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Every week seems to get better and better for the Highland football team.
After three outings the Cardinals remain unbeaten with their latest victory a 42-0 romp over neighboring Iowa-Grant. The Cardinals impressed on both sides of the football, scoring big and holding the Panthers to minus yardage overall.
A Justin Miller to Cal Dorota pass play in the first quarter spanned 22 yards and coupled with a Max Oleson kick, put the Cardinals up 7-0.
They doubled that the second quarter with 14 points. Miller guided the Cardinals on a drive he completed with a three yard plunge and Oleson added the conversion.
Before halftime Miller got the Cardinals in the red zone and picked Owyn Halverson to eclipse the final yard. Oleson's conversion kick made it 21-0 at halftime.
The Cardinals and Panthers battled to a scoreless third quarter but Highland iced it with a 21 point fourth.
The first score came through the air when Miller spotted Isaac Michek by the goal line and nailed him from 34 yards out. Miller added the conversion on a run.
Halverson put up the next score when he got look for a 20 yard run. Oleson's kick made it 36-0.
The final six came courtesy of the defense when Bryce Bollant came up with a pick six that he carried 61 yards to the house.
The Cards put up 184 yards passing with Miller threading the needle on 10 of 18 tries for 184 yards.
Halverson rumbled over the turf for 104 yards on 19 carries. Miller netted six on 13 attempts, Dorota picked up four on two attempts with Michek and Brett McGuire both carrying once for thee yards.
Oleson had four receptions for 33 yards, Drew Nankey three for 91, Michek one for 34, Dorota one for 22 and Brett McGuire one for four.
Overall the Cardinals rolled up 307 yards with 184 of them on Miller's arm and 123 on the ground.
Iowa-Grant had a minus 12 yards for the game. minus one overall passing and minus 11 rushing.
To make it more difficult the Panthers also had four interceptions with three stopping drives and one for a pick six.
Intercepting for the Cardinals were Miller, Michek and Bollant.
Highland coach Mike Aide was impressed with the overall effort by the Cardinals. It all started with the balanced attack the Cardinals were able to generate.
"We had a good balance of the run and pass Friday night," Aide said. "We tried to mix it up a little bit. Iowa-Grant brought a lot of pressure on defense and I thought our players responded well with the pressure. We did a good job moving the sticks and keeping the clock moving."
Aide was pleased with how the team handled Iowa-Grant's blitzing defense.
"We haven't seen that much blitzing in the first two games," said Aide. "Overall the boys did a great job keeping the Panthers on their heels."
Holding the Panthers to negative yardage was an accomplishment by the defense, Aide feels.
"Coach (Shawn) Reuter did a great job preparing our defense for Iowa-Grant," Aide said. "We held a good team to negative yards. That's saying a lot about our players and coaches. They play at a high level and it shows."
"Our defensive coaches Brandon Bomkamp, Josh Stanton and John Ross Linscheid have done a terrific job preparing our defense for all different coverages" Aide continued. "Coach Reuter has been able to do more with this defense because of those coaches."
The one thing the Cardinals have done over the three games they have played is shown improvement.
"Our team has definitely gotten better during this three game stretch," Aide said. "These boys have worked hard and it is starting to show."
"Our coaching staff keeps reminding our players that they need to continue to improve. We have done a lot of good things. We need to constantly keep reminding ourselves that we need to work hard and keep improving every day," said Aide.
Aide feels much of the success the Cardinals have had so far is the result of senior leadership.
"I've been very happy with our senior's," said Aide. "They have been great leaders and understand that any of these games could be their last. They have embraced this season and made the most of it."
The Cardinals have another challenge this Friday when the face undefeated Potosi/Cassville.
"We need to ready for Potosi/Cassville. They are a great team who is undefeated. They have been picked to finish near the top of the Six Rivers this year. We lost last year in a Level 1 playoff game to them. We need to study film and be ready for a tough game Friday night," Aide said.
For the Panthers it was a night of trying to get something going with little success. They had 17 rushing plays that ended up with a minus 15 and they completed one of 11 passes for a minus two yards.
Reid Lundell had six carries for two yards and Andrew Winders netted one yard on four tries.
Isaac Hill completed the one pass for the Panthers.
Panthers coach Zach Raimer credited the Cardinals for their play.
"Highland is a well-coached team with good players. They execute their offense well and are tough on defense, which makes them a difficult team to beat," Raimer said.
Raimer credited the Panthers with their focus even with the struggles they encountered.
"We have a great group of kids that understands that this year, more than most, is a gift and each game is an opportunity to play with their brothers,"  Raimer said.
This was only the second game of the season for the Panthers as they had their game with Hillsboro cancelled last week because of COVID. The lack of competition was no doubt a factor that played into the Highland game.
"Having a week off last week was a challenge we have never had to face before," Raimer said. "Live action gives you more opportunities to grow and develop as a team, more than practice can. But my players took on the challenge and worked hard last week."
The focus for the Panthers this week has been working on their playmaking.
"Offense will be a main focus for us this week," Raimer said. "We will continue to work hard as a team and get ready for Luther this Friday night."
The Panthers are looking forward to their trip to Onalaska Friday to take on Luther.
"I expect to see a tough battle against Luther like last year;s game," Raimer said. "Both teams will be ready to go and display their growth and development from the previous weeks."