100th Season Celebration: Bluebird football built upon generations of success

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands has won at least three state championships in every decade since the 1960s.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Editor’s Note: This is a series of stories about the history of Highlands football leading up to the 100th season.

One really has to go back in time to imagine the beginning of this great tradition.

That time came before the trophies and banners. It came before the joyful trips to Louisville, Lexington, Richmond and Bowling Green. It even came before the Cake Eating. In fact, it came two years before the Kentucky High School Association football playoffs began.

Highlands, NC programs vow to maintain integrity in programs in wake of Cordia sanctions

G. Michael Graham photo. The Newport Central Catholic and Highlands boys basketball programs have vowed to continue to develop their programs within the rules in the wake of the sanctions against eastern Kentucky school Cordia. Cordia, under the guidance of former Kentucky Wildcat Rodrick Rhodes, will not be able to play any scrimmages or games in either the regular or postseason next year.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It is a situation any high school athletic program hopes to avoid, let alone Highlands and Newport Central Catholic.

Former Kentucky Wildcat basketball player Rodrick Rhodes took over the Cordia Lion boys basketball program in 2011 and the Lions quickly rose to unprecedented heights. Newport Central Catholic beat Cordia twice last winter including a 72-61 victory in the All “A” State championship on Feb. 2 in the Frankfort Civic Center.

100th Season Celebration: Bluebirds hit uncharted territory in Mueller's first 11 years

Contributed Photo. Highlands graduate Derek Smith (right) makes a play for the Bluebirds in the late 1990s. Smith started for three years at Tight End and Defensive End for Highlands helping the Bluebirds to the state championships in 1996 and 1998.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Editor’s Note: This is a series of stories about past teams leading up and into the 100th season of Highlands football.

It was the offseason after the 1993 campaign. Highlands lost 29-26 in overtime to Conner in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs in Tom Duffy’s final season. Duffy took the job at Henderson County.

KHSAA does many things well, can improve on other things

G. Michael Graham

Over the years, I’ve dealt with several athletic associations.

Out of all of them, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association does a fantastic job. Commissioner Julian Tackett and his staff in Lexington have always done a great job making things media-friendly and getting information in a timely manner.