Friday, January 12, 2001
N.Ky. football all-star team
Highlands' Hamblen player of the year
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
Brett Hamblen runs for one of his 27 TDs.
(Jeff Swinger photo)
| ZOOM |
|
By the end of the 2000 football season, Highlands senior Brett Hamblen was playing with both physical and emotional pain.
Hamblen — the Enquirer Northern Kentucky Player of the Year — could hardly do a pushup because of the broken wrist he suffered in September. By the time the Bluebirds defeated Owensboro for the state Class AAA title Dec.2, the senior receiver had injured a knee.
Still, Hamblen occupied the thoughts of opposing defensive coordinators.
As a receiver, he caught 67 passes for 1,374 yards and 27 touchdowns. He scored seven more times on returns or interceptions and three rushing.
Hamblen routinely drew double coverage. It usually didn't matter — on the opening play of an 81-0 win at Holmes, he beat two Bulldogs defenders to take teammate Gino Guidugli's pass 90 yards for a score.
“I had (the wrist) taped up before every game,” Hamblen said. “I didn't think about it during the game.”
Hamblen makes a TD catch.
(Mike Simons photo)
| ZOOM |
|
In addition, Hamblen intercepted six passes. He made the Associated Press first team as a receiver.
Everything Hamblen did became meaningless to him Nov.23, the day his best friend, Ryle running back Travis Alig, died in an automobile accident.
Hamblen met Alig three years ago when both played baseball for the Erlanger Lions summer team. After Highlands defeated Rockcastle County 41-9 in the state semifinals, Hamblen dissolved into tears.
Newport Central Catholic coach Bob Schneider is the Northern Kentucky Coach of the Year for guiding the Thoroughbreds to a berth in the state Class A finals, which NewCath lost 23-9 to Danville.
The 2000 season reminded Schneider how much fun football could be — NewCath hobbled to a 2-9 record in 1998 and 4-8 last season — and it extended his coaching career at least one more season.
“If we had gotten blown out at Beechwood or Bellevue (in the playoffs), that would have been it,” Schneider said. “I'm taking it one year at a time.”
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Brett Hamblen, Highlands, senior: - Caught 67 passes for 1,374 yards and 27 touchdowns; intercepted six passes; scored 10 more times on rushing, returns or interceptions; made Associated Press first team as a receiver and honorable mention as a defensive back; made Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association (NKFCA) first team.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Bob Schneider, Newport Central Catholic: Led Thoroughbreds to Class A finals, NewCath's first trip since 1984.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback - Gino Guidugli, Highlands, senior: Threw for 4,367 yards and 53 touchdowns; completed 64 percent of his passes and threw just 10 interceptions; made AP all-state first team.
Running back - Steve Everson, Newport Central Catholic, junior: Ran for 2,154 yards and 27 touchdowns; set four school records; Was an NKFCA first team selection. and AP honorable mention.
Running back - Daniel Morrison, Simon Kenton, senior: Was an NKFCA first team and “Top 24” selection; ran for 1,353 yards and scored 19 touchdowns.
Receiver - Kevin Mulroney, Highlands, senior: had 52 catches for 982 yards and 11 touchdowns; Averaged 18.9 yards per catch; made NKFCA second team.
Receiver - Antwan Curry, Holmes, senior: Made NKFCA first team; caught 15 passes 397 yards and three TDs; ran for 381 yards and nine TDs; made 85 tackles as a safety.
Tight end - Dan Ollberding, Dixie Heights, senior: Caught 39 passes for 689 yards and 16 touchdowns; made NKAFC first team.
Lineman - Rob Smith, Highlands, junior: Was a first team selection by NKFCA and Louisville Courier-Journal and AP honorable mention.
Lineman - Joe Brady, Beechwood, junior: Was an NKFCA first team selection.
Lineman - Beau Cunningham, Covington Catholic, senior: Was an NKFCA first team selection.
Lineman - Mike McDonald, Simon Kenton, senior: Was an NKFCA first team selection.
