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Playing the top ranked team in the state in your division and doing everything but beat them lets you know one very important thing.
You can play with anyone as long as you prepare and do the little things right.
Highland's football team did just that Saturday when they took on top ranked Bangor. It took a late drive by the Bangor Cardinals that held up in a 20-14 win over the Highland Cardinals in a non-conference game.
The Highland Cardinals even had the lead for awhile when John Ross Linscheid rolled in from the 49 then carried in the conversion to pull Highland away from a 6-6 tie in the third quarter.
But that ended Highland's scoring while Bangor was able to punch in two more scores for the win.
The first quarter was scoreless but Luke Reader put the Bangor Cards on the board with a 25 yard run.
But Highland came right back with a pass play that spanned 61 yards. John Ross Linscheid fired a strike to Drew Hennessey who outran the Bangor defenders for the score to make it 6-6.
Highland held the lead until the fourth when Bangor crossed the goal line twice for the win. Carter Horstman got in from the seven but Bangor missed on the conversion to still trail 14-12.
But Reader clinched the win for the state's top team with a one yard plunge and Drew Johnson ran in for the conversion to make it 20-14.
"It was a very physical game on both sides of the ball," Highland coach Mike Aide said. "I knew we could play with the same intensity as Bangor but couldn't afford to make any mistakes against a very good team. We had a great game plan and my coaches prepared our players who then went out and executed it very well."
With many of the Highland players seeing action on both offense and defense the tank may have been on low in the final frame
"This was our second four quarter game in a row and we held up pretty well," said Aide. "The boys didn't get many plays off so conditioning is a big part of what we need to keep working on. They gave everything they had and then some."
It came down to stopping Bangor and the defense stepped up.
"Our defense played with a lot of heart," Aide added. "Bangor's offense is very difficult to stop and our kids used every ounce of energy to contain a very good offense."
JR Linscheid had 22 tackles, Adam Wolfe 17, Drew Drury 12 and Hennessey 10. Hennessey and Alex Michek had tackles for losses.
Highland took one last gasp and attempted to take the ball down the field but it wasn't to be.
"We stood toe to toe with one of the best D7 teams in the state," Aide said. "We will take the good and the bad from Saturday and move forward. We had our chances but Bangor played great defense on our last drive."
Bangor also played tough defense on John Ross Linscheid and did what they could to bottle him up. But Adam Wolfe and Drew Hennessey stepped up to take off some of the pressure.
Linscheid still roamed for 139 yards on 16 carries and Wolfe chugged for 71 on 18 tries. Hennessey caught the big scoring pass for 61 and Carson Bryant grabbed the other completion for three yards. Linscheid was two for eight and was intercepted twice.
"I couldn't ask for more from our players," Aide continued. "I am very proud of them and of our coaching staff."
The Cardinals have secured a playoff berth with the forfeit they are receiving from Cassville but they are not going to settle.
"There is a lot of work that needs to be done before the season is over," Aide said. "We have a tough stretch coming and it won't get any easier. We need to stay healthy, take it one game at a time and keep getting better each week."
Next for the Cardinals is undefeated Shullsburg Saturday for the Miners Homecoming.
"They want to stay unbeaten," Aide said. "They are a very solid, well coached team and are ranked. We narrowly beat them last year and I am expecting a great game."