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It's a bird....it's a plane....no it is the injury bug and it has immersed itself into the Highland football team's huddle.
Or at least it seems that way.
The Cardinals are down to quarterback number three after number one signal caller Spencer Linscheid left Friday night's battle with Independence-Gilmanton with an injury.
He joined Drew Hennessey on the sidelines, a back who is also Spencer's back-up. Hennessey was injured last week in the first quarter of Highland's game with Shullsburg.
"Their status is day to day," said coach Mike Aide.
They are not the only Cardinals on the DL. They are joined by junior Michael Patzner is also injured as well. Patzner is a wide receiver/linebacker for the Cardinals.
"We are currently trying to weather this storm and stay on course," Aide said. "Our seniors have kept our team together and trying to find a way to get through all of these injuries which have limited us in some areas. Hopefully we can get the boys back in a couple of weeks."
"When Spencer went down we then had to go to our third quarterback Peyton Coyier," Aide said. "Peyton did a great job stepping in while Spencer and Drew are out."
With only 81 students in the school Aide knows the value of keeping the kids on the team healthy.
"This game reminds me that every player on this team is needed one way or another," Aide said. "I hope we can get through this and stay the course."
Independence-Gilmanton filled a void on the schedule when Cassville joined Potosi in a coop. Ironically, that co-op is the next test for the Cardinals with their depleted squad.
Independence-Gilmanton ran for 338 yards and passed for 162 more in a 48-15 win over the Cardinals.
Isaac Pape scored three times on passes from Ian Pfaff and Dane Keenan ran in for three scores on the ground. Pfaff kicked three extra points and Alex Risler ran in a two point conversion.
The Cardinals scored twice in the last quarter. Zach Yanna caught a 13 yard pass from Justin Miller and Owyn Halverson ran in the conversion. Halverson later plunged in from the one and the Cards kicked the extra point.
Miller picked up 22 yards on two carries to lead the rushing for Highland. Independence-Gilmanton pin-ned down Adam Wolfe as he was only able to get free for nine yards on six attempts.
With the defense on the field much of the night Wolfe took part in 20 tackles and Paden Kosharek seven. Mitchell Welsh and Zach Yanna both got six.
"We play Potosi/Cassville at Highland Friday night. They have a tough team with the co-op and we will again have to be ready for a physical game. Players will need to step up this week and be ready for this game," Aide said.ood offense."
"We play Potosi/Cassville at Highland Friday night. They have a tough team with the co-op and we will again have to be ready for a physical game. Players will need to step up this week and be ready for this game," Aide said.