The Highland Home Flying Squadron traveled to Glenn Daniel Stadium for a rivalry game against Luverne on Oct. 6 and accomplished a 60-0 shutout win against the Tigers. 

The Flying Squadron’s win on Friday night was the first time Highland Home has shut out Luverne since 1940. The victory left Highland Home standing at 7-0, first in the region and the Crenshaw County champions by a total of 106 points scored versus 0 points allowed this season. 

Head coach Will Pouncey expressed pride in his student-athletes as he discussed the team’s big win.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our guys’ effort and execution,” Pouncey said. “We played a complete game and it is a great win for our program and the community of Highland Home. I cannot exaggerate enough how proud I am of our guys on our team and the way they attack each and every day and put in the work to be successful.” 

Pouncey acknowledged the work the team puts in each day which has led to his team being undefeated thus far, and showed reverence for his competing coach.

“Their [the Flying Squadron] daily habits transfer over to Friday nights and they deserve all the success from the time and effort they have invested,” Pouncey said. “Coach Rigby at Luverne is a state championship winning coach and will do great things there.”

Tigers’ head coach Ed Rigby said that while this was a tough loss, his athletes are determined to rise up and they aren’t letting this loss define them.

“They [Highland Home] have a lot of great players and they were able to capitalize on some early self-inflicted mistakes; that’s something great teams are able to do,” Rigby said. “Our kids fought back but it just wasn’t something that we were able to crawl out of. It was a good old fashioned butt-whooping, but we will rebound.”

Rigby said that the Tigers are already deep into preparation for their next match and he anticipates seeing the team resurface with a win.

“We don’t have any time to lick our wounds right now because we’re trying to focus on our net game which will have huge playoff implications, and we’re hoping to get back on the map after this loss,” Rigby said. “Any time you have these types of situations, this is when you find out what you’re really made of and what your grit is and how tough you are. We are not quitting. Our kids are going to get up from this and our goal is to make this our only loss of the year.”

On Oct. 13 the Flying Squadron will host the Barbour County Jaguars at home while the Tigers host the Goshen Eagles.