[Blau Vogel]

Who wins and why....

[Blau Vogel]

When Highlands High School’s football team is at full strength, it is close to unbeatable. What may be more impressive is that the Bluebirds continue to find ways to win even when they are at less than full strength.

The Bluebirds welcomed back senior running back Zach Harris and senior linebacker Thomas Wrobleski, who helped lead Highlands to a 28-13 win over Covington Catholic in the state quarterfinals.
“A lot of teams try to win the state championship if everything goes right,” said head coach Dale Mueller. “We plan on winning the state championship if everything goes wrong.”
Senior quarterback Drew Houliston missed the regular season finale and is still not playing at 100 percent. Harris missed the Bluebirds’ first two playoff games. Wrobleski has missed multiple games this season and has rotated between safety and outside linebacker as he worked his way back into the starting lineup.
Despite being shorthanded, the Bluebirds cruised through the first two rounds of the playoffs. With their veteran starters healthy and in the lineup, the Bluebirds are nearly unstoppable. Instead of relying on the starting 22, the Bluebirds make sure every player on the team is prepared to contribute if called upon. A third-string sophomore lineman puts just as much hard work into practice as a senior starting skill position player.
“We have so many outstanding players on the team and each player tries to get better every day. There are 95 varsity players and each guy’s development is extremely important,” said Mueller. “Our guys are from families who believe that trying hard pays off. They have great role models in their homes.”
In the win over CovCath, Houliston did not throw a touchdown pass. It was the first game all year that Highlands did not complete a touchdown pass. Instead, the pocket passer rushed for two scores, including a rarely called designed quarterback run on fourth down on the Bluebirds’ first possession of the game. After grabbing the lead, the Bluebirds wore down the Colonels late in the game. Harris finished with 194 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.
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“We didn't really focus on the ground game. We were just trying to win the game,” said Mueller. “Once we got up 28-6 we decided to slow the game down and take time off the clock. We ran it about 25 times in the fourth quarter.”
Harris and Houliston have shared the offensive limelight with one another all season. Whether it’s Houliston tossing a handful of touchdowns or Harris toting the rock more than 20 times, the offense finds a way to win. The pair complement one another. The unsung stars are the offensive linemen who own the line of scrimmage, whether they are pass blocking or run blocking.
“One of the biggest strengths of the team is the unselfishness of the players. We are a fraternity of guys who are doing everything we can to help the team win,” said Mueller. “Zach and the rest of the linemen’s blocking ability is extremely important to the success of the team.”
The defense has allowed just 25 points through three postseason games. For the third straight season, Highlands will face Lexington Catholic with a trip to the Class 4A championship game on the line. With depth and unselfishness, Highlands should up its win streak against Kentucky opponents to 45 straight games.

“We didn't really focus on the ground game. We were just trying to win the game,” said Mueller. “Once we got up 28-6 we decided to slow the game down and take time off the clock. We ran it about 25 times in the fourth quarter.”

Harris and Houliston have shared the offensive limelight with one another all season. Whether it’s Houliston tossing a handful of touchdowns or Harris toting the rock more than 20 times, the offense finds a way to win. The pair complement one another. The unsung stars are the offensive linemen who own the line of scrimmage, whether they are pass blocking or run blocking.
“One of the biggest strengths of the team is the unselfishness of the players. We are a fraternity of guys who are doing everything we can to help the team win,” said Mueller. “Zach and the rest of the linemen’s blocking ability is extremely important to the success of the team.”
The defense has allowed just 25 points through three postseason games. For the third straight season, Highlands will face Lexington Catholic with a trip to the Class 4A championship game on the line. With depth and unselfishness, Highlands should up its win streak against Kentucky opponents to 45 straight games.

http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20131125/SPT0302/311250071/&nclick_check=1

[Spirit100]

Birds by 3-4 TDs+ because of talent, depth, speed, and coaching!

[NKY Fan]

HHS. Because they are simply better in all areas of the game.

