Highlands Athletics - best years

[FB15G8]

Has Highlands had a better 4 years overall than the Lorenzen/Smith years?

[jbwill2]

From a football perspective, I'd have to say that 1998-2000 (3 football seasons) has been the best 3-year period for HHS football ever. They won 3 straight Class 3A state titles and went undefeated against KY competition (going undefeated in '98, losing one game to Cincy Elder in '99 and losing one game to Cincy Elder in '00). In the state title games for these three years, HHS blew away their championship competition. The HHS teams and HHS players during this time period set state records (and made it into the national record book as well), and HHS was nationally ranked after each of these three seasons. Plus, in '98 HHS had Mr. Kentucky Football (Lorenzen) and the first runner-up (Smith). Lorenzen is the only HHS player to win this honor.

 

Lorenzen and Smith were present for the 1998 season, while the 1999/2000 squads were led by Guidugli, Grover, Hamblen and Scott. One question would be: which of these 3 HHS teams ('98, '99 or '00) was the best?

 

Man, just writing about this makes me (and probably every other HHS fan) wish that the Mud Bowl of 1997 had gone just a bit differently, because if it had the 'Birds would very likely have won 5 straight Class 3A titles (as HHS won it all in 1996). The memory still hurts... Ahhh... "what if"...

[jbwill2]

Also, 1995-2000 was really a special time for Highlands, as the team won 4 state titles, was runner-up one year, and lost in double-OT to the eventual state champion (and was by all accounts one of the top-two teams in 3A that year, along with CovCath, which beat them in that OT game) during this 6-year period.

[THUNDERBIRDS]

Don't forget the State finalist in 95. With that win and the 97 year could of been 6 in a row. The late 50's and early 60's teams were right there in the mix of things but i would have to say 95 through 2000 was the strongest run of years in Highlands Football. IMO

[jbwill2]

Consider this...

 

From 1992-2007 (16 football seasons), Highlands has either won the state title or has been knocked out of the playoffs by the eventual state champion EVERY YEAR except for 3 years, in 1993 (Conner beat HHS, and CovCath won the state title), 2001 (CovCath beat HHS, and Boyle County won the state title), and 2002 (Rockcastle County beat HHS, and Boyle County won the state title). During this 16-year run, Highlands won 7 state championships and was state runner-up twice.

 

Truly, the road to the state championship (old 3A, current 5A) runs through Fort Thomas Highlands, literally and/or figuratively!!!!

[jbwill2]

I have been looking through a copy of the 2007 National High School Sports Record Book, which is published by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). This is the most recent version of the national records, but unfortunately these records are only current through 2005 (there is a lag period in the NFHS updating the national records). Below is a full listing of Highlands' rankings in the record book:

 

Team Records

 

Most Points, Season: HHS ranks 8th nationally, with 801 (1998)

Most Points, Season - 13 or More Games: HHS ranks 8th nationally, with 801 (1998)

Most Touchdowns, Season: HHS ranks 5th nationally, with 113 (1998), 8th nationally, with 105 (2000), and 10th nationally (tie), with 104 (1999)

Most Touchdowns, Per Game - Season (Minimum 8 Games): HHS ranks 4th nationally, with 7.5 (1998), 7th nationally, with 7.0 (2000), and 8th nationally, with 6.9 (1999)

Most Extra Points Kicking, Season: HHS ranks 5th nationally, with 92 (1998), and 7th nationally, with 88 (2000)

Most Yards Gained, Season: HHS ranks 10th nationally, with 7391 (1998)

Most Yards Gained, Per Game - Season (Minimum 8 Games): HHS ranks 4th nationally, with 492.5 (1998)

Most Passing Yards, Season: HHS ranks 10th nationally, with 4730 (2000)

Most Passing Touchdowns, Season: HHS ranks 10th nationally, with 59 (2000)

 

According to the NFHS records, HHS ranks 7th nationally in all-time wins (through 2005). However, the NFHS did not count all of HHS' wins properly. I emailed the NFHS to let them know of this, and they said they would correct it for the next edition.

 

According to TexasHSFootball.com, HHS ranks 5th nationally in all-time wins, with 758 wins (through 2007).

 

Individual Records

 

Most Passing Yards, Season (3500 or More): Gino Guidugli ranks 19th nationally, with 4367 (2000)

Most Receiving Touchdowns, Season: Brett Hamblen ranks 9th nationally (tie), with 27 (2000)

Most Receiving Touchdowns, Game: Brett Hamblen ranks 4th nationally (tie), with 6 (2000)

 

Coaching Records

 

Most Wins, All-Time: Owen Hauck ranks 95th nationally (tie), with 284 (this includes wins with Highlands, Boone County, and Mount Healthy, Ohio)

 

 

 

I wanted to share this with the HHS faithful! Go 'Birds!

 

As you can see, these records help show that the "Lorenzen/Guidugli" years have been a "Golden Age" of football for Highlands (and I'm sure it won't be the last that Highlands has)!

