Monday, August 30, 2010

Highlands Shuts Down Ryle

2010 Week Two: Highlands 29 Ryle 14
Date/Time: Friday, August 27 at 7:30PM
Location: Highlands High School

Fort Thomas Highlands defeated Ryle 29-14 to maintain its dominant position in Northern Kentucky prep football. The Class 6A Raiders, who blasted Covington Catholic 61-7 the previous week, were viewed by many as Highlands' biggest roadblock to a perfect 10-0 regular season in 2010. Led by running back Travis Elliott and quarterback Conner Hempel, Ryle held a 14-13 advantage at halftime. However, Ryle fumbled the ball early in the third quarter and the Bluebirds capitalized, as running back Corey Compton scored a rushing touchdown from five yards out to re-take the lead for good. Compton rushed for 96 yards and two scores in the contest. Running back Jordan Streeter led all Highlands rushers with 104 yards on 11 carries. Just before halftime, quarterback Patrick Towles connected with wide receiver Daniel Gold on a 32-yard touchdown pass to provide the 'Birds with momentum just before the break. Towles finished the game with 151 passing yards. Highlands' defense made some adjustments to attack Ryle's potent running game, resulting in the Raiders being shut out in the second half. Ryle gained only one first down and 55 yards of offense in the entire second half. Defensive back Drake Bruns intercepted a Ryle pass and recovered a fumble in the game.

This victory extended Highlands' current win streak to 30 games.

The Highlands junior varsity (JV) team defeated the Ryle JV team 46-7 to open up the JV season. The game was played on Saturday, August 28 at 10:00AM, at Ryle. The Highlands freshman squad also opened up its season on Saturday, August 28. The Highlands freshman team defeated the Louisville Saint Xavier freshman squad 24-19; the game was played at Highlands at 7:30PM.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2010 varsity record: 2-0 (0-0 in district play)
- Highlands' 2010 junior varsity (JV) record: 1-0
- Highlands' 2010 freshman record: 1-0

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Northern Kentucky's Best Square Off

Fort Thomas Highlands, ranked first in the current Northern Kentucky prep football poll, hosts Class 6A Ryle this Friday. Ryle is ranked second in the Northern Kentucky prep football poll. The Raiders have returned a lot of talent and experience from last year's squad that finished 2009 with an 8-4 record; two of Ryle's four 2009 losses came against Highlands. Ryle (1-0), led by quarterback Conner Hempel and running back Travis Elliott, punished Covington Catholic 61-7 in the first week of the 2010 season. Class 5A Highlands (1-0) defeated Class 6A Louisville DuPont Manual 45-14 in the first week of play.

Last season, Highlands and Ryle played each other twice, with the Bluebirds winning both contests by scores of 37-14 and 31-14. The two programs play each other twice again this season; the second game of the series, played at Ryle, is scheduled for the last week of the 2010 regular season and will be televised live on Fox Sports Ohio. Highlands is 8-1 all-time against Ryle.

The game will be held at Highlands High School of Friday, August 27 at 7:30PM.

USA Today will be broadcasting this game live on USAToday.com.

In addition to the varsity action, the Highlands junior varsity (JV) team will play the Ryle JV team on Saturday, August 28 at 10:00AM; the game will be held at Ryle. The Highlands freshman team will take of the Louisville Saint Xavier freshman team on Friday, August 28 at 7:30PM, at Highlands. These contests will be the first games of the 2010 season for both the Highlands JV and the Highlands freshman squads.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Highlands Continues Win Streak in 2010

2010 Week One: Highlands 45 Louisville DuPont Manual 14
Date/Time: Friday, August 20 at 7:30PM
Location: Highlands High School

