Highlands football team restores reputation with dominating performance in 40-3 win over Ryle

By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

After a disappointing loss at home last week, the Highlands football team came into Friday’s game at Ryle looking to restore its tainted reputation. The Bluebirds accomplished that with a dominating performance on both sides of the ball that resulted in a 40-3 victory over the Raiders.

Highlands scored on the third play from scrimmage and ended up with 344 yards in total offense. The defensive unit intercepted three passes, recovered two fumbles and limited Ryle to just 82 yards.

It was the kind of win the Bluebirds needed after last week’s 28-7 loss to Scott County in a game that was ended just before halftime because of lightning concerns.

“We were motivated by the fact that we knew we didn’t play well (against Scott County),” said Highlands coach Brian Weinrich. “We wanted to play that second half against them so bad, but we didn’t. So we had to come out and take advantage in this game (Friday).”

Highlands had lost the last three games it played against Ryle, but the Bluebirds jumped ahead early in Friday’s rematch. Three plays after the opening kickoff, senior running back Cooper Schwalbach broke loose on a 63-yard touchdown run.

The Bluebirds weren’t able to get a first down on their next two offensive possessions, but senior linebacker Jackson Hagedorn returned an interception 24 yards for a touchdown to give them a 13-0 lead.

That was the first of three Ryle turnovers during the first half that was played in a steady light rain. The Raiders also had some botched snaps that resulted in negative yardage.

“It was a great start and our guys got more confident after that,”  coach Weinrich said. “They were ready to fly around on both sides of the ball and just do what you do.”

The home team did get on the scoreboard when Ryle senior Mason Molique kicked a 44-yard field goal early in the second quarter. But Highlands responded by running off 13 straight points to open up a 26-3 halftime lead.

Schwalbach scored his second touchdown on a crazy 2-yard run. He was headed to the right when he took the handoff, but a wall of defenders forced him to change directions. So he looped around to the left and managed to extend the ball over the goal line as he was being tackled.

Two field goals by senior Nick Bowman extended the lead to 26-3 at halftime. He also converted the extra-point kicks after Highlands wide receivers Hunter Ahlfield and Nate Roberts caught touchdown passes from quarterback Grady Cramer in the third quarter.

Ahlfield’s touchdown catch came one play after Highlands linebacker Brycen Huddleston intercepted a pass and returned it to the Ryle 39-yard line.

“Our defense does a great job of that,” Cramer said of the takeaway. “That gives us extra chances to get some more scores.”

Officials called for a running clock after Roberts’ 33-yard touchdown catch put the Bluebirds ahead, 40-3, with 2:02 left in the third quarter. That’s when Highlands began pulling starting players out of the game. Schwalbach went to the bench with 146 rushing yards. Cramer ended up completing 13 of 26 passes for 153 yards.

“This definitely sets the bar for what we’ve got to do the rest of the season,” Cramer said after the win. “We’ve got Lexington Catholic next and that’s going to be a tough game. We’ve just got to come out and do what we do, stick to our game plan and execute.”

HIGHLANDS   13  13  14   0  — 40
RYLE                 0    3    0   0  —  3
H — Schwalbach 63 run (run failed)
H — Hagedorn 24 interception return (Bowman kick)
R — Molique 44 FG
H — Schwalbach 2 run (Bowman kick)
H — Bowman 38 FG
H — Bowman 29 FG
H — Ahlfield 39 pass from Cramer (Bowman kick)
H — Roberts 33 pass from Cramer (Bowman kick)
RECORDS — Highlands 3-1, Ryle 1-3

High school football games

FRIDAY
Highlands 40, Ryle 3
Campbell County 22, Cooper 21
Boone County 49, Holmes 0
Simon Kenton 55, Dixie Heights 20
Covington Catholic 42, Kings (Ohio) 9
Ludlow 56, at Gallatin County 0
Pendleton County 32, Dayton 27
Lloyd 42, Marion County 0
Corbin 21, Beechwood 14
Belfry 42, Newport Central Catholic 14
SATURDAY
Brossart 6, Newport 2
Walton-Verona 48, Holy Cross 0
Bellevue 7, St. Bernard (Ohio) 6
Conner 27, Scott 0