Center - Mike Raleigh, Highlands, senior: Earned his second consecutive NKFCA first team berth
Kicker - Andrew Lageman, Ryle, senior: Was 25-of-26 in extra points and 6-for-9 in field goals; was an NKFCA first team selection.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
End - Ben Scott, Highlands, senior: Was an AP all-state NKFCA first team selection; had 107 tackles and 16 sacks.
End - Matt Webster, Scott, senior: Was an NKFCA first team and “Top 24” selection; made AP honorable mention all-state; had 96 tackles and eight sacks.
Lineman - Drew Matracia, Beechwood, senior: Was an NKFCA first team selection.
Lineman - Brandon Painter, Campbell County, senior: Was an NKFCA first team selection; had 56 tackles and four sacks.
Linebacker - Brent Grover, Highlands, senior: Was an AP and NKFCA first team selection; had 226 tackles in 2000 and 590 for his career; will attend Purdue University.
Linebacker - Josh McFarland, Boone County, senior: Was an NKFCA first team and AP honorable mention selection; had 85 tackles.
Linebacker - James Jackson, Holmes, junior: Was an NKFCA first team selection; had 153 tackles and forced seven fumbles.
Linebacker - Troy Kenning, Dixie Heights, senior: Was an NKFCA first team selection; had 85 tackles and five sacks.
Defensive back - Mike Nie, Beechwood, senior: Made AP, NKFCA and Courier-Journal all-state first teams; was the Kentucky News Network Class A Co-player of the Year; had three interceptions.
Defensive back - James Delaney, Bellevue, senior: Was an NKFCA second team selection; had 67 tackles and four interceptions; as a running back, had 2,556 all-purpose yards, including 1,448 rushing and 26 touchdowns.
Defensive back - Simar Rice, Holmes, senior: Was an NKFCA second team and “Top 24” selection; had 65 tackles and four interceptions;
Punter - Aaron Marquis, Conner, senior: Was an NKFCA first team selection; averaged 41.8 yards per kick; made NKFCA first team.
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
Quarterbacks - Nate Berkley (Bellevue), Matt O'Toole (Dixie Heights), Jeff Smith (Newport Central Catholic).
Running backs - Travis Grant (Ryle), Kip Mason (Campbell County), Eamon Mueller (Highlands), Larry Riddick (Conner).
Receivers - Rick Arens (Simon Kenton), Nathan Hater (Campbell County).
Tight ends: Ben Brown (Boone County), Jeff Mason (Highlands), Greg Thelen (Holy Cross).
Linemen - Doug Cooper (Holmes), Justin McCameron (Boone County), Mike Polly (Dixie Heights), Hilliard Vance (Lloyd)
Centers - Aaron Swomley (Scott).
Kickers - Derek Chuke (Highlands), Jeff Hughes (Holmes), Rob Schumacher (Newport Central Catholic).
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
Ends - Kyle Boyle (Beechwood), Donny Steffen (Campbell County).
Linemen -- Jerry Andrasik (Highlands), Jake Ross (Bellevue).
Linebackers - Chris Clemmons (Bellevue), Anthony Coleman (Ryle), Jay Grainger (Bellevue), Scott Reckers (Dayton), Tyler Schlickman (Ludlow), Rob Shiels (Newport Central Catholic), Tony Unger (Campbell County).
Defensive backs - Travis Alig (Ryle), Hank Bosley (Newport Central Catholic), Thomas Petty (Newport), Don Street (Lloyd).
Punters - Jared Smock (Simon Kenton), Ryan Swift (Beechwood).
Prep football page
Sports Stories
$60M fallout: Dillon fires agents
DAUGHERTY: Brown let best and brightest go by
Bengals coaching search hits roadblocks
Coslet pursues Redskins' coordinator job
3 judges to make call in fans' suit
Jones' UC days could be done
Martin in NBA rookie game
Injuries hamper Xavier's Frey, Price
N.Ky. football all-star team
