Highlands 62 Bryan Station 44

[katbird]

Talk about no defense!

 

JV played the whole 2nd half..BS scored 7pts on the Birds first team D...BS played their first team on offense and defense the whole game.. Which I personally didn't get?

[Clyde]

I don't have a problem with Station playing their starters. One team doesn't get to dictate to the other how long their starters play. Add in its game 2 or 3 for Station and they have things they want to work on and I have no problem with getting them reps the entire game.

[katbird]

I don't have a problem with Station playing their starters. One team doesn't get to dictate to the other how long their starters play. Add in its game 2 or 3 for Station and they have things they want to work on and I have no problem with getting them reps the entire game.

 

To each his own. When you start on side kicking after every score knowing you are playing against the 3rd and 4th string not cool to me. We all know if Dale keeps his ones in the score is 80-14..

[Guest Birdflu]

I don't have a problem with Station playing their starters. One team doesn't get to dictate to the other how long their starters play. Add in its game 2 or 3 for Station and they have things they want to work on and I have no problem with getting them reps the entire game.

 

But yet the the team that is up 36 points with a running clock, is unofficially obligated to put in their second team. And with the running clock being at 36, and happening so early, it gives the losing team, with their first team in the game, plenty of time to get back in the game. I think 45 was the right number of points for a running clock (if there is going to be one).

[Ram]

But yet the the team that is up 36 points with a running clock, is unofficially obligated to put in their second team. And with the running clock being at 36, and happening so early, it gives the losing team, with their first team in the game, plenty of time to get back in the game. I think 45 was the right number of points for a running clock (if there is going to be one).

I agree, 36 is too low and a team can recover from 36 points. I think we will see most coaching leaving their starters in until the 45 point mark, rather then substituting after the running clock starts like in the past.

[Clyde]

To each his own. When you start on side kicking after every score knowing you are playing against the 3rd and 4th string not cool to me. We all know if Dale keeps his ones in the score is 80-14..

 

No question there's a fine line. I was speaking more in generalities about me being a coach and having to take my 1s out because you took yours out.

[Clyde]

But yet the the team that is up 36 points with a running clock, is unofficially obligated to put in their second team. And with the running clock being at 36, and happening so early, it gives the losing team, with their first team in the game, plenty of time to get back in the game. I think 45 was the right number of points for a running clock (if there is going to be one).

 

Didn't Dale put his 1s back in at some point?

[stinkyboy II]

HHS played the first team O for the entire first half.

 

I think the decision to not play the group in the second half had as much to do with the halftime break as it had to do with the score differential. I don't think Dale wanted the kids to have to get warmed up to play just a series or two . Nothing to prove.

 

Once BS scored a couple of times on the JV and recovered an on side kick, it was time to regain control.

 

Varsity O warmed up for their 8 seconds of 2nd half action. 1 play - 1 45 yd. TD pass. Back to cheering on the JV squad.

[Guest Birdflu]

Didn't Dale put his 1s back in at some point?

 

For one play, as I understand it. Probably wouldn't have happened if the first team had stayed in until there was a 45 point lead or Bryan Station hadn't played their first team against Highlands second team. It's fine if Bryan Station wants to leave their first team in, but then Highlands has every right to leave their first team in also.

[Whackem'n'Stackem']

Please stop. Looks like there was 44 points of EFFORT tonight. Tell the kid that had the 79 yard TD reception for BS that it wasn't enough effort!!!

 

Maybe they were just shellshocked. Maybe the Birds were just that much faster, but it sure looked too easy for Highlands at times and when it takes more than a minute to walk off the field after the Birds scored on em' then it's warranted to question the effort.

[75center]

Doggone it, I wish HHS had a lousy defense. I'd like to see the numbers Drew and Zach could put up if they got to play more than half a game. All those WR's would get more touches also. 88 to 64 scores are ok by me. :ylsuper:

[Sweeperboy]

Given the facts of the game, I look at it from the perspective that BS took an unepected bye last week and needed the work.

 

I dont think Dale probably had any problems with BS getting the extra reps in and if the roles would be reversed Dale would have done the same thing imo.

 

Too early in the yr to sit your ones down for BS as they need the work, but Dale just needed to reaffirm to BS who the boss was and therefore the reason for re-entry of ones for the Birds on Offense.

[Sweeperboy]

Doggone it, I wish HHS had a lousy defense. I'd like to see the numbers Drew and Zach could put up if they got to play more than half a game. All those WR's would get more touches also. 88 to 64 scores are ok by me. :ylsuper:

 

Nobody going to put that number up ever against Highlands this yr or 44 for that matter...

 

 

Against their ones that is, no way, no how. Really this score gave the entire state a really false sense of hope...Just sayin

[PsalmsG]

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The train shot out of the gate a lot faster in this game.

By the time everyone in attendance blinked, the Highlands Bluebirds football team put up a typical 27 points on the scoreboard in the first quarter before adding 28 more in the second quarter to build a 55-14 halftime advantage in their 62-44 non-district win over the Lexington Bryan Station Defenders on Friday at David Cecil Memorial Stadium. Undefeated Highlands (3-0) had not scored any points in the first quarters of the previous two games against University Christian (Fla.) and Campbell County.

