When did Highlands hit running clock against Boyd County?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior linebacker Rocco Pangallo (17) hits Boyd County running back Christian Braly (21) in Friday's 44-7 win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

This one always has to come first in the playoffs every year.

But also like those years, the Highlands Bluebirds football team took nothing for granted and handled the overmatched Boyd County Lions, 44-7 on Friday at Cecil Memorial Stadium. District champion and top-seeded Highlands typically demolishes the fourth-seeded team from the other district in this round on its way to long runs in the playoffs.

Might the Bluebirds face the same five playoff opponents like the previous two seasons?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands junior running back Nick Kendall (center) breaks free for a 44-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of Highlands' 44-7 win over Boyd County to open the Class 4A playoffs on Friday.

Allen Ramsey. Highlands senior wide receiver Alex Veneman (center) catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Boyd County Lions on Friday. Veneman had seven catches for 167 yards and three touchdowns in the Bluebird win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It may have been old news manhandling another overmatched first-round playoff opponent.

But should Class 4A’s top-ranked Highlands Bluebirds football team (9-2) earn three more playoff games like it has the previous seven seasons, the Bluebirds will not face the same five opponents in the same rounds like the past two seasons. The defending 4A state champion Collins Titans slipped to 4-7 this season and lost 49-43 at Louisville Western on Friday. Collins ended Highlands’ six-year state championship run with a 37-34 win in the final seconds in the 4A title game last year.

Did NewCath post another shutout on the season?

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The odds heavily favored the hosts like they have in many first-round playoff meetings since 2000.

Who are the first-round mismatches for Highlands, NC?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands junior running back Nick Kendall (8) breaks free for a long gain in a recent game against Warren Central on Friday. The Bluebirds play host to Boyd County to open the Class 4A playoffs on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It looks like the typical first-round mismatches for the top-seeded Highlands Bluebirds (8-2) and Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (4-5) football teams.

Did NC make it three straight over Beechwood?

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team (4-5) could not gain that momentum it wanted going into the playoffs.

How sharp were the Bluebirds on Friday?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands sophomore running back Jared Pulsfort (91) runs behind Lou Bunning (50) and Matt Gall (71) for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands seniors Patrick Schoepf (33) and D.J. Mills (on ground) put pressure on Warren Central quarterback Chance Shanklin in Friday's game in Bowling Green. The Bluebirds won 43-0.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

BOWLING GREEN – Their focus looked so sharp on Friday that if it were a laser, it would burn through steel.

Who can the injured Bluebirds look to as an example?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior defensive lineman Daniel Kremer (22) pursues Warren Central running back Colin Burnham (44) on Friday. The Bluebirds recorded their second shutout of the season with the win.

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior offensive lineman Lou Bunning (50) gets out front for running back Griffin Urlage (behind). The Bluebirds (8-2) concluded the regular season with a 43-0 shutout on Friday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

If Friday’s 43-0 domination of host Warren Central served as a clear indication, the Highlands Bluebirds football team (8-2 overall) is out to win one for their injured teammates.