Sunday, September 26, 2010

Highlands Keeps Rolling Over the Competition

2010 Week Six: Highlands 46 Louisville Eastern 0
Date/Time: Saturday, September 25 at 12:00PM
Location: Louisville Eastern High School

Fort Thomas Highlands pitched its second straight shut-out, defeating Class 6A Louisville Eastern 46-0 to remain perfect for the 2010 season. Class 5A Highlands saw all of its running backs healthy and able to play for the first time in several weeks, as Corey Compton, Jordan Streeter, Jake True and Colin Seidl saw significant action against Eastern, who entered the game with a 3-1 record. Compton racked up 44 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Streeter scored two rushing touchdowns and both True and Seidl registered one apiece. Quarterback Patrick Towles completed eight of 17 passing attempts for 257 yards; he also threw for one touchdown, a 67-yard pass to wide receiver Daniel Gold, and converted a two-point attempt. Kicker Adam Weinel made a 27-yard field goal to open up the scoring in the first quarter. Highlands' defense continued to play very well, holding Eastern's star running back Jon Davis, who has already committed to the University of Kentucky, to only 37 yards on the ground. Defensive back Drake Bruns intercepted an Eastern pass and returned it 50 yards for a Bluebirds score. Defensive back Quentin Murray also registered an interception. Linebacker Ethan Bishop also had a big game for Highlands, making several key tackles and blocking an Eastern punt.

The win extends Highlands' current win streak to 34 games.

Also, the Highlands freshman team defeated the Conner freshman squad 46-6 on Thursday, September 23 at 6:00PM. The game was played at Conner. The Highlands junior varsity (JV) team had a bye week.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2010 varsity record: 6-0 (0-0 in district play)
- Highlands' 2010 junior varsity (JV) record: 4-0
- Highlands' 2010 freshman record: 5-0

Sunday, September 19, 2010

'Birds Fly Past Boone County

2010 Week Five: Highlands 55 Boone County 0
Date/Time: Friday, September 17 at 7:00PM
Location: Boone County High School

Class 5A Fort Thomas Highlands hit the road for the first time in 2010 and handled Class 6A Boone County 55-0. Highlands jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead in the first quarter after running back Corey Compton, who returned to action after suffering a concussion earlier in the season, scored a nine-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a pair of rushing touchdowns by quarterback Patrick Towles. Highlands, ranked first in the current Northern Kentucky coaches' poll, then worked on developing depth at the running back position as sophomore Colin Seidl played significant minutes, scoring three rushing touchdowns and catching one touchdown pass to blow the game wide open. Seidl finished the game with 76 yards on eight carries and two receptions for 50 receiving yards. Back-up quarterback Donovan McCoy scored a touchdown from one yard out to round out the scoring for Highlands.

Highlands' current win streak now stands at 33 games.

Also, the Highlands junior varsity (JV) team shut out the Boone County JV team 32-0 on Saturday, September 18 at 10:00AM. The game was played at Highlands. In addition, the Highlands freshman team hammered the Cooper freshman squad 50-0 on Wednesday, September 15 at 6:00PM, at Cooper.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2010 varsity record: 5-0 (0-0 in district play)
- Highlands' 2010 junior varsity (JV) record: 4-0
- Highlands' 2010 freshman record: 4-0

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Bluebirds Hold Off Cincinnati Withrow

2010 Week Four: Highlands 34 Cincinnati Withrow 27
Date/Time: Friday, September 10 at 7:30PM
Location: Highlands High School

Fort Thomas Highlands received is biggest challenge up to this point in the season, defeating Cincinnati Withrow 34-27 to conclude a four-week stretch of home games. Because of Withrow's athleticism and speed in the defensive secondary, the 'Birds abandoned the passing game and successfully attacked the Ohio Division I Tigers on the ground, amassing 354 rushing yards in the contest. Quarterback Patrick Towles, while only completing one pass in the game, ran for 172 yards and four rushing touchdowns. He was joined in the offensive backfield by running backs Jordan Streeter and Jake True, who racked up 103 yards and 75 yards, respectively; True also scored a rushing touchdown in the game.

