The Highland Rebels will face off against the Trumann Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
On Friday, Highland was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 26-20 to Gosnell. While the Rebels had to settle for second, they closed the game well in the third quarter, where they outscored the Pirates 6-0.
Although Highland took the loss, they still got scores from Dakota Niswonger, Nate Huckabee, and James Jensen.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Trumann). Everything went their way against Westside on Friday as they made off with a 44-20 victory. The Wildcats haven't had any issues with the Warriors recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive win against them.
Highland better keep an eye on Arzell Rulford. He was instrumental in Trumann's win, rushing for 256 yards and four touchdowns on only 11 carries. Rulford's longest rush was for an incredible 76 yards. The team also got some help courtesy of Bradon Whitsett, who rushed for 206 yards and one score while picking up 8.2 yards per carry.
Trumann was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 533 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.
On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of the credit has to go to Trumann's defense and their six sacks. The heavy lifting was done by Johnny Bell and Isaiah Carrillo, who racked up five sacks between them. Carrillo has been hot recently, having also posted seven or more total tackles the last three times he's played.
The victory got Trumann back to even at 2-2. As for Highland, their loss dropped their record down to an identical 2-2.
Everything came up roses for Highland against Trumann in their previous meeting back in October of 2024, as the squad secured a 46-16 win. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was the Wildcats' Tony Postell Jr, who rushed for 88 yards and a pair of TDs. Now that he won't be playing on Friday, will it be easier for the Rebels to walk away with another win? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
