Photos by Mark Duffel
BY JOEY MACIAS
In dominating fashion the Highland High School football team defeat East High School 35-6 to win the Southeast Yosemite League title outright on Friday night and finish the regular season undefeated in the SEYL.
“Our guys played well,” said Highland head coach Michael Gutierrez. “We told them before the game if you make plays on offense, defense and special teams we felt we could win this game...our offense played really well and our defense had one heck of a game.”
Big performances from players like senior Cameron Romero, who had four sacks and a fumble recovery on defense for the Scots helped Highland be able to limit the Blades to just one score.
Romero’s fumble recovery in the first quarter gave Highland the ball and helped get the scoring started with a 1-yard TD run by Highland senior Nick Salas to put the Scots up 7-0 with 5:21 left in the first quarter.
Highland was able to limit East to six points, which is its fewest amount that they have scored in a game this season.
“We knew we had to come out here and (win),” said Highland junior Dizzy Brown. “It’s a big rivalry but we had to get that out of our mind and just play how we play.”
Brown finished the game with 97 yards on nine carries of the football and a touchdown.
Brown also said that he enjoyed the way he played but that he could always get better.
East not only scored its fewest points of the season in this game, but they also tied for the most points they have allowed in a game this season. The Blades allowed 35 points to North High in a 35-34 overtime loss on Oct. 18 and tonight allowed the same amount over four quarters to their rivals.
East came close to making it a one score game in the third quarter. With East down 21-6 in the third quarter on fourth and goal at the seven yard line Willie Ball threw the football to a wide open wide receiver that dropped the pass forcing a turnover on downs. The Scots never looked back after being able to force this turnover.
Highland junior AJ Cleveland had a productive game totaling 129 yards passing on nine completions.
Cleveland was able to find junior Chris Gutierrez for a 35-yard touchdown pass that put the Scots up 21-0 in the second quarter with 4:38 remaining.
“Just like them we also put up more points against every team that (we’ve both faced),” said Cleveland. “We were just dominant. (East) did what they could and it just wasn’t enough.”
Both teams now await the remaining final results from other Division 3 games to see who they will face in the playoffs.
“My expectations personally they’re high for this team (in the playoffs),” said Cleveland. “This is probably one of the best Highland High School teams that we’ve ever had so my expectations are to take it all the way.”
