Let's call a spade a spade. Dale was one of the best high school football coaches to ever walk the sidelines. Even if the next guy is really good, he has no chance to match what he is following.

 

So Highlands either sticks with what they have, wins some titles when the talent level is up and carries on. Or they start to make a change every 2-3 years chasing what they once had in Dale.

 

We'll see...

I hate that it appears Coach W is going to be the scapegoat in all of this. You either have the horses or you don't. Horses can make the best coaches look even better.

 

Very true.

Scott County seems to always just come out and jump on you quick and then its over before it starts . dont know how they do it but they start out the gates just moving and its almost like a shock to the other teams....

It's not a feeling anyone associated with the vaunted Highlands Bluebirds football team is used to.

 

But after Friday's 54-28 loss to Scott County at Georgetown College, it is another first since 2002. That was the last time the Bluebirds started the season with a 1-2 record. Highlands opened 2002 with losses to Lexington Henry Clay and Louisville Male before beating Campbell County.

 

The Bluebirds rebounded to go 10-4 that year before falling 45-6 at Rockcastle County in the Class 3A semifinals. That marked the lone time Highlands lost in the state semifinals during Dale Mueller's 20-year tenure as head coach.

 

The 2005 and 2006 teams beat Dixie Heights and Conner to open the season before losing two straight to tough competition. Both teams lost to Louisville St. Xavier.

 

Injury update:

 

Highlands quarterback Austin Hergott did not play in Friday's game. He sprained his right shoulder and did not practice Monday. Hergott dressed but the coaching staff did not wan to risk injuring the shoulder to the point where he would be out several weeks.

 

A couple other players went down including senior linebacker Jared Dougherty. Dougherty's right arm was in a sling after the game, but he did not know the extent of the injury. Dougherty also punts, kicks extra points and kicks the ball off.

 

Running Clock reversal:

 

Throughout the years, it had been Highlands enacting the running clock on opponents. But Scott County did that Friday scoring its last touchdown of the first half. It came with 8:01 left in the first half.

 

Tough Road forward:

 

It only becomes more challenging for Highlands before district action begins. The next three opponents in Ryle, Louisville St. Xavier and Simon Kenton could enter the game against the Bluebirds undefeated. They were a combined 6-0 as of Saturday morning.

 

Simon Kenton had to finish up a non-district game against Conner and Ryle had to finish a game against Boone County on Saturday. Both games were postponed because of excessive rain and thunderstorms in Northern Kentucky.

 

Undefeated in Class 5A:

 

Six teams in 5A are undefeated as of Saturday morning. They are Anderson County, North Laurel, Bullitt Central, North Bullitt, Owensboro and Grant County. Grant County had a game against Lloyd Memorial postponed at halftime until Saturday because of the weather.

 

Highlands volleyball splits September Slam matches:

 

The Ladybirds are 5-4 after going 1-1 to open the September Slam at Scott High.

 

Highlands took down George Rogers Clark, 2-0 (25-14, 25-13) before losing to Conner, 2-0 (25-19, 25-17). That marked the second loss of the season to the Lady Cougars.

 

The Ladybirds open the second day against Oldham County. Game time is 9 a.m.

 

Graybill commits to Louisville:

 

Highlands senior Shelby Graybill originally committed to Bowling Green State University. But the Falcons went through a coaching chance after the spring.

 

Graybill backed out and committed to Louisville. The Cardinals finished 30-19 last year and are led by Head Coach Sandy Pearsall.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: Bluebird Notebook: Last 1-2 start came in 2002

GEORGETOWN - The script seemed a lot like the last meeting in 2012.

 

The host football team came out swinging like crazy and the visiting team could not respond. The initial result came in the form of a huge halftime lead that held up in the second half.

 

Scott County (3-0 overall), ranked fourth in the Class 6A Associated Press poll, took the fight to the visiting Highlands Bluebirds (1-2) and never looked back in the first half. The Cardinals led 40-0 at halftime and cruised to a 54-28 victory. That left Highlands with its first 1-2 start since 2002 and as many losses as last year's Class 4A state championship run.

 

"There's not much to say," said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Head Coach. "We'll watch the film and get ready for Ryle."

 

Veteran Scott County Head Coach Jim McKee had not forgotten the 2012 meeting in Fort Thomas. Highlands led 47-14 at halftime en route to a 60-37 win. That was the first meeting between the two programs since 1979.

 

"I think in life you're never as good as you think you are and you're never as bad as you might think you are," McKee said. "(In 2012) At halftime, I said, 'Guys. They're better than us, but they're not that much better. Let's regroup and go out and try to win the second half.' It was kind of the same (Friday). We got off to such a fast start. We're not that much better than they are and they know that. We do have very talented skill people on the team."

 

The Highlands 3-4 defense could not stop the vaunted Scott County traditional Wing-T offense. Scott County outgained Highlands, 419-290 in total offense, including 230-197 on the ground. That total was 377-71 in favor of the Cardinals at halftime.

