1 minute ago, Jack of all Trades said:

Highlands loses a lot, but also has a lot to build from.

I hope so JOAT or it will be another disappointing year where the Bluebirds are an afterthought. 

22 minutes ago, theguru said:

When did Highlands last win a state championship?  It has been so long ago some of us wonder if it will ever happen again. 

It has been a minute.

Edited February 26Feb 26 by theguru

6 minutes ago, tdyballgame said:

It has been a minute.

IKR and after this year it appears 4A is going to be more difficult to win.  

47 minutes ago, theguru said:

I disagree.

I would start Armstrong at QB and using Lorenzen as a "Swiss Army Knife" on offense. 

I feel Lorenzen should get first shot at QB. 

1 minute ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

I feel Lorenzen should get first shot at QB. 

Armstrong is already an exceptional quarterback; as a rising sophomore he has size in his favor over many senior QBs on the high school level. He's already getting D1 attention at QB. As far as I know of, Lorenzen is not getting D1 attention at QB.

Armstrong is Highlands' quarterback solution for the next 3 seasons, and they should be using him there as soon as possible. Lorenzen can block, catch the ball, run the ball, and run people over. He can step into a wildcat formation for must-have yardage situations. Armstrong and Lorenzen are probably the two top football players in Campbell County this upcoming season, and if Highlands isn't putting them both on the field at the same time as much as possible, they need to look for a new offensive coordinator.

47 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

I feel Lorenzen should get first shot at QB. 

To be blunt, in my opinion, the reason they didn't win more games the last two years is because it was "someone's turn." Tayden should not play QB, because that limits him offensively and defensively. The Armstrong kid is special, and between those two, Gabe Williams and a host of others, the more weapons on the field the better. 

36 minutes ago, Pi said:

To be blunt, in my opinion, the reason they didn't win more games the last two years is because it was "someone's turn." Tayden should not play QB, because that limits him offensively and defensively. The Armstrong kid is special, and between those two, Gabe Williams and a host of others, the more weapons on the field the better. 

How is the best player on the field touching the ball first and being a threat every play limiting him on offense? 

1 hour ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Armstrong is already an exceptional quarterback; as a rising sophomore he has size in his favor over many senior QBs on the high school level. He's already getting D1 attention at QB. As far as I know of, Lorenzen is not getting D1 attention at QB.

Armstrong is Highlands' quarterback solution for the next 3 seasons, and they should be using him there as soon as possible. Lorenzen can block, catch the ball, run the ball, and run people over. He can step into a wildcat formation for must-have yardage situations. Armstrong and Lorenzen are probably the two top football players in Campbell County this upcoming season, and if Highlands isn't putting them both on the field at the same time as much as possible, they need to look for a new offensive coordinator.

I agree with every word and expect Highlands to be formidable on offense with both Lorenzen and Armstrong on the field. 

2 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

I feel Lorenzen should get first shot at QB. 

Why?

3 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Armstrong is already an exceptional quarterback; as a rising sophomore he has size in his favor over many senior QBs on the high school level. He's already getting D1 attention at QB. As far as I know of, Lorenzen is not getting D1 attention at QB.

Armstrong is Highlands' quarterback solution for the next 3 seasons, and they should be using him there as soon as possible. Lorenzen can block, catch the ball, run the ball, and run people over. He can step into a wildcat formation for must-have yardage situations. Armstrong and Lorenzen are probably the two top football players in Campbell County this upcoming season, and if Highlands isn't putting them both on the field at the same time as much as possible, they need to look for a new offensive coordinator.

I would have to say this will be a given! And if not, then apply the last part of your sentence I bolded!!! 

1 hour ago, TheDeuce said:

Why?

More experience. 

You gotta have Lorenzen play TE/WR/RB/QB and have Armstrong be the regular QB. Keep Armstrong on the field at WR/RB when Lorenzen is at QB or wildcat. You can get real creative with that and it would be a nightmare to prepare for as a defensive. 

On 1/10/2026 at 11:10 AM, El Diablo said:

Nice write up… but you forgot Gabe Williams somehow. Is he transferring to a different school or something? I figured he would be RB1 going into this year. Also I feel like the Benke Bros could help fill out the OLine. 
 

Interesting oline point to make. Back in the 90s Highlands won state repeatedly with regular looking dudes playing OLine.  They pulled all over and just did their jobs fast. The one year Highlands had an OLine with D1 studs we lost in the mud bowl. When Highlands beat Cincy St X there was that awesome photo of a 5-11 200 lb guy blocking a Notre Dame commit. The old Highlands OLine way could work again. 

There was tradition back then.

I saw via Twitter that Highlands had their ‘Spring Liftathon’ this past week. Anyone have some numbers that are worth sharing? Surprising or new names to mention? Lifts were Clean, Squat, Bench.

From the tweets I saw, it seemed like OL Swope was a staple in all categories as well as the Benke brothers leading most lifts. Junior to-be RB Kremer posted 880 lbs total, pretty impressive. Armstrong with a 395 squat!

1. Griffin Benke

2. Andrew Swope

3. Nicholas Stojkovic 

 

Should change after Cooper Benke and Tayden Lorenzon put their numbers in.