Headed to the next gridiron level

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands quarterback Drew Houliston (10) recently announced his intent to play football at Division III Wittenberg University. Houliston is one of eight Highlands seniors committed to playing college football.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Exactly one-fourth of this past season’s seniors will be taking their talents to the next level.

Two schools picked up more than one Bluebird. Offensive lineman Scott Turner recently signed to play at NCAA Division III Wittenberg University and quarterback Drew Houliston joined him this week. The Tigers finished 10-2 last year, won the North Coast Athletic Conference and lost in the second round of the Division III playoffs to eastern Ohio power Mount Union.

Turner and Houliston played vital roles for a Bluebird offense that averaged 50.6 points per game. Houliston completed 231-of-339 passes for 4,045 yards, 50 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Highlands finished state runner-up in Class 4A with a 13-2 record.

The leading rusher for the Bluebirds last year in Zach Harris will attend Georgetown College along with linebacker Thomas Wrobleski and offensive lineman Tyler Schweitzer. The Tigers finished 7-4 last year.

Harris rushed for 1,103 yards and 24 touchdowns and caught 31 passes for 485 yards and nine touchdowns. Wrobleski had six tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery last year.

“(Thomas) Wrobleski might be the most physical kid I watched on film this year,” said Brian Landis, Georgetown assistant in a release on the web site. “He plays angry – the type of kid that causes train wrecks when he tackles.”

Newport Central Catholic linebacker Jack Sutkamp will join them in Georgetown. Sutkamp led the 2A runner-up Thoroughbreds with a school-record 215 tackles last year. Former NewCath Head Coach Eddie Eviston is the Offensive Coordinator at Georgetown.

Senior defensive lineman Braden Hicks recently committed to Morehead State. The Eagles finished 3-9 last year. Hicks had 7.5 tackles for a loss, two quarterback sacks and an interception last year.

Offensive lineman Nick True and Seth Hope verbally committed before the season began. True will still play for Western Kentucky despite the recent coaching change. Bobby Petrino went back to Louisville as Head Coach after guiding the Hilltoppers to an 8-4 mark. Former Louisville assistant and Trinity standout Jeff Brohm took over that job.

“It’s a great day to be a Hilltopper,” Brohm recently told the press on signing day. “This recruiting process started at this time last year and is a long, thorough process that involves a lot of time and effort put into it. We feel like we got outstanding football players who have outstanding character and we think will develop into great people on and off the field and in the classroom and that’s very important to all of us.”

Hope will attend Cornell University of the Ivy League. The Big Red finished 3-7 overall and 2-5 in Ivy League play last year. Hope had 13.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks last year.