First Round Playoffs - Deseret News Preview

Muli has been doing some rehab on his sprained ankles, hopefully it will pay dividends, on the field.
On paper, these two teams match up fairly well. However, I give Highland, the advantage, on size. Speed is a tossup, and of course, the home field advantage, going to Bountiful.
If the Rams, can stay disciplined, and avoid penalties, and avoid playing out of position, they will do well. They also, need to tighten up, in their secondary, the DBs need to play smart, and keep everything, in front of them. Turnovers, will play a huge role, in this game, Highland needs to take care, of the ball, and force the Braves, to give it up.
This Highland team is talented, but, they have under-achieved this season, and last. They need to play to their potential, if they do, a championship, is not out of the question!

High school football 4A preview: Highland at Bountiful
By Michael Black
Deseret New

Highland (7-3) at Bountiful (8-2)
4A State Tournament First Round
Friday, 5 p.m.
Parry's Power Guide: Bountiful by 0.5 points
All-time series: Highland leads 23-14
Last meeting: Regular season, Sept. 24, 2004 — Highland 17, Bountiful 10

Glancing over the playoff pairings there were a couple of games that jumped out, and Highland playing Bountiful was one of them.

The two perennial powers in the 4A ranks clashing in the first round is just what any football junky would love to see. Both have impressive records, and both have the talent to compete for a championship — but only one can advance.

The Rams finished third in Region 6 after losing to Cottonwood and East. The Braves were second in Region 5, falling only to Mountain Crest. The Mustangs are one opponent the two teams share in common. Highland lost its opener, 26-21 while the Braves fell 21-7.

Highland's vaunted ground game has again led it to impressive numbers. The Rams average over four touchdowns per game at 29.1 points while surrendering only 12.9. Nick Orchard has stepped into the long line of great decision makers at the helm. He is a dual threat as he has nine rushing touchdowns to go along with eight passing scores. Muli Kinikini supplies the power in the rushing attack and has eight touchdowns. Nate Fakafahua is dangerous in the passing game, and Bridger and Travis Walzer are always dangerous.

The Braves get it done with defense. They lead the classification in points allowed, giving up only eight points per game. Jake Folerson and Travis Parrish are two of the standouts that give opposing offenses nightmares. Offensively, quarterback Drew Miner has thrown for six touchdowns and Mitch Johnson has rushed for nine. Mike Fabrizio has three rushing scores and three receiving.

The debate has raged over which of the respective regions is better, and this game may go along way to answering that question.

Highland statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 29.1 ppg
Scoring defense: 12.9 ppg
Passing leader: Nick Orchard (57-122, 46.7%, 778 yards, 8 TDs)
Rushing leader: Nick Orchard (133 carries, 1,003 yards, 9 TDs)
Receiving leader: Jordan Crayton (15 catches, 155 yards, 1 TD)
Tackles leader: George Heimuli (70 tackles)
Sacks leader: George Heimuli/Muli Kinikini (8 sacks)
Interceptions leader: Zach Baucom (1 interception)

Bountiful statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 19.8 ppg
Scoring defense: 8.0 ppg
Passing leader: Drew Miner (52-83, 62.7%, 574 yards, 6 TDs)
Rushing leader: Kyle Johnson (163 carries, 633 yards, 9 TDs)
Receiving leader: Joey Nelson (16 catches, 170 yards, 0 TDs)
Tackles leader: Jake Folkerson (67 tackles)
Sacks leader: Travis Parrish (5 sacks)
Interceptions leader: Travis Parrish, Connor Winters (4 interceptions)

Highland game-by-game results

08/23 ... Mountain Crest 26, Highland 21
08/29 ... Highland 33, American Fork 15
09/05 ... Highland 13, Skyline 9
09/12 ... East 14, Highland 7
09/19 ... Highland 34, Granger 8
09/26 ... Highland 50, Olympus 13
10/03 ... Cottonwood 32, Highland 21
10/10 ... Highland 35, Cyprus 0
10/15 ... Highland 35, West 12
10/23 ... Highland 42, Murray 0

Bountiful game-by-game results

08/22 ... Lone Peak 21, Bountiful 0
08/29 ... Bountiful 17, Clearfield 0
09/05 ... Bountiful 17, Viewmont 14
09/12 ... Bountiful 17, Bonneville 0
09/19 ... Bountiful 10, Box Elder 3
09/26 ... Mountain Crest 21, Bountiful 7
10/03 ... Bountiful 33, Woods Cross 0
10/10 ... Bountiful 21, Sky View 14

Muli's Final Game At HHS - Week 10

Muli sat out this game, because of the sprained ankles he suffered, in the East, and West games. He seems to be feeling better, and should return for the first round of the playoffs. Highland will be playing Bountiful, at Bountiful.
Tonight was the final night of the regular season, and the final home game, hence, the final game Muli will be suiting up for, on HHS home field.

