[Blau Vogel]

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Joseph K. Ford Stadium, Lexington.

Last Week: Highlands beat Covington Catholic, 28-13; Lexington Catholic beat Mercer County, 49-14.

Last Season: Highlands won in state semifinals, 61-28.

Team Offensive Averages: Highlands – 52.0 ppg, 440.1 yards per game (118.6 rushing, 321.5 passing). Lexington Catholic –40.4 ppg, 421.3 yards per game (176.4 rushing, 244.9 passing).

Team Defensive Averages: Highlands – 20.3 ppg, 303.8 yards per game (154.1 rushing, 149.7 passing). Lexington Catholic – 21.3 ppg, 280.3 yards per game (126.7 rushing, 153.6 passing).

Highlands Statistical Leaders:

Rushing – Zach Harris (130 rushes for 906 yards, 18 TDs); Jalen Hayes (48 for 278, 3 TDs); Nick Kendall (24 for 274, 3 TDs).

Passing – Drew Houliston (198 of 286 for 3,292 yards, 44 TDS, 2 INTs).

Receiving – Jensen Feggins (44 catches for 913 yards, 13 TDs); Zach Harris (29 for 466, 9 TDs); Ryan Greene (29 for 413, 3 TDs); Alex Veneman (28 for 667, 9 TDs).

Defense – Highlands does not report tackles leaders; Joey Kruse (3 fumble recoveries, 2 TDs; 1 INT, TD); Rocco Pangallo (2 fumble recoveries); Griffin Urlage (2 INTs).

Lexington Catholic Statistical Leaders:

Rushing – Marcelis Logan (104 rushes for 769 yards, 15 TDs); Noah Mitchell (103 for 602, 5 TDs); Carter Gray (40 for 422, 5 TDs); Reese Ryan (86 for 261, 4 TDs).

Passing – Reese Ryan (194 of 304 for 2,984 yards, 33 TDs, 8 INTs).

Receiving – David Bouvier (70 catches for 988 yards, 8 TDS); Sam Letton (41 for 850, 13 TDs); Marcelis Logan (31 for 369, 5 TDs); Noah Mitchell (30 for 465, 3 TDs).

Defense – Josh Mesmer (120 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 INTs); Braxton Couch (89 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT); Chase Boling (79 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries,2 INTs); Davis Rowaday (5 INTs) .

Litkenhous Ratings: Highlands 130.3, Lexington Catholic 109.1.

Noteworthy: The winner advances to the state championship game to play the Owensboro-Collins winner at 4 p.m. on Dec. 7 in Bowling Green. … Since Covington Catholic beat Highlands 25-15 in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs in 2006, Highlands has won 33 straight playoff games has won 44 straight games against Kentucky teams since losing to Ryle in the 2010 regular-season finale. … Highlands is seeking to reach its seventh straight state championship game. It has won six straight state titles. … Highlands has 56 touchdown passes this season. The school record is 59 set in 2000. …. Highlands is seeking its third straight Class 4A semifinal win over Lexington Catholic. It not only won last season 61-28, but it also won 42-21 in 2011. … Lexington Catholic quarterback Reese Ryan has scholarship offers from Illinois and Louisville and is being recruited by several other Division I colleges. … Highlands has 10 different receivers with 11 catches or more and 13 different receivers with at least one touchdown reception, including 10 who have three or more.

Richard Skinner