[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.