Donor: Charlie Biltz, Class of 1952
Authors: Maggie Frimming, Meadow Lynn, Crosley Kissee, Class of 2029, Shauna Dodson, Class of 2028
Story Contributors: Charlie Biltz, Class of 1952, and Highlands High School Broadcasting
Web Page Designer: Lilly Ahlfeld, Class of 2028
Charlie Biltz ‘52 sat in the rickety old press box at the football stadium at Mt. Sterling. He broke his ankle in a previous game and had to support his team in the Recreation Bowl from there. The Recreation Bowl was designed as a fundraiser for the Montgomery community pool. The Bluebirds wanted to cap off their very good season by winning this final game.
Football Champion Patches
In the 1950 season, the Bluebirds went 12-1 losing a game to Louisville St. X. The Birds best game this season was their game against Campbell County with the score being 59-0. This season the Birds finally broke their seven year jinx against Holmes winning 7-0. After this season all players received a set of football patches that represents their amazing season. The football team was dedicated to having respect as their number one priority through the season.
1950 Game Scores sheet
“...we took football seriously. Coach Waddell, I mean, he expected us to, you know, to do our best and to have respect for the team and players and so there was no horsing around,” Biltz said.
Even though Biltz was respectful, sometimes respect didn’t always show.
“I can remember once playing, it was late in the season that year and I intercepted a ball and I kind of did a little fancy run back for a touchdown. and they yanked me right out of the game. And that wasn't acceptable.”
Biltz took the experience seriously and enjoyed being a part of the team.
“Being part of the team was just a great part of the high school experience for us. We took it seriously. We didn't date during the season or anything.”
This seriousness of the team helped them through these big games.
“So every year we would, as I recall, we would go to Ashland and then play there. We also would play a team that would come up from Lexington and, of course, that was very special. But Ashland was really a big deal.”
Charlie Biltz school photo
With this great success in the season, this had to come from great coaching. The team enjoyed their coaches very much, the coaches were: Howard Law, Bernie Sadosky, and Ewell Waddell.
“And at those days, we had three coaches, Coach Waddell and then we had Coach Howard Law and then Coach Sadosky. So we had a head coach and we had an offensive line coach and a defensive coach… we liked them all.”
Honor memorial plaque for Cecil, located in the AP office.
“And at those days, we had three coaches, Coach Waddell and then we had Coach Howard Law and then Coach Sadosky. So we had a head coach and we had an offensive line coach and a defensive coach… we liked the all.”
After the 1950 team’s great success, the team experienced incredible tragedy the following year.
“Also I think during those times, we had a young guy who died from a of an injury, named David Cecil. And of course that was really a traumatic time for everyone.”
After Cecil died, in his honor, they renamed Highlands’ stadium to ‘David Cecil Memorial Stadium’ which is still the namesake today. David Cecil is still remembered with a memorial in Highlands’ AP office.
Football team from 1950