SPARTA — Bloom-Carroll has Highland’s number.
For the fourth consecutive season, the Scots opened their season Friday against the Bulldogs, this time at home, and Bloom-Carroll emerged as the victor again, 31-0.
Highland’s defense held Bloom-Carroll’s rushers to 76 yards on 25 carries, and the entire offense to under 300 yards, but All-Ohio QB Otto Kuhns tossed for 216 yards and two touchdowns on 14 of 23 passing.
Hobie Scarbury finished off a long drive in the first quarter for the Bulldogs, plunging in from one yard out for a 7-0 lead at the 10:01 mark. Kicker Cameron Shirkey booted in a 32-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead with 3:32 to play, and Scarbury hammered in a 1-yarder again with 59 seconds in the period for a 17-0 edge.
Bloom-Carroll had possession for 10:30 fewer than Highland, but held the Scots to only 6 of 17 successful third-down conversions to hinder the offense. Kuhns threw his first touchdown of the game with 5:24 left in the first half, a 23-yarder to Josh Evans which left the halftime score 24-0.
Highland’s defense stiffened against the run in the second half, stalling the Bulldogs. But Kuhns wasn’t held down, taking the lead to 31-0 with a 3-yard toss to Branyon Dodds with 11:10 remaining in the game. That brought the running game clock into play, making it that much tougher for the Scots.
Scarbury rushed for 53 yards on 10 carries for Bloom-Carroll, and Evans caught two passes for 61 yards. Kuhns distributed the ball effectively, Nick Feasel had four receptions for 50 yards, and Evan Willet and Brandon Totten had two catches each for 36 and 34 yards, respectively.
Jon Jensen was the top Highland rusher with 10 carries for 28 yards. Landon Remmert averaged over 23 yards on his four catches, gaining 93 yards.
Highland will try for its first win next Friday at 7 p.m. in another home game, this time against Ontario.
