Ryle upends Highlands for poll title...But the job is not finished..only just begun

Bluebirds run of 47 straight weeks atop local poll ends

By Ryan Ernst • rernst@enquirer.com • November 1, 2010

Last week the Ryle football team ended its regular season in history-making fashion. On Monday, heading into the playoffs, the Raiders did it again.
On the heels of its upset of Highlands, Ryle has moved into the No. 1 spot in the final Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches' poll of 2010. The ranking marked the Raiders' first poll championship and ended Highlands' run of 47 straight weeks atop the local ratings.
Ryle's 28-26 victory over Highlands on Thursday ended the Bluebirds' 37-game winning streak and gave the Raiders their first nine-win regular season in program history. Ryle coach Bryson Warner said the No. 1 ranking is a bonus for his program.
"I think it gives our program a lot of credibility," he said. "We've always thought that we're a program that should be able to compete for a state title every year. So this is definitely a step in the right direction."

Ryle's staff and players spent the weekend enjoying the victory. They spent Monday afternoon preparing for Friday's playoff opener against Madison Central.
"Now the celebration ends," said Warner. "We have a bigger goal in mind and a bigger hurdle to overcome."
Ryle received seven first-place votes. Highlands, ranked second, received four. Simon Kenton, Newport Central Catholic and Covington Catholic rounded out the top five.