The falls sports season is underway in full force for Highland Community College as the football, volleyball and cross country teams all opened their seasons over the weekend. 

Highland football team preseason picked fifth in the KJCCC started the year hosting 8th ranked Dodge City and earned the upset with 26-16 win to open the season. Scotties struck first in the contest and never trailed but Dodge City made the game interesting. Quarterback Kahlil Render who finished with 214 yards passing and three touchdowns got the scoring going for Highland with his feet rushing for a 21-yard touchdown to lead 6-0 with 10:30 left in first quarter. Scotties made it 13-0 going into halftime as Render hit Bailey Strunk for an 11-yard touchdown pass. Dodge City cut the lead to six with 3:30 left in the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run, but Highland responded as Render hit Alec Freeman for his second touchdown pass of the game this time for 26-yards making 20-7 Highland just before the end of the third quarter. A touchdown reception got Dodge City back within six points again and they drew closer with nine minutes left after a bad snap by the Scotties led to a safety to make it 20-16 Highland. The Scotties caught a break as Kyle Pottinger recovering the free kick punt after the safety and went on to score as Ronnie Jamison caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Render to make it 26-16 and ultimately earn the win. Highland took advantage of four Dodge City turnovers, scoring 14 points off those turnovers, while Demarre Kitt helped highlight the offense catching five passes for 108 yards as the Clemson transfer made is Scottie debut. Highland hits the road in week two traveling to Garden City for a 1:00pm kick against the Broncbusters. 

The Highland volleyball team opened up their season Friday and Saturday at the Reiver Classic in Iowa by going 1-3 in four matches. On Friday Highland lost a pair of tough contests falling to Jefferson College in three sets (28-30, 22-25, 23-25) and falling to Western Nebraska in four sets (23-24, 26-24, 13-25, 21-25). On Saturday the Scotties wrapped up the tournament falling to Colorado Northwestern in a tough five set match (25-18, 23-25, 25-15, 20-25, 18-20), while finishing the tournament with their first win of the season beating Western Wyoming in four sets (25-16, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22). Sophomore, Tyrecia Lukes led the Scotties in kills during the tournament with 41, while former ACCHS Tiger, Shailey Caudle notched 29 kills and 36 digs on the day. Holton native, Megan Rhule made a strong impact with 19 kills, 94 assists and 41 digs at the Reiver Classic. The Scotties continue their season on Wednesday, August 31st on the road against Independence Community College at 6:00pm

Both the Highland men and women's cross country team finished third as a team at the Allen County Duals on Friday to start the year. Jorge Gurrero finished third for the Scottie men, while John Brunner took eighth, Jose Jaime placed ninth and Zekarias Philipo placed 11th. Lakashia Willis led the lady Scotties placing 17th, while four other gals finished in the top 30. Highland cross country continues their season on Friday, September 2nd in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the Augustana Twilight at 9:00pm.