I believe halftime of this game the 64' and 89' team are going to be honored for the 50th and 25th anniversary state championship season.

 

I wonder if Duffy will show for the 89 Recognition or do you think he will have another Funeral?

Looking at the Roster's this is a very comparable matchup in terms of size. I know OHS has great team speed, I'm assuming Highlands will have great team speed also. As far as flat out speed, I think Venneman is the fastest (based on 100 track times), while OHS has a couple close, but not as fast as he is (Johnson & Barrett)...no track times on James, Collier, Phillips but there is plenty of speed on both sides of the ball for OHS (and I'm sure the same for HHS). Highlands nice sized O-line, same for Owensboro. Both have solid QB's although HOGE gets the edge as one of the premier atheltic QB's in the state. Locher is very heady at running and passing. I look for Walker to cover Venneman. Oddly, the LB's and Secondary are all about the same size for both teams.

 

Hopefully Lindsey plays. He missed last week but he is a mean FB and LB with tons of strength and speed. If it's up to him, he will no matter what, but I'm sure they have to clear him.

 

Update in the quick sprints Johnson is a tad faste, Veneman a tad faster in the 100:

 

55m

Johnson 6.7

Venneman 6.97

 

100m

Venneman 11.07

Johnson 11.14

Edited December 3, 201411 yr by Brown

Looking at the Roster's this is a very comparable matchup in terms of size. I know OHS has great team speed, I'm assuming Highlands will have great team speed also. As far as flat out speed, I think Venneman is the fastest (based on 100 track times), while OHS has a couple close, but not as fast as he is (Johnson & Barrett)...no track times on James, Collier, Phillips but there is plenty of speed on both sides of the ball for OHS (and I'm sure the same for HHS). Highlands nice sized O-line, same for Owensboro. Both have solid QB's although HOGE gets the edge as one of the premier atheltic QB's in the state. Locher is very heady at running and passing. I look for Walker to cover Venneman. Oddly, the LB's and Secondary are all about the same size for both teams.

 

Hopefully Lindsey plays. He missed last week but he is a mean FB and LB with tons of strength and speed. If it's up to him, he will no matter what, but I'm sure they have to clear him.

 

Update in the quick sprints Johnson is a tad faste, Veneman a tad faster in the 100:

 

55m

Johnson 6.7

Venneman 6.97

 

100m

Venneman 11.07

Johnson 11.14

 

The 55 would be a better gauge for football speed, no? Both are BLAZING. Of course, then you have game speed and Venneman has TONS of that. Man, 11.07 and 11.14 hundred meters. That is insane.

Looking at the Roster's this is a very comparable matchup in terms of size. I know OHS has great team speed, I'm assuming Highlands will have great team speed also. As far as flat out speed, I think Venneman is the fastest (based on 100 track times), while OHS has a couple close, but not as fast as he is (Johnson & Barrett)...no track times on James, Collier, Phillips but there is plenty of speed on both sides of the ball for OHS (and I'm sure the same for HHS). Highlands nice sized O-line, same for Owensboro. Both have solid QB's although HOGE gets the edge as one of the premier atheltic QB's in the state. Locher is very heady at running and passing. I look for Walker to cover Venneman. Oddly, the LB's and Secondary are all about the same size for both teams.

 

Hopefully Lindsey plays. He missed last week but he is a mean FB and LB with tons of strength and speed. If it's up to him, he will no matter what, but I'm sure they have to clear him.

 

Update in the quick sprints Johnson is a tad faste, Veneman a tad faster in the 100:

 

55m

Johnson 6.7

Venneman 6.97

 

100m

Venneman 11.07

Johnson 11.14

 

Since you expect Walker to cover Venneman I assume Johnson plays on offense?

There is a small sample size of 55 meter races - I think all indoor. Plenty of 100 races and yes they are both blazing. I've seen Venneman on film and he has great speed. He'll be a tough cover. As far as Johnson, he is a running back/wide receiver...I don't see him on defense much, although occasionally he does. Walker is the best corner (the KHSAA site has him at 5-4 130 or something) that has to be last year. I would guess he is around 5-10 to 6-0 and he is the best corner they have, although the rest of the secondary is solid IMHO.

 

Johnson needs more touches, but he was out for the first part of the year. He is Steve Smith quick. Steve Smith might not outrun everyone in the 100, but he goes from 0 to 60 in a blink of an eye. Same for Johnson and Barrett. They can cut well and are at full speed very quickly.

Highlands wins.

 

BGP will break if they don't, and I'll be out of a job.

How many OHS players go both ways? For those that do, will they play MOST snaps on both sides of the ball, HALF of the snaps on the non-dominant side of the ball (e.g., a primarily offensive player will play half the defensive snaps) or only OCCASIONALLY on non-dominant side of the ball?

