[Blau Vogel]

http://queencityhigh.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1291874

JOHNSON CENTRAL (9-2) AT HIGHLANDS (11-0) - Highlands has won 21 straight playoff games, but they haven't been tested like this in quite a while. Quarterback Patrick Towles will be priority number one for the Johnson Central defense to stop. Towles has been brilliant this season with 38 touchdown passes. The best part of his game is who he distributes the wealth amongst his teammates. Ten different Bluebird caught passes last week. The Golden Eagles might zero in on the Highlands signal-caller, but with the stable of weapons he has it is going to be hard for JC to keep the Bluebirds from putting up points on the scoreboard.

Johnson Central running back J.J. Jude is Kentucky's all-time rushing leader. His numbers this season are gaudy with 2,964 yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground. His success running the football is imperative to controlling the clock and keeping the explosive Highlands' offense off the field. No matter what happens the Golden Eagles should win the time of possession battle. The Johnson Central defense is going to have to step up and make some stops. They can ill-afford to let the Bluebirds jump out and grab a couple of touchdown lead as the offense is not equipped to handle coming back from large deficits.

http://dailyindependent.com/localsports/...iming-high

ASHLAND — Johnson Central coach Jim Matney doesn’t want the old expression to come up again.

“We’ve got to get over this ‘close, but no cigar’ thing,” Matney said. “We’d like to come through this time.”

Maybe the third time will be the charm for the Golden Eagles, who take on Fort Thomas Highlands tonight for the Class 5A Region 1 championship for the third consecutive season.

While Johnson Central always seems to play its best football in November, Highlands has been there to dash the hopes of the Golden Eagles the past two years — with a 35-21 defeat in 2008 and a 42-21 win in 2009.

Matney is excited about the game being at home in Paintsville, as it was in 2008.

“It seems to give you a little more energy,” he said. “We need to go in there and represent well.”

Although Highlands has only one loss — a two-point loss to Class 6A power Ryle — Matney can envision an upset of the formidable Bluebirds tonight.

“I think we have a chance,” he said. “It was very close two years ago and fairly close last year.”

Johnson Central junior J.J. Jude, a record-setting running back this season, will have his work cut out for him. Or, it can be viewed vice versa, regarding Highlands defenders.

Jude has motored his way past 3,000 rushing yards for the season after tallying 371 against Covington Scott and 439 against Covington Catholic so far in the playoffs.

Highlands has the ingredients to slow Jude down — the Bluebirds have allowed 100 rushing yards to an opponent only twice this season (Ryle both times).

Jude never ceases to surprise his coach, though.

“We never expect to see those huge numbers,” Matney said. “Last week, if you had asked me at the end of the game how many yards he had, I wouldn’t have even come within 100 yards.”

Jude has been the headliner in just about every game, but the Golden Eagles have other weapons too. J.K. Hall, a senior quarterback/safety, is also a threat to run and is a talented defensive back. D.J. Ousley and Tanner Bratton can each run and also serve as solid blockers for Jude and Hall.

A strong schedule has paid dividends again for Johnson Central. The Golden Eagles are playing in their fifth straight regional final, and Matney attributes his team’s yearly climb to its November peak to the challenging opponents faced in the regular season.

“That’s why we play the schedule we play,” Matney said. “I think it’s a difference maker. We go back and rely on experiences in tough, close games.”

Johnson Central, fully healthy, according to Matney, will focus most of its attention on Highlands quarterback Patrick Towles. Towles is the Bluebirds’ leading rusher and passer. He has thrown for 1,996 yards and has 17 TDs and nine interceptions.

“He’s a double threat,” said Matney, who compared this Bluebirds team with last season’s.

“One thing that’s different is that they play a lot more players,” he said.

Johnson Central is used to the underdog role, as the Golden Eagles saw themselves against CovCath last week. They don’t mind the role. In fact, it motivates them even further to attain the ultimate prize.

“We feel like we’ve taken our program a long ways,” Matney said. “We feel like there is one last peak to reach.”

AARON SNYDER can be reached at [email]asnyder@dailyindependent.com[/email] or (606) 326-2664.