Fort Thomas Highlands extended it current win streak to 29 games after blasting Class 6A Louisville DuPont Manual 45-14 in the season opener for both teams. The Class 5A Bluebirds attacked the Crimsons with a well-balanced offense, rushing for 286 yards and passing for 147 yards. Running back Corey Compton led the Bluebirds' rushing effort in the first half, gaining 64 yards on the ground and scoring three touchdowns. Running back Jordan Streeter matched Compton's yardage total, amassing 64 yards on 11 carries. Running back Colin Seidl rushed for 50 yards and one touchdown in the second half. Quarterback Patrick Towles completed 11 of his 20 passing attempts in the game. He finished the contest with 147 passing yards and one touchdown, a 20-yard connection to wide receiver Daniel Gold in the second quarter. Towles threw no interceptions in the game. Gold caught three passes for 45 yards and wide receiver Austin Sheehan hauled in three passes for 65 yards. In addition to making all of his extra point attempts, kicker Adam Weinel made a 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

On defense, Highlands played a tremendous game, limiting Manual to 15 yards of offense in the first half. The Bluebirds' defensive linemen and linebackers penetrated Manual's offensive backfield throughout the game, recording several quarterback sacks. Defensive back Austin Abner made a key interception late in the first half, which set up a Highlands touchdown to extend the Bluebirds' lead to 28-0 at halftime. Also, defensive back Drake Bruns made an interception that he returned 50 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Highlands entered the game ranked first in Kentucky Class 5A in all the state's preseason ranking lists. Highlands was also ranked first in Northern Kentucky, regardless of football classification.

The Highlands junior varsity (JV) team was initially scheduled to play the Louisville DuPont Manual JV team on Saturday, August 21. However, this game was canceled by Manual.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2010 varsity record: 1-0 (0-0 in district play)
- Highlands' 2010 junior varsity (JV) record: 0-0
- Highlands' 2010 freshman record: 0-0

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Highlands Takes on DuPont Manual in Season Opener

Fort Thomas Highlands will host Louisville DuPont Manual in the opening game of the 2010 regular season. Overall, these two programs have played against each other only twice; Manual defeated Highlands 18-0 in 1937 and Highlands beat Manual 19-8 in 2009.

Class 5A Highlands finished the 2009 season with a 15-0 record and the Class 5A state title. Class 6A Manual finished the 2009 season with a 5-7 record, advancing to the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs.

The game will be played at Highlands on Friday, August 20 at 7:30PM.

The Highlands junior varsity (JV) and Highlands freshman teams do not begin their seasons until August 28.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

2010 Highlands Varsity Football Schedule

August 20 at 7:30PM - Highlands vs. Louisville DuPont Manual

August 27 at 7:30PM - Highlands vs. Ryle

September 3 at 7:00PM - Highlands vs. Beechwood

September 10 at 7:30PM - Highlands vs. Cincinnati Withrow (Ohio)

September 17 at 7:00PM - Highlands at Boone County

September 25 at 12:00PM - Highlands at Louisville Eastern

October 1 at 7:00PM - Highlands at Dixie Heights*

October 8 - Open

October 15 at 7:00PM - Highlands vs. Covington Catholic*

October 22 at 7:00PM - Highlands at Scott*

October 28 at 7:00PM - Highlands at Ryle

* = Kentucky Class 5A, District 5 Game

2010 Highlands Junior Varsity (JV) Football Schedule

August 28 at 10:00AM - Highlands JV at Ryle JV

September 4 at 10:00AM - Highlands JV at Conner JV

September 11 at 10:00AM - Highlands JV at Cincinnati Withrow (Ohio) JV

September 18 at 10:00AM - Highlands JV vs. Boone County JV

September 25 - Open

October 2 at 10:00AM - Highlands JV vs. Dixie Heights JV

October 9 at 11:00AM - Highlands JV vs. Louisville Saint Xavier JV

October 16 at 10:00AM - Highlands JV at Covington Catholic JV

October 23 at 11:00AM - Highlands JV at Scott County JV

October 30 at 10:00AM - Highlands JV vs. Ryle JV

2010 Highlands Freshman (Fr.) Football Schedule

August 28 at 7:30PM - Highlands Fr. vs. Louisville Saint Xavier Fr.

September 2 at 6:00PM - Highlands Fr. vs. Campbell County Fr.

September 9 at 6:00PM - Highlands Fr. vs. Boone County Fr.

September 15 at 6:00PM - Highlands Fr. at Cooper Fr.

September 23 at 6:00PM - Highlands Fr. at Conner Fr.

September 30 at 6:00PM - Highlands Fr. vs. Dixie Heights Fr.

