Has Highlands gained any ground on Valdosta in terms of all-time program wins?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands wide receiver Alex Veneman tries to make a catch in the first half of the game at Harrison County on Friday. Veneman did not make the catch, but he finished with nine catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the 46-13 Bluebird victory.

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands junior Tyler Robinson (middle) brings down Harrison County running back Brandon Williams (right) in Friday's game. Highlands moved to 6-0 with the victory.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Some people might be coming impatient with the idea their beloved high school football team has not beaten the Highlands Bluebirds in a while.

But that is the case with many teams. For instance, the Harrison County Thorobreds have not beaten them in any of the nine meetings including the last four in Class 4A, District 7 action including Friday.

Highlands handed Harrison County a 46-13 defeat in Cynthiana to stay undefeated at 6-0 and 2-0 in district play and move to 106-5 since the start of 2007. The Bluebirds beat the Thorobreds, 77-0, 69-10 and 68-0 respectively the previous three seasons.

The two had never been in the same district until then. Highlands edged Harrison County, 14-12 during the 1985 regular season in the first-ever meeting. That was the closest the Thorobreds have ever come to beating the Bluebirds.

The teams met four times in the playoffs including Tom Duffy’s last year as head coach in 1993 and Dale Mueller’s first season coaching Highlands in 1994. The Bluebirds beat the Thorobreds, 28-21 in the first round of the playoffs in 1994 before losing 7-3 to eventual state champion Covington Catholic. Highlands also handled them in 1999 and 2000 when Gino Guidugli was the quarterback on their way to state championships.

Highlands moved to 104-37-2 all-time against this year’s district opponents. The Bluebirds are 46-17 against Covington Catholic and 50-20-2 against Covington Holmes. Highlands travels to Holmes on Oct. 17 hoping to wrap up its 18th district championship in the last 19 years. The only time the Bluebirds did not win the district since 1995 is 2006 when the Colonels won both the regular and postseason meetings.

Injury Report:

The Bluebirds has several players out against Harrison County including senior offensive lineman Matt Gall. Gall sprained his ankles in the win over Harrison County but plans to come back next game. Senior tight end Jack Telek has not played since the scrimmage against Louisville Trinity. Telek said he hopes to return this season, but does not know for certain.

Highlands senior linebacker Ben Ellison left with an injury during the first half and came out in the second half on crutches. Teammates Tyler Sexton, Jack Jager, Grayson Heck and Drew Bravard were also on the sidelines with their jerseys on Friday.

The last of two 4A unbeaten:

Highlands and Johnson Central are the only undefeated teams remaining in Class 4A. In a showdown of District 5-4A powers Lexington Catholic and Boyle County on Friday, the Knights (4-3) handed the Rebels (6-1) their first loss of the year by a 26-17 count. LexCath has won three straight after starting the season 1-3.

Johnson Central stayed undefeated at 6-0 with a 48-12 win over Lutheran East (Ohio) located near Cleveland. The Golden Eagles have played two Ohio and one Pennsylvania team at home this year.

Sub-Varsity updates:

The Highlands freshman team lost a close one, 21-20 to Covington Catholic earlier this week on Wednesday. They are 2-2 on the season. Their next game is Thursday against Conner at 6 p.m.

The Highlands junior varsity team takes on Louisville Trinity this week. The Bluebirds are 1-2 on the season.

Up Next:

Highlands takes on another first-time opponent on Saturday at 1 p.m. when another team from Florida comes to town in the Christopher Columbus Explorers from Miami. They are in Florida’s largest Class 8A, District 14.

Christopher Columbus is 4-1 so far. The Explorers were supposed to play district rival Miami Beach on Thursday. But lightning postponed the game until Monday.

The Explorers were ranked ninth in a recent Miami Herald poll. Their only loss came to second-ranked Miami Central, 42-14 on Sept. 18.

Christopher Columbus figures to give Highlands a bigger challenge than University Christian from Jacksonville did to open last season. The Bluebirds pulled away from University Christian in the second half for a 47-17 victory.

Valdosta update:

In terms of all-time wins in program history, Highlands has not gained any ground on Valdosta (Georgia). The teams entered the season separated by 27 victories.

The Wildcats also improved to 6-0 on Friday winning a rugged Class 1-AAAAAA 13-10 win at Camden County on Friday. Valdosta entered the game ranked fifth in AAAAAA and Camden County was ranked second. They are 888-214-34 all-time and the Bluebirds are 861-227-26 good for first and second in the country.

Valdosta’s toughest two region games left are against top-ranked Colquitt County and third-ranked Lowndes County. Valdosta has won 23 state championships, but none since 1998.