Sounds like a good win going into the playoffs, hope the Birds keep their focus. I was certainly surprised by the score.

Good job 'Birds. Time to move on and get ready for the playoffs.

Playtowin29 had to have been pleased tonite...Birds all looked the same and WC had about 9 different sock thingys going on...

 

Loved the camo look

 

Maybe your storied, classy, worldwide known program can have their boosters throw some cash out way so we can buy our kids matching underarmour suits. I'm sure you don't play against many "teams" that don't all match. You know, those teams that get referred to as "fast/athletic."

The warren central posters on here have always been classy good posters. I had no issue with Feggins press conference at the time or now. Highlands could've used Jensen last week. Jensen would've have put up Allstate Mr. Football candidate numbers with Hoge. That said, he still made the right decision in my mind to play for his father. I hope Coach Feggins builds Warren Central into a power.

Well said Bosshog. The move was the right move and the coach had every right to say what he did, no different than what most coaches would have said.

Wow I woke up this morning with a data usage overload message on my phone. Lol! Sweep and Woody were on fire last night for sure. Can't figure out why he doesn't use his own Hotspot. Now I know why.....

DragonFire - thoughts on the question posed to you in the predictions thread from Purple Nation?

 

So everyone is familliar with the question:

 

DragonFire. After the game with Highlands and give me your thoughts of who is better, Highlands or the Purples. I trust your judgement. Good luck Friday night!

 

Let me open by saying sleep has done nothing to take the sting out of the game last night. I'm trying to not to overreact to the magnitude of the loss in this comparison but it is tough.

 

Offensively, while Bowling Green has success against Central, Highlands simply did whatever they wanted to the entire night. The two teams have different approaches but I'd be hard pressed not to say that Highlands impressed me more on that side of the ball.

 

Defensively, I know that Highlands shut out the Dragons while Bowling Green did allow some points, but I give the edge to Bowling Green on that side of the ball. The Dragons failed to finish on the first half drives against Highlands, but they were able to move the ball much more than they were against Bowling Green, especially on the ground. I think Central had almost as many rushing yards on the first drive as they had in the entire game against Bowling Green, and I think it was close to the same comparison in total yardage.

 

If the two teams were to face this year it would be a classic strength on strength matchup. Highlands' offense is phenomenal. Bowling Green's defense is tremendous. The Purples would be able to do something that Central could not, which is generate a pass rush. But as I sit here the morning after watching the Dragons get shellacked, I think my honest opinion would be that Highlands would win in a matchup of these two teams. Maybe that's an overreaction or just simply that Central doesn't match up as well against Highlands, but that's my feeling this morning.

 

The good news is that while we won't see that this year, I have a pretty good feeling we will next year. Bowling Green can either prove to the Highlands supporters once and for all that things are different or the Bluebird faithful will have what they'll see as proof that it'd be just like 2007 had they been around the previous four seasons.

BTW, Highlands was the first opponent other than Bowling Green to shut Warren Central out since Hoptown did it in an atrocious playoff game 12 years ago. BG has shut out WC three times since then.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

BOWLING GREEN – Their focus looked so sharp on Friday that if it were a laser, it would burn through steel.

The Highlands Bluebirds football team (8-2) ventured south and put together its most complete game of the year dominating the host Warren Central Dragons, 43-0. The Bluebirds recorded their second shutout of the year making sure Warren Central did not have any hopes of winning late in the game like they did in last year’s 71-69 Highlands shutout win in Fort Thomas.

Highlands also avoided its first two-game losing streak since 2006. The Bluebirds moved to 8-0 against Kentucky teams dominating from the opening kickoff.

The Bluebirds overcame some adversity to win the game. Game time temperatures were 41 degrees and the strong wind did not help things.

The game also did not start until 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time because the team arrived late. The team ventured down Interstate-75 to Lexington and took the Bluegrass Parkway over to Interstate-65 near Elizabethtown then went south. Traffic around Louisville and south also did not help the situation.

“We got out of school late,” said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Head Coach. “We were running behind schedule. We were on the bus when we normally would be on the field warming up so we told them we could either let this disrupt us or we can focus in even sharper than we normally do. They came out and didn’t miss a beat.”

