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Bluebirds Show Two Lefties at Quarterback

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands defenders converge on a Scott ball-carrier on Friday.

The Highlands Bluebirds saw two quarterbacks in action in the win at Scott on Friday.

Junior Jake Fahlbusch started the game and senior Collin Hollingsworth finished it. Fahlbusch completed 7-of-11 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown with Hollingsworth completing 12-of-22 for 137 yards, an interception and touchdown. Both are left-handed quarterbacks.

"I thought they both actually played pretty well," said Sam Umberg, Highlands Offensive Coordinator. "The big thing on film (Saturday) is each one is going to learn from the other. A lot of teams don't have the luxury of having two lefties. They can learn from each other as well as learn from their own reps."

Hollingsworth rushed for a touchdown in the third quarter on a quarterback sweep. That put Highlands up 35-13 with 1:47 left.

Highlands had not started a southpaw at quarterback since 2012 when Donovan McCoy started. McCoy gave the Bluebirds a dual threat running and passing the ball.

Series Against Scott:

Highlands moved to 31-0 all-time against Scott. This marked the first time the two teams met since 2010 when they were in the same Class 5A District 5.

Around District 5:

The district finished 4-0 on the first night of action. Covington Catholic won its 30th game in 31 tries with a convincing 37-0 win over Ryle at home.

Cooper and Boone County also posted victories to open the season. Cooper edged Dixie Heights, 7-0 and the Rebels beat Covington Holmes, 20-6.

Up Next:

Highlands plays Knoxville Catholic (1-0) in the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic on Saturday. Game time is 5:30 p.m. The Fighting Irish opened the season with a convincing 48-0 win over Chuckey-Doak out of Afton (Tennessee).

Cross Country:

The Highlands Cross Country teams ran in the Moeller Primetime Invitational at Christ's Church at Mason to open the season. Both teams ran in the varsity blue race.

The Highlands girls placed eighth out of 18 teams with 216 points. Highlands junior Maggie Schroeder led the way placing 13th with a time of 20 minutes, 20.5 seconds.

The Highlands boys placed 14th out of 17 teams. Junior Will Griffith led the Bluebirds finishing 45th in 17:53.3.

Highlands next runs in the Mason Invitational on Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. The race takes place at Corwin M. Nixon Pine Hills Lake Park in Mason (Ohio).

Highlands Thursday Results

Bluebirds Volleyball, Boys Soccer Record Wins

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. From left, Highlands players Madison Clore, Brooke Biltz, Rylee Kirschenbaum and Casey Dunn get in position in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds volleyball team (2-1 overall) recorded a big rivalry win over a state semifinalist from last year.

Highlands ventured to Alexandria and took down the 0-2 Campbell County Lady Camels, 3-0. Highlands has won three straight in the series.

Highlands Wednesday Results

Bluebirds Girls Soccer Handles St. Henry

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands senior Lauren Deckert had an assist when the Bluebirds beat the St. Henry Lady Crusaders, 4-1 on Wednesday.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team (1-0-1) received the strong start and drove to its first victory with a 4-1 road 9th Region win over the St. Henry Lady Crusaders (1-1).

Highlands Tuesday Results

Bluebirds Volleyball Takes Down Beechwood

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. The Highlands volleyball team huddles before the game against Beechwood on Tuesday.

They came out in a rhythm and kept up the intensity the entire way to open the season at home.

The Highlands Bluebirds volleyball team returns 10 players with varsity experience from last year's 25-11 team and it showed in a big way in a 3-0 (25-12, 25-11, 25-12) win over the Beechwood Lady Tigers. The Bluebirds made just 17 errors in the victory with 10 coming on hitting errors.

Highlands Monday Results

Bluebirds Tie Pandas

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands Girls Soccer Head Coach Alex Dean goes over strategy during halftime of the game against Notre Dame. The teams tied 1-1.

The lightning on the field came to full force as the arch-rivals met in the season-opener for the hosts at Tower Park.

But the lightning on the field forced the game to end early. That meant the Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team and the Notre Dame Pandas (1-0-1) had to settle for a 1-1 tie.

"It's really hard playing your rival the very first game of the year, but I think it's kind of a good thing," said Alex Dean, Highlands Head Coach. "Leaving a big gap for if we do see them in the post-season, it's not, 'Oh, wait. We just saw them.' We have to adjust throughout the season. Things happen. We weren't worried about the score. Winning is always great. (But) it's making sure we're playing hard and we're out there trying to get a little more fit. We're a little slim on numbers. But we have faith in our girls. They all can play 80 minutes. Games like that will help us get to that."

Highlands Weekend Results

Bluebirds Win Battle Against Bruins

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Members of the Highlands Boys Soccer Coaching staff watch at the end of a recent practice. Highlands is 2-0 on the season after beating Louisville Ballard, 1-0 on Saturday.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team (2-0 overall) knocked off the Louisville Ballard Bruins, 1-0 in a tight non-region game Saturday.

Highlands Boys Soccer Wins Opener

The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team posted a 4-0 shutout of the host Beechwood Tigers to open the season Wednesday in 9th Region play.