Photo Courtesy of Highland Football Social Media
Week eight is a big one for the Highland football team. There are a lot of unanswered questions when it comes to the Huskies postseason hopes entering their game with the Pekin Panthers. The Huskies can go a long way in controlling their own postseason fate with a win over the winless Panthers.
Highland comes into the game 2-5 overall and 2-3 in class A district five play. Last week, The Huskies were beaten by district champion Lisbon 43-0 on the road. It was a tough night for Highland who was outgained 447-10, including 346 to -6 on the ground. Highland has dropped their last three games down the stretch. For the year, they are surrendering 25 points per game and scoring 21 per contest. The Huskies average 274 yards per game including 210 on the ground and 64 through the air. The Huskies are +6 in turnover margin. Individually, Highland is led on the season by Connor Grinstead through the air at 24 of 66 for 460 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. His favorite target is Logan Bonebrake with 13 catches for 324 yards and five touchdowns. The Highland ground game is led by the 1-2 punch of Grinstead and Brenton Bonebrake with a combined 197 carries for 1,303 yards and 12 touchdowns. Grinstead is the top tackler for the Huskies with 44 stops on a defense that has forced 16 turnovers on the season.
Pekin has had a tough 2021, entering play tonight at 0-7 following a 52-0 loss at top 10 Belle Plaine last week. Against the Plainsmen, the Panthers were outgained 422 to 24 including 396 to 24 on the ground. The Panthers are giving up 45 points per game while scoring just nine. They average 168 yards per game, 95 of that through the air and just 73 on the ground. They have forced just one turnover all season, leaving them -2 in turnover margin. The Panthers closest game came in week three with a 26-9 loss at North Cedar. Individually, the Panthers are led this year by Colten Comstock in the passing game at 32 of 68 for 507 yards and three touchdowns. He has connected with Luke Long 29 times for 451 and all three scores. On the ground, Comstock has 262 yards on 117 carries and four touchdowns. Logan Baker and Blake Juhl each have 37 and a half tackles on the season. This week, Highland head coach Scott Morel talked about the Panthers and the implications this game has on the postseason hopes for the Huskies. “This is absolutely important. Making the playoffs is something we have been talking about, it’s been one of our goals. For us, the playoffs start this week, if we win, we make it in. Hopefully we’ll be in playoff mode. They are a running team. We have to execute on that side of the ball. We also need to get things going on offense and sustain blocks to do that.”
These two teams have split their last four meetings with the Huskies winning two straight over the last two seasons by one point each. This is an important game in the class A district five playoff race with Lisbon and Wapello already in, there are two spots available for three teams with the Huskies, Columbus and Alburnett all in play. A Highland win likely secures them a spot, but minimally keeps them alive should a three way tiebreaker arise between the Wildcats, Huskies and Pirates. Action starts Friday at 7p.m. in Riverside.