Bluebirds take wind out of Blue Tornado

Allen Ramsey Photo. Paducah Tilghman junior quarterback Jessie Dunigan (12) feels the heat from Highlands defenders Daniel Kremer (behind), Brady Murray (18) and Tyler Robinson (54). Kremer recorded two sacks as Highlands won 49-17.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The list of disadvantages the visitors had coming into the game was not a secret.

The Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado football team still owns the fourth-most wins all-time in Kentucky history with 751. That’s behind only the host Highlands Bluebirds (859-227-26 overall in their 100th season), Louisville Male (837) and arch-rival Mayfield (823).

Highlands welcomes overnight visitors in Saturday tilt

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior linebacker Jacob Noe (29) hones in on John Hardin running back Antonio Ayers (center) in Friday's game. The Bluebirds take on the Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado at 3 p.m. Saturday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It is definitely not easy traveling five and a half hours to play a regular season football game.

The Highlands Bluebirds did it a year ago and pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 42-27 victory over the Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado in their first-ever meeting in Paducah. In their case, it also did not help that one of the three busses that took the team there broke down after the game.

Highlands pulls away from pesky Paducah Tilghman, 42-25

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

PADUCAH – It does not matter if their schedule takes them to the Jackson Purchase or the deep, dark hills of eastern Kentucky.

Few teams in the country, let alone the Bluegrass State, win as consistently as the Highlands Bluebirds football team. The Bluebirds may not have dominated like usual. But they did put away the pesky host Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado in the fourth quarter, 42-25 on Saturday.

“It was great to see the offense, defense and special teams come through when we needed them,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator. “Paducah Tilghman played a great game and is going to be a real force in the playoffs. Winning is important to our guys.”

Highlands stayed undefeated at 5-0 and improved to 92-3 since 2007 with the win and 847-225-26 in school history since the program began back in 1915. On the other side, the Blue Tornado (1-4) dropped their fourth in a row since opening the year with a 24-23 win on Aug. 24 at newly-formed county rival McCracken County.

“We don’t buy into moral victories,” said Randy Wyatt, Tilghman Head Coach. “But I’m extremely proud of how we fought against a team like Highlands rated the second-best team in the state in all six classes. They’re just a classic program. They answered every time. That’s the sign of a champion. They did everything right.”

Highlands played its second of three consecutive Saturday games. But the Bluebirds did not secure the game at John Hardin a week ago until senior Zach Harris recovered an onside kick with 43 seconds left.

Highlands elected to rest Harris. But the Bluebirds once again put up huge offensive numbers outgaining the Blue Tornado, 375-314. Highlands had 17 first downs to 10 for Tilghman.

But fellow senior Jaylen Hayes picked up the slack for Highlands rushing the ball 20 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Hayes scored once on a shotgun zone read play and the second one taking a direct snap in the Highlands full-house backfield.

Highlands senior quarterback Drew Houliston once again came through completing 16-of-26 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Jensen Feggins led the Bluebirds with six catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bluebirds had to make some adjustments against the Tilghman defense. The Blue Tornado recorded six sacks in the game. Houliston had been sacked just three times all season entering the contest.

“They were running delayed blitzes,” said Bryan Saunders, Highlands offensive lineman. “It’s hard to cover everyone.”

Tre Coleman led the Blue Tornado with 113 yards on 10 carries. He broke free for an 80-yard touchdown in the second quarter. But the Bluebirds made some adjustments on him after that.

“We made some linebacker adjustments,” said Joey Cochran, Highlands senior linebacker. “We put in some more aggressive guys and made sure that didn’t happen anymore. We clogged up the hole.”

Tilghman threw a lot of short passes with sophomore quarterback Jesse Dunigan. He completed 20-of-27 passes for 136 yards. Senior Mikey Davis led the Blue Tornado with seven catches for 56 yards.

Both teams lost one fumble. Jackson Bardo recovered a Tilghman fumble in the fourth quarter and Highlands lost one in the first quarter.

The Bluebirds did not score in the first quarter for the third time this season. They trailed 6-0 after the first quarter after two Logan Besaw field goals from 26 and 42 yards out.

Highlands took the lead for good at 7-6 when Houliston scored around the left side from six yards out and Jared Dougherty made his first of six extra-point attempts. Highlands wide receiver Ryan Greene returned a kickoff back to the Highlands 49 to start the drive.

The Bluebirds drove deep into Blue Tornado territory on their next possession. But the Blue Tornado blocked the field-goal attempt.

But Highlands scored on its next possession. Houliston rolled left and found Feggins open for an 8-yard score.

The Bluebirds then responded to Coleman’s quick score. On 4th-and-5 from the Tilghman 7 with 53 seconds left in the half, Houliston found Jake Whitford in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. The Bluebirds led 21-12 at halftime.