 

Last year, I would say Collins had a few players that OCCASIONALLY played on the non-dominanat side of the ball. Given HHS' desire to play tempo on offense (zebra sets the ball, ball gets snapped pretty quickly thereafter), if OHS has several 2-way players, they will get worn down.

Highlands wins.

 

BGP will break if they don't, and I'll be out of a job.

 

On the contrary, you should be in for a big bonus based on last year's post volume. HHS should have asked for a cut.

MCPAPA,

 

I think most people realize Highlands is a great team and program and they are definitely favored to win. That's why its such an honor for our kids to play them. To be the best you want to play the best. Hopefully OHS can make a game of it.

How many OHS players go both ways? For those that do, will they play MOST snaps on both sides of the ball, HALF of the snaps on the non-dominant side of the ball (e.g., a primarily offensive player will play half the defensive snaps) or only OCCASIONALLY on non-dominant side of the ball?

 

Last year, I would say Collins had a few players that OCCASIONALLY played on the non-dominanat side of the ball. Given HHS' desire to play tempo on offense (zebra sets the ball, ball gets snapped pretty quickly thereafter), if OHS has several 2-way players, they will get worn down.

 

According to KHSAA rosters 2-deep, there is 2 guys listed at bothway starters (James and Barrett). Really there is #14 who plays safety moreso than James, but he subs in some, and Barret doesn't play all the offensive snaps, neither does James. Lindsay revolves in at FB with James (if he's healthy) and several guys rotate in and out at RB/WR like Barrett, Phillips, Gardner, Board, etc. The huge RG plays some defensive series, but I think the rest of the O'line never plays defense. One of the TE's plays DE. All of the linebackers are primarily defense, and they have a number who play the 4 positions (lindsay, #4, board, gardner, mundy, tinsley)...board has been playing a little more offense lately.

 

So I know that is confusing, but there is a little bit of both ways, not much because none of the skill players play all the time on offense. I believe in this game, if Lindsay plays, he and james will rotate in and out of offense and defense, same with Barrett, Collier, Walker and Phillips. There is no full-time both ways that I'm aware of...D58 can probably answer this question better.

According to KHSAA rosters 2-deep, there is 2 guys listed at bothway starters (James and Barrett). Really there is #14 who plays safety moreso than James, but he subs in some, and Barret doesn't play all the offensive snaps, neither does James. Lindsay revolves in at FB with James (if he's healthy) and several guys rotate in and out at RB/WR like Barrett, Phillips, Gardner, Board, etc. The huge RG plays some defensive series, but I think the rest of the O'line never plays defense. One of the TE's plays DE. All of the linebackers are primarily defense, and they have a number who play the 4 positions (lindsay, #4, board, gardner, mundy, tinsley)...board has been playing a little more offense lately.

 

So I know that is confusing, but there is a little bit of both ways, not much because none of the skill players play all the time on offense. I believe in this game, if Lindsay plays, he and james will rotate in and out of offense and defense, same with Barrett, Collier, Walker and Phillips. There is no full-time both ways that I'm aware of...D58 can probably answer this question better.

 

In last game I saw one lineman play fulltime both O and D and #6 (can't remember his name) played almost every play at RB/DB/special teams and was hurt late in the game and limping very bad. If he is not better for Saturday, it would be a big loss.

Hopefully Coach W has the Bird's ready to fly. The Lexington Catholic first drive of the game was very well executed. Highlands responded very calmly and answered by putting up 28 straight and then did exactly what was needed to control the game and the clock. I think they are on a mission this year and will put up good numbers throughout the game. I've been around long enough to never take anything for granted.

Birdie Tweet - the lineman was probably #54 - full time RG, but not full time D-line - although he may have played alot in a particular game. #6 plays both ways but not full time, but comes out some plays on O and D. I think he had turf toe the last several games.

I wonder if Duffy will show for the 89 Recognition or do you think he will have another Funeral?

 

Not sure about Duffy but if Weinrich doesn't come out of the locker room, I'll be upset. Kidding of course.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Blue and White have put in the usual hard work and dedication to make it back to this point.

Now that the Highlands Bluebirds football team has made it back to the Class 4A state championship game, there is just one thing on the minds of the players and coaches.

Redemption.

This team hopes to cap off the 100th season in grand fashion and do what the 1960, 1964, 1996 and 2004 teams. That’s claim a state championship after finishing runner-up the year before.

The Bluebirds (12-2) aim to do that against a team many felt would be there with them in the state championship game in the Owensboro Red Devils (12-2). Game time is 3:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Saturday at Western Kentucky University’s Feix Field, Houchens/LT Smith Stadium.

The Bluebirds hope to capture their state-record 23rd state championship and seventh in the last eight years while the Red Devils hope to capture their third crown. Owensboro won the Class 2A title in 1974 and the 3A title in 1986.

