My worst loss was when Cov Cath came to Highlands and beat us in the mud. We had a nice lead at halftime and let them come back and beat us....again in the mud. We never should have lost that one. They went on and won STATE.

 

You must have been the coach that voted big time for both schools to get the turf.

I remember being at the game and everything going Highlands way. My memory is vague but I remember thinking CCH was looking past the Birds if that is at all possible.

 

Spot on.

 

Coach Ray refuses to talk about the game to this day, and I've heard then co-offensive coordinator Bob Noll refer to it as "his biggest regret in coaching". The offense was quite literally overlooking the Highlands game. Their offense had been re-worked for the assumed opponent in the semi-finals, and was just being applied against Highlands. Why any coach would ever overlook Duffy and his boys is beyond me.

Spot on.

 

Coach Ray refuses to talk about the game to this day, and I've heard then co-offensive coordinator Bob Noll refer to it as "his biggest regret in coaching". The offense was quite literally overlooking the Highlands game. Their offense had been re-worked for the assumed opponent in the semi-finals, and was just being applied against Highlands. Why any coach would ever overlook Duffy and his boys is beyond me.

 

They were overlooking Highlands because they were wanting to beat Bell County because they knocked them outof the playoffs the 2 previous seasons. But still how can you overlook he Birds at all.

They were overlooking Highlands because they were wanting to beat Bell County because they knocked them out of the playoffs the 2 previous seasons. But still how can you overlook he Birds at all.

 

I thought it was Bell. I wasn't positive, but yeah...that's who I thought it was.

Mud is the great equalizer. Many great teams have lost to much lesser teams because of it. I have always hated coaching in it because the best team does has a disadvantage, especially if you have a good passing game and really quick players. I love the turf.

Commander 10. There is no way we overlooked HHS. We all knew better. We were a really good passing team with exceptional receivers and lineman. The playing conditions is what made the difference,

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Spot on.

 

Coach Ray refuses to talk about the game to this day, and I've heard then co-offensive coordinator Bob Noll refer to it as "his biggest regret in coaching". The offense was quite literally overlooking the Highlands game. Their offense had been re-worked for the assumed opponent in the semi-finals, and was just being applied against Highlands. Why any coach would ever overlook Duffy and his boys is beyond me.

 

I know Duffy was not popular in Ft. Thomas, but I think he was a great coach and has twins and championships to back up my statement. He didn't kiss up to anybody.

I know Duffy was not popular in Ft. Thomas, but I think he was a great coach and has twins and championships to back up my statement. He didn't kiss up to anybody.

 

I couldn't agree more.

Two or Three more years of Duffy, and Highlands may not be the program they are today. While I agree he was an excellent x's and O's coach. His style of coaching, his personality make it hard for him to maintain a programs. Coach Mueller is a much better fit for Highlands. IMO for High school football.

Two or Three more years of Duffy, and Highlands may not be the program they are today. While I agree he was an excellent x's and O's coach. His style of coaching, his personality make it hard for him to maintain a programs. Coach Mueller is a much better fit for Highlands. IMO for High school football.

 

Agree.:thumb:

In that 1992 third round game, senior, Corey Scarloto scored the first TD on a two yard run. Junior, Ryan Grimm returned a punt for the second score. The defense held against a late game rally to win 14-7.

 

The following week was the infamous Turkey Bowl at Bell County.

 

I remember that year well. Was my SR. Year at Cawood High School and Bell had a good team, but they were outmatched for the Turkey Bowl.

Two or Three more years of Duffy, and Highlands may not be the program they are today. While I agree he was an excellent x's and O's coach. His style of coaching, his personality make it hard for him to maintain a programs. Coach Mueller is a much better fit for Highlands. IMO for High school football.

 

This could very well be the case, but you could also argue without Duffy coming in, Highlands may not be the program it is today. He came in when the Birds had the longest stretch without a state championship, took a team in his second year which was widely considered one of the thinnest classes in talent, and won state with 35 players and a line that averaged about 170 pounds on both sides of the ball. Then followed it up with another state title with obviously a little more talent. I agree, Duffy was not a good fit for Fort Thomas because he didn't care what anybody thought (players, teachers, parents, or administrative), but he did get the job done and brought winning back to Fort Thomas after the "dark years."

