There was no shortage of energy for Highland Monday after what coach Brock Farrel called a “lifeless” loss on Friday.

The Hawks dropped their first game of the season in blowout fashion, 48-27, to Mountain Pointe. However, instead of a tense, on edge practice, the players matched up against each other in various challenges.

“After watching the film, I felt that we needed a little bit of energy and competition and I think they responded well,” said Farrel.

Players invested in the strategy. There was even cheering and encouragement from the sidelines as their teammates competed.

“Practice was awesome,” said senior quarterback Kaleb Herbert. “Big competition, one on ones, full until the whistle. It was good for us to get back our edge a bit. We gave it our all.”

An “edge” is what drove Highland to a 6-0 start. Last year, the Hawks finished the regular season 8-4, making the playoffs as the eighth seed. They were dispatched in the second round by Mountain Pointe. They used that hunger to drive them in 2018 but they lost their way after winning their sixth straight game.

“Our approach all season has been that we’re the underdog,” said senior Kohner Cullimore. “Last week, we came out knowing we were 6-0, which should not have happened. It’s a good learning experience, it fuels the fire.”

“We came out complacent,” said junior Daniel Wood. “Kind of like if we show up we might win. Today, we reiterated the idea that if you want to win, you must earn it.”

It appears Highland learned from its latest fall. Although undefeated, the Hawks had a lot to prove against the team that ended their season in 2017. But, poor effort during the week led to the poor start and loss.

“It started Monday that week, our practice wasn’t at the level it should’ve been,” said Herbert. “We got a little big headed knowing we were number one going into Mountain Pointe. We can’t get that back, all we can do is learn from it.”

The defense was especially disappointing. The Hawks had only given up 82 points in six contests (13.7 per game) prior to the loss against the then 2-3 Pride. They allowed 313 rushing yards, which was more than they had given up during their first five games.

“We got ran over, there were coverages blown which costed us points,” said senior linebacker Griffin Nielson. “Our energy wasn’t there which led to lost assignments, and they had a lot of confidence.”

Farrel hopes that starting the week with a heavy dose of competition gives the Hawks a newfound fire as they prepare for Corona Del Sol.

The game is at Corona Del Sol (1-7) on Friday.