Highlands defense holds up in victory

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

LOUISVILLE – The Louisville Western Warriors wanted to attack the Highlands Bluebirds between the tackles in their I-formation offensive attack.

Western did gain 279 yards on 44 carries for an average of just more than 6.3 a carry. The ball-control strategy kept the ball in its hands for 28 minutes, 39 seconds of the game’s 48 minutes. But the Bluebird defense held its ground on third and fourth-down conversions in the 51-23 victory here Friday.

“(The Warriors) have some good players,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands head coach. “That No. 2 (Cory Durham) for them is a great back. He just made some really good plays. We have to get better at (defending the run), but we’ll be ready next game.”

Western converted just 1-of-11 on third-down and went 0-for-4 on fourth-down. The Warriors only scored once in five trips to the Red Zone (area between the opponent’s 20 and goal line).

“We had some really big stops that helped us pull the game out,” said Seth Hope, Highlands defensive lineman. “We just need to get our assignments right. We could play a little more aggressive. But overall I think we did well.”

On the other side, Highlands scored on all five trips to the Red Zone. The Bluebirds converted 8-of-14 third-down chances and went 0-for-2 on fourth down.

Western saw two running backs run for more than 100 in the contest. Durham ran for 147 yards on 18 carries for an average of just more than 8.1 a carry and teammate Dion Sutton ran for 123 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown for an average of just more than 7.6 a carry.

They only scored once on the Bluebird defense. Their other two touchdowns came on kickoff returns. They returned nine Highlands kickoffs for 278 yards for an average of just more than 30.8 per return.

The first touchdown came with 7:41 left in the second quarter. Adrian Williams-Rolston scored from 70 yards away after a Western safety. The Warriors did not convert the conversion run and trailed 10-8 at that point.

“Our end guys need to fold better (on kickoffs),” said Brady Murray, Highlands linebacker. “We also need to contain better and squeeze (lanes) off.”

The second one came after another Highlands touchdown with 9:44 left in the game. Joe Foster scored on an 85-yard return and Durham converted the run. The Bluebirds led 44-23 at that point.

Better on Extra-Point Attempts:

The Bluebirds converted all six extra-point attempts and its lone field-goal try. Luke Brockett has handled both duties in the last two games.

“We have to execute in games when it matters,” Brockett said. “It is important to know what we have to do in practice. Every day, we get our repetitions in.”

Highlands missed three PATs against Scott County. The Bluebirds also missed some tries against Boyle County. Highlands did not convert on one two-point try against Western.

The Streaks are still alive:

The Bluebirds improved to 76-2 since the start of 2007 with the win. Highlands also won its 23rd straight game.

Solid averages:

The Bluebirds came into the game averaging 56 points a game tied for fifth in Kentucky. They still average just more than 54.3 points per contest.

Highlands also came into the contest averaging 535 yards and eight touchdowns a game. The Bluebirds had seven touchdowns and 467 yards of total offense. They still average 7.67 touchdowns and just more than 512.3 yards per contest.

Highlands returns home Friday to take on Mason County (1-3). The Homecoming game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Bluebirds tame Warriors, 51-23

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

LOUISVILLE – The Louisville Western Warriors football team gave its best punch on its home field Friday.

But the Class 4A top-ranked Highlands Bluebirds responded every time and left with a 51-23 victory. Highlands still recorded its largest margin of victory this year after opening with 52-31 and 60-37 victories over Boyle County and Scott County at home. The Bluebirds’ average margin of victory is 24.

“We made some mistakes,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands head coach. “But we’re 3-0 and ready to move on to the next (game).”

But the Warriors of Class 4A, District 4 made the visitors earn the win despite falling to 0-3. The Highlands starters played the entire game. Western lost 13-12 to Collins in the state quarterfinals last year and lost 56-0 to Highlands last year in Fort Thomas.

The Warriors could not match the Bluebirds’ offensive balance. Highlands outgained Western, 467-296 in total offense. That included 256-17 in the air.

Highlands came into the game averaging 399 yards per contest on the ground. But Western ran a 5-3 stunting defense and held the Bluebirds to 211 carries on 32 rushes for an average of just under 6.6 a carry.

Thus, the Bluebirds attacked through the air and had a lot of success throwing deep. Highlands quarterback Donovan McCoy had career-highs completing 16-of-35 passes for 256 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. McCoy also rushed for 94 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns for an average of just more than 8.5 a carry.

“We’ve been running the ball more (lately),” Mueller said. “But in this game, we passed it more. We’re pleased with (the offensive balance) because we have a lot of good athletes.”

McCoy completed passes to nine different receivers. Luke Turner led the way with three catches for 46 yards and Colin Seidl had three catches for 35 yards. Teammates Ryan Greene, Brandon Hergott and Zach Harris all had two catches each for 74, 32 and 27 yards respectively.

“Getting separation and coming down with the ball is the most important thing,” Greene said. “(The quarterbacks and receivers) just have to get in sync with each other. It will come. We have a good quarterback in Donovan McCoy and good receivers.”

Harris also ran for 86 yards on 14 carries. McCoy has eight rushing touchdowns for the season and Harris has six.

Highlands still may have some work to do with its passing game. But it has made some strides since struggling in the scrimmage against Louisville Trinity. McCoy completed 9-of-19 passes for 200 yards with just a 33-yard touchdown to Turner against Scott County.

