Highlands Ends 2009 Nationally Ranked

Fort Thomas Highlands has finished the 2009 season with the following final national rankings:

USA Today Super 25: 3rd nationally
Rivals High 100: 8th nationally
ESPN Rise Football Fab 50 Rankings: 8th nationally
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 18th nationally
PrepNation National Prep Football Poll: 24th nationally

This marks the eighth year that Highlands has finished the season nationally ranked. Also, Highlands' 3rd-place finish in the 2009 USA Today Super 25 is the highest final ranking by a Kentucky prep football team in the history of the USA Today Super 25.

More All-State Accolades for Highlands Players

The Louisville Courier-Journal has named its 2009 All-State selections, and the following Highlands players have been listed:

1st Team Offense:
ATH Austin Collinsworth
OL Tyler Grubbs

2nd Team Defense:
LB Brandon Roller

Honorable Mention:
WR Nick Buten

Also, the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association has named Highlands seniors Austin Collinsworth and Brandon Roller as 2009 "Top 26" honorees. In addition, Collinsworth has been named one of the four finalists for the Brian Williams "That's My Boy" Award. The winner of this prestigious award will be announced on February 18, 2010.

Roller and Collinsworth Among the Best in Kentucky

Two Highlands seniors, LB Brandon Roller and RB Austin Collinsworth, have been named members of the Lexington Herald-Leader 2009 Class of the Commonwealth. They are two of 22 players selected from across the state of Kentucky.

Also, Austin Collinsworth recently verbally committed to play football for the University of Notre Dame. In making his college selection, Collinsworth joins teammate OL Tyler Grubbs, who verbally committed to play football for Miami University (Ohio) earlier this year.

Highlands Players Honored as All-Stars

The Kentucky Enquirer 2009 Northern Kentucky Football All-Stars have been named, and the following Highlands players have been honored:

1st Team Offense:
RB Austin Collinsworth
WR Nick Buten
OL Tyler Grubbs
OL Hunter Schlosser

1st Team Defense:
DL Cam Dierig
LB Brandon Roller

Honorable Mention:
QB Will Bardo
WR John Drennen
OL Tyler Combs
DB Austin Abner

Also, Dale Mueller has been named the Kentucky Enquirer 2009 Coach of the Year in northern Kentucky.

2009 AP All-State Selections Named

The following Highlands football players have been named 2009 Associated Press (AP) All-State selections:

1st Team Offense:
OL Hunter Schlosser
OL Tyler Grubbs

1st Team Defense:
LB Brandon Roller

2nd Team Offense:
RB Austin Collinsworth

Honorable Mention:
QB Will Bardo

In addition, Dale Mueller, Highlands' head football coach, has been named 2009 AP Co-Coach of the Year, along with Boyle County's Larry French.

Collinsworth and Mueller Honored

Highlands senior running back Austin Collinsworth has been named 2009 Kentucky Class 5A, District 5 Player of the Year, and Coach Dale Mueller has been named 2009 Kentucky Class 5A, District 5 Coach of the Year.

2009 NKFCA All-NKY Selections Named

The Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association (NKFCA) has named its 2009 All-Northern Kentucky football selections. The following Highlands players have been recognized:

1st Team Offense:
OL Hunter Schlosser
OL Tyler Grubbs
WR Nick Buten
RB Austin Collinsworth

1st Team Defense:
DL Cam Dierig
LB Brandon Roller

2nd Team Defense:
DB Austin Abner

Collinsworth Named US Army All-American

Highlands senior Austin Collinsworth has been invited to participate in the 2010 US Army All-American Bowl. This game, played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on January 9, will be televised live on NBC. Collinsworth has been assigned to the East squad and will play defensive back. He is the only player from the state of Kentucky invited to participate in this prestigious event. This upcoming game marks the tenth anniversary of the US Army All-American Bowl.

Highlands "Three-Peats"

2009 Playoff Week Five: Highlands 35 John Hardin 7
Kentucky Class 5A Playoffs - State Championship
Date/Time: Friday, December 4 at 7:00PM
Location: Houchens-LT Smith Stadium, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green

Fort Thomas Highlands, ranked 6th nationally in the USA Today Super 25, defeated John Hardin 35-7 to win the Class 5A state title for the third consecutive year. Running back Austin Collinsworth spearheaded Highlands' offensive attack, rushing 25 times for 176 yards and 3 touchdowns, all in the first half. The Bluebirds led the Bulldogs 21-0 at the break. Running back Will Bardo returned the second-half kickoff 98 yards to extend the lead to 28-0, and quarterback Patrick Towles rushed for an 11-yard score to give the 'Birds a commanding 5-touchdown lead at 35-0. John Hardin registered a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring at 35-7. Highlands attempted only 2 passes the entire game, with 1 completion from Towles to wide receiver Nick Buten. Collinsworth was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

Both teams entered the title game with matching 14-0 records. The championship game marked the first-ever football game between these 2 programs. The win gives Highlands a record-tying 19 official state football championships (tied with Louisville Trinity), to go along with 3 "mythical" state titles prior to the institution of state title games in 1959. With this win, Highlands coach Dale Mueller has 8 football championships, tied with former Beechwood coach Mike Yeagle for the most in Kentucky prep football history.

Final records:
- Highlands' 2009 varsity record: 15-0
- Highlands' 2009 JV record: 7-2
- Highlands' 2009 freshman record: 7-2