On Friday October 26th the Highland Rams faced off against the Timpview Thunderbirds in the first round of the playoffs. Highland struggled the whole game to find their stride and they ended up losing 10-35. This was a very disappointing end to a great season for the Rams who were looking to make a deep playoff run.

“We picked a bad day to have our worst game of the season,” Highland offensive coordinator Brandon Winn said.

The game started off bad for the Rams as they gave up 21 points in the first quarter of the game. That start is the opposite of Highland’s usual play being a defense that doesn’t give up very many points to opposing teams. The Rams weren’t able to get points up on the board at all in the first quarter.

That lasted all the way through the second quarter as the both teams’ defenses both locked in and didn’t allow points on either side. This lasted until the very end of the half when Highland wa able to drill a 45 yard field goal to get on the board before half. Even with those points they were still trailing by 18 points at half 3-21.

The Rams came out of the second half and were scored on early in the quarter to push the Thunderbirds lead to 25. This lead would last until the end of the third quarter and into the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter the rams were finally able to find the endzone as they blocked a Thunderbird field goal attempt and returned it about 60 yards for the touchdown. The Thunderbirds found the endzone one more time in the fourth quarter and that would be the last score of the game.

The Rams had only lost two other times in the season so losing early in the playoffs was disappointing for all of them. But although it was a hard loss the coaches were proud of the season and the effort that they put into the season and the game.

“This senior class made it fun to go to work everyday,” Highland head coach Brody Benson said. ”There’s only one team at the end of the year that’s going to sit there and be happy, but I’m proud of these kids.”

The Highland season ended on Friday with their loss but their season will always be great, something that the seniors this year can be proud of, and something the players that are coming back next year can use to fuel their drive to come back to make a deep run.