Saturday, November 28, 2009

Highlands Earns Another Trip to State Title Game

2009 Playoff Week Four: Highlands 52 Pulaski County 12
Kentucky Class 5A Playoffs - State Semifinal
Date/Time: Friday, November 27 at 7:30PM
Location: Highlands

Fort Thomas Highlands dominated the Pulaski County Maroons 52-12 to lock up a spot in the 2009 Kentucky Class 5A championship game. Pulaski County entered the contest with a record of 10-3. Highlands' offense exploded in the first half, scoring touchdowns on every possession to take a 42-0 halftime lead. Running back Austin Collinsworth scored on a 60-yard run to spark the Bluebirds. He finished the game with 127 rushing yards on just 7 carries. Quarterback Patrick Towles continued to play efficiently, completing 6 of 9 passing attempts for 181 yards and a 34-yard passing touchdown to wide receiver Nick Buten. Buten finished the game with 101 receiving yards. Wide receiver John Drennen caught 2 passes for 78 yards. Most of the second half was played with a running clock, due to Highlands being up 45-0 early in the third quarter after a 26-yard field goal by kicker Adam Weinel. Running backs Will Bardo and Tyler Fennell each ran for 2 touchdowns in the first half. Highlands played their reserve players for most of the second half.

Next week, Highlands will play John Hardin in the Kentucky Class 5A State Championship. John Hardin defeated Bowling Green 28-21 to advance to the state title game. The Bulldogs have a record of 14-0. Highlands and John Hardin have never met on the football field, and this marks John Hardin's first-ever trip to the state final game.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2009 varsity record: 14-0
- Highlands' 2009 JV record: 7-2 (season complete)
- Highlands' 2009 freshman record: 7-2 (season complete)

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Highlands Unveils Live Internet Broadcasting

Beginning this week, Fort Thomas Highlands Bluebirds football games will be broadcast live over the internet. This broadcasting service is being provided by Highlands Local Sports Radio, which is affiliated with Highlands High School. Highlands alumni Brad Fennell and Greg Gadd will be calling this Friday's Kentucky Class 5A State Semifinal against Pulaski County. The broadcast will begin at approximately 7:20PM on Friday, November 27, with the playoff game scheduled to commence at 7:30PM.

Follow Highlands football live at the website listed below:

http://www.highlands.localsportsradio.com/articles/home.imp

A link to the Highlands Local Sports Radio's website is also provided on the Contents page of the Highlands football website associated with this web log, 'Birds Words (http://www.highlands-bluebirds.com/).

Go 'Birds!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Highlands Captures Regional Title

2009 Playoff Week Three: Highlands 42 Johnson Central 21
Kentucky Class 5A Playoffs - Regional Final
Date/Time: Friday, November 20 at 7:30PM
Location: Highlands

Fort Thomas Highlands doubled up the Johnson Central Golden Eagles 42-21 in the third week of the state playoffs. Running back Austin Collinsworth scored a 62-yard rushing touchdown on the Bluebirds' second play from scrimmage to give the home team a 7-0 lead. The game went back and forth for the entire first half, with Collinsworth punching in a score shortly before halftime to give Highlands a 21-14 lead at the break.

The 'Birds opened the game up in the third quarter, as Collinsworth and running back Tyler Fennell each scored a rushing touchdown to widen the scoring gap to 35-14. Quarterback Patrick Towles (who completed 4 of his 6 passing attempts for 91 yards and no interceptions) ran 13 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Golden Eagles added a score near the end of the game to make the final score 42-21. Collinsworth led all Highlands rushers with 159 yards and 3 touchdowns. Wide receiver John Drennen led all Highlands receivers with 93 yards. Johnson Central entered the game with a record of 8-4 in 2009; they had won 8 straight games before losing to Highlands. This game was a rematch of last year's regional final game, which Highlands won en route to a state title.

Next week, Fort Thomas Highlands hosts Pulaski County in the state semifinal game. Pulaski County defeated Letcher County Central 31-14 in their regional final game. The Maroons enter the semifinal game against Highlands with an overall record of 10-3. These two programs have never met on the gridiron.

To date:
- Highlands' 2009 varsity record: 13-0
- Highlands' 2009 JV record: 7-2 (season complete)
- Highlands' 2009 freshman record: 7-2 (season complete)

Collinsworth Wins Paul Hornung Award

On Friday, November 20 Highlands senior running back Austin Collinsworth was announced as the recipient of this year's Paul Hornung Award. This honor, given by the Louisville Touchdown Club, is awarded annually to Kentucky's top prep football player.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Highlands Overpowers Dixie Heights

2009 Playoff Week Two: Highlands 49 Dixie Heights 0
Kentucky Class 5A Playoffs - Round Two
Date/Time: Friday, November 13 at 7:00PM
Location: Highlands

Fort Thomas Highlands hosted Dixie Heights in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs, and routed the visiting Colonels 49-0. Multi-purpose specialist Will Bardo set the tone for the game, returning the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. Running back Austin Collinsworth returned to action after missing the past few weeks with an injury; he rushed for 77 yards on 11 carries, registering a touchdown for the 'Birds. Running back Tyler Fennell was the leading rusher for Highlands. He amassed 87 yards and a rushing touchdown. Quarterback Patrick Towles completed 50% of his passing attempts in the contest, throwing for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns; both touchdown passes were to wide receiver John Drennen.