October 6 at 5:00PM - Highlands Fr. at Covington Catholic Fr.

October 14 at 6:00PM - Highlands Fr. vs. Ryle Fr.

October 21 at 6:00PM - Highlands Fr. vs. Newport Central Catholic Fr.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Highlands Enters Season Ranked First

Fort Thomas Highlands enters the 2010 football season where it let off in 2009 - ranked first. Both the Louisville Courier-Journal and the Lexington Herald-Leader recently released their Kentucky high school football 2010 preseason coaches' polls and Highlands sits atop the Class 5A rankings in both lists.

Also, Jody Demling of the Louisville Courier-Journal has listed Highlands' quarterback, junior Patrick Towles, as one of the state's 25 best football prospects.

The 2010 football season officially kicks off for Highlands on Friday, August 20, when the Bluebirds host Class 6A Louisville DuPont Manual.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Trinity Beats Highlands in a Shootout

2010 Preseason Scrimmage: Highlands 42 Louisville Trinity 49
Date/Time: Friday, August 13 at 7:30PM
Location: Highlands High School

Kentucky's two prep football juggernauts squared off in the year's only preseason scrimmage for both teams. Class 6A Louisville Trinity defeated Class 5A Fort Thomas Highlands 49-42. The scrimmage was played under a regular-game format. The game, which was predicted by many to be a defensive struggle, became an offensive shootout. Trinity quickly advanced to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Highlands, led by quarterback Patrick Towles, running back Corey Compton and wide receivers Daniel Gold and Austin Sheehan on offense, battled back to cut the Shamrocks' lead to seven points at halftime. The Bluebirds managed to tie the game at 35-35 in the third quarter following a Towles rushing touchdown. However, the 'Birds were never able to take the lead and Trinity's defense stopped a Highlands drive late in the game to preserve a 49-42 victory.

This scrimmage was part of the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association's 2010 Tom Potter Classic.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Bruns, Abner and Weinel Receive Preseason Recognition

TriStateFootball.com just released its 2010 Preseason All-TriStateFootball.com Team, and three Highlands players have been recognized. Junior defensive back Drake Bruns has been listed as a First Team player, while senior defensive back Austin Abner and senior kicker Adam Weinel have been listed as Honorable Mention.

This recognition is especially noteworthy, given that players from all over Southwest Ohio (including Cincinnati), Northern Kentucky and Eastern Indiana were considered for this preseason team.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Highlands Set to Host Trinity in Preseason Scrimmage

The Fort Thomas Highlands Bluebirds will host the Louisville Trinity Shamrocks this Friday at Highlands' David Cecil Memorial Stadium. This contest marks the only preseason scrimmage for both teams. These two programs, arguably the most storied in Kentucky, have won a state-record 19 state football titles. Also, both teams are considered major championship contenders this season, Highlands in Class 5A and Trinity in Class 6A. This preseason game will be the first-ever scrimmage between Highlands and Trinity, and the two programs have only played each other twice in the regular season; Trinity defeated Highlands 20-7 in 1969 and Highlands beat Trinity 42-29 in 2000. The scrimmage is to be played under a regular-game format and is part of the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association's 2010 Tom Potter Classic.

The scimmage will be played at Highlands on Friday, August 13 at 7:30PM.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Highlands to be Televised Live on Fox Sports Ohio

Fox Sports Ohio will be televising the October 28 Highlands varsity football game live, as part of its High School Football Game of the Week coverage. Fort Thomas Highlands will take on Ryle during the final game of the 2010 regular season. The contest will be played at 7:00PM at Ryle High School. This is the only game involving Northern Kentucky teams that is included in Fox Sports Ohio's television line-up, as all the other games feature Ohio prep teams. Highlands and Ryle clash twice this season; the first game, scheduled for August 27, will be played at Highlands.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Highlands Ranked by PrepNation

The PrepNation National Prep Football Poll has been released, in preparation for the start of the 2010 season. Fort Thomas Highlands is ranked 19th in the Midwest Region. Class 5A Highlands is the second-highest ranked Kentucky team in this poll, behind Class 6A Louisville Saint Xavier.