[Stardust]

Final

[Stardust]

The Highlands football team, in search of its third straight Class 5A state title, on Friday night treated Dixie Heights the way its treated most in-state opponents during its current run of success -- like a scout team.
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...311130113/

The Bluebirds, playing with their full complement of stars for the first time since the season’s midway point, dominated en route to a 49-0 victory at David Cecil Memorial Stadium.
“They’re just a better team than us,” said Dixie Heights coach Tom Spritzky. “They’re more physical; they have better speed. We probably needed a perfect game. And they probably played better than us. Well, obviously they did.”
The onslaught started early.
Highlands senior Will Bardo, who moved from quarterback to running back after returning from an elbow injury, returned the opening kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown.


“We were prepared for them to squib it to our right and that’s what they did,” Bardo said. “The ball bounced right to me and our guys blocked it well. Once I found a crease, it was over.”


The Bluebirds extended the lead to 15-0 on a 24-yard touchdown run from senior running back Austin Collinsworth. The night marked Collinsworth’s first game-action since injuring his hand four weeks ago. He finished with 11 carries for 77 yards, all in the first half.


Collinsworth’s absence had forced the Bluebirds to develop depth at running back, a trait they showed again Friday night. Backup running back Tyler Fennell led the team with 87 yards rushing and a touchdown on just nine carries.


“The offense is a lot different now and it’s not what we expected,” Bardo said. “But we’ve dealt with adversity and we keep winning with what we have. As long as we keep winning, I don’t think anybody cares.”


After a 17-yard touchdown run from Daniel Gold, Highlands sophomore Patrick Towles showed the Bluebirds’ passing prowess. Towles, who assumed the quarterbacking duties after Bardo’s injury, ended the first-half scoring with two touchdown passes to John Drennan – one from 78 yards out and one from 42 yards out. Drennan finished with three catches for 141 yards. Towles was six-of-10 passing for 213 yards.

[Stardust]

Dixie Heights 0 0 0 0–0
Highlands 15 21 7 6–49

H – Bardo 84 kick return (Rosenhagen run)
H – Collinsworth 24 run (Weinel kick)
H – Gold 17 run (Weinel kick)
H – Drennan 78 pass from Towles (Weinel kick)
H – Drennan 42 pass from Towles (Weinel kick)
H – Fennell 39 run (Weinel kick)
H – True 15 pass from New (kick failed)

NKY.com

[whackem'n'stackem']

Couple key holds cost the Birds several chances to score over 60. They played conservative and still put up 49 on Dixie and with limited Bardo and no AC in the 2nd half. I can't imagine what this team could do for 4 qtrs with their starters. The only team that will beat the Highlands Bluebirds are the Highlands Bluebirds. They are without a doubt the best team in the state of Kentucky. They made a good Dixie team look helpless. Johnson Central is knocking at the door.....

[Stardust]

Couple key holds cost the Birds several chances to score over 60. They played conservative and still put up 49 on Dixie and with limited Bardo and no AC in the 2nd half. I can't imagine what this team could do for 4 qtrs with their starters. The only team that will beat the Highlands Bluebirds are the Highlands Bluebirds. They are without a doubt the best team in the state of Kentucky. They made a good Dixie team look helpless. Johnson Central is knocking at the door.....

Should just leave a note on the door and not bother the residents by knocking.

[Can you dig it?]

Should just leave a note on the door and not bother the residents by knocking.

Nah, that wouldn't be any fun.:devilflam Come in. Sit down. Make yourselves at home. Sorry we don't have a cannon to annoy you anymore, but I think you'll grow to hate our touchdown soundtrack.

[Stardust]

Nah, that wouldn't be any fun.:devilflam Come in. Sit down. Make yourselves at home. Sorry we don't have a cannon to annoy you anymore, but I think you'll grow to hate our touchdown soundtrack.

LOL :Thumbs:

[NCC41]

When Highlands played Dixie the first go around someone said Patrick Towles would be a fair QB one day. I think it's safe to say he has reached that milestone.

[kywldcat01]

How scary is Highlands backfield with AC, Bardo, and Fennell? They are a nightmare for defensive coordinators.

I really like what Dale has done by putting Bardo back to receive kickoffs. It obviously payed off tonight.

If Highlands continues to play the way they did tonight on both sides of the ball, the rest of 5A might as well just send their congratulations and #19 via FedEx because nobody is going to stop them.

Can't wait for the Highlands/JC game next week.

2 down. 3 to go. Keep it up men.

[sstack]

How scary is Highlands backfield with AC, Bardo, and Fennell? They are a nightmare for defensive coordinators.

I really like what Dale has done by putting Bardo back to receive kickoffs. It obviously payed off tonight.

If Highlands continues to play the way they did tonight on both sides of the ball, the rest of 5A might as well just send their congratulations and #19 via FedEx because nobody is going to stop them.

Can't wait for the Highlands/JC game next week.

2 down. 3 to go. Keep it up men.

How scary is it for kickoff teams to look and see AC and Bardo back deep to retrurn kickoffs? Look for JC to squib kick it all night long (Actually just once to start the game or to start the half, Highlands D is going to keep their kickoff team off the field the rest of the game.).

[Can you dig it?]

When Highlands played Dixie the first go around someone said Patrick Towles would be a fair QB one day. I think it's safe to say he has reached that milestone.

You should give that chip on your shoulder a little rest before it throws your spine out of alignment.:eyeroll: He looked fine last night. Why the need to pick %#!* about it?

