Fort Thomas Highlands

KPGFootball’s Preseason Top-Five (5A) @bigassfans, @minguabeefjerky, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

June 17, 2025 Fletcher Long 2

It is that time of year. It is time to start figuring which teams, entering the ’25 season, figure to factor in the title chase. We have detailed what we think here and it is based on our study of the incoming, ’25 rosters, what players return, what players graduated, and other various factors we have perfected through the years to render such predictions. We plan to do this for all of Kentucky’s six (6) classifications and there is no guarantee we will go in order from the top down, or the bottom to the top. There are good football teams in the KHSAA and there are bad ones and those teams span all of the six classes. Enjoy today’s look at 5A. Keep checking back as we may drop another class any time we feel like it.

Friday Night Fletch

Slow Motion Replay: Mark Brown started his career without any guarantees, but fulfilled his contract with the kids he coached @OwensboroSports, @1027TheGame, @bigassfans, @minguabeefjerky, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball,@EtownFB, @FULLNELSONFOOT1

May 24, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Mark Brown thought he would build a dynasty at one high school. In the end he built a dynasty which expanded across four (4) high schools and 38-years. Along the way, Brown won over 70% of his games, won 331-times against 140-losses, and took his alma mater, Nelson County, to the 4A title in 1996 in a thrilling 35-34 OT victory over Lexington’s Paul Dunbar High and its legendary HFC, Mike Meighan. It is Nelson County’s only football title in program history. We haven’t a clue what you would call such a record. We would call it a fine résumé. Enjoy this feature.

Friday Night Fletch

Slow Motion Replay, Series Article No. 50: The near misses, the guys who would likely have been HOFers if they hadn’t moved on to something else @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @LCAEAGLESFB, @mercer_football, @CentreFootball, @HighlandsFB

May 18, 2025 Fletcher Long 3

We all know Phillip Haywood and Dudley Hilton are the two winningest football coaches in the KHSAA history. Haywood at 491 will be tough to catch but Hilton is 30 or so behind him and he’s still going strong. What about the guys who shone like bright, shining stars then moved on to “greener pastures.” Could some of those guys have been “the best?” Perhaps. If there is a short-timer who could be considered, we believe he may be in this particular grouping of three. Enjoy this feature.

Friday Night Fletch

Who could win ‘Mr. Football’ in 2025? What about ‘Diamond Rio?’ @LitmerMario, @bigassfans, @minguabeefjerky, @KyHighFootball, @khsaafootball, @CoachIzzy1, @CoachClay_CLT, @CoachStutzmann, @CoachHuff, @HighlandsFB, @BrodyCook0660

April 28, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

It is the offseason and Summer Drills are literally around the corner. This time of year, we are busy trying to forecast which teams will be in what races and which players may impact the season long, “Mr. Football” race. We love the country band “Diamond Rio” so much we couldn’t help but nickname Rio Litmer “Diamond Rio.” This guy may be slight of frame, but he has a ton of game. Litmer led Highlands to the 5A semis, which would gain you some leverage everywhere but where he is playing. The Bluebirds are hunting title number 24. Will it come this season? Will Litmer take home “Mr. Football?” We shall see! Enjoy the article.

Friday Night Fletch

Slow Motion Replay: Dale Mueller from Highlands engineered his way to a spectacular record and 11-titles @KyHighFootball, @NKyTribune, @bigassfans, @minguabeefjerky, @khsaafootball

March 4, 2025 Fletcher Long 4

Dale Mueller is an interesting guy. Not all high school football coaches and teachers are mechanical engineering students from the ivy-league. Of course, not all high school football coaches win 12.5 games a season over 20-years, win titles in 55% of the time they coach at a particular school, or play for titles 70% of the time. There is nothing average or normal about Dale Mueller, which is why he is among the greatest high school coaches this commonwealth has ever known. Enjoy this feature, especially you northern Kentuckians who complain we never cover you.

Friday Night Fletch.

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

January 15, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Some call him “Mario.” Some just call him “Rio.” All call him special. Litmer is the QB for one of the most high profile programs in Kentucky 5A or at any classification if we are being honest. Litmer is 6’0,” weighs 176-pounds and, at only 16-years of age, completed over 68% of his passing attempts his junior season and finished with a QBR of 128.1. Highlands won 11-games in ’24, made the semis, and have a vital piece back for another run in ’25. Who knows how far this “Mr. Football” candidate can take them.

Friday Night Fletch.

Friday Night Fletch picks the Semi-State Champions; and then there were four- @EddieEviston @Bluecolonels @pths_football @coachthomp9 @coach_marksbury @1776Bank @PrepSpin @KyHighFootball @kyhighs @HLpreps @840WHAS @sfitz_840whas @evans02_Mike @minguabeefjerky

November 20, 2023 Fletcher Long 0

The penultimate in high school football is gaining the inestimable privilege of getting to practice football on Thanksgiving. Well, there are 24 teams left who get this privilege and get to build this life-long memory. Half of the remaining will run out onto Kroger Field and play for a championship. Which 12 will it be? We attempt to answer that for you right here. Friday Night Fletch

Talking Football with KPGFootball’s & 840 WHAS’s ‘Friday Night Fletch’- @PrepSpin @KyHighFootball @kyhighs @HLpreps @MaxPreps @HopkinsCentral @evans02_Mike

October 12, 2023 Fletcher Long 0

We highlight two from each class, or more,… We are coming down to the end of the regular season and teams are jockeying for playoff position, and for some, inclusion. Our very own “Friday Night Fletch,” the resident middle and high school football expert in Kentucky breaks down the compelling […]

Evan Pitzer believes slow and steady wins the race…and it appears to be doing just that! @pitz_evan @CovCathColonels @CovCathFBAlumni @CovCathFootball @1776Bank @PrepSpin @KyHighFootball @MaxPreps @minguabeefjerky @HopkinsCentral @evans02_mike @840WHAS @sfitz_840whas

August 28, 2023 Fletcher Long 0

Evan Pitzer has one of the better frames of any QB competing in the KHSAA. He also has his Colonels off to a fast start with wins, out of the gate, against Ryle and hated rival Ft. Thomas Highlands. Pitzer has been the very model of efficiency. Matter of fact, he has been borderline spectacular. Enjoy the feature. FL.