Highlands Defeats Ryle in Season Opener

2008 Week One: Highlands 26 Ryle 6
Date/Time: Friday, August 29 at 7:00PM
Location: Highlands

Highlands picked up where the program left off in 2007, defeating Kentucky Class 6A Ryle 26-6 in the season opener, played at Highlands. Running back Clint Crawford, filling in for starter Josh Conner (who is out for 4-6 weeks due to a broken fibula), led the way for the 'Birds on the ground, rushing for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Tony Guidugli completed 10 of his 15 passing attempts for 184 yards in the air, to go along with his 17-yard touchdown run. Receiver Nick Buten hauled in two passes for 105 receiving yards. Placekicker Adam Weinel made two field goals (from 24 yards and 31 yards) and two extra points to round out the scoring. Highlands' defense was the star of the game, however, limiting Ryle to just 158 total yards in the game and allowing only one touchdown, scored in the fourth quarter. The Bluebirds extended their winning streak to 16 games with the win. This is the state's longest current winning streak.

Also, the Highlands junior varsity (JV) team defeated Ryle's JV squad 23-13 during the opening week of JV action. This game was played at Ryle on Saturday, August 30 at 10:00AM. The Highlands freshman team does not begin the 2008 freshman season until next week.

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

Highlands Finishes the 2008 Preseason 1-1

2008 Preseason Week Two - Scrimmage
Highlands 18
Louisville Male 20
(Game Format)

Highlands completed its 2008 preseason with a scrimmage hosted by Kentucky Class 6A power Louisville Male, played on August 22 at 7:00PM. Male scored a go-ahead field goal late in this back and forth game and defeated the Bluebirds 20-18, moving Highlands to 1-1 for the 2008 preseason (Highlands defeated Beechwood in the opening scrimmage this year). Star running back Josh Conner suffered a leg injury early in the contest and Clint Crawford stepped up in the backfield for the 'Birds, receiving a bulk of the carries after Conner left the game. Of note, these preseason scrimmages do not affect teams' overall win-loss records.

Next Friday (August 29 at 7:00PM), Highlands opens up the 2008 regular season hosting Kentucky Class 6A Ryle. Ryle has had a fairly successful preseason, tying Covington Catholic 3 touchdowns - 3 touchdowns in preseason week one and defeating Covington Holmes 28-7 in preseason week two. The Bluebirds will have to play without running back Josh Conner, who fractured his fibula during the Male scrimmage and will be out for 4-6 weeks.

Highlands Wins First Preseason Scrimmage

2008 Preseason Week One - Scrimmage
Highlands 6 Touchdowns
Beechwood 0 Touchdowns
(Mixed 10 and 10/Game Format)

Defending Kentucky Class 5A state champion Highlands defeated Beechwood by an unofficial score of 6 touchdowns - 0 touchdowns in a mixed 10 and 10/game format. The scrimmage was held Friday, August 15 at 7:30PM at Beechwood. This score roughly translates to a "real game" score of 42-0. Quarterback Tony Guidugli passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third score, and the Bluebirds' ground game picked up where it left off in 2007, with running backs Josh Conner and Clint Crawford leading the way. Highlands' defense held defending Kentucky Class 1A state champion Beechwood scoreless in the contest.

Highlands concludes the 2008 preseason on Friday, August 22, when the Bluebirds travel to Louisville to take on Class 6A power Louisville Male at 7:00PM. Male lost to Tennessee power Franklin 47-34 in preseason week one. The Highlands-Male scrimmage will be played under a game format.

Highlands' Preseason Rankings

Fort Thomas Highlands is receiving a great deal of attention as the various preseason prep football rankings are now being released. Below is a full listing of the Bluebirds' rankings heading into the 2008 regular season. These lists are being updated as the different preseason rankings come out.

National Preseason Rankings

• Highlands is ranked 14th nationally in the MaxPreps/ CalPreps preseason rankings.
• Highlands is ranked 23rd nationally in the USA Today preseason Super 25.
• Highlands is ranked 19th in the midwest region in the ESPN RISE preseason rankings.
• Highlands is ranked 20th in the great lakes region in the RivalsHigh preseason rankings.
• Highlands is listed as a team that "just missed the cut" (i.e. ranked nationally in the 102-152 range) in the PrepNation 101 preseason rankings.

State Preseason Rankings

• Highlands is ranked 1st in Kentucky, regardless of football classification, in the CalPreps preseason rankings.
• Highlands is ranked 1st in Kentucky Class 5A in the BluegrassPreps preseason rankings.
• Highlands is ranked 1st in Kentucky Class 5A in the Lexington Herald-Leader preseason coaches' poll.
• Highlands is ranked 1st in Kentucky Class 5A in the Louisville Courier-Journal preseason coaches' poll.
• Highlands is ranked 3rd in Kentucky, regardless of football classification, and 1st in Kentucky Class 5A in the Massey preseason ratings.
• Highlands is ranked 3rd in Kentucky, regardless of football classification, and 1st in Kentucky Class 5A in the Lexington Herald-Leader Mike Fields' Top 25 preseason rankings.
• Highlands is ranked 1st in northern Kentucky, regardless of football classification, in the Northern Kentucky Enquirer preseason coaches' poll.

Highlands Ranked 14th Nationally by CalPreps

CalPreps.com recently released its National Top 100 preseason football rankings, and Fort Thomas Highlands is ranked 14th in the entire nation in this poll. In addition, the Bluebirds are preseason ranked first in the state of Kentucky, regardless of football classification, by CalPreps.com.