Highlands lost 37-34 to Collins in last year’s title game. The Titans threw the game-winning touchdown pass with seven seconds left. That ended the Bluebirds’ state-record run of six straight championships.

Highlands will not face the same opponent it faced in the same round of the playoffs the previous year for the first time since the 2012 state championship game. The Blueirds beat Collins, 47-0 in the first-ever meeting between the two programs that year.

Highlands and Owensboro met for the 3A title games in 1999 and 2000 when Gino Guidugli was the quarterback. The Bluebirds won those games at KFEC Cardinal Stadium in Louisville by 48-10 and 48-27 counts respectively.

The Bluebirds hope to continue the momentum from their 47-26 win over Lexington Catholic in the state semifinals. They jumped out to a 28-7 lead over the Knights and did not let the lead dwindle to single digits.

Highlands and Owensboro have one common opponent in the Warren Central Dragons. The Red Devils beat the Dragons, 28-26 on Oct. 3 and the Bluebirds shut out the Dragons, 43-0 on Oct. 31.

Highlands and Owensboro both run 3-4 defenses. The Red Devils have allowed 267 points, 2,309 yards rushing and 1,428 yards passing on the season.

“They don’t do a lot. They’re just good at what they do,” said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Head Coach. “They have a lot of speed at their skill positions. They have size up front. You have to be right on with execution to get anything on them.”

Offensively, Highlands has proven difficult to cover in its spread offense. The Bluebirds have scored 562 points on the season, rushed for 2,727 yards and passed for 3,348.

Highlands senior quarterback Beau Hoge continues to have a great season. He has completed 220-of-347 passes for 3,254 yards, 33 touchdowns and six interceptions. Hoge has also rushed for 791 yards on 106 carries and 23 touchdowns.

Senior Alex Veneman has surpassed the 1,500-yard receiving mark with 87 catches for 1,529 yards and 22 touchdowns. Fellow senior Griffin Urlage leads the team with 823 yards rushing on 127 carries and seven touchdowns.

“The key every week is to execute and take what’s there,” Weinrich said. “You can’t get greedy. We’ve done a great job in the playoffs of taking what they give us whether it’s the running game or the passing game until it’s not there. Then we find something that is there. We have to figure out how they’re doing to defend us quick, execute and keep the ball moving. We have to finish drives with scores.”

Owensboro outside linebacker GeKove Gardner leads the Red Devils with 76 tackles. The Bluebirds also must contain defensive lineman VaSaad Greer. Kishawn Walker and Airius Phillips led the Red Devils with four interceptions each and five players have two fumble recoveries each.

Owensboro needed a last-minute miracle to beat North Oldham, 27-24 in the other semifinal game Friday. Red Devil quarterback Nick Locher threw a long pass down the field. It tipped off a North Oldham defender and Owensboro junior wide receiver Jahlil Barrett skill and into the hands of junior Kishawn Walker for

It was similar to the Nov, 9, 2002 last-second Miracle in the Bluegrass when Louisiana State beat Kentucky, 33-30.

The Bluebirds hope the game does not come down to that. They’ve allowed 270 points, 2,067 yards rushing and 2,264 yards passing this year.

“You have to try to get the ball on the ground,” said Shelby Jones, Highlands Defensive Coordinator. “That’s the number one thing. You can’t let anyone get behind you at some point and not stop and jump. That’s about all you can really say about it. They try to play hard. Luck went in their favor on that one.”

The Red Devils have scored 543 points on the season. They run the Double-Slot Wing-T offense. They’ve rushed for 3,703 yards and passed for 1,375.

Highlands has seen the Wing-T offense twice this year. John Hardin and Paducah Tilghman both run it.

“It’s basically about putting them in bad positions,” said Rocco Pangallo, Highlands senior linebacker. “If we stop them with no gain on first down, stop them on second down for no gain, they do not like 3rd-and-10. They want a 3rd-and-2. It’s easier to get first downs, move the ball and eat up the clock.”

Anthony James and Locher have taken most of the carries for the Red Devils. James has 1,180 yards rushing on 171 carries and 16 touchdowns and Locher has 732 yards on 130 carries and 18 touchdowns. Nine different Red Devils have touchdowns on the season.

“They just stay with it and keep it working,” Jones said. “They’re preying on (the opponent) making a mistake. If you make mistakes, they take advantage of it.”

Locher is not afraid to put the ball in the air if necessary. He’s completed 66-of-118 passes for 1,349 yards. Barrett leads Owensboro with 16 catches for 340 yards and four touchdowns and Rodney Collier has 16 for 337 yards and five scores.

The game is a battle between the teams with the most and seventh-most wins in Kentucky High School football history. Highlands owns a state-record 867 victories and Owensboro has 713.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: Highlands faces triple-option attack in state championship game