The Highland Huskies opened the 2017 football season with a big 36-14 win over visiting North Mahaska.

It was North Mahaska who found the scoreboard first, after a Highland fumble inside the Warhawk 10, North Mahaska marched 92 yards and Tyler Strasser’s four yard touchdown run and a two point conversation gave the Warhawks an 8-0 lead late in the first quarter. 20 seconds later Brady Hahn got the Huskies on the board, breaking an 82 yard run for a touchdown, the two point conversion tied the game at eight. The Huskies took the lead on a Trey Lasek nine yard touchdown run at 14-8 and would take that lead into the half.

Lasek found the end zone for the second time out of the break on a five yard run to give Highland a two score advantage at 22-8 with five minutes left in the third. The Warhawks would pull back within 22-14 on a Luke Groves 13 yard touchdown rumble but Highland closed out the game scoring 14 unanswered on touchdowns from Lasek on a pick six from 60 yards out and a 69 yard Lasek to Mason McFarland touchdown connection.

With the win, Highland is now 1-0 on the season and will next be in action Friday when they travel to West Liberty.