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After taking on one of the best small school football teams in the state the Highland Cardinals are aiming at a successful Homecoming this Saturday.
The Cardinals will do battle in a Six Rivers game with Cassville at Tyler Field at 2 p.m.
"We are putting our sights on Cassville this week," said Highland coach Mike Aide "They have a very balanced team and we need another great week of practice for this game."
In a game between the Cardinals it was Bangor who got the win last Saturday in a non-conference away match-up. Bangor shut out Highland 38-0, scoring their last touchdown on a 10 yard run by junior Alex Maz. He grabbed a blocked punt on a high bouncer and chugged in from 10 yards out for the game's final score.
Highland got the ball early in a well played first quarter when Bangor fumbled on their second possession. But they could not score.
"We played well in the first quarter but Bangor made some big plays and forced us into short drives," said Aide. "Our defense spent too much time on the field and our offense never got in gear after the first quarter.
Bangor took a 7-0 lead at 6:42 when Cardinal quarterback Kellen Kravik ran in from the 13 and the extra point kick was good by Jack Reader.
Senior Andrew Piske then added to the Bangor lead with a one yard plunge at 8:01 of the second quarter. Luke Reader came next and scurried 59 yards to score at 8:50.
Jack Reader kicked both extra points and nailed a 31 yard field goal to cap a 17 point quarter and give Bangor a 24-0 lead at the half.
Two more scores came in the third. The one before Matz's score on defense was a six yard plunge by Piske.
Jack Reader added both conversions on kicks.
Aide said he felt Highland competed pretty well against a very strong team.
"Bangor is very balanced and disciplined," Aide said. "They have experienced players on their roster and should make a deep playoff run."
But Highland did not shy away from the challenge.
"I think our team knows it can play with anyone," Aide said. "We need to work harder to get to that level. We need to get a little faster and stronger as a team so we can win those kinds of games."
He felt the players turned in good performances in the non-conference game.
"Everyone played well in this game," Aide said. "There were some mental breakdowns on offense and defense but as a whole we played well. It is tough to lose but I can see our players believing they can play better and win."
The Cardinals have had some injuries at both the varsity and junior varsity levels but those players have been held out of action to concentrate on getting better.
"I'm keeping an eye on everything and hoping it will pay dividends during the latter part of the season," Aide said.