The top-ranked Kentucky Class 5A Bluebirds had to contend with Withrow's agile quarterback, who was able to create opportunities for himself and throw for 352 yards against a talented Highlands secondary led by defensive back Austin Abner, who made a key interception against the Tigers. Highlands was leading 34-14 in the fourth quarter but Withrow put up the game's final 13 points to narrow the margin of victory. Cincinnati Withrow entered the game with a record of 0-2 for the 2010 season. Last year, Highlands defeated Cincinnati Withrow 21-0. Of note, Coach Dale Mueller had previously been the head coach for Cincinnati Withrow and coached current Withrow head coach Doc Gamble when Gamble played for the Tigers.

With the win, Highlands' current win streak stands at 32 games.

Also, the Highlands junior varsity (JV) team defeated the Cincinnati Withrow JV team 57-12. The game was played at Cincinnati Withrow on Saturday, September 11 at 10:00AM. The Highlands freshman team hammered the Boone County freshman squad 42-0 at Highlands; the contest was played on Thursday, September 9 at 6:00PM.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2010 varsity record: 4-0 (0-0 in district play)
- Highlands' 2010 junior varsity (JV) record: 3-0
- Highlands' 2010 freshman record: 3-0

Monday, September 6, 2010

Highlands Sits Atop First Statewide Ratings

The first Dave Cantrall's Ratings have been released for the 2010 Kentucky prep football season, and Class 5A Highlands is tied for first place with Class 6A Louisville Trinity. The Dave Cantrall Ratings are published in the Lexington Herald-Leader and rank Kentucky high school football teams regardless of classification.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Bluebirds Move to 3-0

2010 Week Three: Highlands 50 Beechwood 24
Date/Time: Friday, September 3 at 7:00PM
Location: Highlands High School

Fort Thomas Highlands, ranked 21st nationally in the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings, moved to 3-0 on the 2010 season after defeating Class 1A power Beechwood 50-24. The host Bluebirds jumped out to a 36-0 lead early in the second quarter on account of some big plays on offense, defense and special teams. Highlands took a 43-10 lead going into halftime. Class 5A Highlands focused on the passing game, as quarterback Patrick Towles finished the contest with 288 passing yards, five touchdown passes and no interceptions. Wide receivers Brian Gall and Daniel Gold amassed 184 and 94 receiving yards, respectively; Gall hauled in three touchdown passes, Gold registered one score and tight end Ian McGurn caught a touchdown pass from Towles.

During the first quarter, linebacker Ethan Bishop made a big special teams play, recovering a fumble for a Bluebirds touchdown. Also in the first period, defensive back Ty Seidl returned a fumble 27 yards for a score. The Bluebirds played several reserves for a large portion of the game, allowing Beechwood to narrow the scoring margin in the second half. The Beechwood Tigers dropped to 0-2 on the season with this loss to Highlands. Highlands has a 5-0 record all-time against Beechwood. With the win, Highlands' win streak stands at 31 games.

On Thursday, September 2 at 6:00PM, the Highlands freshman team defeated the Campbell County freshman team 50-22. The game was played at Highlands. Also, the Highlands junior varsity (JV) team defeated the Conner JV squad 39-14. This game was played on Saturday, September 4 at 10:00AM, at Conner.

To-date:
- Highlands' 2010 varsity record: 3-0 (0-0 in district play)
- Highlands' 2010 junior varsity (JV) record: 2-0
- Highlands' 2010 freshman record: 2-0

Friday, September 3, 2010

MaxPreps Takes Note of Highlands' Early Successes in 2010

Fort Thomas Highlands (2-0) is ranked 21st in the nation, according to the current MaxPreps Freeman Rankings. The Bluebirds, who host Beechwood on Friday, September 3, are the highest-ranked Kentucky team on the list. This marks the first time this season Highlands has been nationally ranked. The 'Birds finished the 2009 season ranked as high as third in the nation.