FrankNicodemus Posted January 13 Posted January 13 Well I am ready to begin discussing the 2025 Outlook with the Birds packing their bags and moving to 4A. With the move they will once again meet up with their BFFs the Cov Cath Colonels in their District. All is right in the world with that being the case. Highlands will be starting Year #5 in the Sphire era, which has seen the program get so close the last 2 years to making a trip down to Kroger Field but has been stymied by their NKY new foe in Cooper Jaguars both times in the State Semi's. Coach Sphire has a current Highlands record in his 4 years at the helm of 37-14. The Birds are graduating probably their smallest class in recent history but within that class were some really nice skilled players which included the likes of: Adam Surrey, Jackson Arnold, Deven James, Jack White, Ethan Grimm, Tyus McCarter, Torin Bryant, and a handful of others. In my opinion here are the key players for 2025 (class listed will be next years class): QB room: Rio Litmer (Sr), Cale Harris (Jr), Tayden Lorenzen (Jr) RB room: Isaac Niemann (Sr), Gabe Williams (Jr), Colt Kremer (So) WR room: Brady Carnohan (Sr), Peyton Klosterman (Sr), Ian Garrahan (Sr), Tayden Lorenzen (Jr), John Feldbrugge (Jr) The Big Boy room (linemen): Max Merz (Sr), Brady Cook (Sr), Mason Howard (Sr), Peter Murriner (Sr), Teegan Haretuku (Jr) DB room: the secondary last year was so much Senior led the only one that I believe saw a ton of time the is retuning is Ryan Dunn (Sr) I am sure there will be some other names maybe some BGP members could enlighten us that might make a splash. I didn't attend any JV games so I don't know who the rising stars on that team that might contribute in big ways in 2025. Schedule: I haven't seen anything floating around on Social Media yet on an official schedule but with the new District Highlands will be in that means the following District opponents will be: Cov Cath, Mason Co, Harrison Co & Holmes I saw on the Boyle Co 2025 thread it states that Highlands will play them in 2025 which will be a huge 4A match up in the regular season. I gotta think most if not all of these opponents "might" be on the schedule but what do I know: Cooper, Ryle, Camp Co, Simon Kenton, Conner & Lex Cath?? But again these are a Frank guess! I did also see on the Raceland and Dixie thread they DO NOT show Highlands on the schedule so those to games from the past few years looks to have ended. Outlook: A lot of people not just including myself has very high expectations for the 2025 Birds, especially getting so close the last 2 years we are all hungry to break through and make it to State. Its like UK Basketball, we expect Championship trophies not runner up, not Region titles but State Titles. That's why kids grow up and play football in the Fort, gotta get the RING BLING! OK the thread is up and running. What say you??? Would love to hear from my fellow Bird Nation peeps on any other names we should be watching for. #GO BIRDS, BEAT COLONELS!!! 1 2
FrankNicodemus Posted January 13 Author Posted January 13 I totally forgot, and I even was thinking about it this morning to make sure I included it in my main post. The other HUGE loss to Highlands Football due to graduation is @Brennan_Bucher, he took Highlands Broadcasting to the Elite status when it comes to Student run FREE, let me repeat that FREE Livestream on the YouTube channel or when he would take the show on the road and broadcast it via Bluebirdsradio.com. Highlands will have some HUGE shoes to fill with Brennan's departure from the booth. I have enjoyed watching/listening to so many Birds broadcasts. Write this down right now, he will be doing something on TV/Radio in the years to come and we will all remember his early talents being the voice/face of Bluebird broadcasting. A HUGE THANK YOU!!!! 4
FirstTimeLongTime Posted January 13 Posted January 13 Some are saying this may be the toughest schedule in Highlands history: Aug 22 vs. Frederick Douglass Aug 29 at Cooper Sep 5 vs. Campbell County Sep 12 at Boyle County Sep 19 vs. Ryle Sep 26 at Harrison County (District) Oct 3 vs. Covington Catholic (District) Oct 10 at Elder (OH) Oct 17 at Mason County (District) Oct 24 vs. Scott County Oct 31 - BYE Holmes has opted out of district play. That game was replaced with Elder. Link to Schedule: https://www.highlandsathletics.com/Events?for=e06bb248-052e-4062-9c1e-d9c63d09fb17&academicYear=2025 1 1
FrankNicodemus Posted January 13 Author Posted January 13 On 1/13/2025 at 10:36 AM, FirstTimeLongTime said: Some are saying this may be the toughest schedule in Highlands history: Aug 22 vs. Frederick Douglass Aug 29 at Cooper Sep 5 vs. Campbell County Sep 12 at Boyle County Sep 19 vs. Ryle Sep 26 at Harrison County (District) Oct 3 vs. Covington Catholic (District) Oct 10 at Elder (OH) Oct 17 at Mason County (District) Oct 24 vs. Scott County Oct 31 - BYE Holmes has opted out of district play. That game was replaced with Elder. O MY GOODNESS!!!! I don't think "some" would say I would think ALL would say! If there was a tougher schedule in the last 80 years I would love to see it! I think this takes the CAKE. WOW WOW WOW Thanks so much for enlightening us with the schedule. 1
Brennan_Bucher Posted January 13 Posted January 13 1 hour ago, FrankNicodemus said: I totally forgot, and I even was thinking about it this morning to make sure I included it in my main post. The other HUGE loss to Highlands Football due to graduation is @Brennan_Bucher, he took Highlands Broadcasting to the Elite status when it comes to Student run FREE, let me repeat that FREE Livestream on the YouTube channel or when he would take the show on the road and broadcast it via Bluebirdsradio.com. Highlands will have some HUGE shoes to fill with Brennan's departure from the booth. I have enjoyed watching/listening to so many Birds broadcasts. Write this down right now, he will be doing something on TV/Radio in the years to come and we will all remember his early talents being the voice/face of Bluebird broadcasting. A HUGE THANK YOU!!!! Too kind! I ALWAYS appreciate the support, and I can’t wait to see the next student broadcaster get showered with the support from the Fort Thomas faithful! As always, Go Birds! 1
hrcarrier Posted January 13 Posted January 13 Going by the schedule shared, I would think this is their toughest regular season schedule that they have played. It’s very good for Highlands to be playing Boyle County to be prepared for them or anyone else out of 4A that they could face, which would be the same for Boyle County or anyone else too. That is definitely what you call a challenging and tough schedule though.
