[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.

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