Highlands outgained Warren Central, 372-248 in total offense. The Bluebirds ran for 164 yards and passed for 218 in another balanced night. Defensively, they held the Dragons to 98 yards rushing and 150 passing.

“A lot of things are a lot easier if you just communicate and the guys were able to run around, have fun and get to the ball,” said Shelby Jones, Highlands Defensive Coordinator. “I give all the credit to the inside linebackers, the defensive line getting pressure. We covered well so I was really happy with the overall play.”

The Bluebirds moved up and down the field with ease offensively in its spread formation, especially in the first half when Highlands hit the running clock. Quarterback Beau Hoge completed a lot of short to medium passes to wide receivers like Alex Veneman, Eric Miller and Mitch Cain. That opened up the running lanes for Nick Kendall and Griffin Urlage and set up a few deep passes. The wind limited the deep passing game.

“We tried to keep them off-balance a little bit,” Weinrich said. “We were trying to take advantage of a couple things we saw on film. The guys executed really well. They played hard.”

The Highlands offensive line also had another big game. The Bluebirds saw Urlange run for 86 yards on two carries and two touchdowns and Kendall go for 80 yards on four carries. Warren Central had problems punting so Highlands took advantage of short field position all game.

“We were just geared toward shutting down their defense,” said Carson Haas, Highlands junior offensive lineman. “They came out in a little different front than we were expecting from what we prepared for the week (leading up to the game). We had to relearn what we were preparing for last week. We came out and we did great.”

Hoge completed 14-of-20 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. Alex Veneman again led the Bluebirds with seven catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. His go route to the left side of the end zone gave the Bluebirds the only touchdown they needed to win the game with 7:16 left in the first quarter. Kicker Jared Dougherty then made the first of five extra-point attempts.

Defensively, Highlands contained senior running back Colin Burnham and wide receiver Jensen Feggins. Burnham had 84 yards on 12 carries as the Highlands front seven won the line of scrimmage.

Former Highlands wide receiver Feggins had 10 catches for 74 yards. Defensive backs like Grayson Heck and Bradley Greene stayed 10 yards off him to take away the deep pass and the team gang tackled him when he caught the ball on short routes.

“I have to give a lot of credit to our upperclassmen,” Greene said. “They helped me a lot out there talking and communicating. That’s a big thing. We were keying on (Feggins) all night. I think we did a good job sticking with him. We had to have good technique and let everything take care of itself.”

The Bluebirds intercepted two Chance Shanklin passes. Heck and Greene had them.

Urlage added two touchdown runs in the first quarter. The first one came with 4:55 left from a yard out and the second on a 19-yard run with 3:44 left in the first. The second score gave Highlands a 21-0 lead.

Hoge then scored his two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter. The first came from a yard out with 11:56 left in the first then the second on a counter with 4:06 left in the half.

The Bluebirds open the 4A playoffs on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Fort Thomas. The opponent will again be the Boyd County Lions (2-8).

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: How sharp were the Bluebirds on Friday?

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

If Friday’s 43-0 domination of host Warren Central served as a clear indication, the Highlands Bluebirds football team (8-2 overall) is out to win one for their injured teammates.

Three Highlands seniors are out for the season in running back Josh Watson, defensive back Andrew Abner and tight end Jack Telek with torn anterior cruciated ligaments. Abner and Watson injured their legs in the loss against Cincinnati Elder and Telek hurt his in the scrimmage against Louisville Trinity in August. Telek has said there is a chance he may return in the playoffs. They still made the trip to Bowling Green to support their teammates.

“These guys have played together since they were in elementary school,” said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Head Coach. “So when one guy goes down, other guys have to step up. They feel bad for those guys. But at the same time, it was an opportunity for the other guys.”

Two of the main guys that had not played on varsity until Friday were sophomore Bradley Greene and junior Taylor Perez. The staff converted them from wide receivers to defensive back to fill in on an injured backfield. In addition to Abner, senior James Hinkel and junior Austin Beal did not play.

The Bluebirds can look to the 2006 state championship Ladybird soccer team as an example of a team rallying around a teammate to win a state championship. Senior standout and 2007 Highlands graduate Alicia Browning tore her right ACL late in the championship game against Louisville Sacred Heart.

