Bluebird Soccer Stays Undefeated

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman quarterback Cam Hergott (2) escapes a Simon Kenton defender in the game Thursday. The Bluebird freshman squad opened the season with a 24-0 victory.

The Highlands Bluebirds soccer team (3-0 overall) earned a tight 2-1 road victory over the Oldham County Colonels on Thursday to stay undefeated on the season.

Highlands made a 2-0 halftime lead hold up. The Bluebirds have done a good job finishing early in the season. Senior Nick Gish and sophomore Porter Hedenberg scored their second goals of the season for the Bluebirds with Luke Schweitzer and Elias Ordonez recording their first assists of the year.

"(It's about) getting the ball in the right place and concentrating," Hedenberg said. "It's 90 percent communication and 10 percent chemistry. Our chemistry has risen since the beginning of the season. I'm really proud of all the players and how we've been playing."

Oldham County (1-2) outshot Highlands, 11-6. Junior goalkeeper Will Burnham had five saves for the Bluebirds. Highlands Head Coach Chad Niedert said Highlands led Cincinnati Moeller, 2-0 in the scrimmage before the Crusaders rallied with four straight.

"Our boys responded extremely well (Thursday) learning from the mistakes from last time," Niedert said. "We were more organized defensively. We communicated more and took care of a lot of the controlables."

Highlands takes on Lexington Lafayette on Saturday. Game time is 6:45 p.m.

Volleyball:
Kings (Ohio) 3, Highlands 2:

The Ladybirds (1-3 overall) dropped the road contest. Highlands won the first two games 26-24, 25-20, but dropped the next three games by 25-16, 25-23, 15-10 scores.

Highlands plays host to Dixie Heights on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Football, Freshman:
Highlands 24, Simon Kenton 0:

The Bluebirds won the season-opener with solid all-around play.

Joe Buten, Jason Noe, Seth Peterson and Jack Cavanaugh had interceptions for the Bluebirds. Noe took his back for a touchdown and Buten returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Cam Hergott rushed for a score and threw another touchdown to Sam Vinson.

Highlands plays Cooper on Aug. 31 at David Cecil Memorial Stadium. Game time is 6 p.m.