Friday, November 30, 2007

2007 Playoff Week Four: Highlands 49 Lincoln County 21

Kentucky Class 5A Playoffs - State Semifinal
November 30, 2007

Highlands easily handled Lincoln County 49-21 at home to move to 14-0 on the season, advancing to the Class 5A state championship game. Lincoln County entered the game with a record of 11-2. The score was 49-0 at halftime, with Highlands scoring on every one of its first-half possessions. The Bluebirds' substitutes played for nearly the entire second half. The power trio of Clay Cecil, Josh Conner, and Zach Hurtt accounted for all of Highlands' touchdowns in the game. Through four postseason contests, Highlands has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 191-33. Highlands' 2007 varsity record to-date: 14-0.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

2007 Playoff Week Three: Highlands 52 Letcher County Central 12

Kentucky Class 5A Playoffs - Regional Final
November 23, 2007

The Highlands Bluebirds hosted Letcher County Central and defeated the Cougars 52-12 to remain perfect at 13-0 and advance to the Kentucky Class 5A state semifinal game. Letcher County Central entered the contest with a record of 11-1 and 11 straight wins. Letcher County Central averaged 432 yards of total offense prior to meeting up with the 'Birds, but Highlands held them to just 250 total yards, while gaining 360 total yards, 286 of which were from the ground attack. Running back Josh Conner scored three touchdowns for Highlands and quarterback Clay Cecil ran for one score and connected with wideout Jay Draper on a 49-yard touchdown pass. This win leaves the Bluebirds two wins away from a state-record 17 football titles. Highlands' 2007 varsity record to-date: 13-0.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

2007 Playoff Week Two: Highlands 40 Covington Catholic 0

2007 Kentucky Class 5A Playoffs - Round Two
November 16, 2007

In stunning fashion, the Highlands Bluebirds dominated archrival and defending state champion Covington Catholic 40-0 to capture the 2007 Kentucky Class 5A, District 5 championship. The game was played at Highlands. Highlands, which defeated Covington Catholic 28-14 during the regular season, amassed 285 total yards, while limiting the Colonels to just 157 yards in the contest. A key to this victory was Highlands causing five Covington Catholic turnovers. Quarterback Clay Cecil and running back Josh Conner both rushed for 77 yards in the game. This loss dropped Covington Catholic to a final record of 5-7. With this win, the Bluebirds advance to the Class 5A regional final playoff game. Highlands' 2007 final varsity district record: 6-0. Highlands' 2007 varsity record to-date: 12-0.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

2007 Playoff Week One: Highlands 50 Scott 0

2007 Kentucky Class 5A Playoffs - Round One
November 9, 2007

Highlands began the 2007 playoffs in very strong fashion, dominating district foe Scott 50-0 at home to move to 11-0 on the year. Highlands was leading 43-0 at halftime in the game. The Bluebirds opened up the offense in this contest, with quarterbacks Clay Cecil and Tony Guidugli accounting for five passing touchdowns. Running backs Josh Conner and Zach Hurtt each rushed for a touchdown as well. This game's outcome was very similar to the previous meeting between Highlands and Scott, which Highlands won 58-0. Highlands' 2007 varsity district record to-date: 5-0. Highlands' 2007 varsity record to-date: 11-0.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

2007 Regular Season Recap: Kentucky Class 5A, District 5

At the end of the 2007 regular season, the Kentucky Class 5A, District 5 rankings are as follows:

1. Highlands (10-0 overall, 4-0 in district)
2. Dixie Heights (6-4 overall, 2-2 in district)
3. Covington Catholic (4-6 overall, 2-2 in district)
4. Scott (4-6 overall, 1-3 in district)
5. Covington Holmes (4-6 overall, 1-3 in district)

The top four teams advance to the 2007 Kentucky Class 5A playoffs. The first round of the playoffs will see Highlands hosting Scott and Dixie Heights hosting Covington Catholic. The winners of these two games then play for the 2007 Class 5A, District 5 championship the following week (hosted by the higher-ranked team). Highlands has earned home-field advantage throughout the entire 2007 playoffs.

2007 Week Eleven: Highlands 21 Louisville Central 13

Highlands traveled to Louisville for the final week of the 2007 regular season and defeated Kentucky Class 3A power Louisville Central 21-13 to finish the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record. This game represented the biggest scare for the 'Birds thus far, as the team was down 13-0 heading into the fourth quarter. Highlands, led by running backs Zach Hurtt and Josh Conner and quarterback Clay Cecil, fought back to score 21 unanswered points to clinch the victory. Heading into the game, Highlands was ranked first in Kentucky Class 5A in all of the state's football polls. Highlands' 2007 varsity district record to-date: 4-0. Highlands' 2007 varsity record to-date: 10-0.

Also, the Highlands freshman team advanced to the northern Kentucky freshman championship game, hosted by undefeated Simon Kenton on November 1, 2007. The HHS freshman team lost the championship game 21-7 to finish the 2007 freshman season with a record of 6-4. The Highlands JV squad defeated archrival Covington Catholic 28-13 to finish the 2007 JV season with a record of 9-1 and undefeated against Kentucky competition.