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Highlands comeback beats Campbell County 27-20 in OT

Brady Laber

FORT THOMAS, Kentucky – The Highlands Bluebirds took its only lead of the game after regulation play ended on the way to a 27-20 overtime victory over the Campbell County Camels at David Cecil Memorial Stadium.

Cooper Schwalbach scored his second rushing touchdown of the night in overtime giving Highlands its first lead of the game.

Campbell County still had its turn on offense in the extra session but the Bluebirds defense stiffened. Crosley New sacked Campbell County quarterback Austin Hoeh on fourth down to turn the lights out on the Camels.

“We were behind in both games this season and I never heard one negative comment on the sideline,” said Highlands head coach Brian Weinrich after the game.

That’s a stark contrast from last season’s 3-8 season for Highlands that included a loss on the road to Campbell County.

The Bluebirds forced overtime thanks in part to a pick-six by Highlands defensive back Bailey Armstrong with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Armstrong intercepted Hoeh’s pass attempt near mid-field and raced untouched into the end zone tying the game 20-20.

“When I was running it was like slow motion but it was so fun,” Armstrong said about running the interception into the end zone.

Armstrong’s interception was one of three turnovers forced by the Highlands defense. Armstrong and Mason Schwalbach each recovered a fumble plus New blocked an extra point attempt.

Combined with the five takeaways from last week the Bluebirds defense has now forced eight turnovers over the first two games of the season.

Campbell County came out of the gate strong on both side of the ball. The Camels out gained Highlands in total offense 360-204. The Camels defense also held the Highlands offense without a first down until the second quarter.

The Camels took a 14-0 lead thanks to a pair of long scoring drives. Hoeh topped off a 14-play drive to start the game with a 2-yard touchdown run taking a 7-0 advantage. Hoeh finished the game 16-for-24 passing with 121 yards.

Alex Dowds capped a 13-play possession with a short touchdown run of his own for a 14-0 Camels lead.

Highlands quarterback Carl Schoellman answered Dowds’ second quarter score with a plunge from the three-yard line, cutting the Campbell County lead in half heading into the intermission.

Schwalbach, who now has six touchdowns for the season, scored again tying the game 14-14 late in the third quarter.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Dowds raced 36 yards down the sideline, diving into the end zone giving Campbell County its second lead of the evening. Dowds lead all rushers with 166 yards on the ground.

The Campbell County defense held Schwalbach to just 29 yards rushing but Schoellman threw for 176 yards on 20-for-26 passing.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Campbell County   7-7-0-6-0 20

Highlands 0-7-7-6-7 27

SCORING PLAYS

C – Hoeh 2-yard TD run (Oehrle kick)

C – Dowds 3-yard TD run (Oehrle kick)

H – Schoellman 3-yard TD run (Bowman kick)

H – Schwalbach 1-yard TD run (Bowman kick)

C – Dowds 36-yard TD run (klick blocked)

H – Armstrong 55-yard interception return for TD (kick failed)

H – Schwalbach 5-yard TD run (Bowman kick)

RECORDS: Campbell (1-1); Highlands (2-0)

UP NEXT: Campbell County host New Cath (2-0); Highlands at Scott County (2-0)

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