Game time:  7:30 (New kickoff time)

Highlands Bluebirds (9-2)

Highlands rolls into this game on a nice 3 game winning streak after their 2nd loss at Elder.  They should be really fresh after having a Bye week 2 weeks ago and then hitting the running clock on Greenup County a few minutes into the 2nd Quarter.  The 4A District 5 Player of the Year Tayden Lorenzen should be even more fresh basically seeing very little action against Greenup.  Will this be a game that they will utilize him or will they utilize their other weapons that they used against Greenup?  

Ashland Tomcats (7-4)

Ashland’s offense has finally reappeared with an absolute clinic against Mason County. The Tomcats feature one of the most dominant running backs in the state in Cam Davis. He needs to be in top form for Ashland to have a chance. Ashland is hesitant to ever throw the ball, though they let Tanner Stutler do a little more of that in the blowout win over Mason. 

Expect a ground and pound style aimed at keeping the pace controlled and limiting the Birds’ big plays.

Common opponents:

Mason County:  Highlands beat 42-6, Ashland beat 48-8

Greenup County:  Highlands beat 35-7, Ashland beat 35-21

History:

Highlands knocked off Ashland 3 straight years during the 2012, 2013, 2014 playoffs.  The closest one of those games was 2014 when Highlands won 30-15

Frank's pick:  I see this staying close for the 1st half then the Birds pulling ahead "potentially" getting dangerously close to the running clock late in the 2nd half.

ps. Thanks to @se7ens for the Ashland write up.

On 11/9/2025 at 9:00 AM, FrankNicodemus said:

Game time:  7PM

Highlands Bluebirds (9-2)

Highlands rolls into this game on a nice 3 game winning streak after their 2nd loss at Elder.  They should be really fresh after having a Bye week 2 weeks ago and then hitting the running clock on Greenup County a few minutes into the 2nd Quarter.  The 4A District 5 Player of the Year Tayden Lorenzen should be even more fresh basically seeing very little action against Greenup.  Will this be a game that they will utilize him or will they utilize their other weapons that they used against Greenup?  

Ashland Tomcats (7-4)

Ashland’s offense has finally reappeared with an absolute clinic against Mason County. The Tomcats feature one of the most dominant running backs in the state in Cam Davis. He needs to be in top form for Ashland to have a chance. Ashland is hesitant to ever throw the ball, though they let Tanner Stutler do a little more of that in the blowout win over Mason. 

Expect a ground and pound style aimed at keeping the pace controlled and limiting the Birds’ big plays.

Common opponents:

Mason County:  Highlands beat 42-6, Ashland beat 48-8

Greenup County:  Highlands beat 35-7, Ashland beat 35-21

History:

Highlands knocked off Ashland 3 straight years during the 2012, 2013, 2014 playoffs.  The closest one of those games was 2014 when Highlands won 30-15

Frank's pick:  I see this staying close for the 1st half then the Birds pulling ahead "potentially" getting dangerously close to the running clock late in the 2nd half.

ps. Thanks to @se7ens for the Ashland write up.

Ashland has requested to play at 7:30

If Ashland gets up early Highlands has a proclivity to turn to pass first.  Birds offense has always been superior when it is run first ( a.k.a. Lorenzan and Williams) and then play action.

Just line up behind that huge OL and pound it right at them. Too much strength, speed, and depth for Ashland. No comparison between the schedules as far as I see. 

Run the ball Paul. Pound the rock and move on to the next round.

3 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

If Ashland gets up early Highlands has a proclivity to turn to pass first.  Birds offense has always been superior when it is run first ( a.k.a. Lorenzan and Williams) and then play action.

Williams has been hurt since the CovCath game. Kremer has been the starting RB since. Regardless, your sentiment is spot on. Pound the rock and onto the next. 
 

I will point out though, despite some early season criticism, Litmer has thrown the ball really well of late. Establishing rapport with the WR’s & understanding their identity seems to have turned out well for the Birds.

36 minutes ago, PawPrints said:

I will point out though, despite some early season criticism, Litmer has thrown the ball really well of late. Establishing rapport with the WR’s & understanding their identity seems to have turned out well for the Birds.

Totally agree, as painful of a performance it was down at Boyle Co when Rio's stat line was 11/31 for 144 yards, 2 TD/1 INT

He has overcome and outperformed ever since....

