By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
The Highlands
Bluebirds defense knew the Ashland Blazer Tomcats would try to pound them
between the tackles.
The Tomcats
finished with 260 yards on 52 carries and two touchdowns for an average of five
a carry. But after going for 196 on 28 carries for an average of seven in the
first half, Ashland managed just 64 yards on 24 carries for an average of about
2.7 a carry in the second half. Highlands pulled away from Ashland, 52-13 in
the second round of the playoffs Friday.
“Defensively, we just played great,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands co-head coach. “They’ve got some excellent offensive
linemen. Their coach (Leon Hart) does a great job. They have a great scheme,
but we played them so well defensively when we were struggling offensively.
That was big for us.”
Ashland
came into the game with three running backs out with injuries including
freshman Quentin Baker. The Tomcats ran out of the tight I-formation packages
and some spread looks. Quarterback Aaron Elam and running backs Evan Yongue and
Malik Massey had most of the carries.