[malachicrunch]

I have been looking through a copy of the 2007 National High School Sports Record Book, which is published by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). This is the most recent version of the national records, but unfortunately these records are only current through 2005 (there is a lag period in the NFHS updating the national records). Below is a full listing of Highlands' rankings in the record book:

 

Team Records

 

Most Points, Season: HHS ranks 8th nationally, with 801 (1998)

Most Points, Season - 13 or More Games: HHS ranks 8th nationally, with 801 (1998)

Most Touchdowns, Season: HHS ranks 5th nationally, with 113 (1998), 8th nationally, with 105 (2000), and 10th nationally (tie), with 104 (1999)

Most Touchdowns, Per Game - Season (Minimum 8 Games): HHS ranks 4th nationally, with 7.5 (1998), 7th nationally, with 7.0 (2000), and 8th nationally, with 6.9 (1999)

Most Extra Points Kicking, Season: HHS ranks 5th nationally, with 92 (1998), and 7th nationally, with 88 (2000)

Most Yards Gained, Season: HHS ranks 10th nationally, with 7391 (1998)

Most Yards Gained, Per Game - Season (Minimum 8 Games): HHS ranks 4th nationally, with 492.5 (1998)

Most Passing Yards, Season: HHS ranks 10th nationally, with 4730 (2000)

Most Passing Touchdowns, Season: HHS ranks 10th nationally, with 59 (2000)

 

According to the NFHS records, HHS ranks 7th nationally in all-time wins (through 2005). However, the NFHS did not count all of HHS' wins properly. I emailed the NFHS to let them know of this, and they said they would correct it for the next edition.

 

According to TexasHSFootball.com, HHS ranks 5th nationally in all-time wins, with 758 wins (through 2007).

 

Individual Records

 

Most Passing Yards, Season (3500 or More): Gino Guidugli ranks 19th nationally, with 4367 (2000)

Most Receiving Touchdowns, Season: Brett Hamblen ranks 9th nationally (tie), with 27 (2000)

Most Receiving Touchdowns, Game: Brett Hamblen ranks 4th nationally (tie), with 6 (2000)

 

Coaching Records

 

Most Wins, All-Time: Owen Hauck ranks 95th nationally (tie), with 284 (this includes wins with Highlands, Boone County, and Mount Healthy, Ohio)

 

 

 

I wanted to share this with the HHS faithful! Go 'Birds!

 

As you can see, these records help show that the "Lorenzen/Guidugli" years have been a "Golden Age" of football for Highlands (and I'm sure it won't be the last that Highlands has)!

 

Lorenzen,Guidugli,Cecil as the golden age. 04 and 07 State Champs.

[DMZ76]

...the "best" is yet to come!!

[jbwill2]

After the 1998 season, Lorenzen was Mr. Kentucky Football, with teammate Derek Smith finishing as runner-up for this award. Does anyone know if any other program has ever had the top-two vote-getters for Mr. Kentucky Football in the same year?

[THUNDERBIRDS]

After the 1998 season, Lorenzen was Mr. Kentucky Football, with teammate Derek Smith finishing as runner-up for this award. Does anyone know if any other program has ever had the top-two vote-getters for Mr. Kentucky Football in the same year?

 

Derek was also Mr Basketball runner-up the same year. Pretty impressive!!!! Has that ever happened

[HitStick]

Correct me if im wrong but i remember some very good linemen on those teams that protected the hefty lefty. Smith i think went to Tennessee, and i thought like two went to Purdue? Honestly i think that team would rank as one of the all-time best teams in KY football history

[SEABASS]

Grover and Sester went to Purdue

[jbwill2]

From http://www.highlands-bluebirds.com

 

HIGHLANDS' NATIONAL FOOTBALL RECORDS

 

TEAM RECORDS

Wins, All-Time: HHS ranks 5th nationally, with 758

Points - Season: HHS ranks 8th nationally, with 801 (1998)

Touchdowns - Season: HHS ranks 5th nationally, with 113 (1998), 8th nationally, with 105 (2000) and

tied for 10th nationally, with 104 (1999)

Touchdowns - Per Game - Season: HHS ranks 4th nationally, with 7.5 (1998), 7th nationally, with 7.0

(2000) and 8th nationally, with 6.9 (1999)

Extra Points Kicking - Season: HHS ranks 5th nationally, with 92 (1998) and 7th nationally, with 88 (2000)

Total Offense - Yards Gained - Season: HHS ranks 10th nationally, with 7391 (1998)

Total Offense - Yards Per Game - Season: HHS ranks 4th nationally, with 492.5 (1998)

Passing Yards - Season: HHS ranks 10th nationally, with 4730 (2000)

Passing Touchdowns - Season: HHS ranks 10th nationally, with 59 (2000)

 

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS

Receiving Touchdowns - Season: Brett Hamblen (HHS) ranks tied for 9th nationally, with 27 (2000)

Receiving Touchdowns - Game: Brett Hamblen (HHS) ranks tied for 4th nationally, with 6 (2000)

 

References: 2007 National High School Sports Record Book (National Federation

of State High School Associations) and TexasHSFootball.com

 

 

HIGHLANDS' KENTUCKY FOOTBALL RECORDS

 

TEAM RECORDS

Official Championships: HHS ranks 2nd in KY, with 17

Consecutive Championships: HHS ranks tied for 3rd in KY, with 3 (1998-2000)

