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Bluebirds bury CovCath

A pair of northern Kentucky powers renewed their rivalry as Highlands and CovCath battled it out in an early season showdown that lived up to the hype.

PARK HILLS, Kentucky – Our blitz 5 game of the week made it across the river into the bluegrass state as Highlands visited Covington Catholic. The Bluebirds were attempting to earn another tough win and move to 2-0 while the Colonels were seeking to avoid a dreaded 0-2 start. Coming in Highlands had just one win in the series over the last nine years and it was two seasons ago right here at Dennis Griffin Stadium. 

The lights were bright and both squads were ready to do battle. The crowd was electric and ready to go just as much as the players in anticipation for this rivalry. An hour delay in start time only made things heighten as the heat wasn’t the only thing steaming from the outset. CovCath came out blazing themselves from the outset.

The Colonels took their second play from scrimmage the distance as Nicolas Krallman took a pass from Cash Harney and went 74 yards for an opening score. After a quick three and out, Harney did work with his legs for a 47-yard rushing score and a quick 14-0 lead halfway through the quarter. It was then the Bluebirds’ turn to get hot.

After a solid drive, quarterback Rio Litmer took the keeper five yards for a score and Adam Surrey ran in the two-point conversion. The Bluebirds’ defense forced a bad snap for a safety and a long drive of 83 yards set up a Jack White score from five yards out and Highlands had a 17-14 lead. The Colonels missed a field goal to end the half and trailed going into the break.

Highlands came out of the break and picked up where they left off. The Bluebirds went on a seven-minute drive consisting of 14 plays for 80 yards to start the half and were able to punch in a score when Surrey took the Wildcat snap into the endzone. He would add another two-point conversion as Highlands scored 25 unanswered points for a 25-14 lead late in the third.

The Colonels would finally respond as Harney led the team down the field with a variety of runs before finally taking one in himself for a touchdown. He would find Tate Kruer for the two-point conversion as CovCath cut the lead to three heading into the fourth quarter.

The final quarter was a bit of a slugfest as both defenses were up to the challenge of stopping the opposition. Highlands was able to go on a decisive drive late in the quarter and were rewarded when Gabe Williams scored from nine yards out and gave the Bluebirds a ten-point lead with just under four minutes left in the ballgame.

Highlands finished the game by turning the Colonels over on downs and would run out the clock on a 32-22 win.  Highlands finished with 286 yards rushing on the night.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

SCORING BY QUARTERS
Highlands 8-9-8-7-32
CovCath 14-0-8-0-22

SCORING PLAYS
C: Nicolas Krallman 74-yard reception from Cash Harney (Andrew Weitzel kick)
C: Cash Harney 47-yard rush (Weitzel kick)
H: Rio Litmer 5-yard rush (Adam Surrey conversion)
H: Jack White 5-yard rush (Logan Nickelman kick)
H: Adam Surrey 4-yard rush (Adam Surrey conversion)
C: Cash Harney 20 -yard rush (Tate Kruer conversion)
H: Gabe Williams 9-yard rush (Nickelman kick)

RECORDS: Highlands (2-0); Covington Catholic (0-2)
UP NEXT: Highlands at Campbell County; CovCath vs. Simon Kenton

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