[Blau Vogel]

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/2011/1...ear-award/

Highlands senior quarterback Patrick Towles was named the Gatorade Kentucky player of the year Thursday morning.

Towles took the news in stride when informed by Highlands coach Dale Mueller, who said the Bluebirds standout in some ways can act mature like a 28-year-old but at the same time be like a 7-year-old at heart.

“When I told him I sort of got the impression he was so generally pleased and surprised,” Mueller said.

Mueller asked rhetorically who else would’ve received the honor in Kentucky this season. The numbers for Towles speak for themselves.

“There are so many talented guys in the state,” Towles said. “It was good. It was a good feeling to be picked as the best player overall in Kentucky.”

Towles, who is verbally committed to the University of Kentucky, has thrown for 3,637 yards, 41 touchdowns and just one interception this season. He is 169 of 261 passing (64.7 percent).

Towles, who is 6 feet 6 and 235 pounds, has also rushed 81 times for 467 yards and 14 touchdowns. Towles’ unselfish nature has been a prime example to others around him, Mueller said.

Mueller said Towles’ season has been the focus of nearly daily media requests with phone calls and emails and the veteran coach admits he can’t always respond to every one of them.

Even Mueller has difficulty putting in perspective over 3,000 passing yards and over 40 touchdown passes from Towles.

“That’s like a misprint,” Mueller said. “That just doesn’t happen.”

Highlands (14-0) plays Franklin-Simpson (13-1) in the Class 4A state final at Western Kentucky University at 4 p.m. EST Saturday.

As for Towles’ legacy at Highlands, Mueller said the quarterback still treats every practice with the humility of a freshman and acts like every drill is the most important.

Mueller said Towles followed the significant example of work ethic from former Highlands standout and current Notre Dame safety Austin Collinsworth.

“Pat has carried on in that same tradition,” Mueller said. “…Just a phenomenal year and career.”

Towles, who is the grandson of Baseball Hall of Famer and former U.S. Senator Jim Bunning, said he is most proud of being 14-0 heading into Saturday.

“That is the one thing that separates a good quarterback from a great quarterback is your winning,” Towles said.

Other notes:

Towles, 17, also said he doesn’t plan to play in any all-star football games following the postseason. Towles said he plans to play basketball for Highlands.
Towles turns 18 on Jan. 18. Birthday is Jan. 18, 1994.
Towles on how much fun this football season has been: “It’s been awesome.”
Towles on adding Cris Collinsworth to the coaching staff this season: “(He) totally extended our passing game and really our offense and made our offense much better.”
Towles is the third Highlands player to win the Gatordade Kentucky football player of the year award. Derek Smith and Rob Smith were the other two, according to Highlands.
Towles is a finalist for the Gatorade national player of the year award to be announced later this month.
Towles said nothing different about the routine going into Saturday. The team plans to leave at 8 a.m. for Western Kentucky. He said Mueller likes to keep it as normal as possible. The Bluebirds practice tonight.
Towles is already known for being the grandson of Bunning. On his father’s side, Patrick is familiar with a long line of police officers. Patrick’s father Terry is a police officer. Patrick’s late grandfather Tommy Towles and late great-grandfather Harold also were police officers. Patrick said growing up he learned to be himself in front of other people. “Being the quarterback at Highlands you always have to put your teammates in front of you,” Patrick said. “I have go go down there Saturday and hopefully come out with a win.”