Highland trio powers Bulldogs to big homecoming win over Triad in key conference game
Highland running back Travis Porter, quarterback Brent Wuebbels, and fullback/linebacker Brendan Gelly had been on the short end of three straight losses to Mississippi Valley Conference archrival Triad.
All three seniors and their Bulldogs teammates made sure that script got flipped Friday night. Porter and Gelly each scored a pair of touchdowns while Wuebbels threw for three scores and the Highland defense pitched its first shutout of 2022 as HHS blasted the rival Knights for a 35-0 homecoming win at Highland High School.
Highland improved to 4-1, 2-0 in the MVC while Triad dropped to 2-3, 1-1.
Needless to say, knocking off the Knights for the first time since 2019 left Bulldogs coach Jimmy Warnecke feeling good.
“When I started coaching (here), Triad was the team to beat and we were gunning for them. We had a good run against them and they’ve played some great football against us the last couple of years and they’ve got great players and great coaches over there,” Warnecke said. “It felt really good to get back (at them).”
HHS struck first with a touchdown at 7:44 of the first quarter as Porter scored on a 3-yard run.
In the second quarter, the Bulldogs’ offense began to ramp up as Wuebbels connected with Gelly on a 17-yard scoring pass just 29 seconds in and then Porter punched in a 3-yard touchdown at the 6:12 mark, which staked HHS to a 21-0 halftime lead.
Gelly credited the energetic Highland crowd and the homecoming atmosphere for the Bulldogs’ quick start.
“The fact that it was homecoming in front of our home crowd and knowing it’s our rival and all that built-up energy was what we needed to come out here and play like we did,” Gelly said.
Wuebbels, playing on a banged-up ankle, was 10 of 15 passing for 141 yards while running for 129 yards on eight carries directing the potent Highland offense.
Porter also had a strong night as he led the Bulldogs’ ground game with 162 yards rushing on 19 carries.
Highland’s dominant first half left the Knights in a tough spot the rest of the night.
“I out-thought myself and I’ll take the loss for that game,” Triad coach Paul Basler said. ”I overthought and put in some new stuff and thought that it would work. And what you saw at the end of the game was more Triad football where we can pound it and drive it down the field.”
Highland defense stout
While Highand’s offense was rolling the Bulldogs defense also was rocking as the Bulldogs stop crew stifled Triad quarterback Nic Funk and the Knights at nearly every turn.
“There are a few things we might need to clean up, but, overall, the energy we bring to the field is just outstanding,” Gelly said. “The biggest is trying to do our best every single play.”
Senior defensive end Kendal Hughes led the Bulldogs defense with eight tackles while Dylan Beadle, Gelly, and Ethan Greenwald each collected seven tackles. Cameron Willis had six tackles.
Highland (4-1, 2-0 in the MVC) put the game away after halftime on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Wuebbels to Willis and a 22-yard Wuebbels to Gelly slant pass for a score, stretching the lead to 35-0 with 3:13 left in the third quarter.
Offense rolling, QB praises offensive line
Three weeks after the Bulldogs’ lone loss at Class 8A power Edwardsville (31-28), Wuebbels believes the Highland offense definitely has its mojo back and working thanks to the hard work of offensive linemen such as Bo Starwalt, Colton Prott, Travis Gieseking, Dylan Bollman, and Lucas Feeny.
“Our offense, it starts with the big guys up front. We can pound the ball and they gave me plenty of time in the backfield for pass protection and they are what run this team,” Wuebbels said. “We’re not anything without them. The linemen start everything and I love the way our offense is right now.”
Next up
Both teams resume MVC action at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, as Highland hosts Civic Memorial and Triad entertains Mascoutah.
This story was originally published September 24, 2022 at 12:40 AM.