It’s off to Union, Kentucky for the Blitz 5 Game of the Week as two schools who are very familiar with each other go at it again. This will be the fifth meeting between Cooper and Highlands since the beginning of 2024. The home team Jaguars have won the last three in the series including victories that have knocked the Bluebirds out of the playoffs the last two years. Highlands will be looking for some payback on Friday night.
#9 HIGHLANDS BLUEBIRDS (1-0) at #11 COOPER JAGUARS (0-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Cooper Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Highlands offense is loaded with talent and at the center of all of it is quarterback Rio Litmer. The senior topped the 4,000 yard mark passing in last week’s win over Frederick Douglass. He also has 54 career touchdown passes. Gabe Williams, a First Team All-NKY and Second Team All-TSF selection as a defensive back a year ago, had a team high 84 yards rushing in Week 1. Classmate Tayden Lorenzen is a touchdown making machine with 14 of them (eight rec, six rush) in his last 14 games. Anchoring the offensive line are seniors Mason Howard as well as Max Merz, a Louisville commit and First Team All-NKY and First Team All-TSF member in 2024.
Cooper senior quarterback Cam O’Hara is rewriting the Northern Kentucky record books. The 2024 TriState Football Kentucky Offensive Player of the Year has thrown for 9,049 yards and 120 touchdowns in his career. Running back Keagan Maher has 2,816 yards and 41 touchdowns rushing in a Jaguars uniform. Defensive back Ryker Campbell tied the school record with his 14th career interception last week.
TEAM TRENDS: Since winning the first of its 23 state championships in 1960, Highlands is currently on its longest drought between titles, 11 years (previous longest stretch between titles was seven years from 1982-89). Over the past two seasons, the Bluebirds have averaged 420.9 yards of total offense and 41.4 points per game with 155 touchdowns (78 pass, 77 rush).
Cooper has also been an offensive juggernaut the last two campaigns. The Jaguars have averaged 343.8 yards of total offense and 39.5 points per game with 156 touchdowns (99 pass, 57 rush), in that span.
HEAD COACHES:
Highlands: Bob Sphire (38-14 at Highlands, fifth year; 317-117 overall, 36th year)
Cooper: Randy Borchers (110-92 at Cooper, 18th year; 119-104 overall, 20th year)
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Highlands
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)
Cooper
State Runner-up (three) – 2024 (5A), 2023 (5A) & 2012 (5A)
HIGHLANDS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Avoiding a let down after last week’s thrilling double overtime win is imperative. Staying focused on the task at hand will be a must. Motivation shouldn’t be a problem having lost the last three contests to the Jaguars.
COOPER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Jaguars need to forget about last week’s loss, the most lopsided for the program since 2019. The defense needs a gut-check and to bear down after allowing 530 yards and seven touchdowns in the opener. On offense, the receivers have to do a better job of getting separation and finding openings. Opponents would love nothing better than to take O’Hara and the passing game out of the equation and make Cooper one-dimensional with the run.
Prediction: Highlands 28, Cooper 24
