[Stardust]

BOWLING GREEN -- Highlands junior quarterback Patrick Towles entered Saturday’s state championship game without a single college scholarship offer.


Judging by his performance on the state’s biggest stage, that might not be the case for long.

• Photos: Highlands 55, Christian County 0

“Hopefully this helps,” Towles said after the Bluebirds’ 50-0 victory at L.T. Smith Stadium. “I guess we’ll see.”

What college coaches in attendance Saturday night saw was a big, athletic quarterback that ran the ball at will. Towles, the player of the game, finished the game with 20 carries for 167 rushing yards and five touchdowns. All the scores came in the first half of the blowout.

“Pat was great,” said Highlands coach Dale Mueller. “… The guy’s won games with his arm. He’s a phenomenal quarterback and a great person. He’s just so valuable. And he’s back (next year).”

Although he’s just a junior, Saturday’s game marked Towles’s second state championship game start. As a sophomore, he took over the quarterbacking duties midseason after an injury to starter Will Bardo. He rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown in a 35-7 state finals win over John Hardin.

This year, the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder took on an increased role in the offense. He rushed for 888 yards and 18 touchdowns and threw for 2,471 yards and 21 scores.
“It’s always awesome to win a state championship, no matter what your role is,” said Towles. “I’m going to enjoy this one. Hopefully we get the chance to enjoy another one next year.

[watcher]

Towles will be big time in college. He has the size and ability to be a very good D-1 player.

[Denver]

I hope he goes to ND like Austin. It would be crazy if they played together again.

[tradition]

I hope he goes to ND like Austin. It would be crazy if they played together again.

That would be an awesome school for him, but with ND having a freshman QB that seems to be managing pretty well, I would think Patrick may take a harder look at a school where he may see the field alittle sooner. JMO

[nptb17]

Tommy Reese will not see the field at Notre Dame next season. They didn't want to waste Andrew Hendrix's redshirt this season. He is the future at qb for N.D. once Crist leaves.

[footballfever]

I hope he goes to ND like Austin. It would be crazy if they played together again.

Did Austin redshirt? I saw he had no playing time.

[horst muhlmann]

AC was on the cover teams, #28 as I recall.

[footballfever]

AC was on the cover teams, #28 as I recall.

Found his stats. 5 tackle 1 assist 1 forced fumble. No PT at receiver.

[Wideleft01]

Did Austin redshirt? I saw he had no playing time.

He played in every game on all special teams.

[Wideleft01]

Tommy Reese will not see the field at Notre Dame next season. They didn't want to waste Andrew Hendrix's redshirt this season. He is the future at qb for N.D. once Crist leaves.

I doubt Hendrix ever plays a down at N.D.

[kypecos]

Louisville wants him. With its traditional core of great receivers and Coach Charlie Strong's tenure at Florida, where they consistently used the QB in both running and passing situations, it seems like the perfect fit for him. Plus it's close to home and there is always a great chance that you'll be playing in a BCS bowl coming out of the Big East. Louisville was just a whisker away from playing in the national championship game just a few short years ago and its facilities are second to none. And he'd be getting there on an upswing in the third year of Coach Strong's tenure (this upcoming season being his second at Louisville). The stars are aligning. :worthy:

[NCC41]

Louisville wants him. With its traditional core of great receivers and Coach Charlie Strong's tenure at Florida, where they consistently used the QB in both running and passing situations, it seems like the perfect fit for him. Plus it's close to home and there is always a great chance that you'll be playing in a BCS bowl coming out of the Big East. Louisville was just a whisker away from playing in the national championship game just a few short years ago and its facilities are second to none. And he'd be getting there on an upswing in the third year of Coach Strong's tenure (this upcoming season being his second at Louisville). The stars are aligning. :worthy:

I've been told he is visiting Louisville very soon.

[nptb17]

I doubt Hendrix ever plays a down at N.D.

Hendrix was the best qb on their roster after week 5 and he picked up their offense. He destroyed their defense being the scout team quarterback.

[always_Blue]

Be lucky to play D2. Period!

[sstack]

He played in every game on all special teams.

He was at a Highlands game early in the season, and I was told that he said he had a stress fracture in his back. I find it hard to believe he played in every game if that was true. Do not know for sure if it was true about the fracture, but I thought it was a reliable source.

[LaFlamaBlanca]

Be lucky to play D2. Period!

^^^:HitWall: I would love to hear an explanation of why you think this.

[tradition]

He was at a Highlands game early in the season, and I was told that he said he had a stress fracture in his back. I find it hard to believe he played in every game if that was true. Do not know for sure if it was true about the fracture, but I thought it was a reliable source.

Austin played every game at ND on special teams and has done a great job at that. Austin was at a Highlands game earlier in the season , by week, but you may have misunderstood the conversation or I'm misunderstanding what you are saying. Austin's brother Jac , soph. at Highlands, has not played a game at Highlands this year due to a fracture in his back. Jac did however get in at the end of the state game.

[MonsterMan]

I watched Towles play and he is the real deal, has all the tools. I hope he goes to UK. Joker has to start getting recruits like Towles if he is going to get the best in KY to stay home.

[nptb17]

Kentucky is pretty set at qb right now. They have a few youngs guys that will be battleing for that qb spot the next few years. Now that I think about Morgan Newton and the other qb's would be seniors Towels redshirt freshman year. UK would be a solid option.

[sstack]

Austin played every game at ND on special teams and has done a great job at that. Austin was at a Highlands game earlier in the season , by week, but you may have misunderstood the conversation or I'm misunderstanding what you are saying. Austin's brother Jac , soph. at Highlands, has not played a game at Highlands this year due to a fracture in his back. Jac did however get in at the end of the state game.

Thanks for clearing it up for me. I was told it was Austin and was amazed he was playing with that type of injury. I saw that Jac got in the state game for a couple of plays, so I hope he is healthy and ready to go next season.

[EKUAlum05]

Kentucky is pretty set at qb right now. They have a few youngs guys that will be battleing for that qb spot the next few years. Now that I think about Morgan Newton and the other qb's would be seniors Towels redshirt freshman year. UK would be a solid option.

Depends on the development of Max Smith and Theltus Cobbins who are both being brought on campus as QB's in this next signing class.