Senior Will Bardo returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and Highlands defense shut out Dixie Heights’ high-powered offense for a 49-0 win in the Class 5A playoffs Friday at Highlands.
The Colonels averaged 28.3 points and 400.0 yards per game entering the game, but were shut out for the first time since the opening game of the 2006 season and held to just 172 yards of offense Friday, even after gaining 90 yards in the first quarter.
Highlands countered with 474 yards of offense, including 213 passing yards from sophomore quarterback Patrick Towles. Towles completed six of 10 passes, including touchdowns of 78 and 42 yards to senior receiver John Drennan.
Senior running back Austin Collinsworth added 11 carries for 77 yards rushing in his first game since a hand injury suffered against Covington Catholic, Oct. 17.
Senior Tyler Fennell led the Bluebirds with nine carries for 87 rushing yards.
Highlands will host the winner of the Covington Catholic-Johnson Central game next weekend.DIXIE HEIGHTS 0-0-0-0—0
at HIGHLANDS 15-21-7-6—49
H-Bardo 85 kickoff return (C. 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)
RECORDS: Highlands 12-0, Dixie Heights 5-7.
