HIGHLAND, Kan. - A creative new look helped Highland (0-8) find the end zone four times against Div. III no. 1 College of DuPage (6-2) on Saturday, but the Scotties weren't able to overcome the Chaparrals. TJ Porter had both a passing and rushing touchdown for HCC on the afternoon along with a two-point conversion.

On its opening drive of the contest, Highland debuted a wildcat formation with Porter in the backfield with Landyn Moore. Porter picked up seven yards on the first snap before the Scotties brought their regular offense on the field to convert a third down.

After giving up a pair of early touchdowns and turning the ball over on downs, Highland cut off the Chaparrals next drive with an interception from the most unlikely of sources. On the snap, freshman defensive tackle David Gudger was able to shake off his man and get his hands up into the route, snagging the pass at the line of scrimmage. The 6-6, 425-pound lineman then mustered a 13-yard return across midfield.

Alternating between its wildcat and standard formations, Highland converted a first down with an eight-yard rush by Kahliek Rainey with a six-yard rush from Landyn Moore leaving the Scotties just outside the red zone. On the next play, Rainey pitched the ball back to Porter, who spotted Ceedee Williams in the left side of the end zone. Porter's pass was just out of the reach of the Chaps defender, with Williams hauling in a diving toe-drag catch on the sideline. DuPage challenged the ruling, but the call on the field was quickly confirmed.

With time winding down in the first half, the Scotties put together a 12-play, 80-yard drive culminating in another 21-yard pass, this time with Rainey finding Demitrius Alexandre on the right side of the field with 22 seconds left on the clock.

Highland held DuPage to just a field goal in the third quarter and pushed DuPage back forcing a 50-yard field goal attempt to start the fourth quarter. After the miss, an eight-yard rush was negated by a holding penalty, but the Scotties turned around for a 71-yard touchdown. Rainey found Alexandre at the 50-yard line, with the sophomore outpacing a pair of Chaparrals into the end zone.

The Scotties weren't able to recover the onside kick attempt, but a nine-yard sack by Kameron Graham held DuPage to a three-and-out. Porter finished off a 10-play drive by Highland with a 19-yard run down the left side, but the Scotties weren't able to pick up another two-point conversion and trailed 38-28 with just under seven minutes to play.

Unfortunately, Highland wasn't able to find another score in the contest, falling 48-28 on the afternoon.

Highland has a bye next week and returns to Porter Family Stadium on November 8 to take on Garden City Community College. Kickoff for the game is set for 1 p.m., with the Scotties observing Military Appreciation Day as well as honoring the 2025 HCC Alumni Award recipients.