Unlike any other prep football program in northern Kentucky, Highlands is not only facing competition on the playing field but also competing against itself and its own football history.
The Class 4A Bluebirds have won 23 state titles, second in Kentucky only to Louisville Trinity, but they haven’t earned one since 2014. That’s an 11-year drought. They won eight during the previous 11-year span from 2004–14. But these are salad days compared to the final five years of the previous coaching regime, when the Bluebirds went 30–28 and had just four playoff wins — a total they’re used to compiling in one postseason.
The Bluebirds are well coached, especially at the top with veteran head man Bob Sphire. Architect of the rebuild in Fort Thomas, he’s seen everything, including a state crown at Lexington Catholic.
“I absolutely don’t worry about any of that outside stuff, but I do care about the team,” says the coach, who has won 42 of 53 games, including nine playoff contests across the past four seasons. “My job is to help us win as many football games as possible and win a state crown.”
Sphire is a steady leader, a motivational force and a creative thinker. He led Highlands to a 10-3 record last year and a trip to the state quarterfinals. The Bluebirds were state semifinalists in 2024. Under his command, they have defeated archrival Covington Catholic three of the last four years. He’s supported by top assistants. They coach a bevy of talented, versatile players hungry for a state championship.
Here are five things to know about the Highlands Bluebirds as they gear up for the 2026 season:
Mad skills once again on display
There never seems to be a shortage of running backs, receivers and tight ends at Highlands. That’s again the case, as all the major skill-position players are back except at quarterback. There are five returning starters on offense, but there’s so much more.
Headlining the returnees are three of last season’s top four ball carriers and top four receiving threats. The top rushers — incoming senior Tayden Lorenzen and junior Colt Kremer — combined for nearly 1,000 yards in limited duty. Lorenzen, deployed all over the field, still came up with 123 carries for 541 yards and 18 touchdowns. Kremer ran for 432 yards.
Six of last year’s top seven pass catchers were underclassmen. Almost all are vying for receptions once more as the Bluebirds keep things revved up. Last season’s top three producers are now seniors: John Feldbrugge, Cale Harris and Lorenzen. Feldbrugge led the team with 30 receptions for 505 yards and five TDs. Harris followed with 28 catches.
Lorenzen, one of the team’s three NCAA Division I commits, added 26 grabs. He’s verbally committed to Miami University. Kremer had 14 catches. Last season’s second- and third-leading pass-catching tight ends, Dom Listerman and Colin Davis, are also back.
Gabe Williams, a top rusher and receiver before missing last year’s final six games with a back injury, will see more action this season on special teams as a returner and as a safety on defense where the Bluebirds’ skills also flash. Feldbrugge, Williams and senior Michael Tincher came up with at least two interceptions each in 2025. Lorenzen, who can play linebacker and end, had one pick. Junior linebacker Jimi Cox is the third-leading returning sacker.
Bluebirds banking on Benke twins
They look alike. At times they even tackle alike. You can lose your mind when brothers are two of a kind, especially when you’re a lineman duking it out against these bookend edge rushers. “Heck, they even confuse me sometimes,” coach Sphire explains. “But in all seriousness, they are a handful. They’re strong, athletic, they run well and they’re dedicated.”
The Benkes had everybody seeing double on the defensive line. Cooper Benke totaled 40 tackles last year, three for loss. Griffin Benke had 33 tackles, 10 for loss. Both had three sacks.
This year, there could be similar double-takes on offense as Sphire reserves the right to maximize his Benkes, possibly at tight end and on the interior line. And why not? Both are solid all-around players with verbal commits at Mid-American Conference programs — Cooper with Ball State and Griffin with Ohio University.
“On offense, Griffin Benke can play tight end. Cooper Benke is being recruited as an inside defensive lineman,” the coach says. “They’re versatile, and we’re wide open on the offensive front — a total work in progress.”
Rebuilt offensive line key to fortunes
The line lost virtually every starter. The Bluebirds are in good hands at tight end, where they have so many that two can be found on the field at once, but the interior line is in transition. A mix of players is sorting things out in a mini-drama that could play out during the schedule.
“It’s the most unsettled part of the team going into the season, which is a concern with a little-used quarterback,” Sphire reveals. “Everything is on the table and there could be some surprises.”
The top returnee is Andrew Swope, who got some varsity time last year as a junior. He plays guard and tackle. His versatility provides flexibility as the Bluebirds mix and match the best parts.
“I have a feeling that we’ll work this out,” the coach says. “We’re working with a lot of talent — strong, smart football players who want to help us win any way they can.”
Meet the new starting QB
Aptly named sophomore Bryce Armstrong is the new man under center. “There’s nothing he can’t do with the football, but he’s still young,” Sphire says of the 6-foot-1, 195-pound signal caller.
Armstrong looks ready after an electric season with the freshman team and seven varsity appearances. College scouts seem to agree, as they keep showing up at David Cecil Memorial Stadium to see him. Armstrong was 12-for-22 passing for 208 yards and four TDs with the varsity. He added 65 yards on 11 carries. Armstrong was on the receiving end of six passes — half going for touchdowns — for 120 yards. He returned an interception 29 yards and was the varsity’s leading freshman tackler.
So, for review: Armstrong as a freshman averaged 29 yards per pick return, 20 yards per reception, 17 yards per completion, 6 yards per carry and a touchdown every five touches. “He’s a tremendous athlete and he’s going to be a great quarterback,” insists the coach.
Lorenzen can also help in the right situations. He was 7-of-14 passing for 105 yards and a pair of TDs last year. It’s these kinds of versatile players who make the Bluebirds so dangerous.
Future secure with super sophomores
There’s more to the talented class of 2029. Caleb Atkins is a 6-4, 280-pound lineman in the hunt for a starting job on offense. Quinton Simon can help at receiver.
“A lot of good young players on the way, and that helps because we lost a lot of seniors,” the coach says. “We do have almost 20 new seniors and at least 20 juniors, so opportunity is there — but they have to work hard.”
There are nearly two dozen sophomores. The gem on defense is linebacker Nick Stojkovic. He’s being hailed as an elite downhill run-stopper by scouting services. Simon and Atkins could also see playing time on defense. Simon can play defensive back. Atkins is a two-way lineman. They all want the same thing: a 24th state championship at Highlands.