing touchdowns in the contest as well. Highlands' varsity district record to-date: 1-0. Highlands' 2007 varsity record to-date: 3-0.

Also, the Highlands JV squad defeated Holmes 63-0 to move to 2-1 on the year, while the freshman team lost to Ryle 8-7, snapping a 38-game winning streak. The freshman team is now 1-1 on the season.

Monday, September 3, 2007

2007 Week Two: Highlands 24 Trotwood-Madison (Ohio) 20

Highlands defeated Ohio Division II power Trotwood-Madison 24-20 to win the last game of the 2007 Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge III, played at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium. This was a significant win for the 'Birds, since Trotwood-Madison has several NCAA Division I-A recruits, including a quarterback many consider to be the best QB in the entire state of Ohio. Also, the "Herbie" is the most notable high school football event in the entire country. Highlands won the game on the strength of its powerful running game, as the Bluebirds amassed 313 total yards in the game. The highlight play of the game was backup quarterback Tony Guidugli's 51-yard TD pass to RB Josh Conner to take the lead once and for all. Highlands' 2007 varsity record to-date: 2-0.

Also this week, the Highlands freshman squad defeated archrival Covington Catholic 7-6 in overtime to begin the freshman season 1-0, while the Highlands JV team lost to Cincinnati Withrow 42-26 to go to 1-1 on the JV season.