Highland football ends varsity season

Highland football has canceled the remaining three games on its 2025 football schedule. The Huskies were set to play Class A District 5 games against Van Buren County on Oct. 3, Columbus on Oct. 10 and non-district game against Midland on Oct. 17 to close out the regular season, but will no longer play those remaining contests.

The decision brings the total number of games Highland has forfeited to six. It first canceled Sept. 12 and Sept. 19 matchups against New London and Pekin, followed by a Sept. 26 game against Danville. The Huskies last played a game Sept. 5 against Wapello.

The Highland football program will instead pivot to eight-man junior varsity scrimmages to finish out their season. Highland superintendent Spencer Lueders said in an email that the decision was made after conversations with parents, athletes and coaches.

“Our priority is to provide a safe and competitive environment for our players,” Lueders said in the email. “We have already secured several 8-man junior varsity and scrimmage contests to ensure our athletes have meaningful opportunities to compete. As part of this transition, we have canceled our previously scheduled varsity games.

“This decision was made with great care, focusing on player safety, roster depth, and creating the best possible experience for our student-athletes for the remainder of the season.”

Highland currently has four eight-player junior varsity contests on its schedule, according to an email from Activities Director Jody Fink. The games include a matchup against Calamus Wheatland on Monday, Lone Tree on Oct. 7, Midland on Oct. 17 and Dunkerton on Oct. 20. The Huskies could potentially add another JV contest against either Green Mountain-Garwin on Oct. 10 or Springville on Oct. 13.

Former Highland head coach Cory Quail resigned from his position three days after Highland’s loss to Wapello. Quail said in a Facebook post Sept. 10 that his departure was intended to end Highland’s season, after a handful of injuries whittled the team’s roster down from 21 to 13 players.

Highland still has 13 players currently available, according to Fink. Lueders also noted that program added former Iowa linebacker Parker Hesse as a volunteer coach to help with the adjusted season. Highland has also retained the assistant coaches who were on staff at the time of Quail’s departure.

The six forfeit losses along with two on-field deflates to Wapello and Martensdale-St Marys will give Highland an 0-8 record for the season. The teams from the forfeited losses will receive 17-0 victories.