Three Blind Mice

Did they get canceled last night?

The Birds beat the Crusaders with a second half rally 4-2. St. Henry is a group of fighters. I really like their team and the way they play within themselves. They were very difficult to break down on that grass and dominated the aerial game in the midfield. They seemingly won every goal kick and 50/50 aerial duel last night. #10 (I couldn't spell his name correctly if you paid me) gave our CBs fits and scored both St. Henry goals. His first came on a free kick into the box, resulting in a scramble. He backheeled it accurately and with great pace. 3 minutes later a bad clearance gifted him the ball in the 6 yard box and he made the Birds pay with a harder-than-it-looks finish. Highlands proved that when they want to turn it on, their offense is a legitimate threat for anyone. The Birds spent the first half struggling to find the right speed for their passes while playing on grass for the first time. A Porter Hedenberg curling free kick put the Birds ahead 1-0 about half way through the first. That was about the extent of the offense. In the second half, the Birds went much more direct. They kept the Crusaders pinned back with long balls to Caymon Stevie and Ben Fischer. From there, the Birds were able to connect and make dangerous runs into the box. If that didn't work, they pressed and forced tough clearances that they were able to get in front of. With 10 minutes to go, left back Elijah Stevie took a throw in and crossed to Brayden Gillman near the far post for a header to tie the score at 2-2. A few minutes later, Highlands took possession and E. Stevie passed the ball to Alex Foubert who then fed Hedenberg. Foubert continued his run past C Stevie, who took the pass and gave a nice little no look flick to Foubert. Alex buried the goal to put the Birds up 3-2. With 18 to go, C. Stevie drew to defenders towards him and delivered a well weighted through ball to Ben Fischer. Ben took it and coolly finished at the near post for his first career Varsity goal. The game ended with the score, the Birds 4 and the Crusaders 2.

Hopefully our boys don't meet up the same way as they did last year.

After a very hot and physical match against Ballard, Highlands faces maybe the toughest week for any team in Kentucky. On Tuesday, they visit St. Henry, which is always a tricky game. They then head to Summit Country Day (OH) on Thursday. Summit is the defending Division II state champ after winning three in a row in DIII. Finally, on Saturday, the traveling road show stops at Trinity. I'm not sure what T has coming back outside of Mason, but I guarantee you that they will be physical. We will get a very good look at where Highlands stands against some very good competition.

The #4 Birds best the #5 Bruins 1 to 0 on a blazing hot pitch. In a battle of two of the state’s top 5, a Max Farris goal makes all of the difference. That’s 3 goals and two assists for Farris in two games.

#4 Highlands beats a game Beechwood 4 to 0. Max Farris had a big day with two goals and two assists. Caymon Stevie scored his first of the season on a header. Porter Hedenberg weaved his way past a group of defenders to also open his account. Birds play Saturday in the Fort against #5 Ballard at 5pm. It will be interesting to watch the evolution of their possession game against another top team.

I forgot to mention, Highlands schedule is TOUGH. Scrimmages with Ryle and Moeller are followed with games against; Ballard, Trinity, Henry Clay, Summit Country Day, Collegiate, Evansville Memorial, some private school from Saint Louis, Loveland, Indian Hill, Madeira, and all 3 Oldham County teams, with NKY games. They could head into the Regional tourney with six or seven losses. If they head in with only two or three, they are a true threat to finish the deal.

Frosh play CovCath tomorrow. Highlands opens up the varsity season Wed at Beechwood at 8pm.

Highlands loses an extremely close game to Moeller 3 to 2. Moeller returned nine starters, including an Ohio State recruit midfielder, from the Ohio DI state finalists. Moeller took a 2 to 0 lead into the half. Highlands really picked up the pressing in the second half and tied it. First Max Farris finished a PK and then Alexander Foubert rose above everyone, all 5’ 7” of him, to meet a free kick. With 12 to go, Moeller took the lead on corner. It was an amazing ball to the opposite corner of the 18 to a wide open player. He blasted it towards goal, but Nick Fisher looked to be in position to attempt a save. He never got chance. A HHS defender directed it near corner as he was trying to clear it. Highlands fought back and hit the posts twice in the final 5 minutes. Final thoughts, Moeller is great. They were better than who we saw last year. That being said, the Birds were step for step with them. The offensive threat of Porter Hedenberg, Caymon Stevie, Max Farris, and Brayden Gillman interchanging and passing the way they do, at that speed...they will be a tough out for anyone state wide come tourney time.

As for the season, I, as a Highlands fan, am excited for what they have coming back. Under normal circumstances, losing 16 talented seniors signals a rebuild, but not from what I saw on Thursday. The Birds lose clutch performers, but do return four starters from the state final. Additionally, with their first attacking and defensive options off of the bench join the starting line-up. Finally, Nick Fisher started the first four games last year and shut-out Henry Clay and Lafayette. They have the experience, speed, and skill to be better than last year. However, they are not as deep as last year, and that was far and away the team's best weapon. They could play 18-19 outfield players and not miss a beat. That saved their legs for their post season run. This year will not give them that advantage, but they will be able to play with the ball more. Hopefully the cumulative effect of keeping possession will nullify the increase in minutes many of those players will get.

Here are the coaches' preseason Top 11 Offensive Players Porter Hedenberg (Highlands #21) Max Farris (Highlands #25) Ceu Bik (Dixie Heights #20) Mikey Knab (Cooper #9) Jake Maher (St. Henry) Colin Noble (Conner #8) Defensive Players Noah Moeller (Ryle #10) Nathan Darpel (Covington Catholic #0) Elijah Stevie (Highlands #11) Dekkar Haaser (Conner #6) Goalkeeper Josh Spence (Cooper #0) NKHSBSCA - The Best 11

In case anyone is interested. Here are your coaches' picks for their top 10 teams 1. Highlands (4) 2. Ryle (1) 3. Covington Catholic 4. Cooper 5. Newport Central Catholic 6. Bishop Brossart 7. Conner 8. Dixie Heights 9. St. Henry 10. Simon Kenton NKHSBSCA - Top 1