Week 10 - Salt Lake Tribune

Highland 42, Murray 0 Thursday, October 23, 2008

Team W/L Record Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Murray 0-9, 0-6 0 0 0 0 0 Highland 7-3, 5-2 7 21 7 7 42

Game Summary: Nick Orchard had 14 rushes for 86 yards, passing the 1,000 yard mark for the season and Bridger Walzer had 8 rushes for 90 yards for Highland. Orchard also went 5 for 10 for 86 passing and two touchdowns. Latu Heimuli had 4 tackles, 4 assists, and 1 sacks, Sam Nielson had 8 assists, and Walzer had 5 tackles and 2 sacks to help score a shutout for Highland's defense.

Scoring Summary: H — Inukihaangana 5 run (Hicken kick) H — Walzer 5 run (Hicken kick) H — Tausa 10 run (Hicken kick) H — Inukihaangana 31 reception from Orchard (Hicken kick) H — Crayton 4 reception from Orchard (Hicken kick) H — Lloyd 29 run (Hicken run)

Week 10 - Deseret News

REGION: Region 06
GAME DATE: Thursday, October 23, 2008

Highland 42, Murray 0
Nick Orchard rushed for 86 yards, putting him over 1,000 yards on the season, and also passed for two touchdowns as Highland pounded Murray for the win. Sione Inukihaangana rushed for a TD and caught one and Bridger Walzer rushed eight times for 90 yards and one touchdown for the Rams. Defensively, Latu Heimuli had four tackles, four assists and one sack, Sam Nielson had eight assists and Walzer added three tackles, two assists and two sacks for Highland.

TEAMS (REGION, OVERALL)

FINAL

Murray (0-7, 0-10)	0	0	0	0	-	0
Highland (5-2, 7-3)	7	21	7	7	-	42

SCORING PLAYS
HIGHLAND - Inukihaangana 5 run (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Walzer 5 run (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Taufa 10 run (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Inukihaangana 31 pass from Orchard (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Crayton 4 pass from Orchard (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Lloyd 29 run (Hicken kick)

4A 2008 Football Playoff Brackets - My Predictions

Upper Bracket

Mountain View vs. Bonneville

Cottonwood vs. Orem

Pine View vs. Provo

Bountiful vs. Highland

Lower Bracket

Dixie/Snow Canyon vs. Springville

Mountain Crest vs. Cyprus

Timpview vs. West

East vs. Sky View

Week 9 - Salt Lake Tribune

Muli had a couple of long runs, on offense, which were negated by penalties. Other than that, he re-sprained his ankle, early in the game, which he had originally sprained, in the East game, so he saw limited action this game. His presence, wasn't needed as Highland easily dispatched a re-building West squad. Highland 35, West 12 Rams Pull Away In Second Half By Martin Renzhofer The Salt Lake Tribune Article Last Updated: 10/16/2008 08:18:17 AM MDT With the Utah state playoffs not too far in the distance, the Highland Rams came into its Wednesday night's game against visiting West looking to take care of business. In a sloppy, mistake-filled game, Highland made the necessary adjustments and sprinted away from the Panthers in the second half, riding the legs of quarterback Nick Orchard to a 35-12 victory. The Rams all but clinched third place in Region 6. "If we take care of business next week," said Highland coach Brody Benson, looking to its upcoming game with Murray. Highland scored 21 points in the second half, including a 69-yard run by the diminutive but gutty Orchard, who shed West tacklers for 179 yards on 16 carries and three scores. He also gained 99 yards through the air, 92 of which came on two 46-yard completions. "We adjusted," Orchard said of the Rams' second half performance. "We got great blocks on the back side. We played pretty well." West, which was its own worst enemy at times with 13 penalties, couldn't keep up offensively. Excluding one 58-yard pass completion, the Panthers' offense was all but shut down in the second half. West could not convert that big play into points, stalling deep inside Highland territory. "We played as well as we could for as long as we could," said West quarterback Daniel Wray, who completed 12-for-22 for 151 yards. "They're a great, great team. I have all the respect for those guys." West pulled to within 14-12 at the half, thanks to a Ram turnover, returned 43 yards by Vai Mafi to Highland's 16 in the final minutes of the half. "We hit a little bit of a lull," Benson said. "We got away from what we were trying to do. [Orchard] is a tough kid. He's not very big, but he's tough." Highland 35, West 12 Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Team W/L Record Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total West 4-4, 3-2 0 12 0 0 12 Highland 6-3, 4-2 7 7 7 14 35

