Friday, September 15, 2000
Highlands QB seeks revenge
Guidugli wants to make amends for last season's blowout loss to Elder
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
![[img]](/preps/img/photos/2000/08/guidugli_100x161.jpg)
Gino Guidugli
(Michael E. Keating photo)
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Admitting failure is unusual for an athlete, especially at the high school level. Highlands starting quarterback Gino Guidugli is an exception, readily accepting responsibility for the Bluebirds' 35-14 loss at Elder last year.
“Everyone said the defense wore down in the second half and that's why we lost after leading 14-7 at halftime,” the 6-foot-5, 210 pound senior said. “It wasn't the defense. It was the offense. On three consecutive series, we went three plays and out. I needed to step up and I didn't get it done.”
Guidugli will be one of the key players at 7:30 p.m. Saturday when the Bluebirds attempt to avenge last year's defeat to Elder before an anticipated crowd of 15,000 plus at Paul Brown Stadium.
Originally scheduled for tonight at David Cecil Memorial Stadium in Fort Thomas, the game was moved to Paul Brown Stadium because of construction of a new middle school and heavy fan interest.
Since Guidugli and most of the 24 other seniors started playing at the varsity level for Highlands, the only blemish on the record (32-1) is to Elder.
“We've watched the film of last year's game several times, Guidugli said. “Elder started bringing more people in the second half to shut down the running game. Some of us got rattled.”
Going into last year's Elder game, Guidugli had completed 39-of-63 passes for 636 yards and seven TD's in three games.
This season in a like number of outings, Guidugli has completed 55-of-90 passes for 877 yards and 12 TDs, nine to favorite receiver, Brett Hamblen.
“We operate out of the shotgun and send as many as five receivers out,” Guidugli said. “The entire offensive line is back and I'm very comfortable back there. I've only been sacked three times.”
Guidugli started playing football as a fifth-grader in a Fort Thomas youth league.
“I could always throw the ball farther than the other kids and that's why they put me at quarterback,” Guidugli said. “It was the hot seat but the position I always wanted to play.”
As a junior, Guidugli was criticized for throwing every pass as hard as he could. During the summer, he worked on developing a touch and has been more effective.”
“Gino is a tremendous quarterback and one who sees himself getting better and better and better,” Highlands coach Dale Mueller said.
“He's been a hard worker and is the absolute perfect quarterback physically, mentally and as a leader. He wants to continue playing as long as he can.”
Six years ago, Mueller had no doubts that Guidugli would be a success.
“I knew that Gino was something special when I saw him play as a seventh-grader,” Mueller said. “He was behind Jared Lorenzen as a sophomore and has come on strong the past two seasons.”
Guidugli credits much of his success to his father, Dave, a highly respected trainer of professional, college and high school athletes.
“Gino could be a great inside linebacker,” Mueller said. “He's very strong and fast and has the ability to run, jump and spin. He's also a hard hitter.”
University of Kentucky football coach Hal Mumme has offered Guidugli a full ride, while Ohio State, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Georgia Tech also have expressed interest.
Blessed with a strong arm, Guidugli can accurately throw the ball 65 yards, a quality that attracts the college recruiters and professional scouts.
Guidugli isn't the only Highlands player that Mumme would like to sign.
Mumme has already received a verbal commitment from linebacker Ben Scott and extended offers to linebacker Brett Grover and Hamblen.
Elder coach Doug Ramsey suggested that the Panthers should be the underdog because of Guidugli and the overall depth (five major college prospects) of the Bluebirds.
“Guidugli is one of their key players,” Ramsey said. “He throws the ball accurately, moves around well and has a strong arm. He can also take off with the ball and run.”
Ramsey expressed concern for allowing Highlands to complete big plays.
“Highlands has scored at least two times from 65 yards out in every game,” Ramsey said. “We can't allow them any big plays.”
Tickets ($14 adults, $10 students) are available at the gate.
Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball
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![[img]](/preps/img/photos/2000/08/guidugli.jpg)