“It was a big play,” Whitford said. “It got us going at halftime. After that, Drew (Houliston) just took over. They couldn’t stop us after that. Once we get in a rhythm, we’re hard to beat.”

Tilghman ate up a lot of the clock on a long drive to start the third quarter. Instead of throwing the short sideline routes, they threw 10-15 yards down the field to keep the Bluebird defense guessing. Dunigan scored on a 1-yard run to cut the margin to 21-19 with just more than three minutes left in the third.

“We played off (the Tilghman receivers) because they’re good athletes,” said Alex Shadle, Highlands senior defensive back. “That left things open for the out routes and comebacks.”

The Bluebirds then scored with about 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Hayes scored from eight yards out after Houliston completed a 26-yard pass to Alex Veneman.

But the Blue Tornado marched back down the field. Out of the Power-I formation, Dunigan faked a handoff then found Jordan Tyler for a 22-yard touchdown reception. The two-point pass failed as Highlands still led 28-25.

“When you have a team like that down, you have to close the door,” Wyatt said. “A tough team like that is going to fight back. They’re conditioned to win close ballgames. We just need to get that way.”

The Bluebirds then put the game away with two touchdowns. Houliston found Feggins for a 9-yard score. That came after Tilghman sacked Houliston on third down, but the Blue Tornado committed a defensive holding penalty giving the Bluebirds another chance. Hayes then scored his second touchdown on a 41-yard scamper.

Highlands concludes its three-game Saturday road swing this week at Covington Catholic (3-1). Game time is 1 p.m. in Park Hills.

Bluebird Notebook: Highlands use road trip to advantage

G. Michael Graham photo. Highlands junior defensive back Kyle Martin (left) takes down Paducah Tilghman's Mikey Davis in Saturday's game. Highlands won 42-25.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It takes about five and a half hours to get from Fort Thomas to Paducah.

But the Highlands Bluebirds football team made sure they used their time on the bus really well. Road trips often build team chemistry.

That proved to be the case in Saturday’s 42-25 win over the Blue Tornado. Highlands improved to 92-3 since the start of 2007 with the win.

Some teams struggle on the road for various reasons such as not playing in front of friends and family. The Highlands student section is known as the OZone. But the Bluebirds bring their own intensity no matter where they play.

“I like the trip because for me, it is just one big offensive coaches meeting,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator. “I think the players like the rides too. Of course, I wouldn’t mind it if more local teams would schedule us.”

This will mark the longest trip of the regular season. The final road games are Saturday at Covington Catholic at 1 p.m. and Oct. 25 at Cincinnati Elder. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Highlands and Paducah Tilghman met five times between 1989 and 1994. But none of the games took place in either Fort Thomas or Paducah. Highlands extended its series lead to 5-1 all-time against the Blue Tornado. Highlands beat Tilghman for the Class 3A state championships in 1989 (27-3) and 1992 (15-6).

Highlands does not travel to western Kentucky much. But the Bluebirds had success on their last trip there in 2008. They beat Hopkinsville, 48-21 in October of that year.

If Highlands wins another district championship, it will not have to hit the road until the state semifinals. It takes about 3.5 hours to make it to Bowling Green for the state championships. Class 4A plays on Saturday, November 30 this year unlike the Friday night game last year.

Cheerleaders, fans also use road trip wisely:

The Highlands supporters continued to travel well as many made the trip west.

The cheerleaders also came on the trip. They had some previous adventures on road trips. They came to Louisville Western last year on a bus without air conditioning.

“The parents that travel are kind of the tried and true fans,” said Carly Leopold, Highlands Head Cheerleading Coach. “They cheer along with us and it’s nice to have the support of a high school that allows us to travel with the team. A lot of high school cheerleaders don’t get to travel with the team.”

The cheerleaders play a big role in helping the team build some intensity. They also traveled to John Hardin last week. The Highlands band and dance team generally do not go to road games.

“We just try to keep our voiced up and try to involve the crowd in cheers,” said Taylor Mitchell, Highlands cheerleading captain. “We have them repeat what we say.”

The road trip consisted of coming down Interstate 71 to Louisville then taking I-65 to exit 91 to the Western Kentucky Parkway. The Western Kentucky Parkway ended at Interstate-24. Highlands then took it west to Paducah.

“We really like to support the football team,” said Ashley Bergmann, Highlands cheerleading captain. “We go to all the games. It does not matter if it is close or far away. We’re always there for them. We think that when we’re cheering, they do play better because they like our support.”

The trip did not come without issues. Three buses came to the game and one malfunctioned so the team traveled back on two buses.

Record vs. Jackson Purchase teams:

Tilghman is the lone team the Bluebirds have faced from the Jackson Purchase.

