Not putting down LexCath - I just think Highlands is the better team. My C+ comment was basically for how Highlands played the Ashland Game - didn't sound like their best game. I said I don't think Highlands will overlook LC and therefore will not play their C+ game. Therefore, Highlands by at least 3 TD's. Sorry, if Owensboro makes the final, you can give me back the comment.

 

Oh no seriously I took your comment wrong. Thought you meant Lex Cath is a C+ team and Highlands will play down to that level. I could be wrong man, but I really think Lex Cath is not 21 point underdog like you indicated. They have reeled in 9 straight impressive wins, with the exception of the wind, mud, rain, monsoon game vs Taylor Co. Their offense has been impressive. Passing and the running game of Jalen Jones has been great. And as far as their defense, all this ground and pound teams that I read about had very little success against Lex Catholic defense. They have a bend but don't break defense. Not saying Highlands will loose, they just wont win by 3 TD as you predicted.

Any common opponents for Highlands and LC this yr to make any comparisons?

Lex Cath needs to fire up some prayers to Saint Eustachius (Patron Saint of Difficult Situations).

Any common opponents for Highlands and LC this yr to make any comparisons?

 

IDK... Anyone team that Highlands played can compare to Bryan Station, Lafayette or Bowling Green? Those were the 2 L and played Boyle Co twice and got the W.

Lex Cath needs to fire up some prayers to Saint Eustachius (Patron Saint of Difficult Situations).

 

Wow!

Highlands common opponent here is Station...

 

Birds held onto to pull out the win. Had it not been for some stoooopid "look at me" plays Station beats Highlands by a TD...maybe:thumb:

IDK... Anyone team that Highlands played can compare to Bryan Station, Lafayette or Bowling Green? Those were the 2 L and played Boyle Co twice and got the W.

 

H beat Bryan Station early in the year, guess that's the only common.

IDK... Anyone team that Highlands played can compare to Bryan Station, Lafayette or Bowling Green? Those were the 2 L and played Boyle Co twice and got the W.

 

Don't you mean 3 L's? None of those 3 teams were better than the two teams that Highlands lost to during the regular season. They put up 34 against a Florida team and 35 against a Division 1 Ohio team in Elder. It is not ground and pound, it is we take what you give us. Really like Highlands chances this week especially playing in the friendly confines. The disturbing thing to me about LexCath are the close wins against Madison Central and Taylor County. They beat Boyle County twice, but many said Boyle would be down a little this year as they had a lot of younger players. I guess we will see how things go in a couple of days. Good luck to both teams and may everyone come out of the game injury free.

Lexington Catholic finds a way to get the win......

 

This one is for George Ewen.

Any kids on this HHS team when LexCath was at DCM 2 yrs. ago (I think) and had the player take the cheap shots on Joe Paolucci which kept him out of the state game his Senior year? (Was discussed quite a bit on BGP.) If so, or if the films from that game are being used to prepare for LexCath, could be additional motivation (as if any additional motivation should be necessary).

I am sure HHS remembers the "head butter". A buddy of mine who was on the sideline told me that was about as mad as he has ever seen Dale Mueller regarding that kid and the fact the refs would not do anything about it.

 

Ancient history though. That kid is gone and the kids on HHS (and LC) now were on the JV or freshman teams back then.

I am sure HHS remembers the "head butter". A buddy of mine who was on the sideline told me that was about as mad as he has ever seen Dale Mueller regarding that kid and the fact the refs would not do anything about it.

 

Ancient history though. That kid is gone and the kids on HHS (and LC) now were on the JV or freshman teams back then.

 

Oh yeah I remember the "HB" he was like the energizer bunny that kept going and going and going.....

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It may be Black Friday, but it’s also been a Blue and White Friday the previous seven years in Fort Thomas.

The Highlands Bluebirds (11-2 overall) have won seven consecutive state semifinal contests and are seeking another against the same opponent they’ve beaten in the last three in the Lexington Catholic Knights (10-3). Game time is 6 p.m.

