Posts Tagged ‘Highland’
‘It’s the best feeling in the entire world’: Highland wins Class 2 state softball championship
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Highland softball program’s 2005 state championship trophy finally has company. The Cougars bested Mid-Buchanan 4-1 Saturday at the Killian Softball Complex to capture the Class 2 state title. “I’m still trying to process it,” Cougars coach Paul Scifres said. “Hard to believe, pretty surreal.” Cougars pitcher Abby Lay retired the Dragons…
Read MoreLundberg’s headfirst slide across home plate earns Highland spot in state softball title game
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A headfirst slide, a cloud of dust and a trip to the state championship game. With two outs in the top of the eighth in Friday’s Class 2 state softball semifinal at the Killian Softabll Complex, Highland’s Ali Lundberg scored on a passed ball to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead over…
Read MoreMonroe City quickly puts stamp on district victory, sets up semifinal matchup with Clark County
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The proverbial cloud of dust has been replaced in most instances by a spray of rubber pellets, but regardless of the metaphor being used, it was apropos to the way the Monroe City football team began Friday night. One Quincy Mayfield burst 25 seconds into the Class 2 District 7 quarterfinal…
Read MoreRecipe for success: Cougars’ explosive offense, Lay’s pitching and hearty breakfast casserole add up to state final four berth
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — If he were in the other dugout, Paul Scifres would not welcome the thought of facing the Highland softball team right now. He would welcome some of his wife Kendra’s breakfast casserole before a state championship game, though. In his 18th season as the Highland coach, Paul Scifres has guided the Cougars…
Read MoreFirst-inning runs give Cougars momentum as victory over Bulldogs earns final four berth
BETHANY, Mo. — The moment wasn’t too big for the Highland softball team. Their venture to the final four won’t be, either. The Cougars handled South Harrison 9-0 in Saturday’s Class 2 quarterfinal at Memorial Park. “They came out determined, focused and put out a great outing and a phenomenal performance,” Cougars coach Paul Scifres…
Read MoreHighland’s Crist, Canton’s Taylor finish in top 11 at state golf tournament, Cougars take fourth as team
FARMINGTON, Mo. — Morgan Crist and the Highland girls golf team rebounded nicely Tuesday, and they have the hardware to prove it. Crist, a junior, shaved 12 strokes off her first-round total by shooting an 8-over 80 and climbing into a fifth-place tie individually at the Class 1 state golf tournament at Crown Pointe Golf…
Read MoreHighland in contention in Class 1, Canton’s Taylor is highest area golfer on state leaderboard
FARMINGTON, Mo. — The Highland girls golf team is in position to challenge for a top-three state finish following the first day of the Class 1 state tournament. The Cougars posted a 395 team total at Crown Pointe Golf Club and sit in fifth place, just six strokes behind Stover and Greenwood, who are tied…
Read MoreHighland’s district softball championship just as grand as Rothweiler’s slam that powered it
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — A home run trot? Not so much. A home run sprint? That’s more like it. Keera Rothweiler wanted to get to home plate as quickly as she could to celebrate with her teammates after her grand slam in the first inning of Highland’s 15-0 victory over Monroe City in the Class 2…
Read More‘We’ve got a good thing going’: Highland softball team rolls into district title game with momentum
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Time will tell how long the Highland softball team’s postseason run lasts, but coach Paul Scifres believes the Cougars have something special brewing. Junior Abby Lay twirled a five-inning no-hitter and senior Haleigh Winter matched the school single-season home run record as the top-seeded Cougars rolled over fifth-seeded Clark County 13-0 Thursday…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Highland, Monroe City reach Class 2 District 5 softball championship game
To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The top-seeded Highland softball team and second-seeded Monroe City will meet for the third time this season at 1 p.m. Saturday after earning their spots in the Class 2 District 5 championship game. Highland dispatched…
Read MoreYouthful area golfers set to embrace opportunity state tournament play provides
QUINCY — Why wait to be great? Throughout the prep golf season, with the Quincy Notre Dame and Illini West boys golf teams battling for supremacy and the QND girls team consistently showcasing its depth, comments regarding each team’s youthful lineup focused on the future instead of the present. One of the more common refrains…
Read MoreHighland girls golfers making name for themselves with sustained success
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — In less than two full seasons, the Highland girls golf program has put itself on the map. In 2023 — Highland’s first year fielding a girls golf team as a varsity program — the Cougars finished third out of 11 teams at the Class 1 District 3 Tournament and sent three golfers…
Read MoreTwo-minute flurry enables Panthers to turn CCC matchup with Cougars into lopsided affair
