Bad Bill

Austin Collinsworth, a junior, has offers from Cincinnati and Louisville. Many more are expected soon.

With regard to the disputed Highlands touchdown pass to Gold (#16), I was no further than 5 feet from Gold when he caught the ball. It was a clean catch and he caught it in the end zone. The ref was right on top of the play.

Quarterback Tony Guidugli of Highlands now has an offer from the University of Cincinnati. Also, junior wide receiver Austin Collinsworth of Highlands was a guest of UC at the UC vs. Pitt game two weeks ago.

Kody will be the "Athlete of the Month" in the December issue of "Inside Fort Thomas". Look for it on Friday.

Highlands 1968: Tim Racke - Purdue Rick Hoffman - Indiana Clem Fennell - Cincinnati Greg Oetjen - Cincinnati Jim Waite - Cornell

Highlands Juniors: Austin Collinsworth 6-2 184 WR-DB Tyler Grubbs 6-6 286 OT Brandon Roller 6-1 219 LB-TE Kyle Welz 6-6 243 TE-OT-DL Will Bardo 6-4 186 QB-DB Hunter Schlosser 6-0 260 OL

21-8 Highlands with two minutes to go.

There is an article on Rob Kues, Tony Guidugli and Will Bardo in this month's edition of "Inside Fort Thomas." There will be an article on Zach Isler in "Inside Your Town" next week. These are free publications.

Rick Hoffman and Steve Graves, Highlands 1968

I agree that Highlands 26-20 victory over Louisville Male in 1960 was a pivotal game in Kentucky football history. The win established Highlands as the top team in the state and cemented the school's reputation as a football powerhouse. Highlands was on a 50-game regular season winning streak over a five year period, and that season also defeated the best team in the east (Ashland), the best team in the west (Bowling Green) and the best team in Lexington (Lafayette) in route to the Class AA state championship. Male entered the game ranked No. 1 in the state. Highlands was ranked No. 2. The game went back and forth right down to the final play of the game. It was a near perfect game by both teams. A number of Highlands players went on to have outstanding college careers, including Roger Walz (UK), Jim Burt (WKU), John Burt (WKU), Joe Ross (Air Force Academy), Bob Steinhauser (UC), Alan Berry (Duke) and Jim Ullman (Wittenberg). Jim Burt was drafted by the LA Rams but decided to attend medical school.

I watched the entire 7 v 7 competition between Highlands and Trinity yesterday and I'm not sure if it was possible to tell which team won. I know Highlands substituted a number of younger players in and out on offense and defense. I thought both teams looked outstanding. I thought both teams got outstanding play from their quarterbacks. Both teams moved the ball well on offense against the #1 and #2 defenses of the other team. Both teams were disciplined and in top physical condition. Austin Collinsworth of Highlands was probably the best receiver on the field. He has tremendous speed and great hands and will be a major college prospect. It's total speculation to say which program is the best. I have no doubt, however, that a game between Highlands and Trinity at the end of last season would probably have gone down to the last play before the winner was determined.

Alford and Brown are in school. Alford is on the team and in the weight room every day. Alford has the potential to be an outstanding linebacker in 2008. Brown is no longer on the team.

Highlands kicker Drew Bathiany will sign a full scholarship to play football at Division I Western Carolina University. The signing ceremony will take place at the school on May 9. He is the fourth Highlands player to announce plans to play on the major college level. The others are: Luke Stein (Gardner Webb), Clay Cecil (Kentucky) and Trey Jurgens (Murray State).

Terry O'Brien will sign with Union this week.

They sign this Thursday at 2:45 p.m.

Highlands over Louisville Male 26-20 in 1960.

Milton Peko to Union and Zach Hurtt to Wittenberg. Both players will sign this Friday.

No Contest. Highlands would win by at least 21.

Linebacker

Ryan Ball signed with Georgetown College this afternoon. Look for more signings at Highlands next week.

Four Highlands players. Ryan Ball is one of them. Don't know the others yet.

Ryan Ball - Most Valuable Player Clay Cecil - Mr. Highlands Football Drew Simons - Defensive MVP Joe Fitzgerald - Red Dog Spirit Award Luke Stein - State Champion Award Drew Bathiany - HHS Football Tradition of Excellence Award Brady Dowling - Leader of Champions Award Jay Draper - HHS Football Greatness of Character Award Zach Hurtt - Mr. Everything Award Trey Jurgens - Dedication to Excellence Award Terry O'Brien - Hail Terry Award Matt Reed - Quinn Stapleton Award Adam Reis - Enforcer Award for Best Defensive Lineman Michael Buten - Coaches Award for Perseverence Will Coleman - Coaches Award for Integrity and Improvement Dan Court - Coaches Award for Commitment Jake Crothers - Ron Welch Coaches Award for Persistence Josh Frost - Coaches Award for Courage Jimmy Hall - Coaches Award for "Not Breaking" Alex Hempfling - Coaches Award for Blocking Ownership Jeremy Hickman - Coaches Award for Reliability Milton Peko - Coaches Award for The Warrior Spirit Jessie Richie - Coaches Award for Dedication Josh Conner - Underclassman MVP Brandon Roller - Underclassman Mr. Highlands Football Austin Collinsworth - Underclassman Mr. Highlands Football Michael Laber - Underclassman Mr. Highlands Football Oliver Head - JV Most Valuable Player David Hogue - JV Mr. Highlands Football Brian Beck - JV Mr. Highlands Football Jake Turner - JV Mr. Everything Nick Martin - JV Red Dog Spirit Award Nick Buten - JV Mr. Playmaker Award Tyler Combs - JV Best Offensive Lineman Ryan Hahn - Freshman Mr. Highlands Football Cherokee Meyer - Freshman Mr. Highlands Football

No list of the greatest running backs at Highlands is complete without adding Hank Pogue and Jim and John Burt. Pogue was an All State and All Southern tailback in 1966 and went on to start for three seasons at fullback at Indiana. The Burt Brothers led Highlands to a state championship in 1960. John was the fullback and Jim was the tailback. Both were All State players and both started on offense and defense for Western Kenucky University. Jim Burt was drafted in the 5th Round by the Los Angeles Rams.

U.K. Assistant Coach Chuck Smith was at Highlands today talking to Clay Cecil.

Barring a major surprise, it will be Guidugli throwing to Collinsworth in 2008. Collinsworth is moving to wide receiver for his junior year. Guidugli is the frontrunner at quarterback. Michael Laber is also being moved. He'll play offensive guard. Guidugli will be have great targets in Collinsworth, Hogue, Buten, Roller and others.