BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LOUISVILLE -- The state knows plenty about Highlands superstars Jared Lorenzen and Derek Smith, front-runners for Mr. Football. But they may not be the only Bluebird seniors bound for Division I-A football.
Brian Ulbricht and Noah Gibson powered Highlands' 56-7 beating of Louisville Waggener. Ulbricht carried 13 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Gibson carried nine times for 85 yards and a TD, returned a kickoff 91 yards for a score, and intercepted two passes -- one of which he returned 68 yards to set up another TD.
"Jared and Derek are considered the two best players in the state, but Brian and Noah are both among the best, too," Highlands coach Dale Mueller said. "They are big-time football players."
Lorenzen and Smith have committed to Kentucky, and UK has shown considerable interest in Ulbricht lately. Ulbricht earned honorable mention all-state honors as a linebacker (he had 123 tackles entering Saturday's game), and he rushed for 1,197 yards and 17 TDs.
UK recruiting coordinator Claude Bassett was on hand Saturday to watch the Bluebirds.
"My dream is to play college football," Ulbricht said. "I'm
hoping some college will take a risk on me. I'm not the fastest guy or the strongest, but I think I've got a lot of heart."
Gibson, second team all-state as a defensive back, ended the season with 11 interceptions. His college options are uncertain. "It was great to go out senior year like this," Gibson said. "We're going to savor this."
JONES SETS NATIONAL RECORD:
Highlands junior kicker Brennan Jones set a national extra-point record Saturday. He went 8-for-8 to bring his season total to 90, which eclipsed the mark of 87 set by Drew Hagan of Amory, Miss., in 1995.
When Jones converted his record-breaking kick, quarterback Jared Lorenzen wrapped him in a bear hug and carried him off the field.
"That drive, Jared said to the offense, 'We're going to score so we can get Brennan the record,' " Jones said. "I was nervous. My leg was shaking. I was so happy when I made it."
Jones made 90 of 98 PAT tries in this, his first season as Highlands' kicker. He didn't even know he was approaching the record until reading it in the Enquirer last week.
"I owe it all to the offense," he said.
RECORD SETTERS:
State records established by Highlands (previous mark in parentheses):
- Most state titles: 13 (Louisville Trinity, 12)
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Most points in a state title game: 56 (48, Louisville St. Xavier, 1974 Class AAA finals vs. Westport)
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Largest title-game margin of victory: 49 (40, Lynch East Main, 1959 Class A finals)
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Most points in a season: 801 (724, Louisville Valley, 1997)
- Most point-after conversions in a season: Brennan Jones, 90 (73, Pikeville's Diego Ramos, 1993)
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Highest per-game yardage average: 497.7 (453.4, Pikeville, 1987)
BARRES SHARE TITLE:
Wyoming High coach Bernie Barre finally got to see his son play.
Brian Barre, a Highlands sophomore, is a starting defensive tackle. Coach Barre saw him play the season opener, but their schedules conflicted until Saturday. Wyoming lost last week in an Ohio state semifinal.
Brian was in on several tackles Saturday, and intercepted a pass that was called back because of a penalty.
"It was exciting to sit back and watch as a parent," Coach Barre said. "He played well. I told him I just wanted him to play hard, and he did."
ANOTHER AWARD:
Lorenzen was named the Roy Kidd Class AAA Player of the Year on Saturday. The award, named for Eastern Kentucky University's coach, is voted on by the state's coaches.
Last week, Lorenzen won the Frank Camp Award as the state's top player.
Though he threw for just 11 yards Saturday, a career low, Lorenzen finished the season with some gaudy numbers: 168-of-271 passing (62 percent) for 3,393 yards, 45 TDs and just six interceptions. That passing total is the sixth-best single-season total in state history, and his TD total is fifth-best in a season.
Lorenzen's 89 career TD passes are fourth-most in state history. His 6,822 career yards are 10th-best. And his .595 career completion percentage is fourth-best.
Lorenzen also rushed for 897 yards (8.4 avg.) and 15 TDs this season.
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