Riding a six-game winning streak and compiling a 7-2 record with a 6-0 MOAC conference mark heading into the regular season finale and MOAC title showdown against Clear Fork (8-1, 6-0 MOAC) on Friday, Highland football coach Ty Stover said there are no secrets to what makes Highland football successful.
“I believe the root of good football is a running game and solid defense,” said Stover. The Fighting Scots have both.
Highland has outscored its opponents 283-190 through nine games, an average score of 31-21. Offensively, Highland’s run-to-pass ratio is about 3:1, with an average of better than 7 yards per carry.
All-Ohio running back Dane Nauman carries the offensive load, accounting for more than two-thirds of the Scots' yards from scrimmage. The junior is closing in on his second consecutive 2,500-yard rushing season, with 2,199 yards in nine games, which ranks him No. 2 in the state, only 40 yards out of the top spot.
“Nauman is a hard-working player, and he leads the program,” Stover said. “A million things are possible when that guy’s got the ball in his hands.”
Sophomore quarterback Kolton Stover has gained 612 yards passing on 59-of-103 attempts for an average of 68 ypg, to vary the offense.
Highland possesses an aggressive defense that thrives on creating opportunities.
“What goes into it is the expectation of our own coaches,” Stover said. “Practice is intense, and I think that’s becoming a natural habit for our kids on Friday.”
The Fighting Scots are allowing 16 points per game in MOAC play after giving up an average of 26 points per game in three non-conference games to start the season. The Fighting Scots, who are plus-17 in turnover margin through nine games, swarm to the ball and force opponent mistakes.
“We are going to continue to keep working hard and getting 11 helmets to the ball, and we’ll be in good shape,” Stover said.
Ladon Hayes leads the defense with 8.0 tackles per game, and Nauman, at middle linebacker, is at 6.2 tackles per game with Gavin Wiggand at 6.0 tpg. In the secondary, Zachary Church has five interceptions, and Hayden Kline has four.
Consistency is a theme echoed by all football coaches, and Stover holds true to form.
“Practice is the same as it was in August for us,” Stover said. “We are still in pads, and we still do a normal routine, but we have cut back on the physicality due to injuries.”
Injuries have plagued Highland all season, with multiple players lost for the season.
“I think what surprises me is the way we have been able to overcome obstacles," Stover said. “We haven't gone a week without losing a starter this whole season.”
However, the Fighting Scots continue to find players to step up and perform. On a roster composed of 59 players in grades 9-12, nearly 90% of the starters are two-way players.
Following a 1-2 start, the team was searching for an identity.
“I think we were all still learning about each other, as odd as that sounds,” Stover said. “We made some personnel adjustments. We didn’t pull kids out, we just put them in different spots, and I think the kids became comfortable.”
The "next man up” mentality, aggressive defense, and potent running attack should help Highland make a deep playoff run following a successful MOAC campaign.