[qryche11]

Honestly how entertaining was this game last night and when did the 2nd teamers enter the game?

[LeeCoUKFan]

So much for Dixie Heights playing a closer game against Highlands, they got shutout this time!! Highlands really showing they're high powered offense in this one! Congrats Highlands! Next week should be a good game and a real test for the Bluebirds as Johnson Central comes in on an 8 game win streak and i believe that JC will make a game out of it with the momentum and confidence that they'll be bringing into this one.

[kywldcat01]

So much for Dixie Heights playing a closer game against Highlands, they got shutout this time!! Highlands really showing they're high powered offense in this one! Congrats Highlands! Next week should be a good game and a real test for the Bluebirds as Johnson Central comes in on an 8 game win streak and i believe that JC will make a game out of it with the momentum and confidence that they'll be bringing into this one.

I think the proper statement should read:

"Next week will be a real test for Johnson Central as they travel to Ft. Thomas where the 12-0 Birds are waiting for them with one of the best defenses in the state and a high powered offense that has been dominating any and everybody in their way."

Mr. Jude, Mr, Dillon...meet Mr. Roller. :popcorn:

[LeeCoUKFan]

I think the proper statement should read:

"Next week will be a real test for Johnson Central as they travel to Ft. Thomas where the 12-0 Birds are waiting for them with one of the best defenses in the state and a high powered offense that has been dominating any and everybody in their way."

Mr. Jude, Mr, Dillon...meet Mr. Roller. :popcorn:

Ummmm....sure. I thought that normally you would consider it a test for the better team that is supposed to win?

[HeHateMe]

Birds will remember how tough JC was on the road last year. GREAT experience for this year's edition. Might be a little easier to pick up the ball without JC wearing the all black uniforms! Still, this should be the toughest game this side of X.


Avatar picture added as a reminder of how close it COULD have been!

[kywldcat01]

Birds will remember how tough JC was on the road last year. GREAT experience for this year's edition. Might be a little easier to pick up the ball without JC wearing the all black uniforms! Still, this should be the toughest game this side of X.


Avatar picture added as a reminder of how close it COULD have been!

I think Ryle might have something to say about that. IMO they're a better team than JC.

[kywldcat01]

Ummmm....sure. I thought that normally you would consider it a test for the better team that is supposed to win?

I was referring to JC not really playing anyone this year.

[Can you dig it?]

Avatar picture added as a reminder of how close it COULD have been!

I can't tell who that is. (The eyes aren't what they used to be.)

[kywldcat01]

I can't tell who that is. (The eyes aren't what they used to be.)

Rosenhagen...

[whackem'n'stackem']

When Highlands played Dixie the first go around someone said Patrick Towles would be a fair QB one day. I think it's safe to say he has reached that milestone.

good one

[whackem'n'stackem']

So much for Dixie Heights playing a closer game against Highlands, they got shutout this time!! Highlands really showing they're high powered offense in this one! Congrats Highlands! Next week should be a good game and a real test for the Bluebirds as Johnson Central comes in on an 8 game win streak and i believe that JC will make a game out of it with the momentum and confidence that they'll be bringing into this one.

Let's let the kids answer this one friday.

[tradition]

So much for Dixie Heights playing a closer game against Highlands, they got shutout this time!! Highlands really showing they're high powered offense in this one! Congrats Highlands! Next week should be a good game and a real test for the Bluebirds as Johnson Central comes in on an 8 game win streak and i believe that JC will make a game out of it with the momentum and confidence that they'll be bringing into this one.

They will have a 3+hour bus trip to deal with so momentum may be slightly off. And if they ever get it going , it may be too late.

[LeeCoUKFan]

I was referring to JC not really playing anyone this year.

IMO they had a pretty legit schedule. They played Boyle Co, Bell Co, Sheldon Clark, Belfry, Ashland Blazer, and Covington Catholic is pretty good too. To me those are all pretty good teams.

[Can you dig it?]

Rosenhagen...

That's what I thought.irateSho:Clap:

[Blau Vogel]

IMO they had a pretty legit schedule. They played Boyle Co, Bell Co, Sheldon Clark, Belfry, Ashland Blazer, and Covington Catholic is pretty good too. To me those are all pretty good teams.

Non-district schedule: 1 - 2A, 3 - 3A, 2 - 4A. Hardly a big time challenge, for a 5A "powerhouse".

[LeeCoUKFan]

Non-district schedule: 1 - 2A, 3 - 3A, 2 - 4A. Hardly a big time challenge, for a 5A "powerhouse".

I dunno, both teams played Montgomery Co, the Indians only put up 7 on JC at home but they were able to put up 13 against Highlands at Highlands!

[Can you dig it?]

I dunno, both teams played Montgomery Co, the Indians only put up 7 on JC at home but they were able to put up 13 against Highlands at Highlands!

Yeah, they had the Birds running scared all night long.:yikes::eyeroll:
BTW. CovCath scored 7 on Highlands at CovCath. (On a faux fumble call that they returned for a TD. CovCath ended the game with about 100 yards of total offense.)

[RepeatRings]

I dunno, both teams played Montgomery Co, the Indians only put up 7 on JC at home but they were able to put up 13 against Highlands at Highlands!

That's when the Frosh were playing for the Birds.

[Can you dig it?]

That's when the Frosh were playing for the Birds.

SHHHH! They'll figure out the fourth quarter game plan!