[Stardust]

At home or on the road, the Highlands football team is having its way. But the Bluebirds couldn't say that until Friday night.

Following a pair of blowout wins on their home turf, the Bluebirds traveled to Louisville and played the Western Warriors on grass and answered the challenge with a 51-23 Class 4A rout.

"It's a good win against a fast, athletic team," Highlands coach Dale Mueller said.

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Senior Donovan McCoy led the assault with a hand in five touchdowns as the quick-striking Bluebirds (3-0) remained unbeaten. The five-time defending state champions, ranked No. 1 locally and statewide, won their 23rd game in a row. Western (0-3) is winless a year after reaching the state quarterfinals.

"We started lethargic but we got it going," McCoy said. "We wanted to open up the passing a little bit tonight and I think that helped us."

McCoy finished 16-of-35 passing for 256 yards with three touchdowns, all career highs. He ran for 94 yards on 11 carries with two more scores for a total of 350 yards, which outgained Western's total of 306.

The game's key sequence came early in the second quarter after Highlands took a 10-0 lead on Zach Harris' two-yard run to cap a 57-yard possession and Luke Brockett's 32-yard field goal. Harris finished with 86 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.

Highlands began a drive at the Western 2-yard line. McCoy took the snap and fumbled the ball into the end zone, where it was recovered by a teammate for a Warriors' safety. Western's Dujuan Rouson returned the ensuing kick 70 yards for a touchdown to make it 10-8 in front of a packed stadium full of screaming Warriors fans wanting an upset.

Undaunted, Highlands responded with 20 unanswered points in less than five minutes.

Following a short kickoff return, McCoy led the offense on a drive he capped with a a 32-yard touchdown run for a 17-8 lead at the 5:05 mark of the second quarter. The defense got a stop then McCoy took the Bluebirds on another scoring drive, completing it with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Greene with 3:03 left in the half.

Highlands got the ball back and McCoy gashed the Warriors' defense with passes and scrambles before hitting Luke Brockett with a 21-yard TD pass with 41 seconds to play before the break. Brockett stayed on the field and nailed the extra-point kick, making it 30-8. Brockett's receiving TD, field goal and extra-point kicks totaled 15 points.

"Even when we played without our fans at home, we got a win," Brockett said.

Mueller had issues with some facets of special teams but he liked the way his Bluebirds overcame obstacles and forced five turnovers, which included interceptions by brothers Quentin Murray and Brady Murray.

"We lost two onside kicks and we gave up two kick returns for touchdowns," the coach said. "When that happens and you still win the game, you know your guys can handle some adversity. We just had to keep our eyes on the next play and the guys did that while playing on the road."

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