Mario Litmer from Highlands is the @minguabeefjerky Protein-packed Performer of the Week @CoachIzzy1 @CoachAlbin @CoachClay_CLT @CoachSeanReagan @CoachStutzmann @CoachFlemWR @CoachObly @coachklynch @CoachHuff @CoachDoege @aarondobson17 @coachsmitttty @bigassfans

’26 QB may be an early leader for “Mr. Football 2025”

You can call him “Rio.” You can call him “Mario.” What you can’t call him is ordinary. He is extraordinary if that term has ever before been applied to a high school QB. Litmer is coming off an incredible year which would see him pass for nearly 3,000-yards, throw 33-TDs, run for five scores, complete 68% of his passes and amass a QBR of 128.1. What will he do his senior year for an encore? He may win “Mr. Football.” For now, he will have to just enjoy some world famous jerky products and a sweet T-shirt.

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, KPGFootball

Mingua Beef Jerky uses Enviro-Pac CHU-2000 equipment to cook its meat to USDA required levels for both moist or dry operation. Mingua Beef Jerky wants you to become one of its many satisfied customers by sampling its quality hand sliced, all natural beef jerky. We know you’ll love it and come back for more, again and again.     

Ronnie Mingua began experimenting with making beef jerky back in the 1990s. He shared his efforts with neighbors and friends, soon realizing he had come up with something different and superior to all other beef jerkies on the market. From these humble beginnings, Mingua Beef Jerky got its start.  

Today, the Mingua Beef Jerky Company still prides itself on using its old-fashioned, all-natural recipes which offer outstanding products to customers across the nation. The recipes are a family tradition, passed down from generation to generation.     

Our recipes and our quality ingredients, hand-cut from solid pieces of beef, are never chopped or formed like other brands, making our products superior and one of a kind. That would make our products similar to this week’s Protein-packed Performer, Mario “Rio” Litmer, ’26 QB from Ft. Thomas Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. 

Our recipes and our quality ingredients, hand-cut from solid pieces of beef

Mingua Beef Jerky

Fort Thomas, KY: Every All-State team has some omissions who should have made the squad. The “Big Ass Fans” team, which we helped select, was no different.

This Rio is certainly a Diamond

We will be the first to tell you there were all-state caliber players throughout the commonwealth we missed. You just can’t get them all.

You do the best you can, but in the end, there will be some misses. Clearly Mario “Rio” Litmer was a miss for us. He should have made the Large School offense.

Litmer led his team to an 11-3 finish and a berth in the semis against Cooper High. Cooper finished runners-up to Bowling Green Senior High for the second consecutive season.

Litmer completed 68% of his passing attempts (193/281), passed for 2,791-yards, and tossed 33-TDs against only eight (8) picks. Litmer rushed for 236-yards and five (5) scores in 68-carries.

We love Diamond Rio, as we call him around the magazine. He is a 6’0, 176-pounder who was only 16-this past season while leading the Bluebirds to within a game of Lexington, Kentucky.

Litmer completed 68% of his passes, threw for 2,791-yards and 33-TDs while amassing a QBR of 128.1

Friday Night Fletch/KHSAA Statistical Website

What should we expect from Litmer in ’25? Well, it seems clear to us Highlands returns enough talent to contend for the 5A crown. It also seems clear Litmer should be on plenty of preseason all-state lists and a bone fide candidate for the KHSAA’s Mr. Football award in ’25.

Link to buy our book

There are plenty of schools after Litmer with EKU already giving him a chance to play collegiately in Richmond, KY. We could see Litmer playing QB at the next level and we could see him playing anywhere from the slot to one of the posts in the defensive backfield.

If you are looking for a “play alike,” Litmer reminds us of Somerset’s Kaiya Sheron, who coincidentally won Mr. Football his senior year. Sheron is a bit taller, but the skills are similar and the production is too.

Join us next week as we return to honor another weekly prize winner. Until then, pop some Mingua Beef Jerky in your mouth and savor the quality and flavor which sets it apart from the competition. Remember, our product is superior and one of a kind; just like Ft. Thomas Highland’s Mario Litmer.  

This is Friday Night Fletch reporting for Kentucky Prep Gridiron and reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE. Don’t forget to SAVOR THE FLAVOR!

About Fletcher Long 1675 Articles
Two-time winner of Kentucky Press Association awards for excellence in writing and reporting news stories while Managing Editor of the Jackson (KY) Times-Voice

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply