Saturday, September 26, 2009

Highlands Shines on National Television

2009 Week Six: Highlands 12 Cincinnati Saint Xavier 7
Date/Time: Friday, September 25 at 6:30PM
Location: Highlands

Fort Thomas Highlands hosted Cincinnati Saint Xavier in a match-up billed as the national game of the week by MaxPreps, Rivals High and ESPN Rise and did not disappoint the home crowd. The Bluebirds, ranked 18th nationally by MaxPreps, defeated the Bombers 12-7 at David Cecil Memorial Stadium to remain perfect for the season. Saint Xavier was undefeated heading into the showdown, having blown out defending Kentucky Class 6A champion Louisville Trinity the previous week.

Highlands entered the game, which was televised nationally on the CBS College Sports Network, as the decided underdog but set the tone early, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter after scoring a safety. The score remained 2-0 at halftime. In the third quarter, Highlands quarterback Will Bardo scored the team's only touchdown on a 4-yard run. Earlier in the drive, Bardo scampered 66 yards to move the 'Birds into the red zone. Bardo racked up 133 yards on the ground and 52 yards in the air; he was named the player of the game. Highlands kicker Adam Weinel made a 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring for the Bluebirds.

The story of the game, however, was the play of Highlands' defense, spearheaded by linebacker Brandon Roller. The 'Birds kept the potent Bombers' offense out of the end zone until Saint Xavier registered their only score with just 27 seconds left in the game. Highlands' defense made 2 interceptions and recovered a fumble in the contest.

This game marks the first time in the storied history of the Highlands football program that the Bluebirds defeated the top-ranked team in the nation, as Cincinnati Saint Xavier was the top-ranked team in the country according to the Massey Ratings.

The Highlands JV and freshman teams did not play games this week. The Highlands-Campbell County freshman game, scheduled to be played at Campbell County on Thursday, September 24 at 6:00PM was canceled due to poor weather.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2009 varsity record: 6-0 (0-0 in district play)
- Highlands' 2009 JV record: 4-0
- Highlands' 2009 freshman record: 2-2

Thursday, September 24, 2009

National Showdown Looming

Two high school football powerhouses collide Friday, September 25 when Fort Thomas Highlands (5-0) hosts Cincinnati Saint Xavier (4-0) at 6:30PM. The game will be televised nationally on the CBS College Sports Network (airing at 8:00PM on Friday). This event is sold out, with a crowd of 5200 anticipated at David Cecil Memorial Stadium.

The defending Kentucky Class 5A champion Highlands Bluebirds enter the game with wins over Class 6A Louisville DuPont Manual, Class 6A Ryle, defending Class 1A champion Beechwood, Ohio Division I Cincinnati Withrow and Class 6A Boone County.

The Cincinnati Saint Xavier Bombers have wins over Ohio Division I Cincinnati Colerain, defending Indiana Class 4A champion Indianapolis Cathedral, Kentucky Class 6A Louisville Saint Xavier and defending Kentucky Class 6A champion Louisville Trinity.

Both teams have received a great deal of attention in the national polls. Currently, Highlands is ranked:

- 18th nationally in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25
- 25th nationally in the Rivals High 100
- 27th nationally in the ESPN Rise Fab 50

No Kentucky football program is ranked higher than Highlands in the national polls. In addition, Fort Thomas Highlands is presently the highest-ranked team in every statewide Class 5A poll and first in northern Kentucky, regardless of football classification.

Cincinnati Saint Xavier is currently ranked:

- 1st nationally in the Massey Ratings
- 2nd nationally in the CalPreps National Football Power Ratings
- 13th nationally in the Prep Nation National Prep Football Poll
- 16th nationally in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25
- 17th nationally in the USA Today Super 25
- 24th nationally in the Rivals High 100
- 30th nationally in the ESPN Rise Fab 50

The Bombers last won the Ohio Division I championship in 2007, and finished the 2007 season ranked first nationally in some of the national rankings.

The male enrollment at Cincinnati Saint Xavier is approximately four times the size of the male enrollment at Highlands, so the Bluebirds will definitely have their hands full. Of the seven games these storied programs have played in their history, the Bombers hold a 5-2 advantage.