“For the injured guys, my number one take-home by far is that it is totally surmountable,” Browning said. “With good training, medical advice and doing everything the doctor tells you, you will be back on your feet in six months. For the teammates, rally around your teammates because there’s nothing more they want than to be out there on that field playing.”

Highlands scored the game-winning goal a few minutes later with 1:01 remaining. Stephanie Newman-Durbin tracked down a ball near the line and crossed it to Amber Barth-Wells to give Highlands its second straight championship.

“At that point (of the injury), we knew we had to win the game for (Browning),” said Megan Leahy, former Highlands teammate. “She was our rock in the middle of the field who always gave our team 110 percent every game. We had no option but to win it for her, especially being our senior year.”

Browning admitted nervousness in telling then University of Kentucky Head Coach Warren Lipka the news. But Lipka supported her and her rehab got her in good shape the following fall in Lexington. Browning also advises people with injuries to keep an eye on the legs because she’s had to work through some things since the injury first occurred.

Abner and Watson’s older sisters suffered similar injuries when they played at Highlands. Ava Abner, a 2013 Highlands graduate and current Arkansas State soccer player, tore her ACL as a junior during the 2011-12 basketball campaign when Sydney Moss undercut her going for a loose ball. Sydney Watson, a 2012 Highlands graduate, tore her ACL as a junior during the 2010 volleyball season and could not play basketball until the 2011 basketball postseason.

“I’ve told him it’s just a minor setback,” Sydney Waton said. “It sucks that it had to happen three times to him, especially on his Senior Night. But he has to stay strong and believe that he will be healthy once again in the end. He’s a smart kid. I just tell him that he has to keep his head up and stay positive.”

Junior Varsity, Freshmen seasons commence:

The Highlands junior varsity and freshmen teams just completed their seasons. The junior varsity finished 1-5 following a 56-0 loss at Cincinnati Elder on Saturday and the freshmen finished 3-5 following a narrow 34-33 loss to Dixie Heights on Thursday.

Those records may have some concerned. But the underclassmen hope to prove people wrong in future seasons.

“I think that all boils down to how much work we put in the offseason and how much we’re willing to get better,” said Austin Hergott, Highlands senior quarterback. “It’s so different going from freshman year to sophomore year to junior year. It’s a new intensity. It’s a lot more competitive.”

First-round opponent questions:

The Ashland Daily Independent original reported that the Bluebirds will be taking on the Rowan County Vikings (2-8) in the first round of the 4A playoffs next week.

But Weinrich said the Bluebirds will face the Boyld County Lions again. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Highlands has faced Boyd County in the previous three years in that round.

Boyd County, Greenup County and Rowan County all finished 1-3 in District 8-4A action tied for third. Greenup County took the third seed because of its 4-6 record while both Boyd County and Rowan County finished 2-8. Rowan County beat Montgomery County (2-8) on Friday, 60-54 and Boyd County lost to Tolsia (West Virginia), 7-6.

The three first-round 4A meetings have been the only three times the Bluebirds have faced the Lions. They had also beaten Rowan County in the only two meetings in 1996 and 1997.

Class 4A report:

Johnson Central (10-0) finished as the class’ lone undefeated team with a 35-0 win over defending Class 3A champion Belfry on Friday in Paintsville. The Golden Eagles play host to winless Harrison County on Friday then could see either Covington Catholic (6-4) or Greenup County (4-6) in the second round.

State contenders Lexington Catholic (7-3) and Boyle County (9-1) continued to roll on Friday. The Knights won their sixth straight with a 36-14 win at Boone County on Friday and the Rebels took down Madison Southern, 43-7.

The Owensboro Red Devils (8-2) looked like the team to beat in the western half of the bracket. They lost 44-18 at Henderson County on Friday.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: How sharp were the Bluebirds on Friday?

Thanks Dragonfire. I think you gave a very fair assessment. It would be a great game. I've always respected Highlands. My fear (can I use that word?) next year is that our Defense will be hit hard by the departure of some key players. Offensively, next year we should have no problem running the ball.

 

My statement about Feggins earlier may have been a little harsh. Good luck. I think playoff week 3 could be a good one.

For parent's who did not get to travel to this amazing game is it on the net somewhere to listen to?