Game Summary: Highland was led by Nick Orchard, who had 16 carries for 180 yards and three touchdowns. He also was 4-for-10 for 97 yards and a touchdown. Sione Inukihaangana had seven carries for 47 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Lotu Heimuli had four tackles and seven assists while Sam Nielsen had four tackles and six assists.

Scoring Summary: H: Orchard 4 run (Hicken kick) H: Orchard 30 run (Hicken kick) W: 5 run Tana Afeaki (kick failed) W: 5 run Daniel Wray (conversion failed) H: Anderson 45 pass from Orchard (Hicken kick) H: Orchard 70 run (Hicken kick) H: Inukihaangana 23 run (Hicken kick)

Week 9 - Deseret News

Muli re-injured his ankle, which he hurt against East. He was in and out, this game, and saw limited action. It is just a sprain, and he should be back at 100%, for the playoffs.
This win puts Highland into the playoffs, most likely at the 3 seed, meaning they will have to travel north, to play the 2 seed, from Region 5.

Orchard Bears Plenty Of Fruit For The Rams

By Bruce Smith
For the Deseret News

Highland's Nick Orchard says he has been timed at 4.7 seconds in the 40-meter dash. He seemed much faster than that on Wednesday night.

The senior quarterback ran for 177 yards, including two back-breaking touchdown runs, to lift the Rams past West 35-12 in a Region 6 game.

The win improved Highland to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in region play. With a win next week against Murray, the Rams would likely earn the third seed in the 4-A playoffs after that. West, which fell to 5-4 and 4-2, plays East next week and will probably get the fourth seed.

If West is to stay competitive, it will need to do something about mental breakdowns. Coach Randy Schreiter criticized his club after Wednesday's game, languishing over such things as 13 penalties, including seven offsides calls.

This was apparently not the same team that entered the game with five wins in its last six games, including a 41-19 victory over Murray last week.

"I knew they would be keyed up," said Highland coach Brody Benson. "We switched it (the snap counts) up to try to slow them down. They have such an athletic defense."

But Highland had Orchard.

Orchard ran for two touchdowns in the first half, including a 30-yarder that gave Highland a 14-0 lead. After West rallied, Orchard threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Josh Anderson and then buried the Panthers when he sprinted 69 yards on an option play.

"He is a tough kid," said Benson. "He has so much heart and desire. He lit a fire under the offensive line tonight."

That showed as the Rams rushed for 280 yards on just 37 carries — that's 7.6 yards per rush. Highland finished with 378 yards of total offense. West had 236.

The Panthers, however, stayed close in the second quarter, scoring on a 5-yard run by Tana Afeaki, and then Vai Mafi recovered a fumble that led to Daniel Wray's 5-yard run that made it 14-12.

After that, the Panthers' offense was ineffective. Afeaki was a workhorse but, after running for 79 yards in the first half, he had just six carries for 17 yards for the remainder of the game.

The Panthers had to rally through the air. Wray completed 12-of-19 passes for 135 yards, but that is deceptive. In the second half, the only play over 11 yards was a 58-yard pass from Wray to T.J. Rector to the Highland 15. But West was stopped on a fourth-down play shortly afterward.

REGION: Region 06
GAME DATE: Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Highland 35, West 12
Nick Orchard rushed 16 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns, while passing for 98 yards and one TD to lead Highland over West. The Rams accumulated 378 yards of total offense on the night. Tana Afeaki had 21 rushes for 90 yards and one touchdown for West.

