[richardhead]

Let us hear the opinions:1:

[jbwill2]

Of the last 30 years or so, I would say either 1982 Highlands, 1998 Highlands (my pick) or 2000 Highlands.

[Stardust]

82' Highlands. Though Cov. Cath game them everything they could want in two contests that year, the Birds were virtually unstoppable throughout the season. I think it was Franklin Simpson that they beat in a nail-biter for the champsionship.

[sstack]

82' Highlands. Though Cov. Cath game them everything they could want in two contests that year, the Birds were virtually unstoppable throughout the season. I think it was Franklin Simpson that they beat in a nail-biter for the champsionship.

That team also beat the 4A state champion team (that was when there were only 4 classes). They beat 4A champ Christian County in the regular season.The playoff game with Cov Cath is a classic, that went down to the last play in overtime. That game had the biggest crowd I have ever seen at a high school game, not counting championship games.

[cj2561]

You can put together a top 10 list, at less 8 of the 10 teams will be Highlands. There might be a few people put in Beechwood, Cov Cath. or Newport Central Cath. But now of them is in the same class as Highlands. With 18 or 19 state titles. That tell everthing.

[tradition]

That team also beat the 4A state champion team (that was when there were only 4 classes). They beat 4A champ Christian County in the regular season.The playoff game with Cov Cath is a classic, that went down to the last play in overtime. That game had the biggest crowd I have ever seen at a high school game, not counting championship games.

I would have loved to have seen that Highlands/Cov. Cath. '82 clash. That sounds like some game. I'm hoping to find some film on that one.

[qryche11]

1979 Bellevue Tigers led by Jon Sutkamp has to be considered.

[kywldcat01]

No mentions of the 98' Highlands team with J. Lo and Derek Smith?!?

The 1998 Bluebirds team was considered the best team in all of Kentucky that year (they finished first in the state, regardless of classification, according to the state's ranking services), and in fact was considered by many to be the finest Kentucky high school football team in state history. The team went 15-0 and won the Class AAA state championship, destroying Louisville Waggener 56-7 in the title game. In the first week of the regular season, HHS defeated eventual 1998 Class AAAA champion Louisville Male 51-41 in the St. Luke Hospitals Champions Bowl. Led by Mr. Kentucky Football winner Jared Lorenzen and Mr. Football runner-up Derek Smith (both Division I-A recruits), the 'Birds set numerous state records, including most points in a season (801), most points in a championship game (56), largest state championship margin of victory (49), highest per-game yardage average (492.5), most extra points in a season (92), most extra points by a player in a season (Brennan Jones - 90), most touchdowns by a team in a season (113), most total offensive yardage by a team in a game (636), and highest point average per game by a team in a season (53). In addition, Highlands kicker Brennan Jones set a national record for most extra points by a player in a season, with 90. Highlands was ranked 19th in the USA Today Super 25 final 1998 high school football rankings, 14th in the National Sports News Service Poll, 16th in the Comp USA Overall National Poll and 15th in the Prep Nation National Prep Football Poll. HHS finished 1998 as Class AAA champion, regional champion, district champion, and NKAC champion.

http://www.highlands-bluebirds.com/Previ...ns--2.html

Hard to argue against that.

[Stardust]

1979 Bellevue Tigers led by Jon Sutkamp has to be considered.

welcome gryche11 - help us spread the word in NKY :Thumbs:

[Stardust]

1979 Bellevue Tigers led by Jon Sutkamp has to be considered.

Growing up in the Bellevue area during this timeframe, it was incredible football by the Tigers during this timeframe. Sutkamp was a beast in KY football.

[Stardust]

No mentions of the 98' Highlands team with J. Lo and Derek Smith?!?

The 1998 Bluebirds team was considered the best team in all of Kentucky that year (they finished first in the state, regardless of classification, according to the state's ranking services), and in fact was considered by many to be the finest Kentucky high school football team in state history. The team went 15-0 and won the Class AAA state championship, destroying Louisville Waggener 56-7 in the title game. In the first week of the regular season, HHS defeated eventual 1998 Class AAAA champion Louisville Male 51-41 in the St. Luke Hospitals Champions Bowl. Led by Mr. Kentucky Football winner Jared Lorenzen and Mr. Football runner-up Derek Smith (both Division I-A recruits), the 'Birds set numerous state records, including most points in a season (801), most points in a championship game (56), largest state championship margin of victory (49), highest per-game yardage average (492.5), most extra points in a season (92), most extra points by a player in a season (Brennan Jones - 90), most touchdowns by a team in a season (113), most total offensive yardage by a team in a game (636), and highest point average per game by a team in a season (53). In addition, Highlands kicker Brennan Jones set a national record for most extra points by a player in a season, with 90. Highlands was ranked 19th in the USA Today Super 25 final 1998 high school football rankings, 14th in the National Sports News Service Poll, 16th in the Comp USA Overall National Poll and 15th in the Prep Nation National Prep Football Poll. HHS finished 1998 as Class AAA champion, regional champion, district champion, and NKAC champion.

http://www.highlands-bluebirds.com/Previ...ns--2.html

Hard to argue against that.