[sstack]

I have heard talk about the bad blood between this two teams in last years game, but I can not recall what happened. I do recall Lex Cath coach spending almost the entire game on the field and was shocked the refs let it carry on the whole game. Can anybody remind me of what happened in that game last year?

[Blue fan]

Highlands by 20

[FBfan4life]

I have heard talk about the bad blood between this two teams in last years game, but I can not recall what happened. I do recall Lex Cath coach spending almost the entire game on the field and was shocked the refs let it carry on the whole game. Can anybody remind me of what happened in that game last year?

There is no bad blood between these 2 great program. Just an old fashion football rivaly. On the field, they hate each other, off the field they recpect one another. As far as last year's even, I think LexCath coaches were just frustrated with some calls, but who cares. Play the game and play it right.

[FBfan4life]

I'm going to be a little bias and go with Lex Cath. Hope the game is clean, competative and respectable in the end. Good luck to both teams.

[Spirit100]

I have heard talk about the bad blood between this two teams in last years game, but I can not recall what happened. I do recall Lex Cath coach spending almost the entire game on the field and was shocked the refs let it carry on the whole game. Can anybody remind me of what happened in that game last year?

On numerous occasions a particular lc player was cheap shotting and late hitting players throughout the game. Someone put together a clip of most of the hits and had it on here, sad yet amusing there was enough to put together a video. More sad was mysteriously, the shots were unnoticed ( not called ) by the ref crew.

I predict this game will get real chippy and the Birds will have no favor.

[Jack Lambert]

I'm pulling for Lex cath to win but they have a huge task ahead of 'em.i keep thinking about Highlands games with John Hardin Paducah tilghman Cov cath part 2 and last but not least the 69 points Warren central hung on thier D.now Boyle played LC and WC both and IMO LC is better than WC.i think Lex Cath has a chance a slim one but a chance if they catch a few breaks along the way,good luck Knights.

[TNT-MB1]

Birds by 60

[FBfan4life]

Birds by 60

Pretty:lame:

[sstack]

I'm pulling for Lex cath to win but they have a huge task ahead of 'em.i keep thinking about Highlands games with John Hardin Paducah tilghman Cov cath part 2 and last but not least the 69 points Warren central hung on thier D.now Boyle played LC and WC both and IMO LC is better than WC.i think Lex Cath has a chance a slim one but a chance if they catch a few breaks along the way,good luck Knights.

You have heard by now I am sure that the 69 given up to WC was with Highlands entire starting D backfield out of the game, and in the other two games mentioned they were far from full strength. Go ahead and hang your hopes on that is the D you will see in the playoffs, or look what Highlands D has done since Playoffs started and games mean something. Dale rest players when he can, but I can assure you the starters will be in the game this Friday. And you want to talk about the D giving up 69 pts, but they still won!! How will LC stop HHS offense is what you did not talk about.

[FBfan4life]

You have heard by now I am sure that the 69 given up to WC was with Highlands entire starting D backfield out of the game, and in the other two games mentioned they were far from full strength. Go ahead and hang your hopes on that is the D you will see in the playoffs, or look what Highlands D has done since Playoffs started and games mean something. Dale rest players when he can, but I can assure you the starters will be in the game this Friday. And you want to talk about the D giving up 69 pts, but they still won!! How will LC stop HHS offense is what you did not talk about.

Go easy on his sstack. He is just making a point. We all know that FT Highland is a well oiled machine. It's almost impossible to stop them. We understand that. Me cheering on Lex Cath, is just hoping for a few breaks here and there ( ie turnovers or a flat tire on the team bus.. joke ) and keep it respectable. Again I envy your program. Your program is elite and have the right to talk and puff out your chest. Unlike some other programs that like to talk junk and say their program is elite in their region or it's their turn to knock down the mighty elites... but in the end, it seems like it always the same elite programs are STILL STANDING ( ie. FT HIghlands, Lex Cath, Boyle Co. and Cov Cath )

[Jack Lambert]

Highlands fans are so blinded by thier success they don't see how arrogant they've become.you guys can get on here and critisize any team you want and thats ok but heaven forbid some one else say anything about Highlands short comings.and give another team a chance against them you guys won't be on top for ever all good things come to a end and when it happens all the fan bases that you've gave a hard time over the years hopefully won't have any mercy on you when you're on the other end of the ladder looking up.you need to win with class as well as lose with class and weather you like it or not its my opinion that Lex cath does have a chance to win friday all be it a slim one but yet a chance thats why they play the games.

