Back home after over a month since the last game at Porter Family stadium the Highland football team was hoping some home cooking to change their fortunes as of late looking to snap a two-game losing streak and that they did with a 40-33 win over Dodge City.

The game got off to a shaky start for Highland who received the opening kickoff and proceedingly threw an interception on the first offense play of the game. Dodge City returned the interception to the Scottie 20-yard line starting their first offensive drive of the game in the redzone and cashed in on the turnover scoring a touchdown on a two-yard Anthony Watkins run after converting a fourth and sixth play on the drive. Highland answered the bell with an eight play drive spanning 75 yards with a heavy dosage of the run game that saw Justin Ruiz finish the drive with a 25-yard touchdown run and with the extra point the game was tied 7-7.

Dodge City was driving and looking to find the endzone again around the nine minute mark of the second quarter and Scottie defense came up big as Damarion Williams snagged his seventh interception of the season tying him for the school record in a single season and ending a Conquistadors scoring opportunity. Scotties moved down the field and looked to score off the turnover and set up for a 52-yard field goal try by Ryan Schemtob but it misfired wide right and the score remained 7-7 with 2:35 remaining in the first half. After a three and out by the defense the Scotties got another big play in the running game as Ruiz busted a 56-yard run to the 12-yard line and Avery McCall hit Greg Payton for a 12-yard touchdown pass the next play helping the Scotties led 14-7. Dodge City however just before halftime snuck in a 22-yard field by Devonta Guillory to make 14-10 Highland at the half.

Out of halftime Dodge City had the ball and kept it for quite some time as the Conquistadors mounted a 16 play drive that took 9:15 off the clock and ended in Drew Harris one-yard touchdown run giving them the 17-14 lead. After a three and out by the Scottie offense Dodge City wasted no time to visit the endzone again as Watkins busted a 63-yard touchdown run making it a double figure lead for Dodge City at 24-14.

Headed into the fourth quarter down by 10 Highland did not get flustered as the Scotties scored 26 points in the fourth for the comeback win. Early in the fourth McCall tossed his second touchdown pass of the day this time hitting Tra Parker for a 20-yard touchdown and Highland drew to within three points. The next drive looked like Dodge City had an answer but Reco Hannah who had been playing well all day came up with the Scotties fifth defensive touchdown of the season as he intercepted the all in the endzone and returned it 100 yards for a pick six and the Highland lead at 28-24. Highland's next offense drive lasted just one play as Ruiz found a crease and flew to the endzone for a 57-yard touchdown run and the Scotties flipped the lead to 34-24 with their first double digit lead of the day.

Highland visited the endzone once more on a Kevin Brown 17-yard run and led by 14 points after the PAT was blocked and returned for two-points by Dodge City. Dodge City got into the endzone late to draw closer and attempted an onside kick but the Scotties recovered and picked up the 40-33 win.

On the day Highland gained 410 yards on 48 plays, while Dodge City ran 88 plays gaining 461 total yards. Leading the charge for the Scottie offense was a pair of 100 yard rushers as Ruiz returned for the Scotties in a big way rushing for 158 yards on just eight carries with two touchdowns and Brown had 100 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown. McCall was efficient efficient at quarterback going 18-22 for 112 yards and two touchdowns and one interception, while Payton was his favorite target on the day as he caught eight passes for 55 yards and a score.

Defensively the Scotties forced three turnovers as Hannah led the charge with his pick-six and 11 tackles. Donnell Lowery registered 11 tackles and two sacks to continue his strong season, while Damarion Williams notched eight tackles an interception and five pass breakups. Both Jahmal Wynter and Ronald McGee were strong up front with six tackles each and McGee had a forced fumble. Jahkeem Green recovered a fumble and had five tackles, while Brian George added five tackles.

Highland welcomes Independence to town next Saturday, November 3^rd as Last Chance U will be in town for the game and it will be Sophomore day at Porter Family Stadium. Game time is still to be determined as the contest will kickoff at 11:00am or 1:00pm pending the outcome of Tuesday night's Coffeyville versus Highland volleyball matchup.