With both teams looking for redemption after suffering a loss last week, Highland and Danville battled it in the hopes of earning their first win of the season. 

In what was Highland’s first road game of the season it was the hosting Danville Bears who emerged victorious, 33-12, on September 1. 

This was the first time in seven years the Huskies and the Bears played against each other and that’s because Danivlle hasn’t had a football team since 2016.

After a lengthy hiatus Danville’s football program was revived in 2023 and Highland had the distinct honor to battle the Bears in their first home game in seven years. 

To celebrate football making its long-awaited return to Danville a helicopter landed on the field before the game began. 

Highland had plenty of opportunities during the game to play spoiler and hand the Bears a loss, but their offense couldn’t break open Danville’s bend but don’t break defense. 

“It’s another one like last week,” Highland football head coach Cory Quail said about the game.

“Our defense, I’m very happy with how it’s playing. We are just not finalizing and executing on offense. That’s where we got to go back to the drawing board here because our offense, I’ve seen in the past be so wonderful.”

Both teams traded interceptions in the first quarter, with Highland junior Isaac Kleese intercepting his first pass of the season, and the second quarter began with both teams tied at 0-0. 

It was Danville who broke the tie. One play after recovering a Highland fumble the Bear’s quarterback, junior Jaden Bauer, used his legs to score a rushing touchdown. A successful kick after the TD gave the Bears a 7-0 lead. 

Three minutes later Danville scored another rushing TD, but this time Highland was able to respond. 

Near their own end zone and with about seven seconds left in the half, Danville threw a costly interception. This outstanding defense play for Highland was made by freshman Jose Ramirez, making it back-to-back weeks Ramirez has intercepted the ball. 

“We have freshmen who are making wonderful plays. Jose Ramirez is an animal out there. That kid’s got a fine, bright future,” coach Quail said. 

While there was virtually no time left in the second quarter the Huskies still made the most of this golden opportunity.

In the last play of the half junior Sage Hartley-Norman threw a high pass into the endzone and with the halftime buzzer blaring fellow junior Ayden Havel leaped to make a successful catch and give Highland their first points of the game.  

“However you get that ball up to [Havel], he’s straight money. We just got to give time for Sage to be able to get there for him.” Quail said. 

Not being able to convert on a two-point attempt after the TD the Huskies only trailed by seven at halftime. 

Unfortunately for Highland, any offensive momentum they garnered after the TD did not carry over into the third quarter and Danville was able to increase their lead by scoring another rushing TD.

“We come out in the second half flat.” coach Quail said. “We just can’t finish in the end zone right now. We got to find a way to fix that.”

Taking full command of the game the Bears scored two more TDs in the fourth quarter to take a 33-6 lead.

With less than two minutes left in the game junior Logan McFarland scored a rushing TD for Highland, his first TD of the season. 

McFarland had a productive day on both offense and defense. He ended the night with a team leading 12.5 total tackles. In addition to his rushing TD, he had 111 yards rushing yards, the team lead, on 13 carries.  

Highland was able to generate turnovers and make some big plays on offense, but they were not able to capitalize on all of their opportunities. 

“Football comes down to knowing your assignment and blocking and tackling. That’s all it is. We just got to make sure the guys trust what they’re doing. I think if we get there, I think we can see some success,” coach Quail said.   

Up next for Highland (0-2) will be staying home to host the Van Buren County Warriors (0-2) on September 8.