Highlanders Lean on Power and Grit to Secure Week 3 Victory
By Stephen Farley
The Huntington Highlanders walked into Week 3 with chips still on their shoulders after last week’s emotional battle, and they left no doubt about their resilience. Under the Friday night lights, Huntington’s blend of speed, power, and sheer toughness shone through in a game where every unit had its moment—and the trenches proved to be the true difference-maker.
Ground Game Dominance: The Okonkwo Brothers & Newsome Shine
The backfield trio of MeShawn Okonkwo, Trevon Okonkwo, and Donte Newsome set the tone early and often.
- MeShawn Okonkwo ran with both patience and authority, gashing the defense with big chunk plays (runs of 51 & 59 yards) that opened up the field for Huntington’s offense. His vision and burst through the line made him a constant threat, forcing the opposing defense to stack the box.
Totals – 6 Carries for 149 Yards 1 TD
- Trevon Okonkwo complemented his brother with bruising, downhill runs. Whenever Huntington needed a tough yard, Trevon delivered, breaking tackles and dragging defenders for extra gains.
Totals – 10 Carries for 105 Yards 3 TDs – 9 Total Tackles (6 Solo)
- Donte Newsome provided the spark, slipping through gaps with quickness and balance. His ability to turn short gains into explosive plays kept the defense on its heels all night.
Totals – 9 Carries for 104 Yards 1 TD – 5 Total Tackles (2 Solo)
Together, the trio controlled the tempo, pounded out first downs, and wore down their opponents as the game wore on.
Defensive Backbone: Linebackers and Linemen Step Up
Defense wins championships, and on this night it was Huntington’s linebackers and defensive front who locked things down.
- Ilias King played sideline-to-sideline, stuffing runs and dropping into coverage with equal efficiency. He was the definition of a field general, reading plays before they developed.
Totals – 12 Total Tackles (7 Solo) FF
- Bryce Winkfield attacked downhill, delivering punishing hits in the run game. His physicality sent a clear message and set the tone in the middle.
Totals – 10 Total Tackles (7 Solo)
- C.J. Quinn was relentless, flying to the football and never letting the opponent find rhythm.
Totals – 7 Total Tackles (6 Solo) FR
Up front, Jeremiah Lyles and Antonyo Paschall wreaked havoc in the trenches. Lyles blew up multiple plays at the line of scrimmage (9 Total Tackles “5 Solo”), while Paschall used his size and strength to collapse pockets and stifle momentum (7 Total Tackles “3 Solo” “1 Sack” “FF”). The pair ensured that Huntington’s linebackers had clear lanes to attack, making life miserable for the opposing offense.
MVPs of the Night: The Offensive Line
While the skill players racked up the stats, this game belonged to the unsung heroes—the offensive line. Mason Ramsey, Aryn McPherson, Caleb Parlier, Collin Gadd and Tyler Avery earned the title of MVPs of the Game.
Their dominance at the point of attack opened gaping holes for the run game, allowing the backs to thrive. They allowed the Highlanders to have 3 RBs run for over 100 yards on the way to over 400 yards rushing. For four quarters, they controlled the line of scrimmage, proving that football games are won in the trenches.
Looking Ahead: Week 4 vs. Hurricane Redskins
The Highlanders now turn their focus to a massive Week 4 matchup against the Hurricane Redskins. Hurricane comes in with one of the most explosive offenses in the state, and Huntington’s defense will once again need to rise to the occasion. The Okonkwo brothers, Newsome, and the Highlanders’ line will look to impose their will early to set the tone.
This clash promises fireworks and will be a true measuring stick for where Huntington stands in the hunt for a deep postseason run.