Undefeated Seasons: HHS ranks 1st in KY, with 11

Consecutive Undefeated Seasons: HHS ranks tied for 4th in KY, with 2 (1960-1961)

Wins, All-Time: HHS ranks 2nd in KY, with 758

Points - Season: HHS ranks 1st in KY, with 801 (1998), 8th in KY, with 730 (1999) and 9th in KY, with

729 (2000)

Points - Season - Per Game Average: HHS ranks 3rd in KY, with 53.4 (1998)

Touchdowns - Season: HHS ranks 1st in KY, with 113 (1998), 4th in KY, with 105 (2000) and tied for 5th

in KY, with 104 (1999)

Touchdowns - Game: HHS ranks tied for 4th in KY, with 13 (1998) and tied for 6th in KY, with 12 (2000)

Extra Points Kicking - Season: HHS ranks 2nd in KY, with 92 (1998), 4th in KY, with 88 and 6th in KY,

with 83

Total Offense - Yards Gained - Season: HHS ranks 3rd in KY, with 7391 (1998) and 8th in KY, with

6936 (2000)

Total Offense - Yards Gained - Game: HHS ranks 10th in KY with 684 (2000)

Total Offense - Yards Per Game - Season: HHS ranks 3rd in KY, with 492.5 (1998) and 6th in KY, with

462.4 (2000)

Offensive Plays - Season: HHS ranks 6th in KY, with 825 (2000)

Passing Yards - Season: HHS ranks 3rd in KY, with 4730 (2000)

Passing Yards - Per Game - Season: HHS ranks 8th in KY, with 315.3 (2000)

Pass Attempts - Season: HHS ranks 4th in KY, with 459 (2000)

Pass Completions - Season: HHS ranks 6th in KY, with 289 (2000)

Pass Completions - Game: HHS ranks tied for 8th in KY, with 33 (1999)

Pass Completions - Half: HHS ranks 7th in KY, with 16 (2000)

Touchdown Passes - Season: HHS ranks 2nd in KY, with 59 (2000)

Touchdown Passes - Game: HHS ranks tied for 1st in KY, with 9 (2000) and tied for 3rd in KY, with

8 (2000)

 

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS

Extra Points Kicking - Career: Brennan Jones (HHS) ranks 6th in KY, with 170 (1996-1999)

Extra Points Kicking - Season: Brennan Jones (HHS) ranks 3rd in KY, with 90 (1998), Derek Chuke (HHS)

ranks 7th in KY, with 82 (2000) and Brennan Jones (HHS) ranks 9th in KY, with 76 (1999)

Passing Yards - Season: Gino Guidugli (HHS) ranks 5th in KY, with 4367 (2000)

Pass Completions - Season: Gino Guidugli (HHS) ranks 8th in KY, with 260 (2000)

Completion Percentage - Career: Gino Guidugli (HHS) ranks 9th in KY, with 62.2 (1998-2000)

Touchdown Passes - Season: Gino Guidugli (HHS) ranks 7th in KY, with 53 (2000)

Touchdown Passes - Game: Gino Guidugli (HHS) ranks tied for 4th in KY, with 8 (2000)

Touchdown Passes - Half: Gino Guidugli (HHS) ranks tied for 4th in KY, with 7 (2000)

Receiving Yards - Career: Brett Hamblen (HHS) ranks 4th in KY, with 3071 (1998-2000)

Receiving Yards - Game: Derek Smith (HHS) ranks 3rd in KY, with 304 (1998)

Touchdown Receptions - Career: Brett Hamblen (HHS) ranks tied for 3rd in KY, with 47 (1998-2000) and

Derek Smith (HHS) ranks 10th in KY, with 36 (1996-1998)

Touchdown Receptions - Season: Brett Hamblen (HHS) ranks 2nd in KY, with 27 (2000)

Touchdown Receptions - Game: Brett Hamblen (HHS) ranks 1st in KY, with 6 (2000) and Derek Smith

(HHS) ranks tied for 2nd in KY, with 5 (1998)

Interceptions - Season: Jeff Kremer (HHS) ranks tied for 6th in KY, with 12 (1981)

Punt Returns For Touchdown - Career: Robbie Peterman (HHS) ranks 4th in KY, with 7 (2002-2004)

Punt Returns For Touchdown - Season: Robbie Peterman (HHS) ranks tied for 9th in KY, with 3 (2004)

Longest Touchdown Pass: Jared Lorenzen (HHS) ranks tied for 1st in KY, with 99 yards (1996)

 

Reference: Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA)

 

As you can see, with just a few exceptions, all of HHS' current state and national records come from 1996-2000.

[BlueBoy]

Has Highlands had a better 4 years overall than the Lorenzen/Smith years?

 

I would venture to say no since it's in black and white on here. And I would not add Cecil to that list. Different era for one.

[TigerFan2709]

Wow - that's all I can say.

 

Why doesn't Highlands get more exposure nationally (unless it does and I am just not paying attention since my school doesn't compete against them or even in same class)?

 

You hear about St. X, Trinity and Male nationally (deservedly so) but why not Highlands?