PALMYRA, Mo. — In the blink of an eye, a one-score game turned into a rout. Its explosive offense held relatively in check during the opening 17 minutes Friday night, the Palmyra football team turned three Highland turnovers into 24 points in a little more than two minutes late in the first half to take…
Read MoreCougars manufacture three runs in sixth inning, beat Tigers to gain leg up in Lewis County rivalry
EWING, Mo. — For at least a few days, the Highland softball team will have bragging rights in Lewis County. A three-run sixth inning, along with some steady play defensively, enabled the Cougars to knock off Canton 3-1 Tuesday night in the first of two regular-season meetings between the Lewis County schools. The Tigers will…
Read MoreHighland dispatches Monroe City in three innings in CCC opener on softball diamond
EWING, Mo. — Well, at least it was quick, but not necessarily painless. Highland dispatched Monroe City 15-0 in a Clarence Cannon Conference softball game Monday evening that was stopped in the bottom of the third inning by the mercy rule. Just how dominant was Highland? • The Cougars (6-3) were working on their fourth…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Area teams converge at Porter Stadium in Hannibal for football jamboree
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal football team’s Class 4 state title aspirations were in full bloom Friday night as the Pirates were able to showcase some of the talent and depth that has fans in America’s hometown excited about the upcoming season. Palmyra, Highland, Mark Twain and Bowling Green displayed their own reasons for optimism.…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Trio of Highland football players discuss how defense will breed success
Coverage of the Highland football program is brought to you by: EWING, Mo. — The current crop of Highland football players were the freshmen and junior high schoolers who bore witness to and were inspired by the 2021 team’s 8-3 record and run of success. Now, they want to pave a path into Highland history…
Read MoreCountdown to kickoff: Highland optimistic and realistic about what it takes to compete in CCC
Coverage of the Highland football program brought to you by: EWING, Mo. — Caleb Arnsman is an enthusiastic guy. He’s realistic, too. “My fever for this game never stops,” said the third-year Highland football coach. “Even when the season ends, I usually take about a week off, then reset and get going again.” That’s Arnsman’s…
Read MoreMissouri softball preview: Highland reloads, Monroe City rebuilds, Canton reenergizes
EWING, Mo. — The memory still lingers. Sure, the Highland softball team achieved quite a bit last fall, earning a No. 1 state ranking among Class 2 schools, winning 20 games in a row at one point and fashioning a 27-3 overall record. But how it all concluded still leaves a sour taste and ……
Read MoreHighland’s Campen follows in mother’s footsteps, brings versatility to Muddy River Showcase
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Brady Campen couldn’t recall the age he began playing basketball. “My mom got me started really young,” Campen said. Not a bad person to learn from. Campen’s mother — Amber Law Campen — starred at Carthage (Ill.) High School, where she averaged 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals and…
Read MoreHighland’s Logsdon finds calling after injury, returns to floor for Muddy River Showcase
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Sometimes an injury can be a blessing in disguise. While he couldn’t play the sports he loved, Brayden Logsdon found his calling in coaching. Logsdon tore his right meniscus as he ran a quarterback keeper up the middle during the Highland football team’s Week 5 game against Macon on September 22, 2023.…
Read More‘I couldn’t help but smile’: C-SC’s Mallett qualifies for nationals in first season as decathlete
CANTON, Mo. — Until a year ago, Drew Mallett had no intentions of participating in the decathlon. “I didn’t even know if colleges had that stuff or not,” Mallett said. Now, the Culver-Stockton College sophomore and Highland High School graduate is headed to this week’s NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships after winning the Heart…
Read MoreMedal haul: Cougars win 4×200 relay state title, finish on podium in five other events
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A four-medal day at the state track and field championships is a harbinger of great things to come. Chevie Sharpe knows it. “Harder than ever,” the Highland sophomore runner said of the motivation to work hard after Saturday’s showing at Adkins Stadium. “I’d love to get up there (at the top…
Read MoreSharpe, Cougars chase top podium finishes after qualifying for state track and field finals
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A bevy of area athletes will take their shot at finishing as high on the podium as possible Saturday during the Missouri state track and field championships. Highland sophomore Chevie Sharpe will have three cracks at that. Sharpe qualified third in the 400-meter dash with a time of 58.59 seconds. She…
Read MoreSouth Shelby relay teams, Monroe City’s DeGrave capture sectional track championships
MOKANE, Mo. — The South Shelby boys track and field team won a pair sectional titles in the relays Saturday at South Callaway High School, and Monroe City senior Waylon DeGrave jumped his way into the Class 2 state championship field. The Cardinals won both the 4×400 and 4×800 relays as part of sending qualifiers…
Read MoreSharpe leads Highland girls to sectional track title, area brigade heads to state track championships
