JOHNSON CENTRAL (8-4) AT HIGHLANDS (12-0) What: Class 5A state football quarterfinal.
When: Kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cecil Memorial Stadium, Fort Thomas.
Kypost.com coverage: Dan Wright.
John Lachmann’s pick: Highlands.
Terry Boehmker’s pick: Highlands.
Dan Wright’s pick: Highlands.
Notes: Highlands has been missing key components of its offense most of the season, but the Bluebirds appear to be close to 100 percent at the most important time of the year.
Senior running back Austin Collinsworth returned to the field last week after missing three games with an injured thumb. He ran the ball 11 times for 77 yards in a blowout of Dixie Heights.
Senior quarterback Will Bardo, who injured his throwing arm vs. Cincinnati St. Xavier on Sept. 25, has been used sparingly as a running back, and last week he had an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Typical Highlands was able to plug the holes created by its hurt players, and now appears stronger than ever heading into the final three rounds of the playoffs.
Collinsworth went over 1,000 yards for the season last week despite playing only eight games. He has 126 carries for 1,040 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Senior Tyler Fennell and junior Jordan Streeter have also gained over 500 yards each on the ground, but Collinsworth averages about a yard better per carry than either.
Sophomore Patrick Towles, who has been under center since Bardo’s injury, has completed just 45.7 percent of his passes. However, he has only been intercepted twice in 92 pass attempts, and he averages 20.2 yards per completion.
Highlands quarterback have combined for 1,881 passing yards, and senior wide receivers Nick Buten and John Drennan have accounted for over two-thirds of those yards.
Buten has 29 catches for 679 yards and seven touchdowns, and Drennan has 21 receptions for 599 yards and four TDs.
Johnson Central’s defense could be in for a long night. The Golden Eagles have given up 73 points in their two playoff games, wins over Scott and Covington Catholic.
On the season, Johnson Central is allowing 26.3 points per game, and five teams have scored more than 30 vs. the Golden Eagles.
The Golden Eagles had a horrible start to the season both on and off the field. Johnson Central lost its first four games before beginning its current eight-game winning streak.
But worse than that, the mothers of both head coach Jim Matney and defensive coordinator Glen Reeves died within three weeks of each other in August.
Matney also lost an aunt and a childhood babysitter the following week.
Offensively, Johnson Central is averaging 34.4 points, and 56.5 in the postseason.
Highlands has held opponents to 132.8 rushing yards per game, and the Bluebirds are surrendering an average of 120.5 in the air.
Highlands – which has won 26 straight games – has not given up more than 20 points to any opponent this season, and is allowing 10.5 points per game. The Bluebirds posted their second shutout of the season last week in a 49-0 win over Dixie Heights.
These teams met in this round last season, and Highlands won, 35-21 in Paintsville. It was the only meeting between these teams in recent history.
Next preview: Simon Kenton at Louisville St. Xavier.
