Highlands Football Banquet Recently Held

On Sunday, January 25, 2009, the Fort Thomas Highlands football program held its annual football awards banquet. The 2008 Highlands football season DVD was showcased, and several student-athletes were honored at this ceremony. Below is a listing of the awards and award winners. Congratulations to all the players and coaches for a successful 2008 season!

Also, the 2008 Highlands football season DVD is now for sale. Anyone interested in purchasing this DVD should contact Ms. Carolyn Smith in the Highlands High School Athletics Department for details.

Highlands Football Banquet Award Recipients:
Mr. Highlands Football Award: Michael Laber
MVP Award: Tony Guidugli
MVP Award: Adam Dempsey
"Red Dog" Spirit Award: Nick Martin
Ron Welch Award: Kody Rosenhagen
Quinn Stapleton Award: Blake Newman
Mr. Determination Award: Jarred Frank
Coaches' Perseverance Award: Ted Abner
Blocking Excellence Award: Peter Bardgett
Career Excellence Award: Josh Conner
Mr. Everything Award: Oliver Head
110% Award: Alex Horner
Fourth Quarter Award: Jake Turner
Clint Crawford Award: Clint Crawford
Underclassman MVP Award: Austin Collinsworth
Underclassman MVP Award: Brandon Roller
Underclassman Mr. Highlands Football Award: Tyler Combs
Underclassman Mr. Highlands Football Award: Hunter Schlosser
JV Mr. Highlands Football Award: Brian Beck
JV MVP Award: Daniel Gold
JV Mr. Everything Award: Corey Compton
JV "Red Dog" Spirit Award: Ryan Hahn
Freshman Mr. Highlands Football Award: Ben Dupont
Freshman Mr. Highlands Football Award: Austin Sheehan
Freshman MVP Award: Jake True

Shake-Up in Highlands' District

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association's Board of Control recently approved a change that will impact Highlands' district (Kentucky Class 5A, District 5) in 2009. Covington Holmes will move down to Class 4A, District 5 in 2009, on account of the school's diminishing enrollment numbers. As a result, Holmes will no longer be in the district with Highlands, Covington Catholic, Dixie Heights and Scott. There are no plans for a team to be moved into Highlands' district. As a result, all four remaining teams in Class 5A, District 5 will be guaranteed playoff spots in 2009, since the top four teams from each district qualify for the state playoffs.

This change will also likely impact Highlands' 2009 schedule. Holmes will have to play the teams in its new district, and Holmes may have to drop the Class 5A, District 5 teams (including Highlands) from its schedule.

For details regarding Highlands' 2009 schedule (as it currently stands), please click on "Highlands' Current Schedule and Team Roster," located on the "Contents" page of: http://www.highlands-bluebirds.com/.

Highlands Players Lead the Way in Border Bowl Victory

Seniors Tony Guidugli, Adam Dempsey and Oliver Head represented Highlands well in the second annual National Guard Border Bowl, as the Kentucky all-star squad defeated the Tennessee all-star squad 26-20. Guidugli threw one touchdown pass and ran for a score, and was named the game MVP. Dempsey registered six tackles and one sack, and was named the defensive MVP. Head ran for a touchdown in the contest. The game was played on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 1:00PM, and was held at the University of the Cumberlands.

Collinsworth Gaining National Recognition

Junior wide receiver/defensive back/return specialist Austin Collinsworth was recently named a junior first-team All-American by MaxPreps.com.

In addition, Collinsworth was named to the 2008 All-Southern Team (also referred to as the "Dixie Dozen") by the Orlando Sentinel. Twelve outstanding players from each of the southern states were selected for this honor, and Collinsworth was one of only two juniors from Kentucky to make this list.

Collinsworth and teammate Brandon Roller (also a junior) participated in the US Army Junior National Combine, held in San Antonio, Texas on January 1, 2009.