Andrew Han is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Highland High School for AZPreps365.com.

Losses don’t linger long for Highland High School football head coach Brock Farrel, who said the Hawks are ready for their match with the Perry Pumas at 7 p.m. September 19.

Farrel said there are injury- and performance-related changes, the focus being to find players who are healthy and up to speed.

“We just honestly evaluated how we played, not mattering our opponent, and did the players do what the coaches asked them to do,” Farrel said. “We did some things we needed to change and we addressed those. We got to figure out who’s not injured and those kids that are not injured. Let’s get them ready to play. That was our whole goal this week.”  

Despite the slow start to the Hawks’ season, Farrel said there are players who are showing the levels of leadership that’s needed right now. He highlighted players such as Grady Crandall, Anthony Martin, Bosten Renneman, “and even young guys like freshman Aydin Rodriguez have done a good job of trusting the process,” Farrel said.

Highland quarterback Rylan Reyes said he plans to lead his team from their 0-3 slump by leading by example and keeping strong mentally. He also said he depends on his fellow seniors to make plays on and off the field.

“Definitely the other seniors, the receivers, Max Brown, Grady Crandall and Anthony Martin – they are very great leaders on and off the field and they make great plays for us too,” Reyes said.

Prepractice at Highland High School. (Photo by Andrew Han/AZPreps365)

Running back and senior captain Renneman emphasized that the preparation for an upcoming match up starts as early as Sunday “with film, looking at what defense they are running and throughout the week, you are preparing,” he said. He added that the offensive line has been a huge part of the Hawks’ run game so far this season.

“They really carry the run game and the game does not go on without them,” Renneman said.

Farrel acknowledged the team’s unpredictability, saying he hopes this week’s performance matches their best ability.

“I’m preparing for a dog fight that goes to the fourth quarter,” Farrel said. “I think [the team] genuinely likes to be around each other. So, in that sense, we could have a really good chance to be a good team.”