We gave you the 50 greatest sports icons from NKY last summer. Since we had so much fun with that, we’re bringing you another list of the 50 greatest things this summer…The 50 greatest prep sports teams from NKY.
Each day for the next 50 days, we’ll release one of the area’s 50 greatest prep sports teams. It starts June 22 and runs into August. This is not a ranking 1-50, it’s just a collection of the 50 best sports teams ever assembled.
We’ll preface this by saying you may or may not agree with all 50 and that’s fine. Sports editor Evan Dennison assembled a panel of dedicated and longly-tenured NKY sports fans to weigh in and give their takes on who should be on the list. I trust those people because of their history and knowledge of the game in NKY. We compiled numerous lists and identified the most certain candidates for inclusion.
Some of the traits we sought in these teams were state championships (almost certainly a requirement), dominance, and standout players and coaches. We may have cheated a little by lumping some dominant teams together that achieved numerous consecutive state titles, but that gives a few more teams an opportunity to be recognized.
I hope you enjoy this, as sports are slow in the summer. This list serves as a way to remember the past a little and keep you entertained daily as it continues.
Another note, while we respect and give coverage to golf, tennis, wrestling, bowling, track and field and cross country, we consider those individual sports, so any teams from those sports will not make the list.
Here we go!
1970 Highlands football
Perfection isn’t easy, but the 1970 Highlands Bluebirds made it look routine.
With future stars on the field and a legend on the sidelines, Highlands completed a 14-0 season and captured the Class 2A state championship, defeating Madisonville 30-13 at Stoll Field on the University of Kentucky campus. The victory was impressive against a Madisonville team led by future University of Kentucky All-American and Atlanta Falcons standout Sonny Collins.
Head coach Mike Murphy guided the Bluebirds to their second state championship in three seasons after winning the Class 2A title in 1968. During his seven-year tenure, Murphy compiled a 66-12-1 record, earned Coach of the Year honors in 1968 and 1970, and established Highlands as Northern Kentucky’s premier football programs.
Highlands overwhelmed opponents throughout the season, winning by an average of 32.2 points per game. The Bluebirds recorded nine shutouts, won five games by at least 40 points, scored 40 or more points five times, and had only two games decided by single digits. Their postseason dominance included a 19-0 victory over Bryan Station in the quarterfinals and a 35-0 semifinal win over Hazard before finishing the season with a 30-13 victory over Madisonville in the state championship.
Co-captain Dave Freer led Kentucky in scoring with 206 points, including 26 touchdowns, 47 extra points, and a field goal. He capped his season by rushing for 195 yards and three touchdowns in the state championship game. Team captain Bill Roller anchored the defense, leading the Bluebirds in tackles while earning All-State honors. Richard Grover was a three-time All-State selection and senior All-American, while future Highlands coaching legend Dale Mueller started at offensive guard and middle linebacker before leading the Bluebirds to 11 state championships as head coach. The championship team also featured future Highlands softball coach Milt Horner.
Here’s the rundown of the 50 greatest NKY prep sports teams day by day:
Day 1: 1998 Highlands Football
Day 2: 1963 Holmes Baseball
Day 3: 2019 Covington Catholic football
Day 4: 2021 Notre Dame Academy Girls Soccer
Day 5: 1960 Highlands Football
Day 6: 1980 Villa Madonna Volleyball
Day 7: 1976 Lloyd Memorial Football
Day 8: 2009 Holmes Boys Basketball
Day 9: 1991 Beechwood Football
Day 10: 1954 Newport Catholic Baseball
Day 11: 1982 Highlands Football
Day 12: 2019 Ryle Girls Basketball
Day 13: 1987 Boone County Football
Day 14: 1981 St. Henry Volleyball
Day 15: 2021 Beechwood Football
Day 16: 2002 Covington Catholic Baseball
Day 17: 1957 Highlands Football
Day 18: 2006 Ryle Softball
Day 19: 1975 Ludlow Football