On a brisk Nov. 17 night at Basha High School, the 6A state semifinals came down to one play. Stop heavily favored Chandler’s two-point conversion attempt, and the Highland Hawks were on their way to the 6A state championship with a 35-34 overtime victory.

 

But it was not to be. Their sideline celebration turned quickly into tears when Wolves quarterback Jacob Conover found his target Brayden Liebrock in the end zone.

 

On the field, the Hawks watched as back-to-back champion Chandler celebrated another trip to the state title game.

 

“Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way and I wish we could bounce back but unfortunately that is the end,” said senior running back Kohner Cullimore.

 

Bouncing back is just what Highland’s football program has done since this senior class arrived. In 2016, they finished 3-7 under former head coach Pete Walheim. Then the school hired Brock Farrel to take over.

 

For the first time since 2013, the team finished over .500 with an 8-4 record plus a quarterfinal appearance in his first year. The Hawks bounced back from their second-round exit by starting 6-0 in 2018. After its only regular season loss to Mountain Pointe, Highland won its final three games heading into the postseason by a combined 96 points, en route to its only semifinal appearance since 2004.

“When I first got here, my first year, I told them to build a foundation and this year’s class has built the next level,” said the teary-eyed head coach. “The same way that Chandler (where Farrel was formerly an assistant) wasn’t ever getting into championships about six years ago and then they just took it to the next level. I think our guys are ready to do that. We’re going to be playing football when it’s cold.”

His seniors this season sealed their stamp on this program. Not only did they dominate competition (they finished 11-2 and won eight games by 20 or more points), they set a blueprint of how to do so.

After their quarterfinals loss in 2017, Farrel’s offseason camp was a major step in his program’s development. Players were eager to make the jump to become a great team, which led to enhanced skills as well as a stronger bond between teammates.

 

 

“We had all of our skill guys show up because they wanted to be great,” said Farrel.

 

As a result, senior quarterback Kaleb Herbert built upon his promising 2017 with a dynamic campaign this season. He talked about his improved command of the pocket.

 

“Last year I was getting my first and second reads and then I would probably get out of the pocket,” said Herbert. “Now I get to my third and fourth reads, which is tough to defend if I get to my third read and complete it.”

 

He finished with a quarterback rating of 118.1 to go along with 22 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He threw just 10 touchdowns with a QBR of 81.8 last year.

 

The running backs were a revelation. Farrel took advantage of his personnel by using different looks with several halfbacks and it worked well. Four rushers, two of whom were seniors, gained over 340 yards and they all averaged over 5.8 yards per carry. Both seniors, Cullimore and Dayton Huffman, vastly improved upon their junior campaigns, feeling the urgency of their senior year and with the help of hard offseason training.

 

Cullimore came off of a season-ending injury in 2017. A broken foot kept him out of the playoffs, and he responded by averaging nearly three more yards per rush and gaining over 500 more yards on the ground.

 

After the playoff loss, he said, “I am so proud of our team and I wouldn’t go to battle with anybody else, I wouldtake them over everybody any day. We had a great season and great run at it.”

 

The team’s bond grew significantly from Huffman’s perspective.

 

“We were not as close to each other and we didn’t play for one another at first,” he said. “But as the years went on we learned how to play for each other and we learned how to take care of our own business while we trust each other.”

 

The tough training camp and a close bond also sprouted success in the trenches.

 

According to senior center Caleb Allen, the workouts were what brought the offensive line together. They finished with 273 pancake blocks, blowing away the previous school record, while leading the rushing attack to 7.6 yards per carry. “A brotherhood,” is what Allen called his unit up front.

 

The Hawks defense did its part too, allowing just 26 points over their final four weeks leading up to their showdown with Chandler led by dominant performances by senior Griffin Nielson (33 tackles and an interception during the stretch). The Wolves managed to put up 36 points against them, but it marked the first time in nearly three months that Chandler failed to score at least 45.

 

The seniors stepped up big during that game. Nielson racked up 13 total tackles with a fumble recovery, and down the stretch, a fourth quarter interception by Huffman (two-way player) kept the Hawks in the game.

 

“They are leaders,” said standout junior halfback/linebacker Daniel Wood about the senior class. “They don’t let us settle for less than we can be, they know our potential if we play to our best. They want to prove something just as much as anyone else to show that we got it just like any other team. It is their last year and they are really bringing it.”

Wood’s admiration for the senior leaders spread from their willingness to improve from the December 2017 workouts until their final agonizing down. Huffman and Cullimore played on both sides of the ball at high levels and have taught Wood how to perform at his peak no matter who is on offense.

“Learning from Kohner, just how to leave it out all on the field, he plays great both ways and makes great plays on both sides of the ball,” said Wood. “Kaleb is the leader on offense, Dayton, Griffin, they all just show never to back down on any play and how to lead practices and how to treat people. They are great examples.”

Wood perhaps was the most impactful non-senior on Highland’s roster this season, leading the way in sacks with 10, forced fumbles and yards per carry at 9.8. He will lead the next crop of seniors to further build upon the foundation.

 

Aside from Wood, powerful sophomore halfback Max Davis (8.3 yards per carry) and junior wide receiver Tanner Crandall (43 receptions), the offense will be brand new, with junior Tru Tanner likely to take over at quarterback.

 

Tanner received a taste of the field in his first year on varsity, completing nine of 16 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. He does not appear to have the arm strength of Herbert, but with an offseason to work, perhaps Farrel will find a perfect way to use his probable starter. Sophomore Taylor Siren could also be in the running for that job.

 

Alongside Tanner, Highland will likely still have a strong duo at running back with Wood and Davis, but the line will have a much different look.

 

This was an issue the Hawks faced after last season, but that problem vanquished after it was evident that the 2018 blockers were the real deal. Highland’s five primary offensive linemen combined for just nine games played prior to this campaign. Similar to 2017, the underclassmen blockers sparingly received playtime this season. Farrel’s formula in constructing a capable line will be tested.

 

On defense, the Hawks have firepower returning. The linebacker core will be led by Wood and Robert Kingsford (42 tackles, two interceptions and two sacks), the pass rush will return two dynamic playmakers in Monai West and Cooper Brown and the secondary brings back a plethora of role players who will look to make a larger impact next season.

 

In special teams, kicker Austin McNamara will be a major loss. He connected on all 63 of his extra points while nailing 12 of 18 field goals (45 yarder his long). He is weighing six college offers, including three Pac-12 schools, according to 247 Sports. Neither of his potential replacements, Jackson Ray nor Peyton McAlpine, have much experience.

 

Still, despite questions in the personnel, Highland seems to have a special way of handling business. Under Farrel, the players made it clear that he emphasized passion, energy and relationships.

 

“Alot of relationships among players has increased, our passion for the game has increased,” said senior linebacker Griffin Nielson. “Our enjoyment is a lot better which creates a better atmosphere and better team in general which has dawned from when coach Farrel got here.”

 

Passion for the game led to the desire to get better. His energy inspired the players to continue to improve and to not tread the water. And the bond they created led the Hawks to want to win for themselves and each other. That is the formula Farrel instilled, and its quick success shows its effectiveness. Now, he’ll look to accomplish even more with a new crop of talent.

 

“We got something rolling,” said Cullimore. “You will see in a few years this will be one of the top programs in the state, as it already is. We set that, and it is going to continue to get going.”