Highland intends to improve on last season’s historic run

RIVERSIDE -- The first playoff win in Highland High School's football history was followed by a crushing defeat last season.

The Huskies had the Dome in sight but fell short.

Losing to the eventual state champion is an accomplishment in itself, especially since that game was tied at halftime.

This season, Highland plays a mirror image of where last season's games were played. Five home games last season mean five road games this season.

The first game will be on the road at Columbus Junction, a game the Huskies won at home last year 48-16. Columbus will have already played a game, starting this season a week early with a home game against Cardinal.

Next will be a home date with Alburnett, a team that was ranked when Highland scored an 18-8 triumph last year.

A rematch of a 25-22 last-minute home win on a field goal against Lynville-Sully is slated for Week 3's road game.

The Sept. 20 game is Homecoming and Lisbon comes to town seeking revenge for a 30-15 loss.

Highland suffered its first loss last season when BGM visited and got away by the score of 31-22.

The Huskies rebounded with a road defeat of sixth-ranked Pekin, 23-21.

Highland will play Durant on the road Oct. 11 after losing at home last year 14-0. The Huskies avenged the loss with a 14-13 victory at Durant in the first round of the playoffs.

A road victory at Cardinal of 46-0 followed. The Comets come to town Oct. 18.

The Huskies closed last year's regular season with a home win over Belle Plaine 33-8 but will travel for the season ender this year.

Three teams from Class A District 6 made the playoffs last year. Highland was the only one to win a playoff game.

Durant was unbeaten in district play and BGM was second at 4-1. Highland was 3-2. Pekin was fourth at 2-3, Belle Plaine fifth at 1-4 and Cardinal was 0-5.

The full Highland schedule is listed below with district games marked with an asterisk.

August 30 at Columbus

September 6 Alburnett

September 13 at Lynville-Sully

September 20 Lisbon

September 27 at BGM*

October 4 Pekin*

October 11 at Durant*

October 18 Cardinal*

October 25 at Belle Plaine*