TEAMS (REGION, OVERALL)

FINAL

West (4-2, 5-4)	0	12	0	0	-	12
Highland (4-2, 6-3)	7	7	7	14	-	35

SCORING PLAYS
HIGHLAND - Orchard 4 run (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Orchard 30 run (Hicken kick)
WEST - Afeaki 5 run (Fail run)
WEST - Wray 5 run (Fail pass)
HIGHLAND - Anderson 46 pass from Orchard (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Orchard 69 run (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Inukihaagnana 22 run (Hicken kick)

Week 8 - Salt Lake Tribune

Highland 35, Cyprus 0 Friday, October 10, 2008

Team W/L Record Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Highland 5-3, 3-2 14 7 14 0 35 Cyprus 3-5, 2-3 0 0 0 0 0

Scoring Summary: H — Kinikini 1 run (Pickens kick) H — Orchard 33 run (Pickens kick) H — Orchard 7 pass to Fakahafua (Pickens kick) H — Kinikini 93 kickoff return (Pickens kick) H — Walzer 2 run (Pickens kick)

Week 8 - Deseret News

REGION: Region 06
GAME DATE: Friday, October 10, 2008

Highland 35, Cyprus 0
Latu Heimuli blocked a field goal, made two sacks to lead the Rams while Sam Nielson had three solo tackles and three assisted with two sacks. Nick Orchard rushed 10 times for 70 yards while Bridger Walzer gained 90 yards on four carries. In addition to a 93-yard kick return, Tevita Kinikini made three tackles and two sacks in the shutout.

TEAMS (REGION, OVERALL)

FINAL

Highland (3-2, 5-3)	14	7	14	0	-	35
Cyprus (2-3, 3-5)	0	0	0	0	-	0

SCORING PLAYS
HIGHLAND - Kinikini 1 run (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Orchard 33 run (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Fakahafua 7 pass from Orchard (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Kinikini 93 kick return (Hicken kick)
HIGHLAND - Walzer 2 run (Hicken kick)

Week 7 - Salt Lake Tribune

Colts slowed

Following a 6-0 start that included outscoring their opponents 256-69, the Colts' looked untouchable.
While Cottonwood is undefeated after Friday night's win over Highland, the Rams introduced some doubt by scoring more on the Colts' and holding them to fewer points than any other team has all season.
Highland's Muli KiniKini took advantage of a botched snap in the first quarter to run in a 42-yard fumble recovery touchdown, the Colts' first points allowed in region and their first deficit of the year.

Week 7 - Deseret News

Cottonwood Air Attack Too Much For Highland

By James Edward
Deseret News

Cottonwood found a weakness in Highland's pass defense Friday night and attacked it over and over and over again.

Steve Romero connected on touchdown passes of 80, 83 and 74 yards — all in the first half — in setting the tone for Cottonwood's dominating 32-21 victory over Region 6 foe Highland.

"It's a great win and a great win for our kids," said Cottonwood coach Cecil Thomas.

Despite throwing for 350 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for another, it was probably Romero's worst game of the season, according to his coach. In addition to his lengthy TDs, he also threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles that were returned for touchdowns.

Romero's first fumble gifted Highland its only lead of the game midway through the second quarter as Muli Kinikini picked it up and darted 40 yards for a 7-6 lead.

Highland seemed poised to build on the momentum, with Cottonwood facing a third-and-10 on its next series. With better pass coverage, perhaps it would have unfolded that way. Romero connected with Jason Lundquist on an 83-yard strike right up the gut of Highland's defense, putting the Colts back in front 12-7.

Romero's third touchdown of the game was the dagger. After a Highland 12-play, seven-minute drive stalled deep in Cottonwood's territory with under a minute remaining, the Colts capitalized quickly as Romero hooked up with Ali Moli on a 76-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining in the half.

Moli ran virtually the same route his teammates did on their long touchdowns to give Highland an 18-7 halftime lead.

"There was a lot of stuff we could take advantage of based on what they were giving us," said Thomas.

The win helped Cottonwood improve to 7-0 on the season, and sets the stage for a big region showdown next Friday against East, a game that will realistically determine the Region 6 championship.

Even though Romero added a 36-yard touchdown run and then a 52-yard screen pass touchdown to Isi Sofele in the second half, it was the play of Cottonwood's defense that Thomas was most pleased about. Of Highland's three scores, two were on fumble recoveries and the third was on a Nick Orchard to Zach Baucom touchdown pass in the final two minutes with Cottonwood in a preventive defense.

"Thank goodness the defense came out and played as well as they did. They carried us tonight for sure," said Thomas.

