Rams Suffer Heart-Breaking Loss In Playoffs
Slow Start Dooms Highland In Close Game
Jayden Palauni grabs the jersey of Salem Hills quarterback Porter Gustin.
November 4, 2014
The Rams suffered a heart-breaking defeat to Salem Hills in the first round of the 4A football playoffs last Friday. Trailing 14-0 after the first half, the Rams scored and, in the last couple minutes, recovered an onsides kick with the opportunity to drive down the field once more and tie up the game, and a possible win in overtime. But the Skyhawks defense made a huge stop on the Rams’ last drive. The game ended with a final score of 14-7.
Highland’s slow start allowed Salem Hills to get an early lead of 14-0. Senior Calvin Keyes agrees that this slow start is what cost the Rams the game.
“Our slow start is what ultimately lost us the game because when it came down to crunch time we were in too deep of a hole to climb out of,” Keyes said.
Defensively, Highland performed exceptionally well, holding Salem Hills to only 14 points. But offensively, the Rams were stopped by the size and speed of the Skyhawk defense. However, quarterback John Hunter does not think that Salem Hills was any better than any of the other teams Highland faced this season.
“I don’t think Salem Hills did anything special that set them apart from any of the other teams we have played. We just didn’t play the way we wanted to offensively,” Hunter said.
Keyes agrees, but also believes that the Rams did not play to their full potential last Friday.
“I don’t think there was anything that made them a better team, I think that we just didn’t play to our full potential the entire game. We showed some glimpses of our full potential throughout the game offensively,” Keyes said.
The Rams ended this season with a winning season and a record of 7-4, including a victory over rival East High. Keyes is excited and optimistic for the future of Highland football.
“Highland football is going in a great direction. The younger boys are a like a family and they are loaded with size and talent. They have a very bright future ahead of them,” Keyes said.
Hunter agrees that Highland football’s future will be strong and competitive.
“The future is bright for Highland football. There is a lot of young talent with varsity experience and if they continue to work hard, they will have a great season next year,” Hunter said.