MOKANE, Mo. — Highland sophomore Chevie Sharpe success at the middle distances has landed her and her teammates at the Class 2 girls state track and field championships. Sharpe won the 400-meter dash at Saturday’s Class 2 sectional at South Callaway High School and helped the Cougars take first place in three relay races, earning…
Read MoreAround the diamond: Mustangs rally in seventh, Blue Devils scored 11 in first, Saukees suffer first loss
MENDON, Ill. — Trailing by two runs heading into the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday, the Mendon Unity baseball team needed baserunners to even think about a rally. Six consecutive batters safely reaching did the trick. Ben McClelland and Sawyer Allen started the rally with back-to-back singles before the Mustangs’ patience kicked in. Three…
Read MorePalmyra boys put cap on CCC championship, turn sights to postseason success
PALMYRA, Mo. — Now the real fun begins. The Palmyra boys basketball team capped a perfect run through the Clarence Cannon Conference on Saturday afternoon en route to securing its 19th straight victory — a 54-30 vanquishing of Highland. Next on the Panthers’ to-do list is to make a strong run in the Class 3…
Read MoreHighland’s second-half surge leads to knocking off Palmyra, building postseason momentum
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Highland girls basketball team’s play in the second half Saturday afternoon bordered on the inexplicable. The Cougars, who at one point in the first quarter appeared to be on life support, completely overwhelmed Palmyra over the closing two periods to take a 47-38 Clarence Cannon Conference victory in the regular-season finale.…
Read MoreRaiders hold off Bulldogs to secure 1,000th victory in girls basketball program’s history
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s 37-31 victory over Highland on Saturday evening was the 1,000th in program history. But that historic win did not come without a struggle. QND, which remains undefeated at 4-0, was not able to put away Highland (1-4) until the final minute of play at The Pit.…
Read MoreCanton, Highland, Monroe City softball players earn all-state honors
QUINCY — Six area softball players earned all-state recognition from the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association, including four who received first-team plaudits. In Class 1, Canton senior shortstop Macie Fisher and senior catcher Kinsey Biggerstaff were first-team selections, while in Class 2, Highland senior third baseman Emma Harshberger and Monroe City junior shortstop Audri…
Read MoreMonroe City pounds ground with dominant running game in earning district victory
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City football team needed a fourth-quarter rally to fend off Highland when the teams first met this season. No comeback was necessary the second time around. Sophomores Quincy Mayfield and Jayden Holland combined for 244 rushing yards and four touchdowns to enable the Panthers to post a 34-0 victory…
Read MoreCrist makes Highland history with third-place finish at Class 1 state golf tournament
SEDALIA, Mo. — A stronger start led to a memorable finish for Highland golfer Morgan Crist. Crist parred three holes on the front nine Tuesday, navigating the nine-hole stretch in six fewer strokes than she did Monday and setting the stage for her to finish third individually in the Class 1 state tournament at Sedalia…
Read MoreBig first inning carries Bowling Green to district title victory over top-ranked Highland
SHELBINA, Mo. — By the time Megan Graver delivered her first pitch of the game, she already felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. When the Bowling Green softball team’s diminutive right-hander walked to the pitcher’s circle in the bottom of the first inning, her teammates had already…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Captains of Highland softball team discuss No. 1 ranking, postseason chances
EWING, Mo. — The Highland softball team heads into the postseason as the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2, riding an 18-game win streak and backed by a record-setting offensive attack. The Cougars’ captains — Emma Harshberger, Olivia Ritterbusch and Haleigh Winter — joined Highland coach Paul Scifres on the tailgate of Muddy River Sports…
Read MoreMissouri prep notebook: Cougars extend win streak to 18, three qualify for state tennis tourney, Keller sets Monroe City record
EWING, Mo. — The No. 1-ranked softball team in Missouri Class 2 is charging into the postseason with a full head of steam. Highland finished its regular season Monday night with a 15-0 victory over Scotland County, putting a stamp on a 26-2 record. The Cougars have won 18 games in a row, and their…
Read MoreHighland, Canton send three golfers apiece to Class 1 girls state tournament
MOBERLY, Mo. — The Highland and Canton girls golf teams will be sending three golfers each to the state tournament following strong showings Thursday at the Class 1 District 3 tournament at Heritage Hills Golf Course. Each team placed three golfers among the top 25 individuals. They will tee it up at the Class 1…
Read MoreShow Me Spotlight: Softball superhero is role Highland’s Harshberger continues to reprise
EWING, Mo. — Emma Harshberger and her Highland softball teammates found themselves in the crosshairs before the meat of their schedule began. The initial Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association state rankings were released Sept. 11 with Highland topping the Class 2 poll. The Cougars have won five consecutive games since then, improving to 13-2…
