The Highlanders faced off against the Denver Harlequins this past Saturday, October 17th. The Highlanders started off a bit slow, unable to capitalize on a few handling errors on the part of their opponents and enabling the Harlequins to gain ground early due to a few missed tackles. However, the tide began to shift around 20 minutes in as the Highlanders were able to get the ball to the backs and to the outside. Taylor Utt found the try zone for the first points of the day at the 22nd minute of play, and then another 2 points were tacked on with a subsequent conversion by Adam Price. This momentum held, and the Highlanders were able to touch another down by Tucker English at the 25th minute of play with the conversation by Adam Price. The forwards struggled a bit to move the ball but yet again were able to get the ball out to the backs and Taylor Utt was able to punch another in at the 31 minute mark with another successful conversion by Adam Price. Taylor was not done just yet, and after great ball movement by centers Michael Backens and Eric Landauer, Taylor was able to touch it down for a hat trick just before halftime at 39 minutes in. Adam Price would add yet another two on the conversion.

 

At the start of the second half, Kyle Gross took it to the corner right out of the gate, scoring the fifth try of the game at the 41st minute of play. The fresh legs of Tim Hochstelter came in for Sam Medve, with Nick Rangel shifting to lock. Not long after, Tucker English was able to score his second try of the day at 47 minutes in, with another conversion by Adam Price. Tony Cosolo came in for Dan Grenemyer in the 50th minute of play, and Nate Roe came in for Adam Price at 55 minutes in, with Nate going to wing and Kyle moving to fly-half. Just four minutes later, Michael Backens was able to plow through the defensive back line and score the 7th try of the day in the 59th minute of play. A few more tactical subs were made at the 60 minute mark with Blakely Brown, Parker Gloss, Cody Blake, and Ian Yarberry coming in for Eric Landauer, Tucker English, Rocco Petramala, and Nick Rangel respectively. The scoring was not done yet, as Tony Cosolo was able to find the try line and score his first try as a Highlander at 70 minutes in. At the final whistle, the scoreboard read 50 to 0.

 

Overall, the Highlanders scored eight tries, with Adam Price converting five out of six tries while on the field and the two remaining tries not being converted. While the game may not have started off the way the team had wanted, the Denver Highlanders were able to make the necessary adjustments to play to the ref and continued to push and play with intensity for all 80 minutes. Congratulations goes to Tucker English for being awarded Man of the Match!

 

With the win, the Denver Highlanders sit atop the division at 3-0 with 15 points and a point differential of +149 going into the winter break. The Glendale Raptors are in second place with 10 points, and Queen City in third with 9 points.

 

Stop by this Saturday, October 24th to support the Highlanders in the last game of the fall, a friendly match versus the Colorado Rush, at our home pitch, Jacobs Park, at 11:00AM.

 

View photos of the match here.

 

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