 

Senior fullback Noah Hughes led Scott County with seven rushes for 82 yards and senior halfback Keith Guy had five rushes for 63 yards. Scott County pounded Highlands up the middle before springing sweeps outside or play-action passes.

 

Defensively in its 3-4, Scott County kept the Highlands Spread offense in check. Senior Nick Kendall finished with 175 yards rushing on 17 carries mostly in the second half.

 

Highlands started junior Brady Gosney at quarterback allowing Austin Hergott's sprained right shoulder to heal. Gosney completed 9-of-25 passes for 93 yards. Chandler New led Highlands with three catches for 49 yards and Bradley Greene had three for 16.

 

Scott County scored in the first two minutes and never looked back. Hughes pulled off a 60-yard run to the Highlands 4 and Kendrick Hamilton scored. The extra-point try failed leaving the score 6-0 Scott County.

 

The Cardinals scored again with 4:39 left in the first. Jordan Darnell caught a long pass from sophomore quarterback Josh Davis and Guy scored from a yard out. Guy then scored on a 44-yard sweep with 3:27 left in the first quarter to put Scott County up 19-0.

 

Highlands tried to roll out on its next possession. But Hamilton picked up the fumble and scored from 15 yards out to put Scott County up 26-0.

 

The Cardinals had one more touchdown in the first quarter. Glenn Covington hauled in a 23-yard pass from Davis with 38.5 seconds left.

 

Davis had his lone touchdown with 8:01 left in the second quarter. That gave the Cardinals a 40-0 advantage.

 

"Our quarterback is good for a young kid and he makes good decisions," McKee said. "My son (Clay) was the quarterback the last three years. It was his second game ever up at Highlands and he threw a pick-six. I give him a hard time. This kid was ahead of where you were as a sophomore."

 

Highlands did win the second half. It started when Kendall broke off an 81-yard run out of the wildcat formation. Gosney then completed the two-point conversion to Greene to trim the margin to 40-8.

 

Scott County then fumbled and senior defensive lineman Luke Lindeman picked up the fumble and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 40-14 with 3:10 left. But Simon Bond returned the kickoff back 70 yards for a touchdown to put Scott County up 47-14 with 2:12 left in the third.

 

Kendall then recorded another touchdown on an 8-yard run before Bond recorded is second touchdown on a 14-yard score with 4:42 left in the game. Gosney ran a nice read-option left to make the final score with 49 seconds left.

 

Highlands plays two straight home games starting with Ryle on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: Bluebirds fall on road to Cardinals

Mueller saw the writing on the wall. Know when to hold and when to fold. Walk away ahead. He did. Wise move. Don't tarnish a legacy.

 

Even the Bluebirds can suffer when the crown changes hands. I recall the Duffy Era...

 

A coach can make or break a HS program. Really, as a JC fan, I can't not relish seeing this, but still, get well soon, right? You guys carry our flag as a state.

Simon Bond, the kid who returned the kickoff for a TD late in the game was shot out of a cannon. That young man just blew by everyone. I don't think I have seen speed like the ever in a HS football game.

 

Kendall had an explosive run also late. He has excellent speed and needs to he b the workhorse this yr for the Birds. I would just keep giving him the ball at this point.

Complete mismatch, Highlands just doesn't have much this year. I can't believe I'm typing this but is this a .500 ball club?

 

It happens sometimes no matter who you are. The question in my mind is whether the Birds will react to a .500 record like the 2013 Trinity or the 2014 Trinity come play-offs.

I really do not believe that Dale saw what was coming and retired. I think he simply retired. Highlands will be okay. Much like Beechwood in the 90s there has to be and end to the total domination at some point. They will be competitive every year and will win their share of titles.

Congratulations to Scott County on the win!

 

Still love my Birds no matter what.

 

Prayers to all the players out with an injury; hope none are serious.

How would this game had been different had Hergott played?

How would this game had been different had Hergott played?

 

When your defense allows 54 points, probably wouldn't have made much difference, IMO.

When your defense allows 54 points, probably wouldn't have made much difference, IMO.

 

Mostly agree but if your D1 QB can help put drives together it keeps the D off of the field and , hopefully, puts points on the board.

The one big thing that Dale did well was start each season with an offensive identity and stuck with it. This year they don't, but looked like they were starting to in the CC game. Last night, they were forced to abandon that due to injury at the QB position and a huge 1st half deficit. As a NewCath fan, I watch slow starters right themselves frequently. Get Hergott back healthy, stick to establishing the running game like they were against CC, probably think about going to a 4-3 or a 4-2-5 on d, and they will be fine. It is tough to go from putting up 50+/game each year and then have to basically completely change. BW is a very intelligent person. It will get fixed.

I have not seen Highlands yet, but I predict Highlands beats Ryle if Hergott and Daugherty are healthy.