2007 Highlands Bluebirds Honors

Highlands finished 2007 ranked 21st nationally in the final 2007 MaxPreps/CalPreps National Rankings poll.

Highlands finished 2007 as Kentucky Class 5A state champion, Kentucky Class 5A regional champion, Kentucky Class 5A, District 5 champion and NKAC champion.

Highlands finished 2007 ranked first in northern Kentucky, regardless of football classification, by the northern Kentucky football coaches.

Highlands finished 2007 ranked second in the state of Kentucky, regardless of football classification, by Massey Ratings (second to Class 6A champion Louisville Trinity).

Head coach Dale Mueller was named Coach of the Year by the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association.

Offensive lineman Alex Hempfling and linebacker Luke Stein were named 2007 first-team Kentucky Associated Press All-State. Offensive lineman Ryan Ball and defensive back Austin Collinsworth were named 2007 second-team Kentucky A.P. All-State. Running back Josh Conner was named 2007 Kentucky A.P. All-State honorable mention.

Luke Stein was named 2007 first-team All-State defensive end by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Clay Cecil was named honorable mention quarterback, Josh Conner was named honorable mention running back, Ryan Ball was named honorable mention offensive lineman, Alex Hempfling was named honorable mention offensive lineman, and Austin Collinsworth was named honorable mention defensive back on the 2007 Louisville Courier-Journal All-State team.

Offensive lineman/linebacker Ryan Ball was selected as a "Top 24" honoree by the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association.

Quarterback Clay Cecil was named Kentucky Class 5A, District 5 Player of the Year and head coach Dale Mueller was named Kentucky Class 5A, District 5 Coach of the Year by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association.

Luke Stein was named first-team linebacker and Clay Cecil was named first-team athlete on the 2007 All-BluegrassPreps.com football team.

Running back Josh Conner, offensive lineman Ryan Ball, linebacker Luke Stein, defensive back Austin Collinsworth and defensive back Drew Bathiany were selected as first-team All-NKAC.

Offensive lineman Luke Stein and defensive lineman Adam Reis were selected as second-team All-NKAC.

Quarterback Clay Cecil, running back Josh Conner, offensive lineman Ryan Ball, offensive lineman Alex Hempfling, linebacker Luke Stein and defensive back Austin Collinsworth were named Kentucky Enquirer first-team Football All-Stars.

Running back Zack Hurtt, linebacker Joe Fitzgerald, linebacker Drew Simons, defensive lineman Adam Reis, defensive lineman Milton Peko and defensive back Drew Bathiany were named Kentucky Enquirer honorable-mention Football All-Stars.

2007 Highlands Football Statistics

Team Records
Highlands' Record: 15-0
Highlands' District Record: 6-0
Highlands' Home Record: 7-0
Highlands' Away Record: 8-0

General Statistics
Points Scored: 610
Points Allowed: 153
Total Rushing Yards: 4053
Total Rushing Yards Allowed: 1551
Total Passing Yards: 1614
Total Passing Yards Allowed: 1747

Rushing Leader
Josh Conner
Games Played: 15
Rushing Attempts: 216
Net Yards Rushing: 1719
Rushing Touchdowns: 28

Passing Leader
Clay Cecil
Games Played: 15
Passing Attempts: 106
Pass Completions: 63
Net Yards Passing: 1076
Touchdown Passes: 9
Interceptions: 3

Scoring Leader
Josh Conner
Games Played: 15
Touchdowns Scored Rushing: 28
Touchdowns Scored Receiving: 5
Touchdowns Scored Other: 1
Field Goals Scored: 0
Extra Points Scored: 0
2-Point Conversions Scored: 4
Total Points: 212

Interception Leader
Austin Collinsworth
Games Played: 15
Interceptions: 6
Interception Return Net Yards: 6
Interception Return Touchdowns: 0

Fumble Recovery Leaders
Joe Fitzgerald
Games Played: 15
Fumble Recoveries: 2
Fumble Recovery Net Yards: 16
Fumble Recovery Touchdowns: 1

Jake Turner
Games Played: 15
Fumble Recoveries: 2
Fumble Recovery Net Yards: 0
Fumble Recovery Touchdowns: 0

2007 Playoff Week Five: Highlands 28 Bowling Green 7

Kentucky Class 5A Playoffs - State Championship
KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl
December 7, 2007

Highlands defeated Bowling Green 28-7 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, to claim the state's first-ever Class 5A football title. The victory gives Highlands 17 official football championships. Highlands finished the 2007 season a perfect 15-0, which is the 11th time Highlands has finished the season undefeated, the most in state history.

Running back Josh Conner rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback Clay Cecil threw for 93 yards and one touchdown while also rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown. Cecil was named the Player of the Game. The Bluebirds amassed 322 yards in the game, compared to only 182 yards for Bowling Green, who entered this game with a 13-1 record. The Bluebirds intercepted Bowling Green's quarterback three times in the contest. The 'Birds scored on the first possession of the game and got out to a commanding 21-0 halftime lead. Highlands' 2007 final varsity record: 15-0. The Highlands Bluebirds finish 2007 as Kentucky Class 5A, District 5 champion, Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference (NKAC) champion, Kentucky Class 5A regional champion, and Kentucky Class 5A state champion.