Chuck Kyle was a high school All American tackle at Highlands in 1964. There was no one like him in the state of Kentucky at the time. He went on to become an All American nose tackle at Purdue University and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. Kyle ended up being an All Pro linebacker in the Canadian football league. What's fascinating about Kyle is the fact that he was such an all-around athlete. He won the state diving championship his senior year at Highlands and also broke the school shot-put record.

 

I'm guessing that there are very few All-American Tackle/State diving champs nowadays.

Marty Moore was a terrific player. Hamblin and Frisk were game changers and could do it on a dime. Jared was, well, a man amongst boys when he played. I can only go back to the late 70's so those would be my picks.

I cant believe there's no talk of D. Smith yet.

I have heard people say that Jared wasn't even the best QB at Highlands much less best ever player. And I say they are all dead wrong. Jared is as humble as they come but he will tell you it was like playing against Jr Football players his senior year. It was too easy.....

Think about it, when was the last Highlands player co-mvp of a major college conference his freshman year. I really don't remember any. What Jared did at Ky with the talent around him was pretty unbelievable. Jared Lorenzen was the best to put on the Highlands jersey. It would be one thing if Jared went to Ky and did just okay, but to still hold records at Ky and the SEC for passing, ranks him up there by himself.

Think about it, when was the last Highlands player co-mvp of a major college conference his freshman year. I really don't remember any. What Jared did at Ky with the talent around him was pretty unbelievable. Jared Lorenzen was the best to put on the Highlands jersey. It would be one thing if Jared went to Ky and did just okay, but to still hold records at Ky and the SEC for passing, ranks him up there by himself.

 

I agree, the best I have seen at Highlands!!!:ylsuper:

What's the parameters? Best career at Highlands? College success? Pro success?

Chuck Kyle was a high school All American tackle at Highlands in 1964. There was no one like him in the state of Kentucky at the time. He went on to become an All American nose tackle at Purdue University and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. Kyle ended up being an All Pro linebacker in the Canadian football league. What's fascinating about Kyle is the fact that he was such an all-around athlete. He won the state diving championship his senior year at Highlands and also broke the school shot-put record.

 

With this being stated, I would guess Chuck Kyle is prominant in this conversation. Probably some more from back in the day that deserve recognition.

I am certain that Kyle, Burt, and some others are worthy of consideration but for me I would rank them as:

 

Lorenzen (Mr. Football)

Frisk (best RB at HHS)

Hamblen (never left the field...on great teams no less!)

Moore (admittedly didn't personally see him play much)

One thing that may hurt Lorenzen is that he only played offense (quarterback)... when talking about the greatest football player ever at Highlands, I'd have to think that guys who contributed on offense, defense and special teams have to be given a bit more consideration than someone who only played one way.

In a citywide vote that I conducted for a newsmagazine in 1980, Roger Walz was voted the best football player ever at Highlands. Walz was the quarterback on the 1959, 1960 and 1961 Highlands teams that won two state championships and were state runner-ups when Walz was a sophomore starter. He also played defensive back. Walz went on to play quarterback at the University of Cincinnati and University of Kentucky. Walz also played basketball, tennis and baseball at Highlands and excelled in every sport. His son is Jeff Walz, women's basketball coach at the University of Louisville, and his daughter is Jamie Richie, Highlands girls' basketball coach, and the former National High School Basketball Player of the Year as a senior at Highlands. Over 3,500 residents of Fort Thomas voted on the greatest players ever at Highlands in 1980 and Walz was the winner by a wide margin.

Well then how about a new City wide poll. Didn't get to see Mr. Walz play but he was on the coaching staff when I played so I know plenty about him. I bet if the new poll was taken, Jared would give him a run for his money. Jared also excelled at Basketball and Baseball when he played. Now not knowing if his "fruit of his loins" has produced any "All-Americans" yet, but from what I hear he may have the next "National Player of the Year" in multiple sports. Not sure if a persons offspring has anything to do with how they performed in High school but sure we can go with that.

 

So yeah Roger Walz would be up there as greatest ever. BB, who would you put on the list as candidates for the greatest ever if you did another poll?

 

Roger Walz

Jared Lorenzen

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Just a thought, may not be the best ever, but probably should be in the Top 10.... Jeff Kremer?

Ill go with Marty "Moose" Moore.

 

 

And his mom would be in the running for greatest Bluebird fan of all time.

Well then how about a new City wide poll. Didn't get to see Mr. Walz play but he was on the coaching staff when I played so I know plenty about him. I bet if the new poll was taken, Jared would give him a run for his money. Jared also excelled at Basketball and Baseball when he played. Now not knowing if his "fruit of his loins" has produced any "All-Americans" yet, but from what I hear he may have the next "National Player of the Year" in multiple sports. Not sure if a persons offspring has anything to do with how they performed in High school but sure we can go with that.

 

So yeah Roger Walz would be up there as greatest ever. BB, who would you put on the list as candidates for the greatest ever if you did another poll?

 

Roger Walz

Jared Lorenzen

?

?

?

?

 

No doubt there would be some changes on the list (I know for certain that I wouldn't make it this time ). The outcome of the list would be influenced heavily, as this thread has been, by the age of the people voting/posting.