Many alums come into town for Thanksgiving weekend and the team is urging everyone to come out and make David Cecil Memorial Stadium the usual tough home field advantage because Highlands knows it is in for a battle. The Knights bring a nine-game winning streak to town while the Bluebirds have won four in a row.

Two versatile, elite quarterbacks will be on hand and the key for the opposing defenses will be containing them. They are Highlands senior Beau Hoge and LexCath senior Reese Ryan.

“It’s two of the top quarterbacks in the state going at it and two really good teams,” said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Head Coach. “We’re very similar to one another. You could change jerseys and you’d have to really sit back to see who’s who. I think it would be a fun game to see.”

Hoge surpassed the 3,000-yard mark throwing the ball in the 37-34 region final win over Covington Catholic. Hoge has completed 206-of-322 passes for 3,048 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions and rushed for a team-high 654 yards on 90 carries and 20 touchdowns.

Hoge has plenty of weapons around him led by an offensive line in the likes of seniors Matt Gall, Lou Bunning and juniors Carson Haas, Bo Hebel and Evan Richardson. Senior Griffin Urlage has rushed for 641 yards on 111 carries and five touchdowns and junior Nick Kendall has 609 yards on 79 attempts and six touchdowns.

“It all starts with the offensive line,” Urlage said. “They need to have a great game. We need to find the holes and run through them.”

If Lexington Catholic gears up to stop the run, Highlands can hurt teams with its passing game. Senior Alex Veneman continues his record-setting season with 80 catches for 1,448 yards and 21 touchdowns and junior Mitch Cain is second with 25 catches for 400 yards and three scores.

LexCath runs the 3-3-5 defense. The Knights are led by senior linebacker Chase Boling with 108 tackles and five fumble recoveries. Senior defensive back Andy Hickey has a team-high three interceptions. Senior linebacker Braxton Couch and senior defensive back Cody Mitchell add solid support.

The Bluebirds hope to play better defensively after Covington Catholic rallied with two quick scores on long touchdown passes. Highlands does have some young players in the secondary with senior Andrew “The Cowboy” Abner out for the season with a torn Anterior Cruciated Ligament. Senior James Hinkel leads Highlands with two interceptions.

Solid skill players have emerged for the Knights to support Ryan and first-year LexCath Head Coach Mark Perry. Ryan has completed 202-of-288 passes for 2,904 yards, 34 touchowns and seven interceptions. His main targets have been juniors Andy Thompson with 46 catches for 812 yards and five touchdowns and Joseph Ogbogu with 55 catches for 832 yards and 12 scores.

“We just have to go with things and see how they roll out,” said Austin Beal, Highlands junior defensive back. “We just have to stay over top of (Thompson and Ogbogu). We have to protect (the young defensive backs) and make sure they don’t get the ball downfield. We need to make sure they know what they’re doing.”

 

Ryan also has 66 carries for 321 yards and six touchdowns. But junior Jaylen Jones has emerged at running back. Jones has 250 rushes for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Highlands has made plays defensively at crucial times this season. Senior linebacker Brady Murray leads the Bluebirds with nine tackles for a loss and four sacks. Junior defensive lineman Tyler Robinson also has four sacks and senior linebacker Patrick Schoepf leads Highlands with three fumble recoveries.

“It’s just about going out, playing and doing what we do,” said Shelby Jones, Highlands Defensive Coordinator. “They have the ability to make some big plays. But if we go out, cover and do what we’re supposed to do, I feel like we should be a good shape.”

Highlands and LexCath have one common opponent in the Lexington Bryan Station Defenders. Highlands edged Bryan Station, 47-41 on Sept. 5. The Defenders handled the Knights a week later, 49-26.

The Bluebirds are 6-1 all-time against the Knights. The only loss in the series came in 2005 in a 17-0 loss at home in the 3A regional title game. That is the last time Highlands has been shut out and is the last time a team beat Highlands in the playoffs at home.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: Highlands squares off in state semifinals with similar opponent

Good article.

 

Minor correction- Hickey is junior.

Birds 37-28