Saturday, September 27, 2008

Highlands Defeats Archrival in Unprecedented Fashion

2008 Week Five: Highlands 61 Covington Catholic 0
Date/Time: Friday, September 26 at 7:00PM
Location: Highlands

Fort Thomas Highlands steamrolled archrival Covington Catholic 61-0, the biggest blowout in the 40-year history of this storied rivalry. Austin Collinsworth got things started off on the right foot for the Bluebirds, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The entire Highlands squad played outstanding, with quarterback Tony Guidugli leading the way, connecting on 9 of his 11 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown, while also running for 57 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Highlands rested the team's top two running backs in the contest, Josh Conner and Clint Crawford, but back-ups Oliver Head, Tyler Fennell, Spencer Bankemper, Corey Compton and Travis Alford carried the load for the 'Birds on the ground, together accounting for four touchdowns. Wide receiver Austin Collinsworth led all HHS receivers with 79 yards and a touchdown reception. Highlands outgained Covington Catholic 446-101 in total yardage for the game. The Bluebirds led 55-0 at halftime and the second half of the game was played with a running clock.

Also, the Highlands freshman team defeated the Newport freshman team 47-0. The game was played at Newport on Thursday, September 25 at 6:00PM. The Highlands JV team lost to Covington Catholic's JV squad 30-21. This game was played at Covington Catholic on Saturday, September 27 at 10:00AM.

Highlands' 2008 freshman record to-date: 4-0. Highlands' 2008 JV record to-date: 3-2. Highlands' 2008 varsity district record to-date: 3-0. Highlands' 2008 varsity overall record to-date: 4-1.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

The Bluebirds Roll On Against Dixie Heights

2008 Week Four: Highlands 55 Dixie Heights 28
Date/Time: Friday, September 19 at 7:00AM
Location: Dixie Heights

Highlands traveled to district foe Dixie Heights and rolled over the Colonels in week four. The Bluebirds led the game at halftime by a score of 42-0 en route to a 55-28 win. Highlands rested running back Clint Crawford for the contest, but Crawford's back-ups, Oliver Head and Tyler Fennell, stepped up and played well, together accounting for five rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. Quarterback Tony Guidugli passed for 331 yards and two touchdowns in the air, to go along with a rushing touchdown. The loss dropped Dixie Heights to 0-4 on the 2008 season.

In addition, the Highlands JV team defeated the Dixie Heights JV team 42-14. The game was played at Highlands on Saturday, September 20 at 10:00AM. The Highlands freshman team defeated Covington Holy Cross's freshman squad 35-15. The game was played at Holy Cross on Wednesday, September 17 at 5:30PM.

Highlands' 2008 freshman record to-date: 3-0. Highlands' 2008 JV record to-date: 3-1. Highlands' 2008 varsity district record to-date: 2-0. Highlands' 2008 varsity overall record to-date: 3-1.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Highlands Blasts Covington Holmes 70-6

2008 Week Three: Highlands 70 Covington Holmes 6
Date/Time: Friday, September 12 at 7:00PM
Location: Covington Holmes

Highlands began district play in stunning fashion, defeating Covington Holmes 70-6 in week three. The Bluebirds scored ten touchdowns in the contest. Highlands scored 42 points off of seven Holmes turnovers. Running back Clint Crawford ran for three touchdowns, while Oliver Head and Travis Alford each added two more rushing scores for the 'Birds. Quarterback Tony Guidugli passed for 222 yards, threw two touchdown passes and ran for a touchdown. Placekicker Adam Weinel was perfect on all seven of his extra-point attempts. Covington Holmes, coached by Highlands alumnus and former Highlands football star Steve Lickert, entered the contest with a record of 2-0 before falling to the Bluebirds.

Also, the Highlands JV squad defeated the Covington Holmes JV team 51-0. The game was played at Highlands on Saturday, September 13 at 10:00AM. The Highlands freshman team remained perfect on the season, coming from behind to defeat Covington Catholic's freshman team 28-21. The game was played at Highlands on Thursday, September 11 at 6:00PM.

Highlands' 2008 freshman record to-date: 2-0. Highlands' 2008 JV record to-date: 2-1. Highlands' 2008 varsity district record to-date: 1-0. Highlands' 2008 varsity overall record to-date: 2-1.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Highlands Comes Up Short Against National Power Colerain

2008 Week Two: Highlands 18 Cincinnati Colerain 33
Date/Time: Friday, September 5 at 7:30PM
Location: Cincinnati Colerain

Fort Thomas Highlands battled Cincinnati Colerain, ranked 1st in the nation according to Massey Ratings headed into this game, but came up short, losing to the Cardinals 33-18. Highlands' kicker Adam Weinel scored two field goals (from 21 yards and 34 yards) in the first half of the game and the halftime score was 13-6 Colerain. Highlands quarterback Tony Guidugli had his best all-around varsity game so far, running for 95 yards and a touchdown, while completing 17 of his 25 passing attempts for 161 yards. He was Highlands' leading rusher in the contest. Running back Clint Crawford added a rushing touchdown to round out the scoring for the Bluebirds. The Highlands pass defense played well, limiting Colerain to just one passing completion, no passing touchdowns and one interception. It was Colerain's powerful rushing attack, however, that led the way for the Ohio powerhouse, gaining 520 rushing yards in the game.

Highlands' offense scored more points (18) than Colerain surrendered in their first two games of the season combined, against defending Ohio Division I state champion Cincinnati Saint Xavier and Pennsylvania power McKeesport (played as part of the 2008 Herbstreit Varsity Football Series). Colerain's record is 3-0 on the season after the win against Highlands. The victory extended Colerain's home win streak to 44 games (dating back to 1999) and the program's regular season win streak to 32. The loss halted Highlands' win streak at 16 games, the longest in Kentucky heading into the Colerain showdown.

This game featured the top-ranked team in northern Kentucky and the top-ranked team in Cincinnati. Colerain entered the contest ranked 1st nationally by Massey Ratings, while Highlands entered the game ranked 23rd nationally in the USA Today Super 25. This marks the first time in Highlands' storied history that the football team has played a team ranked first in the entire nation at the time of the game.

Also, the Highlands freshman team defeated Newport Central Catholic's freshman squad 27-8 in the first week of freshman action. This game was played at Highlands on Thursday, September 3 at 6:00PM. The Highlands JV team lost to Cincinnati Colerain's JV team 9-7 in week two. This game was played at Highlands on Saturday, September 6 at 10:00AM.

Highlands' 2008 freshman record to-date: 1-0. Highlands' 2008 JV record to-date: 1-1. Highlands' 2008 varsity record to-date: 1-1.