Highland High School football team remains hot, takes care of Waterloo in MVC contest
A fast start by the offense paired with a couple of big early special teams plays gave the Highland football team just the drive it needed to start strong and finish strong.
Highland exploded for three touchdowns in the first 8 minutes, 6 seconds of the first quarter, and never looked back, rolling to an impressive 48-14 victory over Mississippi Valley Conference rival Waterloo on homecoming and senior night at Highland High School on Friday, Oct. 8.
Getting a dominating win against WHS was a satisfying feeling for Highland junior quarterback Brent Wuebbles and his Bulldog teammates.
“It was nice,” Wuebbles said. “The offense started fast and the defense picked it back up and all three of us were working together and just doing whatever it took to get it done.”
HHS (3-4, 3-1), which won its second consecutive MVC game, featured the rushing game early as Travis Porter scored on a 1-yard run for a 7-0 lead. James Beard’s big punt return set up Porter’s touchdown run.
Highland senior linebacker Bryce Iberg then recovered a fumble by Waterloo’s Evan Davis at the Waterloo 30.
Three plays later, Highland sophomore running back Hunter Frey scored his first career touchdown to extend the lead.
Next, Highland’s special teams got in on the fun as Cameron Willis swooped in through the middle of the line, blocked a punt, and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown making it 20-0 with 3:54 left in the first quarter.
“We got another big special teams play early and this time we scored on it,” Highland coach Jimmy Warnecke said. “When you’re getting that type of stuff, you’re starting to click as a team.”
Wuebbles’ 7-yard touchdown run with 9:53 left in the second quarter, coupled with Porter’s 2-point conversion run, made it 28-0.
Porter’s 11-yard rushing touchdown later in the quarter pushed the Bulldogs lead to 35-0. Porter credited his offensive line and receivers for the run game’s effectiveness.
“The o-line was really good and they helped a lot and even the receivers on blocking, they were really good,” Porter said.
Wuebbles’ 13-yard touchdown keeper made it 41-0 and capped off the first half scoring.
Waterloo (3-4, 1-3) broke the shutout when quarterback Aidan Morrow scored on a 1-yard run to cut the lead to 41-7.
Wuebbles’ 6-yard touchdown run capped Highland’s scoring and made the score 48-7 with 8:16 remaining.
Highland’s defense also turned in another strong effort, holding Waterloo to just two touchdowns and forcing a fumble and an interception which killed a first-half WHS drive.
Next up: Big game at Mascoutah
Highland now heads into week eight with back-to-back victories for the first time in 2021. Undoubtedly, the Bulldogs confidence appears to be rising at the right time as they head to Mascoutah to face the MVC leaders in a big conference road game at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15.
“We were a good team even when we were 1-3,” Warnecke said. “We made bad team mistakes, but the potential was there. Now I think with the last couple of weeks of winning, it helps our confidence. I think we’re battle-tested. It didn’t work out the way we wanted to the first few weeks, but we’re enjoying the fruits of our labor a little bit (now).”
Porter said he feels the Bulldogs will be ready for Mascoutah.
“I feel like it’s gonna be a tough fight and I know they’re a good team. But I think we’re coming together and we’re ready for a fight,” Porter said.