But the Bluebirds made sure that changed quickly on their first possession. They fed the ball to senior standout running back Zach Harris and he finished off the 80-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown on a swing pass from Drew Houliston just 1:56 into the game and Highlands never looked back in improving to 90-3 since the start of 2007.

Highlands scored on all eight possessions of the first half. The Bluebirds outgained the Defenders, 459-206 in total offense in that half and 521-455 for the game.

Harris and quarterback Drew Houliston once again paced the Highlands attack. Houliston completed 15-of-22 passes for 311 yards and six touchdowns. Harris finished with 110 yards rushing on 13 carries and two touchdowns to go with four catches for 81 yards and two more touchdowns.

“Our focus all week was to get off to a good start,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator. “The guys really responded. They just executed well right off the bat.”

The duo had plenty of help. Evan Allen had three catches for 46 yards and Jensen Feggins grabbed two touchdown passes for 45 yards.

The Highlands offensive line gave Houliston plenty of time. The Defenders did not sack him once.

Bryan Station made the score more respectable in the second half. The Defenders kept their best players in the game while the Bluebirds played many reserves. Bryan Station won the second half, 30-8.

The Defenders also ran a Spread offense. Quarterback Ora Johnson completed 32-of-49 passes for 404 yards. CJ Walker led the way with nine catches for 62 yards with Tequan Claitt catching eight passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Walker also had three kick returns for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Defender wide receivers K-Ci Carmichael and Ke-I Carmichael added five catches each for 68 and 66 yards respectively. K-Ci Carmichael had two touchdowns.

Highlands recorded 27 first downs to 21 for Bryan Station. The Bluebirds also scored on all five trips to the Red Zone and the Defenders converted on 3-of-4 trips inside the Bluebird 20.

“We were concerned about keeping the quarterback in the pocket,” said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator. “They have good athletes and they’re going to be a good team as the season goes along.”

Highlands faced a Spread offense last week in Campbell County. But Bryan Station threw the ball better. The Bluebirds contained the Defender offense for the most part in the first half. Johnson rolled out of the pocket and even scrambled when things broke down.

“We’ve been sticking to keeping the quarterback contained in practice,” said Michael Ayers, Highlands senior linebacker. “We knew (Johnson) had some talent. We wanted to keep him in front, wrap up and make tackles.”

Highlands extended the lead to 20-0 with 3:40 left in the first quarter. Harris scored from a yard out and added a 23-yard touchdown on another shovel pass after a muffed punt gave the Bluebirds the ball at the Defender 23.

After Claitt scored on a 76-yard pass from Johnson, Harris scored again from a yard out. Jared Dougherty’s extra-point kick gave the Bluebirds a 27-7 lead before Walker returned the kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Highlands led 27-14 after the first quarter.

Highlands extended its lead by outdoing its previous season-high of 27 points in a quarter with 28 in the second quarter. The Bluebirds scored 27 points in the third quarter of the season-opening win over University Christian.

Luke Brockett started the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown reception. Feggins scored his two touchdowns from 12 and 33 yards out and Hayes had a 3-yard touchdown run.

The Defenders cut the margin to 55-28 entering the fourth quarter. Johnson scored on a 2-yard run and K-Ci Carmichael hauled in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Johnson. Bryan Station then cut the lead to 19 at 55-36 after K-Ci Carmichael scored from 21 yards out with 11:48 left in the game.

“We put our twos in and they kept their ones in and were doing onside kicks, which I don’t blame them at all,” Mueller said. “They were trying to win the game. Their ones were better than our twos. They have some guys that can score quickly. We had to put our ones back in even with the running clock. That sent a message that our ones are pretty good.”

But Highlands put its first-string offense back in the game and put up a quick touchdown. Houliston found Alex Veneman in one-on-one coverage for a 52-yard touchdown to put Highlands up 62-36.

“We were just trying to pass the ball so the twos could get back in,” Veneman said. “I just got open and scored the touchdown. I just try to run faster than (opposing defensive backs) and I succeeded that time. The only thing I think about is trying to catch the ball and not miss the ball.”

The Bluebird defense ended another Bryan Station drive in the fourth quarter when Rocco Pangallo picked off a Johnson pass. Seth Hope added a fumble recovery for the Bluebirds in the first half.

Bryan Station’s last score came with 2:09 left in the game. Marcus Floyd scored on an 8-yard pass from Johnson.

Highlands continues action on Saturday at John Hardin in Elizabethtown. Game time is 7 p.m.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Highlands earns 90th win since 2007

[PsalmsG]

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds football team is getting a lot of guys healthy and that will make things even scarier for opponents as the season progresses.

Senior defensive lineman Seth Hope returned along with junior defensive back Andrew Abner. They’d been out with injuries, but made an impact in Friday’s 62-44 win over Lexington Bryan Station. The 22-time state champions moved to 3-0 with the win.

