Is Mark Higgs playing for Oboro????

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

I happened to be talking to Ashley Twehues-Thomas for an upcoming project Tuesday and mentioned the Highlands Bluebirds were playing the Owensboro Red Devils for the Class 4A state championship.

The 2004 Highlands graduate and former Butler University soccer player wondered something familiar when it comes to the Bluebirds and state championship games in recent years. Thomas wondered if it will be another Highlands blowout.

That’s understandable based on their recent run of six straight state championships. The Bluebirds beat their opponents by an average of just more than 33 points.

There did not appear to be anyone in Class 4A that had the balance to beat the Bluebirds like last year’s Collins Titans team did. Collins ended the Bluebird run with a 37-34 victory on a touchdown with seven seconds left.

You never know how things will truly pan out until the game starts. The Highlands mystique often intimidates teams and could be the case Saturday. Owensboro has not faced Highlands since the 2000 Class 3A championship game. The Bluebirds beat the Red Devils for the 1999 3A title as well.

But the Bluebirds will not go down there thinking Owensboro will lay down for them. The Red Devils may have needed a fluke play to make it to the title game. They may play their best ball considering they have nothing to lose in the underdog role and will be excited to be there like Highlands Head Coach Brian Weinrich said.

Owensboro runs the Double-Slot Wing-T triple option offense and has run it well on teams all season. That includes the losses to Bowling Green and Henderson County. The Red Devils have 3,703 yards rushing on the season.

Anthony James has 1,180 yards rushing on 171 carries and 16 touchdowns. James runs behind an Owensboro offensive line with some size. VaSaad Greer is 6-foot-3-inches, 340 pounds at the right guard.

Big and physical teams have given Highlands some problems this year. That means Owensboro could go on some long and sustained drives if Highlands does not line up right defensively. That happened to the Bluebirds in their losses to Cincinnati Elder and Miami (Fla.) Christopher Columbus.

The Bluebirds like to use their speed to get around bigger offensive lineman. D.J. Mills, Daniel Kremer and Tyler Robinson have done it well on the defensive line and linebackers like Rocco Pangallo and Brady Murray have done well coming quickly to the ball.

The Highlands secondary could also play a vital role in stopping both the Owensboro running and passing attack. Highlands junior Austin Beal made a big play in the second quarter. He tackled Lexington Catholic running back Jaylen Jones on a pass play and the ball squirted out into the hands of Highlands linebacker Jacob Noe for a crucial turnover.

The Red Devils pass the ball some. But Nick Locher has not thrown for near the yards that LexCath quarterback Reese Ryan threw for this year.

On the other side, no team has been able to slow down Beau Hoge and the Highlands offense. Hoge has been great at reading defenses all year. The first drive against Lexington Catholic was a prime example. Hoge saw an opening up the middle so he fakes to running back Griffin Urlage and scored on a read option play.

The Bluebirds have done it well with the revamped offensive line led by seniors Manny Venegas, Lou Bunning, Matt Gall and juniors Evan Richardson, Carson Haas and Bo Hebel. They’ve been opening up holes well lately.

The good news compared to last year is Highlands is not as banged up defensively.

But all in all, the it factor favors the Bluebirds. They played like a team on a mission against Lexington Catholic and will look to carry it into Saturday. They were ready since the loss in the title game last year like Pangallo said.

Game time is 3:30 p.m. Central Standard Time at Western Kentucky University.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: The Bluebirds May Have Their Work Cut Out for Them To Take State

Highlands 35-7.

Nice writes Mike...:thumb:

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

I happened to be talking to Ashley Twehues-Thomas for an upcoming project Tuesday and mentioned the Highlands Bluebirds were playing the Owensboro Red Devils for the Class 4A state championship.

The 2004 Highlands graduate and former Butler University soccer player wondered something familiar when it comes to the Bluebirds and state championship games in recent years. Thomas wondered if it will be another Highlands blowout.

That’s understandable based on their recent run of six straight state championships. The Bluebirds beat their opponents by an average of just more than 33 points.

There did not appear to be anyone in Class 4A that had the balance to beat the Bluebirds like last year’s Collins Titans team did. Collins ended the Bluebird run with a 37-34 victory on a touchdown with seven seconds left.

You never know how things will truly pan out until the game starts. The Highlands mystique often intimidates teams and could be the case Saturday. Owensboro has not faced Highlands since the 2000 Class 3A championship game. The Bluebirds beat the Red Devils for the 1999 3A title as well.

