They say lightning doesn’t strike twice. The senior class at Highlands High School is challenging that assumption. For the second year in a row, the Scots Football Team made their way deep into playoff season and earning the right to play in the San Joaquin Section Division 5 Championship Game.
The game was played Saturday, November 26 at the Grape Bowl in Lodi and despite the distance, a large contingent of Highlands fans traveled south to cheer on the team. Unfortunately, they didn’t win the championship game, falling 58-20 to Le Grand High School out of Merced. After the game, Highlands principal and alumni Darryl Hawthrone joined the coaching staff and other Highlands teachers and staff on the field to help the team with the tough loss. The majority of the crowd stayed long enough to provide a round of applause for the young men that accomplished so much.
The class of 2011 won 30 games, a league title and went to back-to-back section title games. Coach Matt Cokley had high praise for the team, especially the graduating seniors. “They are the hardest working class to come through Highlands in a long time. They laid the foundation down and next year’s team is up to the challenge of not only getting back to the Grape Bowl, but winning it.” Cokley also acknowledges a special connection with a team that he has worked with throughout his tenure at Highlands. “This was a special team. I came in the door with these kids four years ago and I'm going to miss them.”