[Frozenbird]

On numerous occasions a particular lc player was cheap shotting and late hitting players throughout the game. Someone put together a clip of most of the hits and had it on here, sad yet amusing there was enough to put together a video. More sad was mysteriously, the shots were unnoticed ( not called ) by the ref crew.

I also vaguely remember comments that the aforementioned player was also tweeting and/or posting on Facebook about his actions as well. At least that is what was indicated in the thread. I would hope that such behavior, both on and off the field (if this was true), is avoided this time around by both teams.

[sstack]

Highlands fans are so blinded by thier success they don't see how arrogant they've become.you guys can get on here and critisize any team you want and thats ok but heaven forbid some one else say anything about Highlands short comings.and give another team a chance against them you guys won't be on top for ever all good things come to a end and when it happens all the fan bases that you've gave a hard time over the years hopefully won't have any mercy on you when you're on the other end of the ladder looking up.you need to win with class as well as lose with class and weather you like it or not its my opinion that Lex cath does have a chance to win friday all be it a slim one but yet a chance thats why they play the games.

It is funny how other teams fans want to call you arrogant if you make predictions that have continued to happen. Am I suppose to say they are going to lose when I honestly think they will win by 28+ points? I am the first one to point out Highlands weakness and even had other HHS fans PM me and tell me not to. I just stating how I feel about HHS and their competition. If I think HHS is not going to win, like in the Elder game, I will state that ( I did predict they would lose to Elder, but cheered hard hoping for the win). HHS is just going through a period now where they are crazy good. The time will come when other teams will get their licks in on HHS, and you know the posts will go crazy throwing jabs at the HHS fans. If you are not a HHS fan you get tired of hearing about them winning and how good they are and that is understandable, but that does not make every HHS post and fan arrogant.

As for the game, I and others have posted you can have some success against HHS D with the pass. LC has a good looking QB and WR's and I do think they could move the ball if QB is given time. I do think it is going to be hard for LC's D to slow down HHS offense, pick your poison, try stopping the run or the pass, they do both very,very well.

[Jack Lambert]

I agree Highlands offense up to its usual standards but i think the defense is no where near its usual standards thats why i think LC has a chance if they catch a few breaks along the way.anyone can lose on any given night even Highlands.IMO Highlands fans need to learn to take what they dish out.

[sstack]

I agree Highlands offense up to its usual standards but i think the defense is no where near its usual standards thats why i think LC has a chance if they catch a few breaks along the way.anyone can lose on any given night even Highlands.IMO Highlands fans need to learn to take what they dish out.

I think if LC upsets HHS, or what ever team is the next to beat HHS, you will find the HHS fans the first to congrad the winning team and not whine and make excuses. The best game Highlands played this year was the loss to Elder, Go back and look at the posts from that game and Highlands fans loved the game and did not whine and cry after the lose. I do not think a lot of areas of KY realize how much NKy loves football and follows the whole state and Cincinnati and not just their team. I have talked to many of fans over the years from other teams and you can tell they know nothing about football outside their own team.

[Jack Lambert]

[/COLOR]

I think if LC upsets HHS, or what ever team is the next to beat HHS, you will find the HHS fans the first to congrad the winning team and not whine and make excuses. The best game Highlands played this year was the loss to Elder, Go back and look at the posts from that game and Highlands fans loved the game and did not whine and cry after the lose. I do not think a lot of areas of KY realize how much NKy loves football and follows the whole state and Cincinnati and not just their team. I have talked to many of fans over the years from other teams and you can tell they know nothing about football outside their own team.

