High school football: Highland shuts down Skyline in crucial region contest

Undefeated in region sounds good. It sounds even better when it has been a long time since your team could mutter the words.

For both Highland and Skyline football, this season has brought the magic back to the turf after recent struggles, but only one of the teams could remain atop the Region 10 standings after their bout Friday night.

It was the Rams (6-3, 5-0), who walked away with a convincing 24-7 victory over the Eagles (6-3, 4-1). The convincing part came with Highland holding Skyline to only seven points, a far cry from the 53 it had averaged over its prior four region outings.

“I didn’t really have to do much to keep our guys focused and motivated this week,” said Highland coach Kautai Olevao. “They knew what was on the line with playing a good team like Skyline to go from 4-0 to 5-0 in region.”

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The first quarter of the game saw both teams make a few plays and get a few first downs but then have to punt. The first big play of the game favored Highland after a bad snap did not give Skyline a chance to get its punt off, resulting in the Rams starting their ensuing drive on the Eagles’ 36 yard line.

The Rams made good on the gifted field position, with Brody Dalton eventually tossing a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Folau. Willem Miles added the PAT to give the Rams the early 7-0 lead with 8:13 to play in the second quarter.

The Rams defense held the Eagles on fourth down, and then on the next drive it was the Rams special teams that came up big as they thwarted a fake punt attempt, which gifted Highland another drive starting with great field position.

Will Bauman only needed one play after that, a beautiful run up the middle from 44-yards out for a touchdown. Miles added another PAT and the Rams were only adding to their lead they never yielded.

Meanwhile, Skyline went to the locker room with no points on the board and down 14-0. The Eagles did make some much-needed adjustments on both sides of the ball as they forced and recovered a fumble, and then scored their lone touchdown with 6:13 left in the third quarter.

It came on a great pass from Xavier Cocci to Sione Tupua, with Max Brodbeck adding the extra point to cut the deficit to 14-7.

But Highland just was not budging as it continued to blitz and wear down the Eagles on both sides of the ball with its physicality and speed.

“Hats off to the Rams, they had a great game plan coming into today’s game,” said Skyline coach Marcus Mailei. “They played really good, fast football and it took us too long to adjust to their speed on the blitzes.”

The Rams tacked on their final touchdown, this time off Bauman’s arm as he found MT Thiam in the near corner of the end zone on the next drive. After the PAT, Highland had the momentum with a 21-7 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Rams offensive line was as equally impressive as its counterparts, and has been a strength of Highland all season long.

“I have to give credit where credit is due,” said Bauman. “They made a hole for me on the run, and gave me time to throw that touchdown pass.”

Highland concluded the scoring with Miles connecting for a 26-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for the 24-7 final.

Up next in their regular season finales, Skyline travels to Murray while Highland hosts Jordan to wrap up region play.