[Stardust]

As much as Highlands football coach Dale Mueller likes to envision his players maximizing their abilities, he admits he never envisioned a young Patrick Towles eventually being Kentucky’s Mr. Football.

Towles, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound senior quarterback, earned the honor from the Associated Press, which also released its All-State football teams Thursday.

“I try to be Mr. Positive and I really try to say, ‘Gosh, you can really improve...,’ but I would have never thought he was going to be Mr. Kentucky Football when he was a freshman,” said Mueller. “He was a backup quarterback on our freshman team ... . It just confirms that hard work pays off.”

Towles is the second Highlands player to win Mr. Football, joining quarterback Jared Lorenzen in 1998, and the fourth Northern Kentucky player to win the award since its inception in 1986. Newport Central Catholic tight end/nose tackle Frank Jacobs won in 1986, and Boone County running back Shaun Alexander won in 1994.

“It’s awesome, because you have so many wonderful players in the state,” said Towles. “It feels good to be recognized ... To be in the same conversations with talented players like Frank Jacobs and Jared and Shaun Alexander, it’s a great honor.”

This past season, Towles, who has committed to the University of Kentucky, completed 181 of 279 passes for 3,820 yards, 42 touchdowns and rushed for 589 yards and 15 touchdowns in leading Highlands to the Class 4A state title. Towles was one of four Highlands players selected to the AP All-State first team. He was joined by senior wide receiver Austin Sheehan, senior defensive tackle Devin Bruns and senior defensive back Drake Bruns, who has committed to the University of Cincinnati.

Beechwood, which reached the Class A state semifinals, had two first-team players, senior offensive lineman Brett Eyckmans and senior kicker Joey Nussbaum.

Boone County senior linebacker Mikel Reynolds, who led the Rebels to the Class 6A state semifinals, was also a first-team selection.

Among area players earning second-team honors were Covington Catholic senior offensive lineman Bradley Way, Covington Catholic senior kicker Evan Talkers and Holy Cross senior linebacker Paul Lampone.

Area players selected honorable mention were Newport Central Catholic senior quarterback Brady Hightcew, Covington Catholic senior running back Gabe Gray, Holy Cross senior wide receiver Eric Walker, Owen County senior wide receiver Sawyer Williams, Beechwood junior linebacker Max Nussbaum, Walton-Verona senior linebacker Quincy Page and Ryle senior defensive back Ryan Smith.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...312150181/