The Highland football team’s expectations are once again high as the 2024 season begins this weekend.
Fifteen starters return along with a strong class of 20 seniors that will make Highland one of the teams to watch in Illinois Class 5A football.
“We have a strong senior class coming back and many of them which contributed the last two years at the varsity level,” Highland coach Jimmy Warnecke said.
Key returners on offense include senior tight end Nick Judge, senior tight end and lot receiver Wyatt Rinderer, junior wideout Gavin Frey, senior wide receiver Blake Reinacher. Seniors Johnny Prott and Cole Parsons are also set to see time at wide receiver.
Senior Ethan Greenwald is back at fullback in the backfield, and senior Tyson Rakers will handle the tailback duties.
Junior Blake Gelly is back at the quarterback spot and Warnecke is expecting a big improvement in him from his sophomore campaign when he threw for 1,861 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 643 yards and scored six touchdowns on the ground.
“Blake to me this year has shown more poise and more maturity,” Warnecke said. “Last year he had a lot of stuff going on and he was messing up a lot and at times he got frustrated and down on himself too much. This year, the way he takes constructive criticism in the huddle in front f he team, I think it’s great leadership.”
Senior Ashton Zobrist returns at right guard and will anchor the Bulldogs offensive line.
On the defensive side of the ball, Frey and senior Evan Strubinger will man the cornerback spots while Rakers and senior Dalton Balint patrol the secondary at the safety positions.
In the linebacker spots, Greenwald returns along with Rinderer at the strong-side linebacker slot and senior Trent Stock at the other linebacker spot.
Warnecke is excited about Stock’s potential at weak-side linebacker.
“He’s gonna take a little time making a move this year but we really like his athleticism and work ethic he shows there,” Warnecke said.
Along the defensive line, Zobrist and junior Gavin Langley are expected to work at one defensive end while Judge will play at the other D-end position.
“I think this defense this year, if I can get a good rotation at the D-tackle spot, may go down as one of the better defensive groups I’ve seen in my 14 years here,” Warnecke said.
Will Bolen, a senior, and sophomore Caiden Funderburk are slotted to man the defensive tackle spots.
Warnecke said the team will lean on its experience and mental and physical toughness to get it through the run if the regular season and be positioned for a run back to the IHSA Class 5A quarterfinals.
Highland opens the season on the road on Friday, Aug. 30 with a 7 .m. game at Breese Central.
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