The Huskies were hoping to limit the Hawks’ big plays, maybe catch a few breaks, and stay within striking distance of Lynnville-Sully at halftime of their first-round playoff game.

But it didn’t work out that way.

The Hawks had four plays of at least 38 yards in the first half, taking a 33-0 lead with an 18-yard touchdown pass as nine seconds remained on the clock. 

In the halftime huddle, the Highland coaches had a question for their team.

“We asked them, how do we want to leave our legacy?” Highland coach Scott Morel said. “We wanted to come out and fight, and win the second half. And that's what we did. They didn't give up at all, and that's exactly what we want.”

Highland kept Lynnville-Sully off of the scoreboard in the third quarter, and scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter of the 40-15 loss. 

‘The way we finished, that’s who we are,” Morel said about his team, who battled until the end. 

The Hawks marched to the 15-yard line with the first possession of the second half, but Connor Grinstead’s interception in the end zone kept them from scoring. Brenton Bonebrake broke free for a 38-yard gain on the next play. 

Penalties stalled the drive, but the Huskie defense stepped up again as Highland forced its first punt of the night with a three-and-out. 

Trailing 40-0, Grinstead broke a couple tackles during a 47-yard touchdown run to put the Huskies on the board. 

He finished his final game with 118 yards on the ground and 58 through the air, giving him 1,846 rushing yards and 1,722 passing yards for his Highland career. He threw 21 career touchdown passes and his final Huskie highlight was his 24th rushing score. 

“That was awesome to see,” Morel said. “He's been a great person for our program. And he'll go down as one of the kids who built this program.”

Highland senior Luke Miller took the direct snap and carried the ball across the goal line for the two-point conversion with 6:41 left. 

Grinstead had first-down carries on third-and-12 and third-and-2 during Highland’s final drive. 

Logan Bonebrake caught a 13-yard pass to move the ball to the five-yard line with under a minute remaining. He led the Huskies with four catches for 40 yards. 

Brenton Bonebrake had 30 yards on four carries, including a two-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left in the game. He gained 110 yards on the ground Friday and finished the season with 899 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. 

“I think it was just competing and finishing our plays,” Morel said about the Huskies’ success on the ground during the second half. 

The Hawks rushed for 328 yards in the win. Their first drive covered 76 yards in just five plays with Corder Noun Harder scoring on a 38-yard run. Noun Harder finished with 177 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. 

“I think they had a nice push,” Morel said about the Hawks. “They finished plays, and they run hard.”

Grinstead led the Huskie defense with 14 tackles. Jaden Schmid, Trevor McFarland, and Devin Lovetinsky each had four tackles.

There were a dozen seniors on the Huskie roster who saw their final game in pads for Highland on Friday.

“We've been through a lot,” Morel said. “And they persevered through things. We've had COVID we had deaths in the family. We’re so proud of them. They’ve just continued to work.”