As Northern Kentucky looks forward to high school football season, the NKyTribune is profiling all the NKy football teams. This is the first of a series. Follow the NKyTribune for full coverage of high school football this season.
By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Even though he got very little playing time as the backup quarterback on the Highlands football team last season, Austin Hergott impressed college recruiters at spring tryout camps and accepted a scholarship offer from Central Michigan University.
Now the 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior is looking forward to performing under the Friday night lights this high school season and showing why college coaches consider him a top prospect.
“I was always on the same plane ability-wise my freshman, sophomore and junior year and didn’t really stand out,” Hergott said. “This year, I feel like it’s go time. I definitely put in a lot more work at quarterback to get ready.”
This the fourth consecutive year that Highlands will have a new quarterback in the starting lineup. The previous players in that position were Donovan McCoy in 2012, Drew Houliston in 2013 and Beau Hoge in 2014. Each of them had to wait until his senior year for an opportunity to run the offense, and now it’s Hergott’s turn.
Highlands head coach Brian Weinrich is impressed with the progress Hergott has made since last season when he was on the field for less than 100 plays in 15 games.
“He’s taken everything he has up 10 notches in the offseason, especially his maturity level,” Weinrich said. “He understands that the quarterback has to be the leader on the field and know what everybody’s got to be doing by taking time to study film. He’s really stepped all that up.”
Since Hergott didn’t have any impressive game film or lofty statistics from last season that would bring college recruiters to his doorstep, he had to hit the road and attend tryout camps to showcase his abilities. His physical size, arm strength and footwork drew a lot of attention.
“I didn’t think camps were that big of a deal,” he said. “I went to like nine of them and was just out there having fun throwing the ball around. The next thing I know the quarterbacks coach at Central Michigan calls me over and says we want to offer you (a scholarship).”
Gino Guidugli, a former Highlands quarterback, is on the coaching staff at Central Michigan. After he took Hergott on a tour of the campus and the football facilities, the senior made a verbal commitment with the Chippewas, who compete in the Mid-America Conference.
With his college future set, Hergott said he can focus on his senior season at Highlands. He’ll be getting a chance to replace Hoge, the offensive catalyst on last year’s Class 4A state championship team with combined totals of 4,324 yards and 366 points rushing and passing.
Hergott said he has been working one-on-one with former University of Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike to sharpen his passing and play-making skills. He’s also taking tips from his uncle, Greg, a former state champion quarterback and current assistant coach at Beechwood High School.
“We just got back from vacation and he was down there with us,” Hergott said of his uncle. “He was telling me everything about football, and he really knows his stuff.”
Highlands also lost the leading pass receiver, leading rusher and two offensive linemen on last year’s team to graduation. But Hergott expects the Bluebirds to be back in contention for a state title after being moved up to Class 5A this season.
“I’m definitely looking forward to my senior season with this team,” he said. “Part of committing early (to college) was just being able to focus on this season. That’s all I’m working for now.”
HIGHLANDS BLUEBIRDS
COACH: Brian Weinrich (13-2 in one season).
2014 SEASON: 13-2 record, won Class 4A state championship.
THIS SEASON: Class 5A, District 5 with Covington Catholic, Dixie Heights, Grant County.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21 – at Cooper, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 – CAMPBELL COUNTY, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 – at Scott County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 – RYLE, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 – LOUISVILLE ST. XAVIER, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 – at Simon Kenton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 – DIXIE HEIGHTS, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 – at Covington Catholic, 1 p.m.
Oct. 23 – GRANT COUNTY, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30 – at Boone County, 7 p.m.
LOL There is no way he is 220 pounds.