Derek Smith (1998) was a finalist for Kentucky Mr. Football. 

The Kentucky Mr. Football Award is an honor given to the top high school football player in the state of Kentucky and in the KHSAA. Awarded by a panel of sports writers and broadcasters from around the state’s Associated Press, many past winners have proceeded to have successful college careers and even play in the National Football League.

Since the award was first given in 1986, Highlands High School has had the second most finalists among all schools. They have had two winners, Jared Lorenzen (1998) and Patrick Towles (2011).

RELATED: Highlands vs. Campbell County (Preview – 8-24-18)

Here are all of the northern Kentucky finalists over the years.

Highlands

1996 Justin Frisk

1998 Jared Lorenzen (winner), Derek Smith

2000 Gino Guidugli, Brett Hamblen

2001 Rob Smith

2009 Austin Collinsworth

2011 Patrick Towles (winner)

2014 Beau Hoge, Alex Veneman

Newport Central Catholic 

1986 Frank Jacobs (winner)

2011 Brady Hightchew

Covington Catholic 

1987 Mike Woolf

1988 Paul Hladon

1992 Adam McCormack

2005 Drew Ellison

2017 Kam Butler, AJ Mayer

Beechwood

1991 Craig Wilmhoff

1994 Greg Hergott

Boone County

1994 Shaun Alexander (winner)

2007 Cory Farris

Simon Kenton

2009 Miles Simpson

2017 Matt Shearer

Conner

2013 Drew Barker

Ryle

2016 Tanner Morgan