Class 5A region title preview: Highlands returns to third round for first time since 2015
Highlands coach Bob Sphire acknowledges his Class 5A No. 1 Bluebirds have improved a little faster than he expected when he arrived in Fort Thomas three years ago.
“These kids have made tremendous progress,” said Sphire, who helped build the football program at Lexington Catholic before moving on to coach in Georgia for a time. “The last two offseasons have been huge. We’re so much bigger, so much stronger, so much more physical.”
Highlands hosts North Laurel on Friday for the region championship. The Jaguars (8-4) are making their first region championship appearance since 2015. North Laurel runs more than it throws with running back Ethan Gregory doing most of the damage with 1,436 rushing yards and 10 TDs. But quarterback Hunter Morgan is a threat, too, with 1,242 yards and 14 TDs passing.
The Bluebirds (11-1) have won their first district title since 2015 and hope to end the program’s longest state title drought since the 1980s when they went six years without a crown. The current stretch is eight years.
But Sphire doesn’t put too much credence into the RPI Standings that have the 23-time state champions as the favorite.
“There are eight teams left and they’re all No. 1 the way I look at it,” Sphire said. “It’s the playoffs. Everybody that’s left can play.”
Highlands presents a unique set of problems for opponents with senior quarterback/receiver Brody Benke.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder takes turns with Rio Litmer behind center and they’ve each thrown for more than 1,000 yards with Benke connecting on 25 TD passes to Litmer’s 20. Benke also has 1,079 yards and 20 TDs rushing alongside Cameron Giesler, who has run for 1,168 yards and 10 TDs. Benke also has six TD receptions.
“He’s grounded and so mature in the way he goes about things. He has a calming effect for everybody,” Sphire said of Benke. “And one of the beautiful things is that it’s not just him. The way the team has evolved is that we can adapt that night based on what the defensive look is.”
Class 5A region championships
All games are Friday with times local to the host site.
EAST REGION FINALS
No. 14 North Laurel (8-4) at No. 1 Highlands (11-1), 7:30 p.m. The Jaguars ride a four-game win streak into Fort Thomas after one of quarterback Hunter Morgan’s best games of the season with 206 yards and three TDs passing. The Bluebirds’ offensive balance of 2,893 yards passing and 2,896 yards receiving is breathtaking.
No. 9 Cooper (11-2) at No. 6 Southwestern (9-3), 7:30 p.m. Cooper comes off a dominant performance against Scott County’s run-oriented offense, and will have to strap in again for a bruising Southwestern team that presents the same kinds of problems.
WEST REGION FINALS
No. 8 Owensboro (8-4) at No. 7 Atherton (11-1), 7:30 p.m. The Red Devils shook off a 1-3 start and might be one of the class’s hottest teams after securing the program’s 801st win over South Warren last week. Atherton is in the midst of its best season in school history and is led by running backs Michael Curry and Andre Steele who have combined for more than 1,400 yards and 22 TDs.
No. 24 Fairdale (7-5) at No. 4 Bowling Green (9-3), 7 p.m. The Bulldogs have breezed by their first two playoff opponents, but they haven’t seen an offense or a defense like the Purples put on the field. Bowling Green QB Deuce Bailey has 2,956 yards passing with 35 TDs and only four interceptions.
@HLpreps predictions for next week’s state semis: Cooper at Highlands; Owensboro at Bowling Green.
This story was originally published November 16, 2023 at 6:15 AM.