The Jackson Purchase part of Kentucky borders Tennessee and is surrounded by the Ohio River to the north, the Mississippi River to the west and the Tennessee River to the east. It is comprised of Fulton, Hickman, McCracken, Ballard, Carlisle, Graves, Calloway and Marshall Counties.

The main power in western Kentucky is 1A power and Tilghman rival Mayfield. The Cardinals and Bluebirds entered the season as one of just six programs in the country with 805 or more wins in school history. But the two have never met on the gridiron.

Highlands ranks first in Kentucky with 847 wins in school history only behind 880 wins by Valdosta (Ga.). Mayfield ranks third in Kentucky with 810 wins and Louisville Male is second with 825. All three teams are a combined 14-0.

Let the #BeatColonels tweets begin:

Highlands can now focus on the team that is constantly a threat to its dominance.

The undefeated Bluebirds travel to Park Hills for the annual district showdown with 3-1 Covington Catholic. The Twitter accounts exploded on both sides of the week leading up to the game last year. But Mueller wants the players to be smart when posting things on the Internet.

"I don't get involved in all the online stuff, but (being smart about posting on the Internet) is a good reminder," Mueller said. "It really isn't personal. The CovCath players are great guys. We just try to beat them in a football game."

CovCath had its bye week this week. The Colonels beat Boone County and Dixie Heights to open the season before losing 45-7 to defending Ohio largest-class Division I champion Cincinnati Moeller. Moeller is the alma mater of Colonel Head Coach Dave Wirth.

CovCath also played in western Kentucky on Sept. 13. The Colonels knocked off Henderson County, 18-0.

Highlands leads the all-time series with Covington Catholic, 43-17. This includes nine straight wins dating back to 2006 during its run of six straight state championships.

Class 4A, District 7 notes:

Covington Holmes also had the weekend off. The Bulldogs are 3-1 under first-year head coach Ben Nevels.

But Harrison County did play Friday. The Thoroghbreds (2-3) lost 64-21 at Bourbon County. Class 3A Bourbon County was undefeated last year before losing 35-10 at Belfry in the state semifinals.

Class 4A Notes:

Highlands is one of just three teams in Class 4A that are still undefeated. The other two are familiar opponents.

The Boyle County Rebels are 5-0 and the Johnson Central Golden Eagles 4-0. Boyle County beat George Rogers Clark, 34-17 on Friday. The Rebels recently escaped a close call, 30-27 against Anderson County on Sept. 13.

Johnson Central opened the season against two non-Kentucky opponents. The Golden Eagles demolished Holy Trinity (67-7) of the Canadian province of Ontario and Noblesville (Ind.), 72-28. Noblesville is located just north of Indianapolis.

The Golden Eagles then beat Perry County Central (53-7) and Harlan County (36-14). They have not left Paintsville and won’t until an Oct. 4 trip to Ironton (Ohio).

Both teams could finish the season undefeated. Boyle County’s biggest test left is Oct. 4 at home against Lexington Catholic (3-2). The Knights’ two losses came to Bowling Green (48-21) and Louisville St. Xavier (49-28).

The Golden Eagles often battle Ashland Blazer for the District 8 championship. The two meet Oct. 25. Johnson Central then meets Belfry on Nov. 1 to end the season.

Road Swing takes Bluebirds to Paducah

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands junior wide receiver Beau Hoge looks for running room in Saturday's game at John Hardin. The Bluebirds meet Paducah Tilghman on Saturday for the first time since 1994 at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in Paducah.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The next opponent may not be familiar to the current football players.

But the name brings back many memories of great games, especially during Tom Duffy’s time as the Head Coach of the Highlands Bluebirds. The Bluebirds and Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado met five times between 1989 and 1994.

Highlands claimed both Class 3A titles under Duffy against Tilghman at Louisville in 1989 (27-3) and 1992 (15-6). But what some people might forget is Highlands and Tilghman also met during the regular season in both years. Tilghman beat Highlands, 25-24 in the Hall of Fame Bowl at Hendersoun County in 1989 for its lone win in the series in five games and the Bluebirds beat the Blue Tornado, 25-19 in the Thoroughbred Bowl at Lexington Takes Creek in 1992.

The two schools met again in the Thoroughbred Bowl in the same location in current Highlands Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Dale Mueller’s first year in 1994. The Bluebirds won 26-6 led by current Campbell County Head Coach Stephen Lickert and Justin Frisk.

The two will meet again for the first time on either home field on Saturday at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Bluebirds travel to the western part of the state for the first time since winning 48-21 at Hopkinsville on Oct. 4, 2008.

The two schools have a combined 25 state championships. Highlands has won six in a row going 91-3 since the start of 2007 and Tilghman has three state championships in 2009, 1985 and 1973. Tilghman competes in Class 3A, District 1 with Fort Campbell, Trigg County and Webster County.