Litmer's stats since Boyle Co (last 7 games):

81 for 108 (75% comp) for 1,099 yards, 14 TDs & 4 INTs (No INTs since Elder game)

Think about that, at Boyle he threw 20 incomplete passes, since that game in 7 games he has only thrown 27 incomplete passes altogether... crazy

Very well done RIO!!! Keep it rolling....

 

BREAKING NEWS REGARDING THE LIVESTREAM OF THIS GAME

Communication just came out to be able to watch the Livestream of this game you will need to purchase a one-time subscription fee of $8, which is the same cost as a game ticket.  The Bluebird Film and Broadcast Team will be streaming the game live utilizing the Hudl link.

My honest prediction for this game: The Blue Birds will win this one, and by a lot.

Ashland doesn't have size up front. They are solid, tough as nails, and quick...but they are almost always out sized on both sides of the ball. It's no secret, they struggle with ground and pound teams and if that's what Highlands does then it's going to be a long night. Ashland had no answer for Johnson Central and I would expect similar results here. But....Ashland has plenty of athletes so if you try to get fancy they can make you pay and you'll keep them in the game. Stick to the basics, go up a few scores, force Ashland into passing and out of their comfort zone and the game goes sideways for the Tomcats. I'm guessing Highlands by four or five scores assuming they run the ball at least 70% of the time. 

6 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

If Ashland gets up early Highlands has a proclivity to turn to pass first.  Birds offense has always been superior when it is run first ( a.k.a. Lorenzan and Williams) and then play action.

 

2 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

Totally agree, as painful of a performance it was down at Boyle Co when Rio's stat line was 11/31 for 144 yards, 2 TD/1 INT

He has overcome and outperformed ever since....

Litmer's stats since Boyle Co (last 7 games):

81 for 108 (75% comp) for 1,099 yards, 14 TDs & 4 INTs (No INTs since Elder game)

Think about that, at Boyle he threw 20 incomplete passes, since that game in 7 games he has only thrown 27 incomplete passes altogether... crazy

Very well done RIO!!! Keep it rolling....

Highlands 1st 4 games:  Frank agree with your assessment completely.  Your numbers made me go back and try to see if my run first conclusion was also valid.  In the first 4 games it is hard to argue Highlands was predominantly pass first.  Rio threw an average of 26 passes per game at a 64% completion rate for 6 TDs (1.5 per game), 2 INTs, averaged 191 yards per game, 7.4 yards per attempt and 11.6 per completion.

Highlands last 7 games:  As you accurately summarized in the last 7 games Rio has reduced his attempts to only 15.6 per game at an excellent 75% completion rate for 14 TDs (2per game), 4 INTs, averaged 157 yards per game, 10.2 yards per attempt and 13.5 yards per completion.

My conclusion is pretty clear that Rio has superior high school talent and the dramatic offensive change in strategy has among many factors allowed the passing game to flourish generating superior efficiency in both accuracy, TDs through the air, yards per attempt and yards per completion.

Highlands by 21+

4 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

Totally agree, as painful of a performance it was down at Boyle Co when Rio's stat line was 11/31 for 144 yards, 2 TD/1 INT

He has overcome and outperformed ever since....

Litmer's stats since Boyle Co (last 7 games):

81 for 108 (75% comp) for 1,099 yards, 14 TDs & 4 INTs (No INTs since Elder game)

Think about that, at Boyle he threw 20 incomplete passes, since that game in 7 games he has only thrown 27 incomplete passes altogether... crazy

Very well done RIO!!! Keep it rolling....

Rio is one of those players that improves over the year more than most players do. I’ve noticed this each year. He’s been really sharp. 

When does Gabe Williams get back? Don’t think you necessarily need him back for this game, but would be a good game to get his feet back under him if he is ready to go. Highlands have been just fine without him, but they will need him down the stretch.

7 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

 

BREAKING NEWS REGARDING THE LIVESTREAM OF THIS GAME

Communication just came out to be able to watch the Livestream of this game you will need to purchase a one-time subscription fee of $8, which is the same cost as a game ticket.  The Bluebird Film and Broadcast Team will be streaming the game live utilizing the Hudl link.

What are the details on this?