Brett Hamblen races past Dixie Heights' Matt OšToole (12) and Troy Kenning for a touchdown. (Jeff Swinger photos) | ZOOM |

        EDGEWOOD — Highlands senior Brett Hamblen scored three touchdowns as the Bluebirds rolled to a 63-19 Class AAA district win over Dixie Heights Friday night.

        Hamblen caught two of Gi no Guidugli's passes for touchdowns and returned a punt 72 yards for another TD at Bill Shannon Field.

        Does Hamblen's performance enhance his chance of becoming Kentucky's Mr. Football?

        “I don't think that's for me to decide,” Hamblen said. “I just go out and play my game.”

        Hamblen's totals Friday should make somebody notice. His eight catches for 121 yards give him 40 catches for 926 yards for the season. He had 103 yards in punt and kickoff returns Friday.

        So which role does Hamblen like best?

Eamon Mueller dives for a TD. | ZOOM |

        “It's all fun,” Hamblen said. “I love catching passes from Gino, but punts are the most fun. You have the whole field in front in you.”

        Highlands coach Dale Mueller was diplomatic, saying Guidugli (25-of-29 for 373 yards and five TDs Friday) and senior linebacker Brent Grover deserve a look for Mr. Football, too. But he also couldn't decide what Hamblen did best.

        “He's probably best as a defensive back,” Mueller said. “You can't stop him.”

        And Dixie couldn't stop Highlands. The Bluebirds gained 576 yards and held the Colonels to 217.

        “It was pretty good,” Grover said of the defensive effort. “We gave up some penalties.”

        Highlands (7-1) had its pick of ways to scoreall night.

        Guidugli opened the game by passing. He was 4-of-4 for 52 yards, setting up junior Eamon Mueller's 6-yard run with 9:26 left in the first quarter.

        Five plays after Highlands' Tyler Browning ended Dixie's opening drive by sacking Matt O'Toole, for a 4-yard loss, Hamblen had his 48-yard TD reception.

        Dixie (4-4) then showed a little offense when O'Toole completed a 19-yard pass to senior Dan Ollberding.

        That was it for the Colonels the rest of the quarter. Highlands held, and Hamblen took Ollberding's punt 78 yards for a TD with 6:29 left.

        Guidugli (who has thrown for 2,384 yards and 30 touchdowns this season) ended the Bluebirds' five-play, 61-yard scoring drive with a 17-yarder to senior Jeff Mason with 3:03 remaining for a 28-0 Highlands lead.

        Dixie ran 19 plays before junior tailback Dan Metzger scored from two yards out with 6:24 left in the half. Highlands helped with a roughing-the-kicker penalty on the Colonels' Adam Rolfes on the previous play to set up the score.

        Highlands finished the half with two more touchdowns, on Guidugli's 22-yard pass to junior Matt Gramstad with 4:37 left and Mueller's 4-yard run with 1:29 remaining.

        It was more Hamblen in the third quarter — his five-yard catch from Guidugli made the score 49-7 with 6:04 left in the third quarter. Guidugli's pass to Mueller made it 56-7 with 2:21 left in the quarter.

        On the ensuing kickoff, Dixie's David Norris was on his way to a 98-yard touchdown when a fight broke out at midfield. The ball ended up at the Dixie 40, and Norris later scored on a 13-yard run.

        Highlands ....... 28 14 14 7-63

        Dixie Heights ....... 0 7 0 12-19

        H-E. Mueller 6 run (Chuke kick)

        H-Hamblen 48 pass from G. Guidugli (Chuke kick)

        H-Hamblen 72 punt return (Chuke kick)

        H-Mason 17 pass from G. Guidugli (Chuke kick)

        DH-Metzger 2 run (Brockman kick)

        H-Gramstad 22 pass from G. Guidugli (Chuke kick)

        H-E. Mueller 4 run (Chuke kick)

        H-Hamblen 5 pass from G. Guidugli (Chuke kick)

        H-E. Mueller 19 pass from G. Guidugli (Chuke kick)

        DH-Norris 13 run (pass failed)

        H-Turner 37 pass from James (Chuke kick)

        DH-Fields 5 pass from Eastham (run failed)

        Records: H 7-1 (3-0 in Class AAA district), DH 4-4 (1-2).

        Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball

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