Read MoreFourth-quarter rally enables Panthers to survive Cougars’ upset bid in CCC opener
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Highland football team was clinging to dreams of pulling off a monumental upset through three quarters. Monroe City dashed them in the fourth. The Panthers scored 22 unanswered points in the final 10 minutes, 10 seconds Friday night to snatch a 30-14 victory from the Cougars in the Clarence Cannon…
Read MoreFriday Night Lights rewind: Cougars mount another rally, Pleasant Hill field vandalized, Panthers score four defensive TDs
QUINCY — Call them the Comeback Cougars. Two weeks in a row, the Highland football team has needed to erase a deficit to be able to head into Clarence Cannon Conference play with an unblemished record. Both times, the Cougars have figured out a way to get into the end zone. Last Friday night, the…
Read MoreHighland softball team uses extra effort to complete sweep and win Classic championship
COTTLEVILLE, Mo. — A pair of extra-inning victories Saturday enabled the Highland softball team to remain undefeated and capture the championship of the 13th annual Francis Howell Central Classic. The Cougars scored seven runs in the top of the eighth inning to score a 14-7 victory over Westminster Christian and followed it by scoring a…
Read MoreFriday Night Lights: Week 1 offers lopsided scores, Campen’s big run and bolts of lightning
QUINCY — The opening week of the high school football season didn’t offer many surprises or alter many opinions, except for one head-scratching result. That happened at Ray Hentges Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. Hannibal expected to be challenged by Jefferson City Helias, but the third-quarter breakdowns that resulted in the Crusaders scoring three touchdowns…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Future QU golfer Miller shows she can hang with the boys on her way to state
EWING, Mo. — When Payton Miller made it home Friday night, she had some serious packing to do. Saturday, she was off to Shelbina to compete in the Class 2 sectional track and field meet with the Highland girls track team. That night, she and her family headed to Springfield, Mo., to get prepared to…
Read MoreMuddy River Showcase Spotlight: Highland’s Ansley Bringer
The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. EWING, Mo. — Ansley…
Read MoreCanton girls see Highland Tournament championship as step in right direction
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The Canton girls basketball team entered the 51st Highland Tournament as the third seed and with a losing record. “I call it the state softball championship hangover,” Canton coach Danielle Baker, referencing the Tigers’ Class 1 state title from last October. “It took us a little while to get going.” This week,…
Read MoreCougars see offense come to life to pull off district upset of Tigers
CENTER, Mo. — First-year Highland football coach Caleb Arnsman reminded the Cougars the records get washed away in the postseason and the season starts anew. A fresh approach led to remarkable results. Sixth-seeded Highland opened Class 1 District 6 play Friday night by upsetting third-seeded Mark Twain 32-16 to earn a shot at second-seeded South…
Read MoreLiquor Booth Play of the Game: Harshberger’s seventh-inning double lifts Cougars to victory
CANTON, Mo. — Bragging rights on the softball diamond in Lewis County were in limbo when Emma Harshberger stepped to the plate in the top of the seventh inning Monday. Canton led Highland 5-4, but the Cougars had runners at second and third with two outs after Addy Abell and Olivia Ritterbusch sandwiched a single…
Read MoreMuddy River Showcase: Caring for kids comes natural for Highland’s Goings
The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…
Read MoreMonroe City girls start, finish final day of state track with medal, trophy haul
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The day started with a spot on the podium and ended with a trophy for the Monroe City girls track and field team. The Panthers’ quartet of Audri Youngblood, Meghan Hays, Ella Hays and Emmalee Williams took second in the 4×800-meter relay. They finished in 10:10.52, 10 seconds behind Lawson. That…
Read MorePerfect exit: Monroe City seniors win final home game for program’s sixth straight district crown
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The last act deserved a standing ovation. The Monroe City faithful obliged. The final time a senior class that has set itself apart as one of the most successful in program history played at home resulted in an incredible accomplishment as the top-seeded Monroe City boys basketball team won its sixth…
Read MoreTop-seeded Panthers, third-seeded Cougars will meet for district championship
MONROE CITY, Mo. — Joshua Talton and the Monroe City boys basketball team made it crystal clear who the team to beat in the Class 3 District 6 tournament is. And it didn’t take long to deliver the message. Talton, the senior guard, scored 14 of the top-seeded Panthers’ 25 first-quarter points Friday night and…
Read MorePanthers bring Clarence Cannon Conference championship home
EWING, Mo. — The Monroe City football team is bringing another title back to titletown. The Panthers raced out to a 32-0 lead and dispatched Highland 54-20 to win the Clarence Cannon Conference championship and lock up a No. 1 district seed. For all the explosive offensive plays on display, it was a defensive stop…
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