The Bluebird offensive line had also been banged up. Seniors Kyle Thurston, Kendall Kramer and Scott Turner did not play last week. But Highlands found chemistry in that rotation from the beginning in the win. Turner returned against Bryan Station.

“The line did a good job,” said Sam Little, Highlands senior offensive lineman. “We still have a pretty good starting five linemen. They were blocking like they were supposed to do protecting (Highlands quarterback) Drew (Houliston).”

The Highands offensive line received some more good news this week. Senior offensive lineman Johnny Kemplin originally thought he would not play this year because of back issues. But Kemplin said doctors cleared him to play this week and he could play as early as Saturday at John Hardin.

Conditioning for the No-Huddle Offense:

Highlands spends all season conditioning to run the No-Huddle, Spread offense. The Bluebirds run up to the line of scrimmage and snap the ball almost immediately after officials place it on the ground. Highlands ran 57 plays in the win.

“The guys just work out so hard all year long so they are in great shape,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator. “It really makes our defense get in great shape because our offense might go out there and only be out there for a minute. Really the whole team has to be in great shape.”

Eliminating the long, sustained drives:

Highlands did not score in the first quarter of the wins over University Christian (Fla.) or Campbell County. That was partially because both the Fighting Christian and Camel offenses went on long and sustained drives and ate up the clock.

Bryan Station runs a big-play, quick-strike offense like Highlands. That offense generally does not eat up the playclock. But the Bluebird defense came through on third down holding the Defenders to just 3-of-8 and 1-of-4 on fourth down.

“I thought we did well in the first half,” said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator. “We did what we wanted to do. We gave up one play. It happens. Then our twos got some great experience against a great offense. So it was a great night overall.”

Approaching Coaching Milestones:

Mueller earned his 299th victory as a head coach Friday. Mueller’s overall record is 299-65, including 240-34 in his 20th season as head coach of the Bluebirds.

Mueller finished 48-12 as head coach at Cincinnati Withrow and 11-19 at Cincinnati Sycamore before returning to his alma mater in 1994. Highlands has 11 state championships since Mueller became head coach including six in a row dating back to 2007.

Thoughts on New Mercy Rule:

Mueller gives Kentucky High School Athletic Association Commissioner Julian Tackett and staff a lot of credit for the way they handle a lot of things from the playoffs to spring football and the acclimation of pads. Tackett even earned a new four-year contract extension in July.

But Mueller said he does not agree with the new Mercy Rule originally created in 2001. The rule specifies that the running clock occurs when a team takes a 36-point lead unlike 45 last year.

“I’d rather we have no mercy rule because the guys from Bryan Station came here to play a game,” Mueller said. “They wanted to play Highlands and didn’t want the game cut short. They didn’t mind what the score would have been. They’d have loved to have played another 10 minutes of football.”

Debut Seasons:

Many sophomores have tasted their first varsity action this year with the exception of Jared Daugherty. Daugherty kicked off for the Bluebirds last years as a freshman.

This comes after two winter weight lifting and conditioning programs with the upperclassmen and coaches. Many look forward to the experience since elementary school.

“It’s a dream come true. I remember coming to (Fort Thomas) Junior League camp when I was in the second grade,” said Conner Welsch, Highlands sophomore outside linebacker. “I always looked up to (older Highlands football players). I thought it was the coolest thing just to get an autograph from one of those guys. Then to play is something special. I really appreciate the experience.”

Class 4A, District 7 Notes:

Highlands district rivals Harrison County and Covington Holmes also played Friday. The Thoroghbreds (2-1) lost for the first time this year, 28-19 to Montgomery County and the Bulldogs (2-1) beat Lloyd Memorial, 34-28.

Covington Catholic (2-0) faces defending Ohio Division I champion Cincinnati Moeller at 1 p.m. today.

Series Records vs. Lexington teams:

The Bluebirds moved to 22-9-2 all-time against squads from Lexington, including 4-1 against Bryan Station.

The most common opponent for the Bluebirds is Lafayette. Highlands is 9-5-2 against the Generals. They are 5-1 against Lexington Catholic, including state semifinal wins the last two years and 2-0 against Dunbar and 2-2 against Henry Clay.

Saturdays on the Road:

Highlands travel on three consecutive Saturdays starting with a trip to Elizabethtown to face 5A semifinalist John Hardin (2-1) at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs are coming off a 17-7 win over Meade County on Friday and have a new head coach in Chad Lewis. John Hardin was undefeated last year until losing 14-13 in the final minutes to eventual 5A champion Bowling Green.

The Bluebirds then travel to Paducah Tilghman (1-1) on Sept. 21 for another 7 p.m. contest. The drive is about 5.5 hours from Fort Thomas to Paducah. The Blue Tornado are coming off an 8-4 season last year losing 28-20 to Monroe County in the 3A second round last year. Tilghman won the 3A championship, 21-0 over Somerset in 2009.

Then the big one occurs when Highlands ventures to Park Hills to battle the arch-rival Covington Catholic Colonels at 1 p.m. on Sept. 28.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Bluebird Notes: Linemen getting healthy