HIGHLAND, Kan. - An electrifying fourth-quarter interception return by
Xavier Millerton brought the Porter Family Stadium crowd to its feet on Saturday, punctuating a string of three consecutive touchdowns for Highland (0-2), but the Scotties weren't able to deliver a Homecoming win against #14 Iowa Central.
The game started with back-to-back interceptions, as
Gabriel Hoskins picked off a Tyler Smith pass on the opening drive for the Tritons. Josiha Mason was able to return the favor on HCC's opening drive, with the Tritons pushing downfield to score with 10:22 on the clock
Kahliek Rainey responded for Highland, assembling a nine-play, 78-yard drive capped by a short completion to
Lexton Grafke that turned into a 17-yard touchdown for HCC.
Highland found its way back to the scoreboard in the third quarter, with
Navi Bruzon assembling a six-play, 75-yard drive. The transfer from Syracuse blew open the drive with a 39-yard scramble with 7:01 left in the quarter, then found
Landyn Moore with a short pass to the right for a two-point conversion.
Jah Gaines kept Iowa Central off the scoreboard on its next drive, with the redshirt freshman threading the needle for an interception on Highland's five-yard line and breaking out for a 35-yard return.
Bruzon assembled another scoring drive for Highland, ending an 11-play effort with a nine-yard completion to
Brice Johnson Jr.
The Scotties held Iowa Central out of the endzone on the following possession, forcing a turnover on downs as
Shyheem Parker and
Ezekial Kavege wrapped up Terrance Topete for a two-yard loss with 50 seconds left in the third quarter.
Highland was able to flip the field and drive from its own 22-yard line to the ICC 24, but HCC wasn't able to punch it in, returning the ball to the Tritons.
Millerton had a big tackle on the first play of the drive, stopping Drew Hanks at the 27-yard line after a three-yard gain. The freshman defensive back then jumped the route as a pair of ICC receivers crossed together on the left side, making a leaping grab and managing to tuck the ball and use his right hand to keep his balance and sprint back 30 yards for the score.
The Scotties weren't able to close the gap further, falling 63-27 on the afternoon. Highland wraps up its three-game homestand on Sept. 20, hosting Ellsworth Community College. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
