Four downs with Highlands

When Bob Sphire was hired as Highlands High School head football coach three years ago, he faced a significant challenge. The proud 23-time state champion had fallen on difficult times and needed a special coach who was capable of restoring its winning tradition.

Enter the veteran Sphire, who brought championship-level success from his previous coaching stints at Knott County Central, Lexington Catholic, two high schools in Georgia and the professional indoor football team, the Lexington Horsemen.

Sphire, uniquely suited as a builder and rebuilder of football programs, brought a can-do attitude to Highlands after building a solid resume. From 2004 to 2007, his teams reached championship games at three different locations, at two different levels, in two states.

The Lexington Horsemen won the National Indoor Football League championship in 2004 with a victory at Indoor Bowl IV. Sphire started the football program at Lexington Catholic in 1991 and, 14 years later, led the Knights to the 2005 Class 3A state championship. He then took over at North Gwinnett High School in Georgia, leading the team to state championship game appearances in 2007 and 2013.

Sphire has the Bluebirds on a similar trajectory following last year’s 12-2 finish and advancement to the Class 5A state tournament semifinals. This represented another step in the right direction after a 9-3 finish and a second-round playoff appearance in 2022.

Now in year four of the Sphire era at Highlands, for the first time, all of his varsity players have known only him as their head coach. He has compiled a 26-11 record as head man, compared to the 30-28 record the five seasons before he arrived. With the rebuild transitioning to a win now mode, the hunt is on for a 24th Bluebirds state title. It’s been 10 years since their last crown.

FIRST DOWN — RECAP

The 2023 magic began with Sphire’s team defeating his old team, Lexington Catholic, by seven points in the season opener. The Bluebirds fell to rival Covington Catholic 35-21 in the second game and lost talented lineman Torin Bryant to a season-ending knee injury. Unbowed, the Bluebirds went on an 11-game winning streak that didn’t end until a 17-15 state semifinal loss at home to Cooper.

In 10 of those wins, the Bluebirds never scored fewer than 40 points. Highlands beat Cooper 58-51 on the road in September, two weeks after routing Ryle 52-20. Other significant victories came against Campbell County and Dixie Heights. The Bluebirds won the district with a 5-0 record. Included was Sphire’s career high school win No. 300 against Boone County.

After giving up 21 points to Dixie, Highlands went six straight games allowing seven or fewer points while outscoring the opposition 281-34 over that span. On the season, the Bluebirds averaged 44.2 points to lead Class 5A. They ranked eighth statewide. They ranked 11th in the class in scoring margin.

SECOND DOWN — OFFENSE

The Bluebirds’ power spread offense rolled up an average of 460 net offensive yards per game last season with a near-equal split: 235 rushing, 225 passing. They ranked fifth in Class 5A in rushing and third in passing.

Highlands lost two dozen seniors, many of them offensive players including starting quarterback Brody Benke. The Bluebirds are younger this season with about 15 seniors. There is a massive class of nearly 30 juniors including new starting quarterback Rio Litmer. In limited duty last season, Litmer completed 77 of 106 passes for a 72.6 completion rate. He threw for 1,110 yards with 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

“At this point, it’s a confidence thing,” Litmer said. “I’m confident in my guys, myself and the whole team.”

Tayden Lorenzen and Cale Harris are his backups. Neither threw an incompletion last season.

“We’ve got some talented quarterbacks. Rio is a very dynamic dual threat,” coach Sphire said. “He’s accurate. He’s got a strong arm and great feet and probably the third or fourth fastest guy on the team. When he pulls it down, he’s dangerous. He’s got some great receivers. Adam Surrey is one of the best route runners I’ve had. Jackson Arnold can blow the top off the coverage.”

Surrey caught 39 passes for 584 yards (14.9 average) with five touchdowns last season. Arnold had 25 receptions for 402 yards (16.1 average) and eight TDs. Fellow seniors Hayden Hass and Tyus McCarter are in the mix. Tommy Ferring is the leading returning tight end after scoring three TDs on four receptions with a 20 yards per catch average.

Two 1,000-yard rushers graduated, leaving primary ball carrying duties to Deven James and Jack White. James rushed for 207 yards on 4.5 yards per carry. White rushed for 144 yards but was more explosive with 6.8 yards per carry. Litmer averaged 9.1 yards per tote, totaling 119 yards on the ground.

“What I like about our offense is the flexibility,” Sphire said. “We have multiple guys who can play several positions, and we have good depth. If teams load the box, we can throw it. If they focus on stopping the pass, we can run it.”

The offensive line features 6-foot-4, 315-pound Max Merz, Peter Murriner, Torin Bryant, Teegan Haretuku and 6-foot-6, 320-pound Mason Howard. Merz at right guard and Murriner at left tackle are set. Merz is fielding several NCAA Division I college offers. Bryant can play center and guard and he’s the long snapper. Howard can play center and tackle. Heretuku can play tackle or guard. Diego Race is part of the rotation.

THIRD DOWN — DEFENSE

The Bluebirds’ multiple 4-3 defense surrendered 17 points per game last season, ranking sixth in Class 5A. They ranked second in rushing defense. Anchoring the interior of the defensive front are tackles Howard and Race. Merz, Merriner and Haretuku are part of the rotation. Defensive ends include Ferring, Bryant, Aiden Howard and Max Newman.

“I feel good about our team,” said Bryant, who is fully recovered from surgery to repair an ACL tear. “We have a lot of talent.”

Linebackers include James, Isaac Niemann, Ethan Grimm and TJ Hicks. Grimm is the leading returning tackler with 70 and he also had a team-best nine tackles for loss. In the secondary are Surrey, Jackson, McCarter, Hass, Dom Gregory, Peyton Klosterman and Gabe Williams. McCarter was third on the team in solo tackles.

FOURTH DOWN— GOALS/OUTLOOK

Anything other than a state championship game appearance will be a disappointment. Though they are younger and replacing several key starters, the Bluebirds believe they have the talent to take another step forward. Sphire said continuity, team chemistry and comfortability within the system are strengths. The Bluebirds are also stronger in the weight room.

“This is the first year every player has been in our process while at Highlands.” Sphire said. “This is all ours and nobody else’s, and every player here wants to win a championship. We’ve got to keep putting in the work and keep growing and keep getting better.”

Litmer loves Sphire’s attitude. He cares about the culture the coach has cultivated. He praises the team’s talent and potential. And he craves a state crown.

“I think our future looks great. I’ve never been on a team with this much good chemistry and positive energy,” Litmer said. “I can’t wait to go out there and have fun and win like I know we can.”

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