But the Bluebirds will not go down there thinking Owensboro will lay down for them. The Red Devils may have needed a fluke play to make it to the title game. They may play their best ball considering they have nothing to lose in the underdog role and will be excited to be there like Highlands Head Coach Brian Weinrich said.

Owensboro runs the Double-Slot Wing-T triple option offense and has run it well on teams all season. That includes the losses to Bowling Green and Henderson County. The Red Devils have 3,703 yards rushing on the season.

Anthony James has 1,180 yards rushing on 171 carries and 16 touchdowns. James runs behind an Owensboro offensive line with some size. VaSaad Greer is 6-foot-3-inches, 340 pounds at the right guard.

Big and physical teams have given Highlands some problems this year. That means Owensboro could go on some long and sustained drives if Highlands does not line up right defensively. That happened to the Bluebirds in their losses to Cincinnati Elder and Miami (Fla.) Christopher Columbus.

The Bluebirds like to use their speed to get around bigger offensive lineman. D.J. Mills, Daniel Kremer and Tyler Robinson have done it well on the defensive line and linebackers like Rocco Pangallo and Brady Murray have done well coming quickly to the ball.

The Highlands secondary could also play a vital role in stopping both the Owensboro running and passing attack. Highlands junior Austin Beal made a big play in the second quarter. He tackled Lexington Catholic running back Jaylen Jones on a pass play and the ball squirted out into the hands of Highlands linebacker Jacob Noe for a crucial turnover.

The Red Devils pass the ball some. But Nick Locher has not thrown for near the yards that LexCath quarterback Reese Ryan threw for this year.

On the other side, no team has been able to slow down Beau Hoge and the Highlands offense. Hoge has been great at reading defenses all year. The first drive against Lexington Catholic was a prime example. Hoge saw an opening up the middle so he fakes to running back Griffin Urlage and scored on a read option play.

The Bluebirds have done it well with the revamped offensive line led by seniors Manny Venegas, Lou Bunning, Matt Gall and juniors Evan Richardson, Carson Haas and Bo Hebel. They’ve been opening up holes well lately.

The good news compared to last year is Highlands is not as banged up defensively.

But all in all, the it factor favors the Bluebirds. They played like a team on a mission against Lexington Catholic and will look to carry it into Saturday. They were ready since the loss in the title game last year like Pangallo said.

Game time is 3:30 p.m. Central Standard Time at Western Kentucky University.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: The Bluebirds May Have Their Work Cut Out for Them To Take State

 

I think the game is at 2:30 Central time. Am I mistaken?

I think the game is at 2:30 Central time. Am I mistaken?

 

Yeah, don't show up at 330 Central time. Maybe 35-28 by then.

Sooooo...is 3:30 Ft Thomas time or Showtime..:thumb:

Hoge, Highlands out to reclaim Class 4A title

http://www.wcpo.com/sports/high-school-sports/high-school-football/beau-hoge-highlands-out-to-reclaim-class-4a-title-against-owensboro

 

 

WCPO Prediction.

Fridays before a State Championship Sat game in Ft Thomas are always real eerie...Can't explain it just quiet and peaceful :thumb:

Hoge, Highlands out to reclaim Class 4A title

Beau Hoge, Highlands out to reclaim Class 4A title against Owensboro - Story

 

 

WCPO Prediction.

 

Like the prediction. The win part of course, little too tight on score but will take it. Gino was the QB for those years of 1999 and 2000. Mr Castle received some wrong info there. Also, I see you in the background with the hat on in that Pic?

 

#winforthem

 

#crownforcowboy

Owensboro 31

Highlands 28

BRING IT HOME AGAIN BIRDS!

Like the prediction. The win part of course, little too tight on score but will take it. Gino was the QB for those years of 1999 and 2000. Mr Castle received some wrong info there. Also, I see you in the background with the hat on in that Pic?

 

#winforthem

 

#crownforcowboy

 

HAHA! Love that hat I bought from Krogers!

 

#winforthem

 

#crownforcowboy

I have said all year that Owensboro based on what they had returning was one of the top 2 teams in the state. I feel that if they limit their TO'S to 2 then they will give the birds all they want. I am going with Owensboro 36-35.

Owensboro 31

Highlands 28

 

There we are! Cut it a little close this week.