Highlands led 36-0 at halftime. Highlands' defense pitched a shutout for the second time this year. Highlands allowed only 172 yards of offense, while gaining 489 yards of total offense in the game. Dixie Heights entered the game with a record of 5-6 in 2009.

On Friday, November 20 at 7:30PM, Highlands will play Johnson Central in the Kentucky Class 5A Regional Final. The game will be played at Highlands. Johnson Central has a 2009 record of 8-4. They advanced to the third round of the state playoffs after beating Covington Catholic 51-32. The Golden Eagles currently have an 8-game winning streak heading into this playoff contest. This game is a rematch of last year's regional final game, which Highlands won 35-21 at Johnson Central en route to a state championship.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2009 varsity record: 12-0
- Highlands' 2009 JV record: 7-2 (season complete)
- Highlands' 2009 freshman record: 7-2 (season complete)

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Highlands Coasts in Opening Round of Playoffs

2009 Playoff Week One: Highlands 60 Montgomery County 13
Kentucky Class 5A Playoffs - Round One
Date/Time: Friday, November 6 at 7:30PM
Location: Highlands

Fort Thomas Highlands rolled over Montgomery County 60-13 in the opening round of the Class 5A state playoffs. Running back Tyler Fennell led Highlands with 70 rushing yards on only 7 carries; he scored 2 touchdowns in the game. Running back Jake True also rushed for 2 scores. Multi-purpose specialist Will Bardo caught a touchdown pass and ran for 2 scores in the contest. Wide receiver Daniel Gold hauled in a 26-yard touchdown pass. Quarterback Patrick Towles completed 6 of his 12 passing attempts for 133 yards and a touchdown pass, to go along with his 60 rushing yards.

On defense, defensive back Austin Sheehan scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery. Defensive back Jake Meyer and linebacker Josh Quillen each made an interception in the game.

The Bluebirds led 28-0 at the end of the first quarter and carried a 41-0 lead into the half. Montgomery County (coming into the game with a 3-7 record) registered their 2 scores in the fourth quarter. Highlands entered the game seeded first in their district, while Montgomery County was seeded fourth in their district.

Fort Thomas Highlands will host Dixie Heights in the second round of the Kentucky Class 5A playoffs. Dixie Heights (seeded third in their district) upset Ashland Paul Blazer 41-14 on the first round of the state playoffs to advance to the second round. The Bluebirds defeated the Colonels 52-9 during the regular season. Dixie Heights has an overall record of 5-6 in 2009. The game will be played at Highlands on Friday, November 13 at 7:00PM.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2009 varsity record: 11-0
- Highlands' 2009 JV record: 7-2 (season complete)
- Highlands' 2009 freshman record: 7-2 (season complete)

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Highlands Finishes Regular Season Undefeated

2009 Week Eleven: Highlands 31 Ryle 14
Date/Time: Friday, October 30 at 7:30PM
Location: Highlands

Fort Thomas Highlands defeated Ryle 31-14 in the last game of the 2009 regular season. Highlands played Kentucky Class 6A Ryle twice this season, defeating the Raiders both times. Running back Tyler Fennell led the way on offense, amassing 203 rushing yards on 20 carries. Running back Jordan Streeter and multi-purpose athlete Will Bardo each had rushing touchdowns in the contest, as did starting quarterback Patrick Towles. Towles also had a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nick Buten, who led all Highlands receivers with 64 yards in the game. Kicker Adam Weinel connected on a 47-yard field goal just before halftime; the 'Birds led 17-0 at the end of the first half.

Highlands (10-0) will host Montgomery County (3-7) in the first round of the 2009 Kentucky Class 5A playoffs.

In addition, the Highlands freshman team won the 2009 northern Kentucky freshman large-school championship, defeating the Covington Catholic freshman team 14-8 in the title game. This game was played on Thursday, October 29 at 6:00PM at Highlands. The Highlands JV team lost to the Ryle JV team 49-43 to end the JV season. The game was played at Ryle on Saturday, October 31 at 10:00AM.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2009 varsity record: 10-0 (3-0 in district play - final)
- Highlands' 2009 JV record: 7-2 (season complete)
- Highlands' 2009 freshman record: 7-2 (season complete)