Don’t let the score fool you. Highland Home may have lost to McKenzie 48-14, but Coach Claude Giddens says his team played well on both sides of the ball.

“The offensive line played well and the defensive line, I thought played well,” he said. “What we’ve got to fix is tackles. We got just a block here, block there away and we’re working on getting that fixed.”

Sophomore quarterback Chase Mansmann made 8 of 12 passes for 111 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

“And made some really good decisions,” added Giddens.

Cole Roper was the leading rusher. “Roper had a good night,” said Giddens. “I thought he ran the ball real hard.”

The sophomore carried the ball 15 times for 95 yards. He had a touchdown and an interception.

Andrew Brown was the leading receiver with three catches for 36 yards and Jalen Clayton caught a touchdown pass.

Despite an injury, the Squadron’s kicking was sound and forwards were a “bright spot” for the night.

McKenzie head football coach Josh McLendon said that it was his team’s defense that pleased him the most.

“I thought we had a really good game plan defensively. Coach Norris and Coach Coghlan did a good job all week of game-planning,” McLendon said. “We preach to our guys that once we get somebody down, we want to keep them down. I thought we did a good job of staying on top of them and not letting them have a chance to breathe.”

Giddens was concerned about his team’s coverage of the field. He said he thought they were in better shape than they were.

Giddens credited McKenzie’s coaching and its speed for Friday’s win. “I think they have a really fine football team.”

Highland Home will play Central Hayneville at home Friday night and Giddens does not have much to go on: last year’s tapes and records. “This will be their first time on the field this year,” he said.