“Once I saw Highlands on film, I told my staff that our kids need to learn to play the way they play,” said Randy Wyatt, Tilghman Head Coach. “They are a combination of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Marines. They take orders and carry them out 110 percent. They were that way when we played them back in the last 1980s and nothing has changed.”

Both teams that sport blue and white want to right the ship in different ways. The Class 4A top-ranked Bluebirds (4-0) hope to put away an opponent better than Saturday’s 33-26 win at John Hardin. It took senior Zach Harris recovering a Bulldog onside kick with 43 seconds left to seal the win.

Highlands averaged 53 points a game entering that contest and still averages 48. Turnovers kept the Bluebirds from putting away the Bulldogs. The finished minus-2 in that department losing three fumbles while recovering just John Hardin mishap.

“We’ll have a greater emphasis on that (in practice),” Mueller said. “We’ll do a good bit of center-quarterback-running back (exchanges). In big games, ball security is the most important aspect of winning the game.”

Tilghman wants to get back into the win column entering the game at 1-3 following three straight losses to Evansville (Ind.) Reitz (28-16), Mayfield (28-21) and Graves County (30-27) in overtime. The Blue Tornado opened with a 24-23 win over newly-formed McCracken County High comprised of former Lone Oak, Reidland and Heath students. Opponents are outscoring them about 27-22. Tilghman has had problems scoring at key times in ballgames.

“We are still confident in our season,” Wyatt said. “After this week, we will be entering the second half of our season, and I feel that we are so close despite our 1-3 record. Everything we are doing is self-inflicted. We are our own worst enemy.”

The Highlands Spread offense is averaging 443 yards a contest. The Bluebirds have scored 16 touchdowns in 18 drives into the Red Zone for 89 percent. Highlands quarterback Drew Houliston has completed 74-of-105 passes for 1,281 yards, 18 touchdowns and just one interception. Senior running back Zach Harris leads the Bluebirds with 362 yards rushing on 47 carries with eight touchdowns and 14 receptions for 233 yards and five touchdowns.

Twelve different Bluebirds have catches this year. Junior Jensen Feggins follows Harris with 13 catches for 191 yards and three touchdowns.

Some have wondered about the rushing production of senior Jaylen Hayes. Hayes has 68 yards rushing on 15 carries with one touchdown. Mueller joked that he needs to petition the Kentucky High School Athletic Association for three balls so he can spread the wealth to more of the playmakers like Hayes. But Mueller said Hayes’ time will come like it will with other talented skill position players.

The Bluebird offensive line continues to block well. Highlands has allowed just three sacks on the year and held John Hardin 6-foot-6-inch, 330-pound defensive lineman Matt Elam, an NCAA Division I recruit, to just one tackle in the win Saturday.

“The offseason gets us ready to go against pretty much any competition we face,” said Kyler Dalton, Highlands junior offensive lineman. “Going against Matt Elam, we knew he was a big guy. We had to block him as well as we could. We ended up blocking him well as an offensive line, especially Bryan Saunders and Tyler Schweitzer. They had a heck of a game.”

Tilghman runs a stack 3-3 defense and does have players going both ways. The Blubirds face another talented offensive and defensive lineman in Blue Tornado senior Derik Overstreet. Overstreet led the team with 21 tackles after two games. Highlands tends to wear down teams that have players going both directions.

“They play a multiple-front defense and give you different coverages,” Mueller said. “They blitz a wide variety of guys so they can really keep you guessing. You have to be prepared for multiple stunts. They’re the kind of team that will come up with a new stunt specifically for you.”

The Highlands 3-4 defense will also face a Tilghman Spread. Sophomore quarterback Jessie Dunigan completed 26-of-48 passes for 342 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the first two games. Dunigan’s top targets were seniors Darrius Spivey-Nunn with 11 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown and Michael Davis with eight catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Djuan Sherrill led Tilghman after two games with 204 yards rushing on 32 carries and a touchdown.

“It sure doesn’t seem to me that they are struggling to score,” said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator. “We are fine and will continue to improve each day on everything we do.”

Opponents have averaged 23.8 points a game and 361.8 yards a contest against the Bluebirds. Brady Murray and Seth Hope lead the Highlands 3-4 defense with three tackles for a loss and Braden Hicks has the team’s lone quarterback sack. Griffin Urlage and Rocco Pangallo have one interception each for Highlands while five different players own one fumble recovery each. Weinrich said the team does not like to overanalyze opponents.

“(The defensive coaches) break (the game) down so simple,” said Avery McDaniel, Highlands senior defensive lineman. “Once we go over it in film (sessions), we practice it out on the field. It gets simpler and simpler. It’s about knowing the bases come game time.”

This marks the final tune-up for Highlands before traveling to arch-rival Covington Catholic on Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. The Colonels used their bye week to prepare for the game.