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It was a given that the Pecatonica/Argyle football team had not had a challenge going into their game at Highland Friday.
But, as "they" say, things change.
The Cardinals gave the bigger Vikings all they could handle until the fourth quarter when Pecatonica/Argue put a pair of touchdowns on the board and won the Six Rivers battle, 27-10.
But for three quarters the Cardinals held their own and entered the final frame trailing by just a pair of points at 12-10.
AJ Hendrickson gave the Vikings some breathing room with a 66 yard sprint and kicked the conversion for a 19-10 lead.
Collin Argue's 13 yard run iced it and he also ran for the two point conversion for a final score of 27-10.
The Vikings got into the end zone first when Cory Linder took an eight yard pass from Logan Green for a 6-0 first quarter lead.
Highland sliced into that when Drew Drury was credited with a safety.
Highland then took a 10-6 lead when Drew Hennessey took a fumble eight yards for a touchdown and JR Linscheid ran in the two point conversion.
The Vikings completed a drive with a one yard plunge by Cam Treuthardt for a 12-10 halftime lead and that score stayed until the fourth quarter.
The Vikings outgain the Cardinals 271-157, 197 of them on the ground and 74 from Green's passing. Green was seven for 12, getting five to Hendrickson for 58 yards and two to Linder for 16.
Hendrickson was also the leading rusher for the Vikings with 69 yards on three carries. Treuthardt picked up 66 on 13 carries and Argue 61 on 16 tries.
Linscheid was pressured all game and completed three of 13 passes for 90 yards. Spencer Linscheid completed one of two for 11 yards.
Linscheid was also Highland's leading ground gainer with 22 on 17 carries. Hennessy picked up 19 on four carries and Adam Wolfe 15 as he carried nine times.
Hennessey led the receiving for the Cardinals with 88 yards on three catches. Bray Drury caught one pass for 13 yards.
Highland coach Mike Aide saw some good things from the Cardinals in the way they battled the Vikings, especially with Pec/Argyle playing in a division higher in the post season. The Vikings are a Division 6 team while Highland plays in Division seven.
"I feel that our team is very fundamentally sound," Aide said. "We played some very good teams the past few weeks and we have taken every punch they can deliver. To have the game close going in the fourth quarter against Pec/Argyle says something about our team. "
Aide said the difference in the game was the number and frequency of miscues.
"We made a few mistakes and it cost us," Aide said. "We will fix those mistakes before next week."
"I couldn't be more proud of how my team plays," added Aide. "We have great team chemistry. Anyone on our team can change the game in a split second. We have some experienced players and they know that at any given moment it could be their turn to help or carry the team. Our team is not selfish and stays grounded. That is why we can play sound football."
Looking ahead Aide feels the Vikings will continue improving and learning.
"We have to do the little things to be able to competitive in a football game," Aide said. "Fundamentals are a very important factor in preparing for any game. Our coaches put together a great game plan the week of the game. Those are some of the ways we play sound football."
Hennessey had 13 tackles, one for loss, and recovered a fumble for a touchdown to lead the Cardinals. Drew Drury had 11 tackles. Bray Drury and Mitchell Welsh eight each with Hunter Wiest adding seven and Wolfe six.
"Defensively we did about as well as I could have hoped for," Aide said. "The entire defense deserves a lot of credit for keeping us in the game. Offensively Pec/Argyle had a great game plan. We had our chances in the red zone but couldn't get it in the end zone."
"We have two games left and we need to finish strong before playoffs," Aide said. "We have Black Hawk and Benton/Scales Mound to finish the season. There is still a lot of work to do before the season ends."
A good Black Hawk team will be this week's challenge for the Cardinals and it will be Highland's Homecoming.
"Black Hawk will be our next opponent and we play them on Saturday for homecoming. They will be a very tough opponent and I expect they will be ready to play because they also are trying to position themselves for the playoffs. It should be a exciting game coming on Saturday," Aide said.
As an added feature Highland will also have the first sports induction hall of fame starting Thursday night at St Anthony and Philip church basement for the induction supper. Friday night will be skits and announcing the hall of fame members. Saturday will be the parade followed by football game at 2:00pm. At halftime the hall of fame members will introduced.
Inducted in the inaugural hall of fame will be George "Doc" Shields, John Hebgen, Lisa Laufenberg, Jim Meyers, and Harold "Butch" McKeon.
"We had really struggled to block their outstanding linebacker - (Drew) Hennessey, early on and he's probably the best linebacker in the entire league," said Pec/Argyle coach Larry Green.
"Finally, after some mid-game adjustments and in the second half we did a better job in our attempts to control him."
"We missed assignments also early on, the safety was due to a missed assignment and due to the play of Hennessey."
"To our kids' credit - they made adjustments, established a running game and I was pleased with the way our offensive line responded, especially during that second half of play. We were also very efficient with our passing game, completing 7 of 10 passes for 82 yards and were able to make critical catches, to move the ball at some important times of the contest. I was pleased with the passing game - and we had solid running as well. A.J (Hendrickson) had 71 yards on 3 carries; Cam Treuthardt had 63 yards on 13 carries and Collin Argue had 58 yards on 16 carries - and all three of them scored a touchdown," added Green.
"We also played strong defense - with the exception being a big play for Highland when they completed a 56 yard pass play to Hennessey."
"We did respond defensively and were able to stop them in a situation when they had a first and goal to go series starting at the five yard line. Our guys did a good job limiting another outstanding player - Lindscheid, to 9 yards on 16 carries, our defense held Hennessey to 32 yards on 7 carries and (Adam) Wolfe had 16 yards on 8 carries, so in total, our guys deserve credit for limiting Highland because I don't think they'd been under 100 yards rushing in any previous games."
"Regarding special teams, A.J. (Hendrickson) had a couple really nice punts, pinning them back on occasion - and that helped us establish some good field position."
"I also want to recognize our assistant coaches - because they really were effective and did a good job preparing our guys with a very solid and effective game plan. That was important."
"Now, we prepare for River Ridge (3-2 conference record) a team that utilizes a pistol veer, runs lots of dives, options and our defenders must be disciplined Friday - in keeping/maintaining assignments."