Highland 32,Elgin 0

SPARTA — Highland’s defense had one of its best games of the season on Friday to shut out Elgin in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference play, 32-0.

The Scots (4-2, 3-1) held the Comets (2-4, 2-3) to four first downs and only 73 total yards, including 31 yards on the ground. Highland, meanwhile, ran 58 times for 375 yards to control the clock. The Scots boasted two 120-plus runners in Artie McAndrew (13 for 126) and Justin Staton (29 for 120), and a third rusher, Matt Young, ran four times for 86 yards.

Staton finished off a Highland drive in the first quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:42 to play for a 6-0 lead. That was the only score of the half, as Elgin’s defense prevented future incursions into the end zone.

The Comets luck ran out in the second half, though. Young turned in the defensive play of the game, blocking a punt in the third quarter which Highland recovered on the Elgin 7-yard line. Staton finished the short drive with a 2-yard touchdown with 6:45 left, and scored a 2-point conversion to put the Scots up, 14-0. Highland’s defense got the offense the ball quickly, and McAndrew ripped off a 67-yard touchdown scamper to put the Scots up 20-0 with 5:31 to play. Staton scored his third touchdown at the 3:05 mark of the quarter on a 4-yard run to give Highland a 26-0 lead. Young capped the scoring with a 54-yard TD run with 5:00 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Jake Ulrey completed 3-of-5 passes for 19 yards, and Young caught two passes for 10 yards.

Highland will travel to Cardington for another MOAC game at 7 p.m. on Friday.