Which Ashland standout do the Bluebirds need to contain in the second round of the playoffs?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands running back Ben Brach (23) takes the ball right in Friday's game against Boyd County. The Bluebirds battle the Ashland Tomcats in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs on Friday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds football team welcomes challenges to Cecil Memorial Stadium anytime, especially during the playoffs.

Thoroughbreds prepare for Tomcats, Baker in season-opener

G. Michael Graham Photo. The Ashland Tomcats (white uniforms) and Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (blue uniforms) face off in the season-opener on Friday again this year. NewCath won last year's meeting 37-26.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It is a name that rings bells not only in eastern Kentucky, but for any opponent of the Ashland Blazer Tomcat football team.

Ashland standout running back Quentin Baker has been on the minds of the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds for a few weeks as they prepare for their usually tough non-district grind against bigger schools. Eventual Class 2A runner-up NewCath beat Ashland, 37-26 at Newport Stadium to open last year. Baker rushed for 238 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns in that contest.

The Thoroughbreds travel southeast to face Baker and company on Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the newly-renovated Putnam Stadium in Ashland. The trip may take a couple hours. But the Thoroughbreds are not concerned about it.

Thursday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Things started off well for the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team Thursday.

But they did not stay that way as the Ashland Tomcats rallied for a 10-6 victory in the Cal Ripken Experience at Myrtle Beach (S.C.). The Bluebirds fell to 6-3 with the loss.

Highlands tames Tomcats again, 56-6

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It may be a case of playoff rewind from last year in its third year playing in Class 4A.

But the Highlands Bluebirds football team is once again dominating those same opponents. Top-ranked 11-1 Highlands did basically what it wanted the entire game in a 56-6 second-round victory over the Ashland Tomcats on Friday at David Cecil Memorial Field.

Bluebird Notebook: Tough schedule pays off

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands junior Patrick Schoepf (33) hones in on Ashland running back Josh Vaughn (32) in Friday's game. The Bluebirds beat the Tomcats, 56-6 in the second round of the playoffs.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It may have been rough traveling some.

But the tough schedule for Highlands is paying off. The Bluebirds are 11-1 and headed to the third round of the playoffs for the seventh straight year.

The regular season schedule saw Highlands play nine teams with winning records in 2012. Some of those teams will be playing for regional championships next weekend.