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2023 Video Snapshot: Highlands

Progress is being made at Highlands under head coach Bob Sphire in his third year at the head of the program. Sphire like where his team is at but knows it’s far from where he feels the Bluebirds can go.

Class 5A, District 6
2022 RECORD: 9-3, 3-1 Class 5A, District 5
COACH: Bob Sphire (14-9 at Highlands, two years; 35 years overall)

TOP RETURNEES
Carson Class, Sr, WR/DB/P – Excelled in all phases of the game as a junior earning Third Team All-TriState Football honors as a punter. He finished the year with 25 receptions for 460 yards, two interceptions and scored 10 times (eight rec, one rush, one IR). Class has 37 receptions for 780 yards (21.1 yards/rec) and 13 touchdowns at the varsity level.

Cameron Giesler, Sr, RB – A touchdown making machine. Geisler hit paydirt 13 times on 106 carries for 641 yards as a junior. He also racked up 1,008 all-purpose yards, had 19 catches and 172 yards receiving.

Luke Schneider, Sr, TE/DE – Put up some very good numbers in his first year as a starter last fall. In eight games, Schneider had 23 receptions, 284 yards receiving, one touchdown catch and two sacks.

Nate Welch, Sr, DB – The leader of the secondary and one of the few returning starters on defense. Welch recorded 46 total tackles, had two tackles for losses, a fumble recovery and an interception last season.

Carson Shelton, Sr, DE – Not your prototypical frame for a defensive end but Shelton sure gets it done. He was in on 31 total tackles, had three-and-a-half, six-and-a-half tackles for losses and a fumble recovery as a junior.

Davis Hinegardner, Sr, WR – Has made big plays in his two years as a letterman. Hinegardner has 27 career receptions of which seven have gone for touchdowns with 375 yards receiving in a Bluebirds uniform.

NEWCOMER
Max Merz, So, OL – There is a tremendous upside for the 6-foot-4, 295-pound Merz who has the tools to become the most highly recruited Bluebirds offensive lineman in years.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
State Champion (23) – 2014 (4A), 2012 (4A), 2011 (4A), 2010 (5A), 2009 (5A), 2008 (5A), 2007 (5A), 2004 (3A), 2000 (3A), 1999 (3A), 1998 (3A), 1996 (3A), 1992 (3A), 1989 (3A), 1982 (3A), 1981 (3A), 1977 (3A), 1975 (3A), 1970 (3A), 1968 (2A), 1964 (2A), 1961 (2A) & 1960 (2A).

State Runner-up (six) –  2013 (4A), 2003 (3A), 1995 (3A), 1966 (2A), 1963 (2A) & 1959 (2A).

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – at Lexington Catholic (10-3 in 2022) – 8:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – COVINGTON CATHOLIC (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – CAMPBELL COUNTY (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – RYLE (6-6) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – at Raceland (13-2) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – at Cooper (6-5) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – at Dixie Heights (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – BOONE COUNTY (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – CONNER (2-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – SCOTT (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/27/23 – BYE

TITLE DROUGHT
It has been nine years since Highlands won the last of its 23 state championships. It is the longest streak in between titles since the Bluebirds won their first crown in 1960.

2023 Active Leaders: Northern Kentucky (offense)
2023 Active Leaders: Northern Kentucky (defense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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