On A Mission
The Highlands High School football team left Friday morning for Bowling Green to face Elizabethtown's John Hardin in the 5A state championship game. Capturing the 2009 title will mean a "threepeat" for the team from Fort Thomas, having won state in 2007 and 2008, and will add yet one more notch to the Bluebirds' record of 18 state football championships and 11 undefeated seasons.
Waiting For Kickoff
Kickoff time for the Kentucky 5A state championship game between the Fort Thomas Highlands Bluebirds and Elizabethtown’s John Hardin is set for 7 p.m. Friday but that’s Central Standard Time. For all the Highlands fans back home, the game starts at 8 p.m.
In Bowling Green It’s Undefeated Vs. Undefeated
The 5A state championship game pits undefeated Highlands against undefeated John Hardin. But for the Bluebirds’ seniors undefeated goes much deeper than just this season. Describing his seniors as "an awesome group of guys," Highlands coach Dale Mueller noted that the class was undefeated in 10 games as freshman, undefeated in 15 games as sophomores, 14-1 as juniors and 14-0 as seniors. That's a four year record of 53-1.
Kickoff Delayed
Kickoff was delayed because the 2A championship game that saw Fort Campbell beat DeSales, 29-9, ended late.
Underway At Last
The game finally began at 8 p.m. CST with Highlands winning the toss but deferring until the second half to receive the ball and turning to its defense.
Highlands Scores First
Senior running back Austin Collinsworth scored on an eight-yard run late in the first quarter and junior kicker Adam Weinel's point after was good as Highlands jumped out to a 7-0 lead over John Hardin
End Of First Quarter: Highlands 7, John Hardin 0
Collinsworth racked up more than 50 yards in the first quarter in addition to the scoring the Bluebirds touchdown.
Collinsworth Scores Again
Collinsworth raced outside and into the end zone to score early in the second quarter. The point after was good to make the score 14-0 in favor of the Bluebirds.
Third Time Charming For Collinsworth
Collinsworth put up 6 more points on a four-yard run at 6:34 in the second quarter.
At The Half: Highlands 21, John Hardin 0
Highlands maintained its shutout at the half, continuing to lead 21-0 over John Hardin after senior defensive lineman Mark Synder stopped a Bulldogs drive by recovering a fumble at the Highlands 3. Collinsworth notched 107 yards rushing in the first half and scored all three touchdowns for the Bluebirds.
Bardo Runs Kickoff Back 98 Yards For A TD
Senior Will Bardo runs the opening kickoff of the second half back 98 yards for a Bluebirds touchdown. The point after is good making the score 28-0.
Towles Scores As Highlands Leads 35-0
Sophomore quarterback Patrick Towles kept the ball himself and ran 11 yards for a touchdown with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter. The point after was good to make the score 35-0 over John Hardin.
After Three, Highlands Leads 35-0
Through three quarters, Highlands racked up more than 270 yards of offense with more 250 yards of it on the ground.
John Hardin Scores
Senior Matt Simmons connected with sophomore Jeremy Harness for a 35-yard touchdown pass. Alan Harber's point after kick was good to make the score 35-7 in favor of Highlands.
HIghlands Wins
Highlands claims its 19th state championship, beating John Hardin 35-7.
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