12-14-2011, 05:06 PM
http://local.cincinnati.com/community/St...312130019/
The football programs from Highlands and Holy Cross each enjoyed a magical 2011 season, culminating in a state championship. The Bluebirds and Indians shared another commonality this season: A former Cincinnati Bengal on the coaching staff.
Former Bengals defensive lineman Bruce Kozerski has been a part of the Holy Cross football program since its inception in 1998. He was instrumental in getting the program off the ground, installing the schoolâs first weight room in addition to assisting the teamâs first head coach, the late John Wysong.
Kozerski took the reins when Wysong unexpectedly died in 2004. Kozerski played his entire NFL career for the Bengals, from 1984-1995. He was a three-time Pro Bowl alternate and played in Super Bowl XXIII. Despite his lofty professional achievements, Kozerski believes this was his most special season in football.
âHe told us that this was the biggest accomplishment of his career,â said Indians senior linebacker Paul Lampone, who led the Indians with eight tackles in the state championship win over Glasgow on Dec. 2.
Many of the Indians on this yearâs roster were in diapers when Kozerski retired from the NFL. He does not throw around his experience as a player at The College of the Holy Cross or with the Bengals. He has been committed to coaching and teaching at Holy Cross High School for over a decade now.
âHe doesnât really talk about it too much, and neither do we,â said Lampone of Kozerskiâs NFL days. âJust the fact that we know heâs been around the highest level of competition is enough for us.â
Kozerskiâs experience of starting in a Super Bowl may have helped him prepare his team for the biggest game of their young lives. He was able to impart some calmness and confidence that helped propel the Indians to a 33-14 victory in the Class 2A title game, the schoolâs first state championship in any sport.
âEven though we knew in our hearts that it was the biggest game weâve ever played, he did a good job of telling us that it was just another game,â said Lampone.
For the Bluebirds, a state championship game is nothing new. This year was, however, the first Kentucky state championship for the teamâs rookie wide receivers coach. Cris Collinsworth played for the Bengals from 1981-1988, earning three trips to the Pro Bowl and starting in Super Bowl XVI as a rookie. His son, Jac, is a junior receiver for the Bluebirds. Highlands won its fifth straight state championship with a 42-14 win over Franklin-Simpson in the Class 4A title game on Dec. 3. The former University of Florida and Cincinnati Bengals receiver was a welcome addition to the coaching staff this year.
âCris made a tremendous impact on the players and the team this year,â said Bluebirds head coach Dale Mueller. âHis knowledge and experience was very valuable, but by far his biggest impact is that he is tremendously positive and truly a good person who wants to serve others and help them be successful.â
The Cincinnati Bengals organization takes pride in the impact the two former Bengals have on the local community. Kozerski and Collinsworth have been generous in the way that they share their knowledge and experience with local high school football players.
âKnowing the quality of man that Bruce is and the quality of man that Cris is, those high school kids are privileged to have exposure to them,â said Bengals director of football operations Jim Lippincott. âBoth Highlands and Holy Cross are fortunate for the adult leadership of their quality.â
Lippincott also pointed to the success of former Bengals Mike Martin and Keith Rucker, who have coached at high schools in Cincinnati. Both Kozerski and Collinsworth used their experience as competitors at the highest level to educate young men in the region. The state championships won by each this year are icing on the cake.
âThe education of the kids involved is more important than the names on the state title trophy,â said Lippincott.
The football programs from Highlands and Holy Cross each enjoyed a magical 2011 season, culminating in a state championship. The Bluebirds and Indians shared another commonality this season: A former Cincinnati Bengal on the coaching staff.
Former Bengals defensive lineman Bruce Kozerski has been a part of the Holy Cross football program since its inception in 1998. He was instrumental in getting the program off the ground, installing the schoolâs first weight room in addition to assisting the teamâs first head coach, the late John Wysong.
Kozerski took the reins when Wysong unexpectedly died in 2004. Kozerski played his entire NFL career for the Bengals, from 1984-1995. He was a three-time Pro Bowl alternate and played in Super Bowl XXIII. Despite his lofty professional achievements, Kozerski believes this was his most special season in football.
âHe told us that this was the biggest accomplishment of his career,â said Indians senior linebacker Paul Lampone, who led the Indians with eight tackles in the state championship win over Glasgow on Dec. 2.
Many of the Indians on this yearâs roster were in diapers when Kozerski retired from the NFL. He does not throw around his experience as a player at The College of the Holy Cross or with the Bengals. He has been committed to coaching and teaching at Holy Cross High School for over a decade now.
âHe doesnât really talk about it too much, and neither do we,â said Lampone of Kozerskiâs NFL days. âJust the fact that we know heâs been around the highest level of competition is enough for us.â
Kozerskiâs experience of starting in a Super Bowl may have helped him prepare his team for the biggest game of their young lives. He was able to impart some calmness and confidence that helped propel the Indians to a 33-14 victory in the Class 2A title game, the schoolâs first state championship in any sport.
âEven though we knew in our hearts that it was the biggest game weâve ever played, he did a good job of telling us that it was just another game,â said Lampone.
For the Bluebirds, a state championship game is nothing new. This year was, however, the first Kentucky state championship for the teamâs rookie wide receivers coach. Cris Collinsworth played for the Bengals from 1981-1988, earning three trips to the Pro Bowl and starting in Super Bowl XVI as a rookie. His son, Jac, is a junior receiver for the Bluebirds. Highlands won its fifth straight state championship with a 42-14 win over Franklin-Simpson in the Class 4A title game on Dec. 3. The former University of Florida and Cincinnati Bengals receiver was a welcome addition to the coaching staff this year.
âCris made a tremendous impact on the players and the team this year,â said Bluebirds head coach Dale Mueller. âHis knowledge and experience was very valuable, but by far his biggest impact is that he is tremendously positive and truly a good person who wants to serve others and help them be successful.â
The Cincinnati Bengals organization takes pride in the impact the two former Bengals have on the local community. Kozerski and Collinsworth have been generous in the way that they share their knowledge and experience with local high school football players.
âKnowing the quality of man that Bruce is and the quality of man that Cris is, those high school kids are privileged to have exposure to them,â said Bengals director of football operations Jim Lippincott. âBoth Highlands and Holy Cross are fortunate for the adult leadership of their quality.â
Lippincott also pointed to the success of former Bengals Mike Martin and Keith Rucker, who have coached at high schools in Cincinnati. Both Kozerski and Collinsworth used their experience as competitors at the highest level to educate young men in the region. The state championships won by each this year are icing on the cake.
âThe education of the kids involved is more important than the names on the state title trophy,â said Lippincott.