Saturday Rewind: Cougars’ defense stands stout in shutting out Indians in CCC opener

September 12, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor

Highland quarterback Drew Mallett, left, rolls out during Friday's game against Clark County in Kahoka, Mo. Photo courtesy Brenda Mallett

EWING, Mo. — Cameron Bringer’s goal seemed ambitious. Maybe it’s not.

The Highland senior defensive back intercepted a pass in Friday night’s 36-0 victory over Clark County, giving him four interceptions in the Cougars’ first three games. It keeps him on pace to meet his goal of an interception in every game this season.

“We joked with him about it and how tough it might be, but he keeps making plays,” Highland coach Dave Degarmo said.

The entire defense is doing so, too.

The Cougars have outscored their first three opponents 149-14 and posted back-to-back shutouts. Highland last shut out an opponent in 2018 with a 21-0 victory over Knox County, but to do it against a team it allowed to score 52 points in a district loss to end last season shows remarkable improvement.

“Looking at Clark on film, we thought they had a pretty good run game,” Degarmo said. “Early on, they were able to move the ball on us a little bit. Once we got dialed in, it was pretty much game over.”

The Cougars’ speed certainly helps.

“We feel we can cover just about anybody,” Degarmo said.

Yet, the quickness and physicality of the defensive front is the game-changer.

“They can get off blocks and wreak havoc in the backfield,” Degarmo said. “Something we focused on in the offseason was our defense in general, getting guys in the right positions to go make those plays. It’s really paying off.”

With each of the next five opponents sitting at 1-2, the Cougars understand the chance for continued success in the league is possible. It needed a starting point, and beating a team it lost to twice last season is the perfect boost.

“Our guys are just real fired up,” Degarmo said.

The excitement around the program is growing.

“I told our guys last night to look at the stands and our visiting section was packed and people were lined up all along the fence,” Degarmo said. “People are driving an hour for this. … It makes everything just that much more fun.”