 

No one can argue what "Smiley" has done for the program. He is a people person, great coach, local boy, and loves the school.

This could very well be the case, but you could also argue without Duffy coming in, Highlands may not be the program it is today. He came in when the Birds had the longest stretch without a state championship, took a team in his second year which was widely considered one of the thinnest classes in talent, and won state with 35 players and a line that averaged about 170 pounds on both sides of the ball. Then followed it up with another state title with obviously a little more talent. I agree, Duffy was not a good fit for Fort Thomas because he didn't care what anybody thought (players, teachers, parents, or administrative), but he did get the job done and brought winning back to Fort Thomas after the "dark years."

 

No one can argue what "Smiley" has done for the program. He is a people person, great coach, local boy, and loves the school.

Great points!!:thumb::thumb:

I know Duffy was not popular in Ft. Thomas, but I think he was a great coach and has twins and championships to back up my statement. He didn't kiss up to anybody.

 

You are correct. The above phrase and the name Tom Duffy will never meet. :thumb:

I've been watching n.ky football before these games and still to this day watch n. ky football, and both of these teams should be mentioned as 2 of the best teams in northern kentucky history. Size, speed, and talent wise, both were LOADED!! That being said, there are some things that need to be clarified. The first game on a dry field was a final of 41-21, and was in NO way an indication of the game. And it was in no way a blow out. 21-21 going into the fourth quarter(one of cov cath td was a result of a highlands fumble at their own 7 in 2nd quarter) highlands throws a pick with 8 or 9 to go. Cov Cath scores to make it 28-21. Next possession #24 drops a wide open touchdown(at mid field with noone around him, broken play for the defense)on 3rd down with about 6 to go. Highlands went for it on 4th on their own 35 and doesn't get it. So cov cath grinded it on the ground and scored. I think a block Made it 34-21. Highlands gets it back with about 2 or 3 min. And highlands wasn't a throwing team, so a quick 4 and out and cov cath had it inside the 40. Yardage was close, and actually that was the biggest game ever at highlands per roger walz until highlands played moeller the next year.

Playoff game......highlands kicker matt huddleston slipped on the opening kickoff and highlands recovered. Early break but cov cath held. An (easy) roughing the punter call gave highlands the opportunity early and went up 7-0 on a scarlato 2yd run. Cov cath gets the ball and marches down field, goes for it on 4th down, and that is when you're boy "big daddy" or whatever(sullivan) picked a mccormick pass in the endzone. Defenses dominated this game, and it went back in fourth until about 1/2 way through the 2nd when highlands, particularly duffy coached teams took advantage of special teams and #24 returned a punt for a t.d. One thing that I think was de-moralizing for cov. cath was a fake fg that highlands used pretending that they had forgot the kicking t....while cov cath laughed at highlands, highlands snapped it to duffer duffy who was headed to the sidelines to get the t and had streaked down field. Play was called back but it seemed to be a blow psychologically. Both teams made small drives and most of them were stalled due to penalties. Early 4th quarter i think it was mitchel jobe scored on a screen pass making it 14-7. I think highlands played the clock most of the 4th. quarter. Highlands punter put one on the 2 with about 1:50 left which led to (almost)an unbelievable comeback drive that stalled on about the 35 when a hi 4th down pass went through hilde's hands. Cov Cath would've walked to a the state championship as highlands did! 2 really talented, well coached, competitive teams. 2 of the best i've seen! The mud as much as either team wants to talk about, didn't stop cov cath guys from making plays. I don't think highlands with their mis-direction offense (whom had more speed than cov cath did) enjoyed it very much either. This game came down to special teams and penalties. Highlands' Scarlato played for tressel at youngstown and won 2 nat'l championships, and had 14 yds rushing in this game. Cov Cath won the yardage battle, but doubled the penalties yardage of highlands. I wanna say that 92 was about the 5th or 6th straight year that either the regular season or playoff game was in the mud. 93 was as well. So, both teams knew how to play football in the mud. Noone had played on astroturf yet.

 

Dag-gone! Looks like you were waiting to make your first post count - for sure!

 

Thanks for the info...all of it. And welcome on, SS. :thumb: