IT'S CHAMPIONSHIP WEDNESDAY IN THE FORT!!!

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK!!
The 9-0 Highlands Bluebirds host the 6-2 Beechwood Tigers on WEDNESDAY, 10/28/26 at Highlands HS at 6:30p.

Team Outlooks

• Beechwood Tigers (6-2): The Beechwood offense is led by QB Ben Jackson, RBs Drew Young and Calvin Buring, and a whole host of talented playmakers.  If Beechwood’s injured O-Line can find a way to hold off Highlands’ defensive front, they have a legitimate shot at winning this game.  The Tigers’ defense has been stout throughout the season only giving up 13 points in 6 games against teams not named the Highlands Bluebirds.

• Highlands Bluebirds (9-0): The Birds’ offense continues to be multi-dimensional scoring 300 points in 9 games which has propelled them into the title game.  QB Jaxston Moeves (who also backs-up Varsity QB Bryce Armstrong) has thrown 19 TDs to only 2 interceptions and added another 5 on the ground.  RB Noah Brown has rushed for 9 TDs and another 2 receiving.  WR Gus Bouldin has 9 receiving TDs. WR Drew Thompson has 6 receiving TDs and one kick-off return for a TD. TE Brady McDowell has 2 receiving TDs, and WR Austin Hamblen has 3 TDs from the wideout position and another 5 passing TDs as the Birds’ back-up QB.  Additionally, K TJ McSorley is 36/38 on PATs and 1/1 on field goals.  On defense, the Birds are only giving up 5.9 ppg with the majority of those being at the end of games with the clock running.  If Highlands can continue to spread the ball on offense, avoid mistakes, and play sound defense, they’ll be a tough out.

Previous Matchup
The Bluebirds got the best of the Tigers in their game just a few weeks ago. Despite the 27-0 score, the game felt significantly closer than the final outcome.  Highlands’ QB, Jaxston Moeves, threw four TD passes (two to WR Gus Bouldin, one to WR Drew Thompson, and one to TE Brady McDowell).

Beechwood certainly had their opportunities.  The Tigers had three fumbles, losing two, including one inside the Birds’ five-yard line.  The Tigers also turned the ball over on downs at the goal line unable to punch it in.  The Birds had multiple fourth down conversions that led to big scores.  Highlands also scored on a 57-yard TD pass with 28 seconds left in the first half.  If Beechwood can clean up these mistakes, it’s a different ballgame.

With that said, the Birds had their own opportunities/mistakes.  A TD brought back due to a holding penalty away from the play.  A goal line stand by the Tigers prevented another TD by the Birds.  A bad snap led to a 3^rd and 31 resulting in a punt.  Highlands will need to clean up these issues if they want to bring home another Freshman title.

The game was VERY physical.  Expect this next game to be no different.  Beechwood’s lack of depth (only had 18 dressed) certainly helped the Birds in the second half.  Beechwood has a ton of athletes, but so does Highlands.  Focus on Bouldin, Thompson will get you.  Try to stop Noah Brown and the run, Moeves will pull it.  Both teams will have their hands full.

The Tigers will be looking for payback, but so will the Birds.  The core of this Highlands team beat Beechwood two years ago in the regular season and then lost to them two weeks later in the first round of the playoffs.  This is the Birds’ opportunity to put those demons to bed.

Common Opponents (Highlands beat Beechwood 27-0 on 10/1/26)
CCH: Birds won 42-0, Tigers won 47-0
Dixie Heights: Birds won 48-8, Tigers won 20-6
Ryle: Birds won 34-19, Tigers won 9-7
Campbell County: Birds won 41-6, Tigers won 30-0
Cooper: Birds won 38-0, Tigers won 35-0

 

Historical Significance for the Bluebirds:
Disclaimer: It’s no secret I’m a Bluebirds fan, but I’ve tried to be as neutral as possible when writing the game summaries this year.  I speak to what I know (or at least things I think I know) and not about things I don’t.  Since I don’t know as much about other teams, my summaries are always sparse regarding the opposing sideline, but I do share what I know, what I’ve seen, or what I’ve heard.  That is not intended to be disrespectful and I always welcome an alternate view of the game in question. With that all said, this section is all about the Birds.

The Freshman Bluebirds are currently riding a 26-game winning streak.  Their last loss was 9/12/2024 against Moeller.  Their last NKY loss was 10/26/2023 to CCH who lost to the Birds by 40 a week later in the Championship game.  The Bluebirds have won the last 3 Freshman Championships under previous Head Coach Mick Abner who was 41-7 in his 5 years as the head man.  New Head Coach, Doug Bryant, will be looking for the 4-peat.

The Birds haven’t loss to the Tigers since 2021, but they best not sleep on this ultra-talented group from Fort Mitchell.  Expect Beechwood to come into this game on fire hoping to dethrone the Bluebirds and make their own history.

Game Link: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ky/fort-thomas/organization/5235/highlands-high-school/team/48815/boys-freshman-football/watch?b=QnJvYWRjYXN0NDY5MTQyMw%3D%3D&shared=true

Previous Game Link: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ky/fort-thomas/organization/5235/highlands-high-school/team/48815/boys-freshman-football/watch?b=QnJvYWRjYXN0NDUzMDU3MA%3D%3D&shared=true

Previous Game Highlights (2x): https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ky/fort-thomas/organization/5235/highlands-high-school/team/48815/boys-freshman-football/watch?hr=SGlnaGxpZ2h0UmVlbFN1bW1hcnk2YWJlZjgxMjI5MmYxMDIzODViNjc0NTk%3D&ot=TEAM&oi=48815&shared=true

https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ky/fort-thomas/organization/5235/highlands-high-school/team/48815/boys-freshman-football/watch?hr=SGlnaGxpZ2h0UmVlbFN1bW1hcnk2YWJlZjgxMjI5MmYxMDIzODViNjc0NGM%3D&ot=TEAM&oi=48815&shared=true

Highlights from Highlands’ Last Game vs. Cooper: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ky/fort-thomas/organization/5235/highlands-high-school/team/48815/boys-freshman-football?src=favoritesSidebar

Correction: I was reminded that Beechwood lost their last game vs SK 24-20 so they have given up a total of 64 points in their 8 games. 8 ppg is still crazy good.

Thanks for the impressive summary of both teams. Curious as to this pipeline of future front liners, are both teams all freshman?

19 minutes ago, Oldercoach said:

Thanks for the impressive summary of both teams. Curious as to this pipeline of future front liners, are both teams all freshman?

Highlands is all freshman. Current QB Jaxston Moeves was moved up last year, but no 8th graders got the call-up this year. Freshman Amil Wimzie was also on the freshman squad last year as an 8th grader, but decided to focus on basketball this year

Beechwood has one 8th grade lineman, but I believe that’s it. QB Ben Jackson was also called up last year as an 8th grader.

Highlands had 10 Freshman make the Varsity opening day lineup. Since then, a handful of others have been moved up. Almost all have seen the field on Friday nights

It’s my understanding Beechwood doesn’t, or didn’t, move up any freshman to the Varsity ranks.

Great write up. Thanks. Beechwood has played one 8th grader on the line both ways this season. I can confirm he is the only 8th grader to play up this year. Now that the regular season has ended for the 8th grade team, BW has added a couple more guys for depth, who may get a few reps as part of a rotation or speciality packages.

On 10/26/2026 at 7:30 AM, FatNate said:

Great write up. Thanks. Beechwood has played one 8th grader on the line both ways this season. I can confirm he is the only 8th grader to play up this year. Now that the regular season has ended for the 8th grade team, BW has added a couple more guys for depth, who may get a few reps as part of a rotation or speciality packages.

It's nice to be able to pull that lever and call-up some well-deserving 8th graders when needed.

Highlands has a few 8th graders that could contribute, but I've never known HHS to call someone up after the season starts. Not to say it wouldn't happen in rare circumstances, just not something I've seen in my limited time around the program. The HS runs a different, and much more complex, offense and defense than the MS so the transition would not be easy for an 8th grader this late in the game. Additionally, the Freshman team has a pretty sizable bench so it probably wouldn't go over well with those families who have Freshman fighting for reps.

1 hour ago, TheConfluence said:

It's nice to be able to pull that lever and call-up some well-deserving 8th graders when needed.

Highlands has a few 8th graders that could contribute, but I've never known HHS to call someone up after the season starts. Not to say it wouldn't happen in rare circumstances, just not something I've seen in my limited time around the program. The HS runs a different, and much more complex, offense and defense than the MS so the transition would not be easy for an 8th grader this late in the game. Additionally, the Freshman team has a pretty sizable bench so it probably wouldn't go over well with those families who have Freshman fighting for reps.

Beechwood’s current freshman and 8th grade teams have very short benches. The teams spent most of the season practicing alongside one another. This allowed for 11 on 11 drills all year while one team focus was offense and the other defense, and vice versa on the next day. I wasn’t sure exactly how it would work early on but I believe it was a great approach and made both teams better.

HUDL Stream: Birds vs. Tigers (Frosh Championship)

Birds to receive.

Birds return the opening kickoff to the Beechwood 30 yard line.

TD Birds. Moeves to Thompson. McSorley kick is no good.

Birds 6 Tigers 0

Interesting that the championship is between a 4a and 2a team. This is why these programs continue to be so successful on the varsity level.

Tigers turn it over on downs. Birds take over on their own 31.

Beechwood driving and on the HHS 30.