hrcarrier Posted January 13 Posted January 13 Outside of playing Campbell County and Harrison County, your schedule is very tough when Mason County and Scott County may be your next weakest opponents.
FirstTimeLongTime Posted January 13 Posted January 13 Names and/or Positions to keep an eye on that weren't mentioned by @FrankNicodemus Offense: RB - Aidan Duncan (SR - Injured during week 1 of 2024 season) WR - Cale Harris (Jr), Chase Jacob (Jr) O Line - Russell Ali (SR), Andrew Swope (Jr), Weston Higgason (Sr) Defense: D Line - Cooper Benke (Jr), Griffin Benke (Jr), Kaden Sturdevant (So), Weston Higgason (Sr) LB - Tayden Lorenzen (Jr), Brady Carnohan (Sr), Ryan Dunn (Sr), Jaxon Roderick (Jr), Isaac Niemann (Sr), Jace Wiloughby (Jr) Safety - Gabe Williams (Jr), Cale Harris (Jr) Corner - Peyton Klosterman (Sr), Connor Carnohan (Sr), Fili McCarter (Sr) * Most likely see John Feldbruegge and Michael Tincher rotating in at Safety and/or Corner. 1
En Fuego Hombre Posted January 13 Posted January 13 3 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said: "we expect Championship trophies not runner up, not Region titles but State Titles. That's why kids grow up and play football in the Fort, gotta get the RING BLING!" Has there ever been a state title drought (10 years) this long at Highlands? If it continues, how many classes go without rings before the Fort Thomas natives begin to get restless?
Hatz Posted January 13 Posted January 13 8 minutes ago, En Fuego Hombre said: Has there ever been a state title drought (10 years) this long at Highlands? If it continues, how many classes go without rings before the Fort Thomas natives begin to get restless? Without looking it up I would have to say NO. There was a time where every player had a least a state title at one year in a 4 year career. 1
FrankNicodemus Posted January 13 Author Posted January 13 8 minutes ago, En Fuego Hombre said: Has there ever been a state title drought (10 years) this long at Highlands? If it continues, how many classes go without rings before the Fort Thomas natives begin to get restless? To answer both of your questions: Q1: longest drought prior to current one = 1982 Title to the 1989 Title was the longest drought Q2: The natives are already restless! I thought we were going to finally break the streak 2 seasons ago, but with that not happening, this will be the best Highlands team that could do it IMO since the 2014 team. As you can see 4A will be no joke though....so these kids better be focused day in and day out starting like 3 months ago! 1
Jack of all Trades Posted January 13 Posted January 13 So based upon what I am reading above, Harris will be moving positions next year? I think he transitions well to wide receiver. The Jacobs kid is a player as well. Best hands on team is Feldbrugge. The Benke twins should be solid contributors especially on defense. This is the first time that I can remember Highlands playing this type of schedule with the talent currently on the team. There were many times when these games were scheduled right before or right after really good teams were playing. 1
Bengal Boy Posted January 13 Posted January 13 With this schedule this team could lose 3-4 games but still be a state title contender. 4A is probably got more teams at the top who could compete for a championship than any other class in the state. There are probably 6-8 teams in 4A who are really good football teams. With that said I still think the 4A state champ will come out of NKY next season. Cov Cath or Highlands will win the championship next season. 1
MaddenCurse44 Posted January 13 Posted January 13 I was thinking Rio was a Senior already wow they will be pretty good this year!
NkyGuy22 Posted January 14 Posted January 14 Offensively expect John to step up and play a big role, Chase Jacob’s as well. Gabe Williams will be a game changer at running back due to his ability to break the long run. Cale Harris I expect to be the ultimate utility knife, and of course Tayden Lorenzen to stake his claim as one of the best players in the state. With this brutal schedule, don’t be surprised to see a few more L’s in the regular season than we are use to seeing BUT I don’t see to many teams in the state being as battle tested as this squad heading into playoff time.
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