The Highland Hawks have had the recipe to a dreamlike first half. They have a defense that has only allowed 13.6 points per game, a quarterback in Kaleb Herbert who has completed about 73 percent of his passes and a halfback, Kohner Cullimore, who is averaging 8.1 yards per carry and is a threat in the passing and returning game as well.

But what stands out most iin a 5-0 start ss the stout offensive line.

“The line has given me all sorts of time back there to make my reads and make my throws,” said Herbert.

Cullimore went even further.

“They are playing the best I have ever seen them play. I’m pretty sure they are the best in Highland history. Everything comes together (behind them)”.

That statement may be bold but accurate. At least according to senior center Caleb Allen, who leads the line with 26 pancake blocks in five games.

“Our goal was to beat out how many pancakes we had last year and the record set at 109 pancakes. In three games we had 109 pancakes,” said Allen.

After their fifth game, the Hawks line has racked up 142 pancake blocks, with every starter earning at least 19. Three other blockers have more than five.

It took time and hard work to get the line to where it is. All five starters are seniors, but none were regular starters in 2017.

“Extra sprints and all the running over summer made us a better unit against defensive lines,” said Allen, who only played sparingly last season before breaking out in 2018. “We come together really well. We play well as a unit.”

Behind the blockers, the Highland run game has flourished. Cullimore leads the way with 29 carries but the Hawks have four runners with 22 or more rushes. As a team, coach Brock Farrel’s squad averages 7.9 yards per run with 18 touchdowns.

“Everything comes together,” said Cullimore.

Highland is ranked seventh in Arizona, according to Max Preps. The Hawks have outscored opponents 215-68, and handily beat Basha last Friday, a team that was 4-0.

 

The Hawks next game is at home against Desert Vista (4-0), the 10thranked team in the state. Desert Vista’s run defense has been dynamic through four games, so this will be a major test for Highland’s offensive line.