Go 'Birds!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Bluebirds Take to the Air in Home Opener

2009 Week Five: Highlands 36 Boone County 14
Date/Time: Friday, September 18 at 7:30PM
Location: Highlands

After playing the first four games of the 2009 season on the road, the Fort Thomas Highlands Bluebirds hosted Kentucky Class 6A Boone County at David Cecil Memorial Stadium, defeating the Rebels 36-14. Highlands rested star running back/defensive back Austin Collinsworth, and continued to work on the passing game with great success. Quarterback Will Bardo completed 10 of his 22 passing attempts for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns. Wide receiver Nick Buten hauled in 3 passes, 2 of which were touchdowns, while receiver John Drennen caught a touchdown pass from Bardo. On the ground, the 'Birds were led by running backs Jordan Streeter and Tyler Fennell; both scored touchdowns in the contest. On defense, the Bluebirds came up with a big stop in the second quarter, shutting the Rebels down after Boone County drove to the 3-yard line. The Bluebirds led by a score of 36-7 at halftime.

Also, the Highlands JV squad defeated the Boone County JV team 33-13 to remain perfect in 2009. The game was held at Boone County on Saturday, September 19 at 10:00AM. The Highlands freshman team defeated the Covington Catholic freshman team 15-8 in overtime. The game was played at Highlands on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00PM.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2009 varsity record: 5-0 (0-0 in district play)
- Highlands' 2009 JV record: 4-0
- Highlands' 2009 freshman record: 2-2

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Highlands Moving Up in the National Polls

Heading into the team's fifth game of the 2009 season, Fort Thomas Highlands is ranked 20th nationally in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, 25th nationally in the ESPN Rise Fab 50, and 27th nationally in the Rivals High 100. In each of these polls, Highlands is the highest-ranked team from Kentucky.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Bluebirds Blank Cincinnati Withrow

2009 Week Four: Highlands 21 Cincinnati Withrow 0
Date/Time: Friday, September 11 at 7:30PM
Location: Cincinnati Withrow

Fort Thomas Highlands traveled north of the Ohio River and shut out Ohio Division I Cincinnati Withrow 21-0. Highlands was led by running back Austin Collinsworth, who amassed 185 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 12 carries, while quarterback Will Bardo completed 6 of 10 passing attempts for 126 yards in the air, to go along with his 78 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. The game was a homecoming of sorts for Highlands coach Dale Mueller, as he began his head coaching career at Withrow.

Also, the Highlands JV team defeated the Cincinnati Withrow JV squad 40-12 to remain undefeated on the JV season. The game was played at Highlands on Saturday, September 12 at 10:00AM. The Highlands freshman team lost a close game to the Ryle freshman team, by the score of 20-13. The contest was played at Ryle on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00PM.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2009 varsity record: 4-0 (0-0 in district play)
- Highlands' 2009 JV record: 3-0
- Highlands' 2009 freshman record: 1-2

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Highlands Remains Perfect Against Beechwood

2009 Week Three: Highlands 48 Beechwood 20
Date/Time: Friday, September 4 at 7:30PM
Location: Beechwood

Two defending state champions faced off at Beechwood in week three, as Fort Thomas Highlands defeated Beechwood 48-20 to stay undefeated in 2009. Highlands' offense focused on the passing game, with quarterback Will Bardo completing 15 of his 25 passing attempts for 295 yards and 3 touchdown passes. Wide receiver Nick Buten was on the receiving end of 7 passes for 165 yards; he scored 2 touchdowns in the contest. Running back Tyler Fennell rushed for a score and also caught a touchdown pass. Running back Austin Collinsworth added 2 rushing touchdowns (of 10 and 71 yards), while back-up running back Josh Quillen scored a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown of 9 yards.

The Bluebirds were paid a special visit by University of Kentucky head football coach Rich Brooks, who arrived by helicopter to watch Austin Collinsworth (who has been offered a football scholarship by UK).

This win moves Highlands to 5-0 all-time against northern Kentucky powerhouse Beechwood.

Also, the Highlands JV team easily handled the Beechwood JV team 62-7 to improve to 2-0 on the season. The game was played at Highlands on Saturday, September 5 at 10:00AM.

The Highlands freshman team defeated the Boone County freshman team 54-32 on Thursday, September 3 at 6:00PM. The game was held at Highlands. This was the first win of the season for the Highlands freshman squad.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2009 varsity record: 3-0 (0-0 in district play)
- Highlands' 2009 JV record: 2-0
- Highlands' 2009 freshman record: 1-1