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Latest Chapter of Great Highlands-Boyle County Rivalry Belongs to Rebels

Submitted Photo. Highlands graduates Jared Dougherty (10) and Lou Bunning (50) pose after the Lindsey Wilson College Blue Raiders defeated the Warner University (of Lake Whales, Florida) Royals, 73-29.

After Boyle County defeated Highlands, 30-0 at Rebel Field on Friday, Boyle County veteran Head Coach Chuck Smith said it is a good rivalry even though it marked just the seventh time the teams have met.

"We've had some great games," Smith said. "It's always intense and always a good game."

Highlands still leads the series, 4-3. The home-and-home series returns to Fort Thomas next season.

Highlands Head Coach Brian Weinrich has been on staff for all seven meetings. Weinrich was the Defensive Coordinator in the previous six meetings.

Smith guided the Rebels to five consecutive state championships from 1999 to 2003. The first two came in Class AA in the old four-class system over Glasgow. Glasgow's head coach in those two games was Jerry Eubank, the father-in-law of Highlands assistant Zach Deaton.

The last of those state championship games came in the Class AAA state championship game on Dec. 6, 2003 by a 44-10 score. The Bluebirds had lost to the Rebels, 22-21 at Rebel Stadium during the regular season by a 22-21 score on Sept. 19, 2003.

But Highlands avenged those losses the following season. The Bluebirds beat the Rebels, 21-0 in Fort Thomas during the regular season on Sept. 17, 2004 before beat the Rebels, 22-6 in the Class AAA state championship game on Dec. 4, 2004 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

The teams did not meet again until opening the 2011 and 2012 seasons against each other in a home-and-home series. Highlands ventured to Rebel Stadium and won 35-14 on Aug. 19, 2011 before the Bluebirds handled the Rebels, 52-31 at David Cecil Memorial Stadium on Aug. 17, 2012.

But current Middlesboro Head Coach Larry French coached the Rebels for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Smith stepped away from Boyle County after the 2004 season and returned before the 2014 season.

Honoring Jared Lorenzen:

Boyle County held a moment of silence for the late, great Highland quarterback Jared Lorenzen before playing the National Anthem before the game. Lorenzen did not face Boyle County during his two seasons as starting quaterback for the Bluebirds in 1997 and 1998.

Dougherty, Bunning Succeed at Lindsey Wilson:

The Lindsey Wilson College Blue Raiders of Columbia (Kentucky) are 4-0 on the season including 1-0 in the Mid-South Conference of the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics. The Blue Raiders are ranked 11th in the latest NAIA poll.

Highlands graduates Lou Bunning (Class of 2015) and Jared Dougherty (2016) are helping the efforts. Bunning, a redshirt senior, is a four-year starter on the offensive line and Dougherty, a senior, has been a kicker for all four years. Dougherty has made five field goals and 15 extra-point kicks on the season.

Around Class 5A, District 5:

While Highlands hit the road, the other four opponents opened district play on Friday. Covington Catholic stayed undefeated at 6-0 with a 45-6 win over Cooper in Park Hills and Conner (5-1) knocked off Boone County, 39-7.