[Stardust]

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 school’s first weight room in addition to assisting the team’s 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.

“He told us that this was the biggest accomplishment of his career,” 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 year’s 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.

“He doesn’t really talk about it too much, and neither do we,” said Lampone of Kozerski’s NFL days. “Just the fact that we know he’s been around the highest level of competition is enough for us.”

Kozerski’s 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 school’s first state championship in any sport.

“Even though we knew in our hearts that it was the biggest game we’ve ever played, he did a good job of telling us that it was just another game,” said Lampone.

For the Bluebirds, a state championship game is nothing new. This year was, however, the first Kentucky state championship for the team’s 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.

“Cris made a tremendous impact on the players and the team this year,” said Bluebirds head coach Dale Mueller. “His 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.”

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.

“Knowing 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,” said Bengals director of football operations Jim Lippincott. “Both Highlands and Holy Cross are fortunate for the adult leadership of their quality.”

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.

“The education of the kids involved is more important than the names on the state title trophy,” said Lippincott.

[Stardust]

[Image: http://cmsimg.gmti.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bi...1&MaxW=280]

Holy Cross head coach Bruce Kozerski lobbies for a penalty against Glasgow in the second half of the Class 2A state football championship Dec. 2.

[Stardust]

[Image: http://cmsimg.gmti.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bi...R&MaxW=600]

Highlands volunteer assistant coach Cris Collinsworth watches from the sideline in the state final game against Franklin-Simpson.

[toussaints]

I wonder if the Bengals will recognize these teams at a game

[kyshrek63]

I wonder if the Bengals will recognize these teams at a game

The HC team will be going to the Bengals game on 12/24 and will be recognized at halftime. The team just found out on Monday at their awards banquet.

[GetChili]

Great article

[Once a Colonel]

Didn't realize Collinsworth was helping coach this year. Is this his first year of helping coach? Is he still doing NFL games?

[Wise one]

As far as I know, this is the first year for Collinsworth to coach at Highlands, but he did some coaching in the FTJFL when his sons were playing at that level.

He has been attending games as a fan and parent for a number of years. His wife is a Highlands grad.

Yes, he still does NFL games. Check the Sunday night games on NBC.

[toussaints]

Is he still doing NFL games?

When Collinsworth was added to NBC, he had it worked in his contract to where he didn't have to show up until gameday so he could be with his family and watch his kids play. He then fixed it so he could watch Austin play on Saturdays at ND

[Stardust]

He has worked with players over the years, just not been on the sidelines. He actually was an assistant coach on his youngest sons team in the Ft. Thomas Jr. league for years. My son had the privilege of Coach Collinsorth's coaching before we left the league for the CC Red Devils.

[charlie22]

When Collinsworth was added to NBC, he had it worked in his contract to where he didn't have to show up until gameday so he could be with his family and watch his kids play. He then fixed it so he could watch Austin play on Saturdays at ND

Cris usually goes to the game city on Thursday to do interviews and get information to prepare for the broadcast; flies home on Friday (sometimes getting to the Highlands games shortly before kickoffs); coaches the Highlands game; watches Austin play on Saturdays or visits Ashley at Harvard or Katie down in Florida; flies back to the game city Saturday night late; gets up Sunday to do more interviews and game prep; calls the game and often takes the red eye flight back to Ft. Thomas Sunday night very late or early Monday morning. Add that to his Inside the NFL gig on Wednesdays in NYC and coaching Highlands practices on Mondays and Tuesdays when he can, and you get one very, very busy and hectic schedule. When he's home and not at Highlands practices, he's watching game tape of the upcoming Highlands opponent or of the NFL teams that will be playing in the next game he'll be broadcasting. I really don't know when Cris gets to sleep other than on planes.

I know that Dale, the assistant coaches, the players and the supporters and fans of the program really appreciate him finding the time to include coaching at Highlands into that schedule. Thanks my friend.

[Stardust]

Cris usually goes to the game city on Thursday to do interviews and get information to prepare for the broadcast; flies home on Friday (sometimes getting to the Highlands games shortly before kickoffs); coaches the Highlands game; watches Austin play on Saturdays or visits Ashley at Harvard or Katie down in Florida; flies back to the game city Saturday night late; gets up Sunday to do more interviews and game prep; calls the game and often takes the red eye flight back to Ft. Thomas Sunday night very late or early Monday morning. Add that to his Inside the NFL gig on Wednesdays in NYC and coaching Highlands practices on Mondays and Tuesdays when he can, and you get one very, very busy and hectic schedule. When he's home and not at Highlands practices, he's watching game tape of the upcoming Highlands opponent or of the NFL teams that will be playing in the next game he'll be broadcasting. I really don't know when Cris gets to sleep other than on planes.

I know that Dale, the assistant coaches, the players and the supporters and fans of the program really appreciate him finding the time to include coaching at Highlands into that schedule. Thanks my friend.

All the while, a very beautiful woman is trying to steal a minute of his time....:Sad04:

[Pepe]

Great year Highlands

[charlie22]

All the while, a very beautiful woman is trying to steal a minute of his time....:Sad04:

Isn't that the truth.

[MustangSally]

Both men would probably tell you the secret to the success is the quality of coaches on the staff. Holy Cross especially they have an great staff, hopefully they can keep it togather