Story Matters

Story Matters

THE Official HHS Football Site

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Highlands contains Bir, Colonel offense

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds knew they’d be facing their toughest challenge defensively this season.

The Covington Catholic Colonels came into town having outscored their four Kentucky opponents, 166-6. Senior Colonel quarterback Blake Bir completed 82-of-144 passes for 1,315 yards and 17 touchdowns entering the contest.

But the Bluebirds contained Bir and company in the 35-21 win. That started with the offense grinding things out on the ground and keeping the Colonel offense off the field.

Bir completed 12-of-17 passes for just 132 yards with one interception and three touchdowns. Matt Summe led CovCath with three catches for 63 yards.

“We just show up every day and keep getting better,” said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Co-Head Coach. “We’re not worried about stats or points. They’re buying into what we’re doing. Our guys up front did the job. We got a lot of pressure (on Blake Bir).”

The Colonels only rushed for 105 yards on 25 carries. Bir’s brother Luke led the way with 54 yards on six runs.

“They have so many playmakers,” Weinrich said. “I love watching their offense on film as a fan. We just tried to play smart, communicate and get after it.”

The Colonels enjoyed the lead briefly in the first quarter. Bir found Ethan Egbers from two yards out on 4th-and-goal with 2:40 left in the first quarter. That drive was set up when Adam Fischer returned an interception to the Bluebird 23. Highlands’ Ryan Greene saved a touchdown with an open-field tackle on the return.

The Colonels later tied up the game in the second on a reverse-throwback pass. Bir found Matt Summe wide-open on the play to tie the game at 14 with 4:02 left in the half.

“We just had to adjust to his calls,” said Andrew Abner, Highlands defensive back, of Bir. “He was audibling every play. We have to stay back (on running plays) until it’s a guaranteed pass then come up.”

The Bluebirds came back with a big special teams play in the third quarter. The Colonels muffed a punt and senior Blake Myers recovered for Highlands at the CovCath 18. The Bluebirds scored minutes later to take a 28-14 lead.

“There’s a rule where you’re not allowed to advance a muffed punt,” Myers said. “I picked up the ball and remembered that rule so I stopped. It gave us momentum because it gave us the ball inside their 30 in very good scoring position.”

The Colonels did score their final touchdown in the third when Bir completed a 3-yard pass to Summe with 5:09 left in the third. CovCath drove to the Highlands 34 later in the quarter but Quentin Murray picked off Bir’s pass at the Bluebird 16.

The Colonels had just one more possession after that. They ended up punting.

Emotional week for Highlands:
The Bluebirds carried the initials of Janet Hewling on them for the game. Hewling, 87, a long-time Fort Thomas Independent Schools employee, passed away recently. Hewling is Weinrich’s grandmother and helped raise him.

“She really epitomizes what you like to see in a high school football player,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands Co-Head Coach. “She was such a great worker. She never missed a day. We’re all products of our environments. But if there’s anybody who is a product of one person, it’s Brian and his grandmother. Brian is a great husband and father. He’s also a great servant to the team.”
 
Highlands continues District 4 action Friday at Harrison County. Game time is 7 p.m. in Cynthiana.

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