GILBERT SUN NEWS | DECEMBER 26, 2021
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Highland’s journey gets a national spotlight in Vegas BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor
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his year’s Highland team went further than any other group of players to go through the program in the past. Led by head coach Brock Farrel, the Hawks captured their first-ever 6A state championship on Dec. 11, beating Chaparral and avenging their loss to the Firebirds in last year’s 6A state title game. That was met with another opportunity for the Hawks. The biggest in the history of the program. Just a week after Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Director David Hines handed them their trophy, the Hawks were back on the road for an experience none of them had ever imagined they would have at the end of the season. They were selected to play in the Geico State Champions Bowl Series at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nev. on ESPNU. “I think this was a perfect culmination because we got to go on a trip,” Farrel said. “This is what we want to do. We want to play nationally ranked teams. We want to go to California. We want to go to Utah. We want to play more games on ESPN.” Highland departed for Las Vegas on Thursday and spent two days there as part of the trip. The team stayed at a hotel near the famous strip and had the opportunity to explore the area before their game took place Friday night. They held Madden tournaments in their hotel rooms, and overall had the opportunity to bond for the final time. Carson Allen, a senior linebacker for the Hawks, said that was one of the best experiences of the trip. “I’ve been soaking it all in,” Allen said. “Hanging out in the hotel with my friends or going on the strip and hanging out. I was just trying to soak it all in one last time because high school football is over. I’m just thankful for this team.”
Highland started fast against Florida 3A champion Chaminade-Madonna but ultimately fell to the Lions 35-24 in the Geico State Champions Bowl Series Friday night at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nev. (Courtesy Donna Mundy Photography)
Highland quarterback Gage Dayley said despite the outcome, playing on the national stage was a great overall experience for him and his teammates in their final game together. (Courtesy Donna Mundy Photography)
Highland faced Florida 3A champion Chaminade-Madonna College Prep in the showcase game. The Lions entered the contest with only one blemish on their
record from one of the top teams in the Florida 4A division. They were also ranked No. 23 in the nation and had no shortage of talent on both sides of the ball.
But still, Highland came out with a different type of energy, one that may have caught Chaminade-Madonna off guard. The Hawks jumped out to an early 11-0 lead after Crew Crocket hit a 29-yard field goal and Gage Dayley connected with Jacob Soehl on a short pass. Even when Chaminade answered with a 17-yard strike from sophomore quarterback Cedrick Bailey, the Hawks responded right back with a long drive capped off by a Steven Trujillo 9-yard touchdown run. Highland’s ability to move the ball on Chaminade’s talent-riddled defense stunned the Lions. But they had home run hitters themselves on offense, including sophomore star running back Davion Gause. He took a halfback screen 25 yards for a touchdown just before the end of the first half. He finished with more than 160 yards on the ground. Especially in the second half, he gouged Highland’s defense. “I think we surprised them at first,” Allen said after the game. “If you look at our roster, you kind of laugh at first. Especially with what they have. But we came out, surprised them and they made adjustments and got their athletes the ball. Congrats to their coaches, that’s a good team.” Chaminade went on to outscore Highland 21-6 in the second half. The final score was 35-24 in favor of the Lions. There were some tears on the Highland sideline as seniors saw their high school careers come to an end. But there were also some smiles. Players like senior quarterback Gage Dayley, a three-year starter for the Hawks, knew his team had accomplished something special in their final season. Highland had never come close to a nationally televised contest, let alone competing in a national showcase that featured two top 15 teams and the top overall recruit in the country in the second show-
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