Cougars set new single-season victory mark, to play for district championship

EWING, Mo. — Like father, like son.

While Highland’s Robert Goehl was illustrating one story with his post-game thoughts, his eyes were telling another.

Finally, the senior running back halted his conversation about Friday night’s 38-0 Class 1 District 6 thumping of overmatched Westran, a victory Goehl spearheaded with 202 yards rushing, a pair of touchdowns and three two-point conversion runs.

Goehl wished to talk about something else — or rather, someone else. The victory over Westran boosted Highland to 8-3, establishing a new school record for victories. The only other team in Highland history on par with this year’s edition of the Cougars was the 1990 club that ended 7-3.

“My dad was on that ’90 team,” said Goehl, his eyes lighting up.

Fittingly, Goehl, who went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season with his seventh game of more than 100 yards, was equally proud of his dad’s accomplishment 31 years ago as he was of what Highland accomplished Friday evening.

That he and his dad, Dan Goehl, will forever be linked to the Cougars’ two greatest team is something special for both.

Dan Goehl, a linebacker on the ’90 team, was in attendance with Jim Blessing, who was a center on that memorable Highland squad.

“This has been a long time coming,” Dan Goehl said of Highland’s collective success this season.

Truer words have never been spoken.

Highland has had six winning records since 1973, and this year’s record-setting mark is the first winning season since 1990. Like his son, Dan Goehl admitted how gratifying this year has been, both for the community and for being able to see his son reap the rewards accompanying such success.

“He’s put the work in,” Dan Goehl said.

Blessing took the low-keyed Goehl’s thoughts a step higher.

“This has been awesome!” Blessing said.

Highland took command early, largely on Goehl’s powerhouse bursts through the line of scrimmage. The 195-pound Goehl scored on first-quarter runs of 4 and 57 yards and finished the first half with 151 yards. He only saw limited playing time in the second half.

“The attitude coming in was … win or go home,” Goehl said. “The energy was there, and so was the focus.”

Goehl, who unofficially has 1,133 yards rushing for the season, plus 16 touchdowns, was quick to share the plaudits.

“I got a lot of great blocks from the big guys,” he said, pointing to offensive linemen Cooper Bliven, Shon Stark, Aidan Lay, Blake Kaylor and Toby O’Brien.

Highland quarterback Drew Mallett also scored two touchdowns via runs of 13 and 25 yards, plus passing 19 yards to Coleman Hultz for another score. Mallett completed 6 of 8 throws for 50 yards, plus rushing for another 70.

“He’s special,” Highland coach Dave Degarmo said.

Mallett has thrown for 1,786 yards and 21 touchdowns. He’s passed for more than 3,000 yards in his career and Friday moved to just under 4,500 yards in career total offense.

“As far as a complete game for both our offense and defense, this was it,” Degarmo said.

Westran was never able to seriously challenge Highland’s defense, which allowed just 143 yards.

The Cougars’ Cameron Bringer and Brandon Holder recorded interceptions, with Noah Jones and Drasyn Keith recovering fumbles.

Highland will play at Marceline (9-1) next Friday. Marceline, which downed South Shelby 42-14 Friday night, suffered its lone loss to Quincy Notre Dame 49-7 on Sept. 10.

Degarmo said the excitement about this year’s football team has spread throughout the Highland community.

“This (success) gives the school and the community something to be really proud of,” he said.