Photo Courtesy of Highland Social Media
The Highland football team is looking to bounce back Friday when they host the Wapello Indians for their annual Homecoming contest. The Huskies enter play having alternated wins and losses through the first five weeks, compiling a 2-3 record. Last Friday they were victims of an Alburnett comeback by a 26-21 score on the road. For the season, the Huskies are led by Connor Grinstead at 18 of 47 through the air for 423 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. His favorite target is Logan Bonebrake with 13 catches for 324 yards and five touchdowns. On the ground, Grinstead and Brenton Bonebrake have combined for 1,021 yards and 10 touchdowns on 147 carries. Carson Netser leads the Highland defense with 36 tackles. The Huskies have forced 14 turnovers through their first five weeks.
Wapello is 3-2 this season, they were doubled up by Lisbon a week ago 28-14. Tade Parsons leads the Indians aerial assault at 70 of 103 for the season for 982 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception. Those numbers are fourth in class A. His favorite target is Jake Gustison with 26 catches for 412 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also the leader on the ground with 42 carries for 297 yards and six touchdowns. Caleb Ealey has a team best 44 tackles. The Indians have forced three turnovers through the first five weeks. This week, Highland head coach Scott Morel talked about the keys against the Indians. “Our kids were visibly upset after the loss last week so they were ready to come back to practice and focus. In dealing with Homecoming activities, I had an old coach who used to tell me that Homecoming was the dance afterward, we still have a football game before to take care of. Against Wapello, our secondary has to be ready. We have to be sharp with our reads and be able to control the line of scrimmage.”
Wapello has won five in a row over the Huskies dating back to 2010. These two teams met last season with the Indians taking a 42-13 victory. This is the 2021 Homecoming game for Highland. Action will start at 7p.m. Friday night in Riverside.