I live and breath football at all levels and appreciate good football no matter who's playing and admire Highlands program but i've had many more negitive encounters with thier fanbase than positive over the years.maybe you're one of the good guys oldbird has always been my favorite though its been awhile since i've saw him on any of the forums.anyway been nice exchaning opinions with ya.good luck

[birdman44]

This is going to sound really weird, really weird coming from a big time bluebird fan.... There is a part of me that kindof hopes that this winning state every year gets broken up at some point. The kids are so spoiled. It is a little easier to win state now with 6 classes and they never get a taste of not winning state to appreciate how awesome it is. My class lost to CovCath in the mud bowl junior year so winning state as seniors was really sweet. God needs the devil, the beatles needed the rolling stones. I dont know, i always want them to win, its just weird that these kids dont know what not winning state is like. Some one soon is going to shock them... has to happen right?

[ballboy]

I feel that this is the year that all the Big Boy lose Trinity out, St X is out, and I just feel that Lexington Catholic will win friday I dont know why. But Highlands has had it easy so far for the past 2 or 3 years and I agree with Birdman 44 its aout time some one beats them the odds are going to catch up with them it may not be this game but somewhere and losing is not a bad thing as many times as they have won the state title.

[charlie22]

This is going to sound really weird, really weird coming from a big time bluebird fan.... There is a part of me that kindof hopes that this winning state every year gets broken up at some point. The kids are so spoiled. It is a little easier to win state now with 6 classes and they never get a taste of not winning state to appreciate how awesome it is. My class lost to CovCath in the mud bowl junior year so winning state as seniors was really sweet. God needs the devil, the beatles needed the rolling stones. I dont know, i always want them to win, its just weird that these kids dont know what not winning state is like. Some one soon is going to shock them... has to happen right?

What do you mean when you say the kids are so spoiled?

[sstack]

I feel that this is the year that all the Big Boy lose Trinity out, St X is out, and I just feel that Lexington Catholic will win friday I dont know why. But Highlands has had it easy so far for the past 2 or 3 years and I agree with Birdman 44 its aout time some one beats them the odds are going to catch up with them it may not be this game but somewhere and losing is not a bad thing as many times as they have won the state title.

I do not think it will be this game, but there are some lean years coming up IMO.

[mysonis55]

Highlands continues the roll.

[FBfan4life]

I do not think it will be this game, but there are some lean years coming up IMO.

Hey sstack, seriously what lean year are we talking about? Would like to see what year LexCath or Boyle Co has a chance.

[charlie22]

I do not think it will be this game, but there are some lean years coming up IMO.

I've heard the same thing about lean years coming up and you may be right, but I heard from some Highlands fans before the 2008 season that that team wasn't going to be very good; and I heard from some Highlands fans before the 2010 season that that team wasn't going to be very good. And we know how those years turned out. :Thumbs:

Neither team is in consideration for the "Best Highlands Team Ever" award, but they ended up being good enough to accomplish the mission.

[Pulp Fiction]

The Cincinnati South Academy.

[birdman44]

they are spoiled in the sence that they do not understand what it feels like to not win state.... i love the bluebirds.... i know they work hard enough to deserve it.....i never want them to lose....its just, they really cant appreciate it... its not real.

[charlie22]

Hey sstack, seriously what lean year are we talking about? Would like to see what year LexCath or Boyle Co has a chance.

I don't see a lean year happening next year for sure. You have several very good WRs returning (most specifically Feggins, Weyer, Whitford and Veneman); Hoge or Hergott at QB (and if Hoge doesn't start at QB, that means another excellent WR); Dougherty and/or Kendell as RBs; and Turner is a magician at turning out very good O lines. Offensively, we'll again be very, very good.

On D, you have Hebel and Gall returning on the D line. Schoepf, Pangallo and Murray returning at LBer; Abner and Urlage returning in the defensive secondary.

And you have Dougherty returning to handle the kicking game.

No doubt, like each year, we'll have some holes to fill but there is a very strong group of starters coming back next year.