Back in 1980, the Fort Thomas Living published an article containing "All-Highlands" teams for two different eras... one from 1915-1953 and the other from 1954-1980. It was based on a polling of Fort Thomas residents and from consultation with local Highlands football "experts." You can go to the webpage below to see these lists:

 

Highlands Bluebirds - Historical Greats

 

It would be great to have an "All-Highlands" team developed for the time period of 1981 to the present, as there have been many great players from this era. Does anyone have an idea on how such a thing could be done? I suspect it would be very hard for the current Fort Thomas Living staff, or the staff for Inside to pull off another local poll, similar to what was done back in 1980. If anyone has ideas on how an All-Highlands team could be devised I would love to hear them. I wonder if the Highlands journalism department still has its students come up with journalism projects? If so, it could be an interesting project for a Highlands journalism student to take on!

Back in 1980, the Fort Thomas Living published an article containing "All-Highlands" teams for two different eras... one from 1915-1953 and the other from 1954-1980. It was based on a polling of Fort Thomas residents and from consultation with local Highlands football "experts." You can go to the webpage below to see these lists:

 

Highlands Bluebirds - Historical Greats

 

It would be great to have an "All-Highlands" team developed for the time period of 1981 to the present, as there have been many great players from this era. Does anyone have an idea on how such a thing could be done? I suspect it would be very hard for the current Fort Thomas Living staff, or the staff for Inside to pull off another local poll, similar to what was done back in 1980. If anyone has ideas on how an All-Highlands team could be devised I would love to hear them. I wonder if the Highlands journalism department still has its students come up with journalism projects? If so, it could be an interesting project for a Highlands journalism student to take on!

 

The most interesting discussion will be OT and QB. Two well established positions.

Too many deserving players since '81...I say have an all 80's, 90's, '2000's etc.

that would not be fair the whole defense from the 82 team would be on it

that would not be fair the whole defense from the 82 team would be on it

 

Marty Moore might have something to say about that.

Marty Moore might have something to say about that.

 

or Brent Grover

or Mike Mitchell or Austin Collinsworth or Corey Scarlotto etc.

How many Roller's or Abner's make the team?

How many Roller's or Abner's make the team?

 

 

Great point, but how about the Fennell's or the Bathianty's...

 

I think these threads can be alot of fun for the Highlands faithful and heck even the HS football gurus.

IMO, this is what makes a program like Highlands so special, not one individual, not one legacy will ever be crowned the "Best of the Best", it can be debated, names will be thrown out there and people will scratch there head and say "WOW, he was really good too", but at the end of the day as a coaching legend himself would say in my best Dale's voice...

"each State Championship team stands on the shoulders of those before them"

 

And when Dale says that, what I believe he is really sayin is that every Highlands player stands on the shoulders of those that played before them, regardless of whether they won a State Championship or not, regardless of how many brothers, uncles and Dad's that took the field at DCM, but rather through the hard work, dedication and fact that "We are Highlands" is the true definition of being a Highlands football player. :thumb:

The thing is that there are the BEST players but nobody will ever agree on them or post them because somebody may get their feathers ruffled, no pun intended.

 

The fact that we can have discussions about so many GREAT players is satisfying enough.

 

I would have enjoyed watching the 82 Birds team but I was a youngster in a different city watching a pretty darn good Class A Bellevue team.

 

I do have a question though about that 82' defense. Who was the hardest hitter on that team and who led in tackles?

The thing is that there are the BEST players but nobody will ever agree on them or post them because somebody may get their feathers ruffled, no pun intended.

 

The fact that we can have discussions about so many GREAT players is satisfying enough.

 

I would have enjoyed watching the 82 Birds team but I was a youngster in a different city watching a pretty darn good Class A Bellevue team.

 

I do have a question though about that 82' defense. Who was the hardest hitter on that team and who led in tackles?

 

This homer is going to go with DE Ted Abner with around 25 sacks that year. Yes, I did say 25!!!! The 82 defense was "Dirty" good.....Remember no one scored on them and crossed the 50 yard line as Freshman.

This homer is going to go with DE Ted Abner with around 25 sacks that year. Yes, I did say 25!!!! The 82 defense was "Dirty" good.....Remember no one scored on them and crossed the 50 yard line as Freshman.

 

That is just crazy !!!

I will take a shot at it. This is off the top of my head, so I am sure I have left out some worthy players.

 

QB - Jared Lorenzen (UK)

RB - Justin Frisk (Thomas Moore)

RB - John Bankamper (Dayton maybe?)

WR - Brett Hamblin (UK sort of)

WR - Randy Stegman (Maimi OH)

TE - Derek Smilth (UK)

OL - Rob Smith (UT)

OL - Sean Sester (Purdue)

OL - Scott Kuhnhein (Ohio State)

OL - Jeff Reinstatler (UC)

OL - Dave Berringer (UK)

 

Punter: Ben Sutkamp (Thomas Moore)

 

DL - Ben Scott (UK sort of)

DL - John Schlarman (UK as OL)

DL - Dave Fischer (EKU)

LB- Marty Moore (UK)

LB - Brent Grover (Purdue)

LB - Cory Scarlato (Youngsown State)

LB - Jordan Nevels (UK as DB)

DB - Austin Collinsworth (Notre Dame)

DB - Mike Mitchell (Ohio U / NFL)

DB - Jeff Kremer (UK as LB)

DB - Drake Bruns (UC)

 

Place Kicker: Drew Bethainy

 

Kickoff/Punt Returns: Matt Hoffman and Robby Peterman

John Schlarman (UK) on the O-Line.

Edited December 11, 201213 yr by Bluerunner
spelling

No Teddy Abner, Tim Barth, Mark Cottingham, Tony Dougherty or Jim Ulbrink mean nasty defensive players that took control and just wanted to win you are gone but not forgotten in my eyes and some of the best to come out of HHS.

Edited December 12, 201213 yr by Ram
Rule 13