Highland secured a crucial 40-37 victory over Pleasant on Oct. 23, officially locking in their spot in the OHSAA Division IV Region 14 playoffs. The Mid Ohio Athletic Conference clash was a high-scoring affair that ended with the Scots holding off a spirited Pleasant effort to close the regular season with a 4-6 record. Despite the modest overall mark, Highland’s 3-4 conference standing positions them as the projected No. 11 seed, setting the stage for a potential road trip to Bellevue in Week 11 once brackets are released on Oct. 25.
Kane Stover’s 400-yard monster performance secures Division IV berth for the Scots
The game was defined by the extraordinary all-around dominance of Highland’s Kane Stover, who recorded 400 all-purpose yards in a single performance. Stover carried the ball 24 times for 245 yards and two touchdowns, while also connecting on a 67-yard passing score. His versatility was on full display on special teams, where he returned two punts for 88 yards, including a spectacular 84-yard return for a touchdown. Defensively, Stover added 15 tackles, proving he was the engine driving the Scots’ offense and a disruptive presence on the other side of the ball.
Supporting Stover, Highland’s offense found additional rhythm through Robby Schmidt, who caught a 20-yard touchdown pass, and Hudson Howell, who gained 47 yards on a reception. Nick Hinkle contributed 101 rushing yards on eight carries, providing a necessary ground game balance. On the defensive front, Josh McAvoy pressured Pleasant’s quarterback with three tackles for loss, while Zach Riley and Dylan Wiggand combined for 14 tackles. Although Pleasant’s Weston Shaffer threw for 264 yards and five touchdowns, Highland’s ability to defend the lead in the final minutes proved decisive in their playoff qualification.
Source: Yahoo Sports
