Rams Triumph After Power Struggle Against Hillcrest Huskies
The rams kick off the playoff season with close game, pulling ahead fourth quarter with a final score of 21-14.
Highland all-star Jacob Boren cuts around a Hillcrest payer.
October 28, 2016
Hillcrest High School fought harder than expected tonight during the first playoff game of the season. Highland ended up winning this close game with a final score of 21-14 but only after facing a serious reality check.
The Rams scored in the first few minutes during their game tonight with Hillcrest. Stakes were high. Hillcrest stabbed back, evening the score to 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The rainy weather forced the pep club into ponchos and cheer into sweats, but didn’t dampen Highland’s spirit.
The Rams and Huskies battled back and forth during the second quarter. Highland pushed through to the end zone with several consecutive first downs bringing the score to 14-7 Highland at halftime.
During the first half, senior Brandt Graham was hit by a Hillcrest player, injuring his neck and back, and was taken off the field in a stretcher. As of the end of the game he was doing better.
The game picked up again fourth quarter with a touchdown from Hillcrest four minutes in leveling out the score again 14-14.
“We thought it would be an easy win,” Senior Izzy Vaifo’lu said. “We should have upped the score more. They shouldn’t have kept up with us.”
With five minutes left on the clock, the Rams got their footing and worked to another touchdown bringing the score to 21-14 Highland. Hillcrest then gave us a scare with a 50 yard run that nearly evened the score. The Rams defense held the line there and got possession again with two minutes left on the clock. The Huskies intercepted again, bringing Highland right back to the 30. Highland defense wouldn’t have it, and pushed Hillcrest backward the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th down. With 30 seconds left on the clock, the Rams took the ball and kept it.
“It wasn’t one of our best games; we definitely need to work on our mindset,” Senior Brady Reed said. “We paired well but just didn’t come out to play today.”
Luckily, with this win the Rams will be able to bring their A game with the continuation of this playoff season with an away game against Alta next Friday November 4th for the quarterfinals.