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.