Convincing 9th Region Tourney Win for Bluebirds

Bluebirds Dominate Crusaders

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Carter Holmes (left) heads one toward the goal while senior Luke Schweitzer (14) gets in position. Schweitzer had two goals and an assist and Holmes had a goal and assist in the 9-0 Highlands 9th Region Quarterfinal win over St. Henry on Tuesday.

Early in the season at Tower Park on Aug. 9, the Highlands Bluebirds knocked off the St. Henry Crusaders, 3-1 in a 9th Region contest.

But Head Coach Chad Niedert said the Bluebirds (18-1-3 overall) left Tower Park feeling like they did not play up to their potential. The rematch showed way more of that as the Bluebirds blanked the Crusaders (4-14-2), 9-0 in the 9th Region Quarterfinals at Tower Park on Tuesday.

Highlands out-shot St. Henry, 37-6 including 18-2 on goal. Highlands senior goalkeeper Will Burnham recorded two saves. The Bluebirds have 14 shut-outs on the season.

"Our guys are a little bit more focused," Niedert said. "When we're focused, having fun and engaged in the game, we're an extremely dangerous team. When we've played our poor games, it's typically kind of self-imposed. We're ready to keep on moving."

Senior Luke Schweitzer led Highlands with two goals and an assist for five points. He has 11 goals and four assists this year for 26 points.

"All the seniors have been talking about this moment for years," Schweitzer said. "We're going to give it our all no matter what.

Senior Cary Gorrigan also scored twice for Highlands. He has 10 goals and two assists this year for 22 points.

Senior Carter Holmes added one goal and an assist for three points. He has nine goals and five assists for 23 points this year.

The leading scorers for Highlands also contributed. Sophomore Max Farris recorded his eighth assist this year. He leads the Bluebirds in points with 32 on 12 goals and eight assists.

Junior Porter Hedenberg recorded his team-high 12 assist this year. He has 30 points this year and nine goals.

Junior Caymon Stevie tied Farris for the most goals on the team this year with 12. Stevie also has two assists for 26 points.

Seniors Garrett Crowe and Devin Harris also scored for the Bluebirds. That marked the second goal this season for Crowe and the first for Harris.

Highlands takes on 33rd District champion Cooper (15-4-1) at Covington Catholic on Thursday in the region semifinals. Game time is 5:30 p.m.