Great addition. :Thumbs:

[kywldcat01]

Great addition. :Thumbs:

As good as that 98' Highlands team was, you could make an argument that both 99' and 00' were just as good, if not better:

The 2000 season was a very successful one for the Bluebirds. Highlands captured its third straight Kentucky Class AAA title in a row, defeating Owensboro 48-27 in the championship game. The 'Birds finished 2000 with a 14-1 record, the only loss being a 21-14 defeat by Cincinnati Elder at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Highlands, led by seniors and Division I-A college recruits Gino Guidugli, Brent Grover, Brett Hamblen, and Ben Scott, was never seriously challenged in the state of Kentucky, racking up 729 points while only surrendering 206 throughout the entire year. The tone for the season was set in the first week, as Highlands beat eventual Class AAAA runner-up Louisville Trinity 42-29 in the Recreation Bowl. Highlands finished the year ranked first in the entire state, regardless of classification, by Dave Cantrall of the Lexington Herald-Leader. Highlands set several state records in 2000, including most passing touchdowns in a season (59), most individual touchdown receptions in a season (Brett Hamblen - 27), most passing touchdowns in a game (9), most individual touchdown receptions in a single game (Brett Hamblen - 6), and most consecutive state titles by a Class AAA team (3). National recognition included being ranked 13th nationally in the USA Today Super 25 final 2000 high school football rankings, 12th in the National High School Football "Tony" Poll (Tony Bianco), 10th in the **** Butkus National High School Football Poll, and 47th in the Fox Fab 50 Final Poll. Brent Grover, a top player for Highlands, was invited to the U.S. Army All-American game. HHS finished 2000 as Class AAA champion, regional champion, district champion, and NKAC champion.

http://www.highlands-bluebirds.com/Previ...ns--1.html

[kywldcat01]

1999 Highlands:

Highlands maintained the program's winning tradition in 1999, repeating as Class AAA champion. The team went undefeated against Kentucky teams, and only suffered one loss (to Cincinnati Elder, 35-14). The 'Birds easily handled Owensboro 48-10 in the title game to cap off a 14-1 year. HHS was ranked 18th nationally in the final National High School Football "Tony" Poll, 16th nationally in the **** Butkus National High School Football Poll and 45th nationally in the Fox Fab 50 Final Poll. Star junior Brett Hamblen was named the Northern Kentucky Player of the Year, and Coach Dale Mueller was named Northern Kentucky Coach of the Year. In 1999, Highlands broke the state records for most individual career extra points (Brennan Jones - 170), most points scored in playoff games (295), most points scored in a state semifinal game (76), and HHS tied the state record for the most points scored in a playoff game (76). Highlands' high-powered offense scored 730 points on the season. The team finished 1999 as Class AAA champion, regional champion, district champion, and NKAC champion.

http://www.highlands-bluebirds.com/Previ...ns--1.html

You could make an argument that Highlands 98-00 were the 3 best teams we've ever seen in NKY.

[qryche11]

As good as that 98' Highlands team was, you could make an argument that both 99' and 00' were just as good, if not better:

The 2000 season was a very successful one for the Bluebirds. Highlands captured its third straight Kentucky Class AAA title in a row, defeating Owensboro 48-27 in the championship game. The 'Birds finished 2000 with a 14-1 record, the only loss being a 21-14 defeat by Cincinnati Elder at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Highlands, led by seniors and Division I-A college recruits Gino Guidugli, Brent Grover, Brett Hamblen, and Ben Scott, was never seriously challenged in the state of Kentucky, racking up 729 points while only surrendering 206 throughout the entire year. The tone for the season was set in the first week, as Highlands beat eventual Class AAAA runner-up Louisville Trinity 42-29 in the Recreation Bowl. Highlands finished the year ranked first in the entire state, regardless of classification, by Dave Cantrall of the Lexington Herald-Leader. Highlands set several state records in 2000, including most passing touchdowns in a season (59), most individual touchdown receptions in a season (Brett Hamblen - 27), most passing touchdowns in a game (9), most individual touchdown receptions in a single game (Brett Hamblen - 6), and most consecutive state titles by a Class AAA team (3). National recognition included being ranked 13th nationally in the USA Today Super 25 final 2000 high school football rankings, 12th in the National High School Football "Tony" Poll (Tony Bianco), 10th in the **** Butkus National High School Football Poll, and 47th in the Fox Fab 50 Final Poll. Brent Grover, a top player for Highlands, was invited to the U.S. Army All-American game. HHS finished 2000 as Class AAA champion, regional champion, district champion, and NKAC champion.

http://www.highlands-bluebirds.com/Previ...ns--1.html

I've talked to many Highlands fans and they say that Brett Hamblen may have been the best pure athlete to come out of Highlands ever. He was unbeleivable when he touched the ball and could play all 3 sports if he wanted to and be great at all. He chose football and was absolutely unstoppable.

[qryche11]

Growing up in the Bellevue area during this timeframe, it was incredible football by the Tigers during this timeframe. Sutkamp was a beast in KY football.

Yes, I was very young at the time but still remember watching the Tigers from 79 to 82 and they had some awesome teams.

[kywldcat01]

I've talked to many Highlands fans and they say that Brett Hamblen may have been the best pure athlete to come out of Highlands ever. He was unbeleivable when he touched the ball and could play all 3 sports if he wanted to and be great at all. He chose football and was absolutely unstoppable.

If not for some off the field troubles, Hamblen could be making a lot of money today playing football. His size, speed, and athleticism made him a nightmare to cover for opposing DB's.