On the other side, Western quarterback Bryson Harris completed just 2-of-11 passes for 17 yards and three interceptions to Blake Schutte, Quentin Murray and Brady Murray. Ryan Love had both receptions for Western.

The Warriors turned the ball over five times to four for the Bluebirds. Both teams lost two fumbles each. Both Highlands’ lost fumbles came on onside kicks.

Western did have some success lining up in the I-formation and attacking between the tackles but could not convert on fourth-down inside the Red Zone. The Warriors also had some success on special teams (see sidebar).

Highlands took the lead for good at 10-0 after the first quarter converting on two Western turnovers. Harris scored from two yards out and Luke Brockett hit a 32-yard field goal.

The Warriors did gain some momentum in the second scoring eight points. But the Bluebirds answered with 20 to go up 30-8 at halftime. McCoy scored on a 32-yard run before throwing touchdowns of 35 and 21 yards to Greene and Brockett.

Western cut the margin to 30-15 in the third. But the Bluebirds answered quickly. Harris ran it in from a yard out to put Highlands up 37-15 after three.

McCoy had a hand in both Highlands touchdowns in the fourth quarter. He scored from 14 yards out and found Hergott from 13 yards out with 8:15 left in the game.

Highlands recorded two sacks by Schutte and Thomas Wrobleski for a loss of 17 yards. On the other hand, the Warriors sacked McCoy three times resulting in a loss of 21 yards.

Highlands returns home Friday to take on Mason County (1-3). The Homecoming game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Highlands heads to Louisville for first road game Friday



By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
The deep talent pool does not just help Class 4A's top-ranked Highlands Bluebirds football team physically.
It also helps the Bluebirds' mental approach in games they're supposed to win handily. If a player goes in thinking, "They're no good, so we can take the night off," that player will come out. But generally, Highlands has not had this issue over the years.
"Our guys work at football year-round," said Dale Mueller, Highlands head coach. "We have maybe 200 practices a year and we only have 15 games so when they get a chance to play a game, they're looking forward to that game. So we never have a problem overlooking anybody."
The 2-0 Bluebirds hit the road for the first time to take on the Louisville Western Warriors of District 4. Western is also in Class 4A with Highlands. The Warriors finished 7-6 last year losing 13-12 in the regional title game to Collins, including a 56-0 loss in Fort Thomas.
Western is 0-2 in two home games so far this year under new head coach Torrey Shinholster. The Warriors fell 20-6 to Louisville Ballard on Aug. 17 before losing 28-0 to Louisville Male.
Male happens to be the second-winningest program in Kentucky with 818 wins all-time behind Highlands' 830. Highlands and Male rank second and third in the country behind Valdosta (Ga.) with 870 wins.
The Warriors have struggled finding an offensive identity in the first two games. They've tried a number of formations like the Power-I and the Spread.
"They have some good players on (offense)," Mueller said. "When they find what they're good at, they're going to be dangerous."
Highlands will counter with its 3-4 defense. The Bluebirds have allowed 815 yards of total offense, including 514 on the ground. Scott County ran for 253 yards as a team, but most of that came in the second half with the Bluebirds up comfortably.
The Bluebirds constantly disrupted the Scott County Traditional Wing-T attack in the first half. The Cardinals had to take to the air down big and Blake Schutte and Ben Streeter picked off passes to set up Highlands scores. Schutte also recovered a Cardinal fumble. The Bluebirds have a plus-4 turnover margin and have scored 39 points off those turnovers to none off two turnovers for opponents.
"(Pressure on quarterbacks) definitely helps because the quarterback has to make a quick decision," Streeter said. "Many times, he ends up throwing it to the wrong guy so you get interceptions. If it is a run, defensive penetration helps linebackers because the running back will bounce outside or cut in (to the other defenders)."
The Highlands offense will face a Western 5-3 defense that likes to stunt a lot. Male quarterback Tyler Erny threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns in Male's win Friday.
"They're difficult to block," Mueller said. "They're really looking to disrupt your game because they'll bring eight different guys. They put you in bad field position. They've made a lot of teams go three-and-out regularly."
The Bluebirds will bring their prolific spread offense to Western. They average eight touchdowns, 535 yards and 56 points per game.
Highlands has averaged 399 yards per contest rushing the ball. Zach Harris leads the Bluebirds with 36 carries for 234 yards with Jaylen Hayes going for 208 yards on 17 carries and quarterback Donovan McCoy running for 202 yards on 21 touches. McCoy has six touchdowns with Harris and Jayes running for four each.
Highlands' offensive line has done a good job opening up holes. The linemen constantly push defensive linemen upfield. But their job does not stop when the runner gets 20 yards or more up the field.
"We are conditioned to run down the field and follow the ball because anything can happen," said Scott Turner, Highlands offensive lineman. "Balls can pop out or helmets get on the ball and the ball goes flying. You just have to be there to get the ball."
The Bluebirds can throw the ball if necessary. McCoy also has completed 9-of-19 passes for 200 yards and a 33-yard touchdown pass to Luke Turner. Senior wide receiver Jac Collinsworth said he hopes to make his season debut after sitting out the first two games with a hamstring injury.
Game time is 7:30 p.m. in Louisville.