Football is under the lights in Riverside for the first time in 2021 tonight when the Highland Huskies entertain the East Buchanan Buccaneers. Highland enters the new year after a 2020 that saw them finish with a 1-6 record. Their lone victory a 55-14 knockout of the North Cedar Knights the last Friday in September. The Huskies had four players move on from last year’s team through graduation including Owen Donovan, Isaac Black, Jacob Allen and Caedon Harbison. Donovan was Highland’s leading ground gainer last year with 134 carries for 1,021 yards and nine touchdowns. He also led the team with seven catches for 33 yards. Donovan was Highland’s leading tackler with 41 stops, 30 solo in 2020. The Huskies do return quarterback Connor Grinstead for his senior season after going 19/60 through the air for 149 yards, a pair of touchdowns and four picks last year. Grinstead is the leading returner on the ground after 77 carries for 424 yards and six touchdowns a season ago. He is also the leading returner tackler after logging 36 stops, 23 solo in 2020. Brenton Bonebrake is the leading returner at receiver with five catches last year for 35 yards and a score.

East Buchanan was 3-6 a season ago with wins against Starmont, North Linn and Bellevue. The Buccaneers lost nine seniors from a year ago including their leading passer, quarterback TJ Lau that went 65/133 for 840 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Lau was also their leading tackler with 79.5 stops, 52 solo and 8.5 for loss. They will also be without 2020’s leading receiver, senior AJ Kremer with 21 catches for 322 yards. They do return their rushing leader, Connor Williams, who posted 700 yards and six touchdowns on 148 carries as a junior. They are also highlighted by future Iowa Hawkeye lineman Cody Fox, who committed to head coach Kirk Ferentz just before his sophomore season. He is the anchor to the Bucs line standing 6’4 and weighing 260lbs.

Neither of these teams participated in a scrimmage or week 0 contest last Friday. This is the first all-time meeting between the two schools. This game will serve as Senior Night for the Huskies who will honor 11 student athletes including Luke Miller, Jaden Schmid, Trevor McFarland, Yahir Jimenez, Carson Netser, Connor Grinstead, Brenton Bonebrake, Chase Schultz, Devin Lovetinsky, Justin Sosa and Eli Slaymaker. Action begins Friday at 7p.m. in Riverside.