Cottonwood's defense forced three turnovers, but more importantly never allowed Highland's offense to get much of anything going offensively despite a big advantage in time of possession and first downs. The Colts limited Highland to methodical drives that often stalled just outside of field goal range.

REGION: Region 06
GAME DATE: Friday, October 03, 2008

Cottonwood 32, Highland 21
Steve Romero only completed 8 of 18 passes, but he made them count by throwing for 350 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Colts to a convincing win over the Rams.

TEAMS (REGION, OVERALL)

FINAL

Cottonwood (4-0, 7-0)	6	12	7	7	-	32
Highland (2-2, 4-3)	0	7	0	14	-	21

SCORING PLAYS
COTTONWOOD - Hudson 80 pass from Romero (Fail kick)
HIGHLAND - Kinikini 40 fumble recovery (Hicken kick)
COTTONWOOD - Lundquist 83 pass from Romero (Fail pass)
COTTONWOOD - Moli 74 pass from Romero (Fail kick)
COTTONWOOD - Romero 36 run (Beveridge kick)
HIGHLAND - Ferrin 15 fumble recovery (Fail kick)
COTTONWOOD - Sofele 52 pass from Romero (Beveridge kick)
HIGHLAND - Baucom 19 pass from Orchard (B. Walzer run)

Week 7 - Pre-Game Deseret News

High School Football: Friday Night Game Of The Week — Cottonwood at Highland

Cottonwood Colts (6-0) at Highland Rams (4-2)

All-time series: Highland leads, 14-5

About the Colts: Their offense is dynamic, and starts with the play of running back Isi Sofele. He's rushed for 813 yards on 95 carries. Steve Romero has thrown for 1,078 yards in five games. The defense started slowly, but has recorded three straight shutouts. Lineman John Martinez is a blue-chip prospect.

About the Rams: Quarterback Nick Orchard and running back Muli Kinikini are a tough combo to stop in Highland's option-running offense. Orchard has rushed for 607 yards, while Kinikini has gained 492 rushing yards. Latu Heimuli anchors both the offensive and defensive lines. He has recorded five sacks so far this season.

Week 7 - Salt Lake Tribune

Prep Football: Cottonwood Recovers To Beat Highland

By George Artsitas
Special to The TribuneCottonwood's quarterback Steve Romero crouched into a ball and hurled his fists against the turf like he was trying to start an earthquake.
He had just botched a snap that allowed Highland's Muli KiniKini to rumble to a 42-yard fumble recovery touchdown, the Colts' first points allowed in region and their first deficit of the young region season. But he also did something that Cottonwood hasn't been forced to do for the last four weeks: show resilience and respond.
Romero was able to step up in pressure and deliver an 83-yard dart to wideout Jason Lundquist after the fumble and never looked back, as Cottonwood stifled the Rams 32-21.
The game of highs and lows started early for Romero, with him throwing an interception during the first drive of the game to Sione Inukihaangana.
After a quick punt from the Rams, Romero stepped up on the very next offensive snap and fired a 80 yard bomb to Chandler Hudson to put the Colts up 6-0 early.
It wouldn't be his last.
Beside Lundquist and Hudson, Romero was also able to connect with Alo Moli with 45 second left in the first session on a 75 yarder as well as to a common target, tailback Isis Sofele, for 52 yards.
When it was all said and done, Romero finished 8-for-18 for an astounding 350 yards with five total touchdowns, including a 35-yard scamper for a score on the ground.
Regardless of his positive numbers, Cottonwood head coach Cecil Thomas was a lot more focused on his two fumbles and three interceptions and is happy his defense could play well enough to win.
"Honestly, this was probably one of the worst games he's had," said Thomas, "There's a lot of stuff we can work on and thank god our defense carried us."

Cottonwood 32, Highland 21 Friday, October 03, 2008

Team W/L Record Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Cottonwood 7-0, 4-0 6 12 7 7 32 Highland 4-3, 2-2 0 7 0 14 21

Scoring Summary: C — Hudson 80 pass from Romero (kick blocked) H — Kinikini 42 fumble return (Hickens kick) C — Lundquist 83 pass from Romero (conversion failed) C — 75 pass from Romero C — Romero 35 run (Beveridge kick) H — Ferrin 10 fumble return (kick blocked) C — Fofele 52 pass from Romero (Beveridge kick) H — Baucom 9 pass from Orchard (Walter run)