Highlands senior Nick Veneman, left, was one of the leading pass receivers in the state last season, averaging 93.3 yards per game. (Photo by Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com)
The NKyTribune is featuring each of the 21 high school football teams in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties leading up to the first games of the 2017 season on Aug. 18. We will then provide focused coverage of our local teams throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.
By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The seniors on this year’s Highlands football team were asked to rate each other on a scale of 1-to-5 in three categories — attitude, work ethic and football capabilities – during the off-season.
That survey determined how the seniors line up for pre-season practice drills and none of them was surprised that Nick Veneman graded out among the team leaders. He’s going to do whatever it takes to get the Bluebirds back on track after last year’s 3-8 season.
With his speed and pass catching ability, Veneman is a tough receiver for opponents to contain. (Photo by Terry Boehmker)
“I really think (last season) was a wake up call for us, especially for the seniors,” Veneman said. “But this is our year. It’s Highlands’ tradition to win state championships and we want to take one for ourselves and get a ring.”
Veneman was one the leading receivers in the state last year when he averaged 93.3 yards per game. His final stat line was 46 catches for 1,026 yards and 12 touchdowns in 11 games.
A prolific passing attack was the main reason Highlands averaged 33.3 points and 400.8 yards per game last year. But the defensive unit gave up 40 points or more in seven of the team’s eight losses and the Bluebirds ended up with their worst record since 1955.
After all of that, Highlands head coach Brian Weinrich said he adopted the senior survey to emphasize the importance of leadership and team unity.
“We’ve never done that before,” the coach said. “We just felt like every year a coach goes back and re-evaluates everything you could possibly do to get better.”
The team also made some changes in coaching assignments for the upcoming season. Weinrich will be the team’s defensive coordinator and Zach Deaton will be in charge of the offense.
“With Zach focusing on that end, the offense is really becoming more dynamic and it’s been hard to defend (in practice) this summer,” Weinrich said. “But we don’t get too frustrated because the other team (we play) is going to have to worry about that, too. It’s been a great change.”
Veneman will continue to play a key role in the Bluebirds’ offensive scheme. With his speed and agility, he’ll be a tough receiver to contain once again.
“That’s definitely my strength,” he said. “I usually try to take advantage of a defensive back. If he’s playing up on me, I’ll try to run right past him and get open. That’s usually what my strength is — deep routes.”
Three years ago, Veneman’s older brother, Alex, was a standout receiver on the Highlands team that won the 2014 Class 5A state championship. He caught 95 passes for 1,595 yards and 22 touchdowns in 15 games.
Nick would like to surpass his brother’s statistics this season, but helping the team succeed means more to him.
“That would be a great accomplishment, but it’s not on my mind like I need to get 1,500 yards and 20-something touchdowns,” he said. “It’s more about, ‘Let’s win games this year and get Highlands football back.”
The Bluebirds will have a first-year starter at quarterback. Carl Schoellman, a senior who ranks among the school’s top academic students, is taking control of the offense that averaged 244 passing yards per game last season.
“I really like Carl (at quarterback),” Nick said. “He likes to spread it around and we have a really strong receiving corps. He’s throwing it all around (in practice) and it’s not really concentrated anywhere so I think we’re going to be all right.”
Last year, the Bluebirds had six players with 180 yards or more in receptions. But Nick’s 1,026 total yards was more than twice as high as the team’s No. 2 receiver.
“He’s got some unique talents with his speed and ability to catch the ball and separate from defensive backs,” coach Weinrich said. “He’s definitely going to be a main offensive threat for us.”
HIGHLANDS BLUEBIRDS
2016 SEASON: 3-8 record, lost in first round of Class 5A playoffs.
DISTRICT: Class 5A, District 5 with Covington Catholic, Dixie Heights.
HEAD COACH: Brian Weinrich (24-16 in three seasons at Highlands).
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 – at Cooper, 7:30 p.m..
Aug. 25 – CAMPBELL COUNTY, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 – at Scott County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 – RYLE, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 – LEXINGTON CATHOLIC, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 – at Simon Kenton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 – DIXIE HEIGHTS, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 – at Covington Catholic, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 – at Greenwood, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 27 – at Boone County, 7 p.m.
Other NKyTribune prep football previews:
DAYTON GREENDEVILS
COVINGTON CATHOLIC COLONELS
BISHOP BROSSART MUSTANGS
WALTON-VERONA BEARCATS
COOPER JAGUARS
SCOTT EAGLES
LUDLOW PANTHERS
