Highland is ranked fourth in the IHSA Class 5A state football rankings for a reason, and they showed why in a 44-22 victory at Waterloo on a cold and rainy Friday night.

With the loss, the orange-and-black Bulldogs fell to 5-2 on the season. The visiting red-and-black Bulldogs improved to 6-1, with their only loss coming via teachers strike forfeit.

In the blink of an eye, Highland was up 21-0 on the host team. Brendan Sands scored a 55-yard touchdown, followed by a fumbled Waterloo snap that led to a 27-yard TD pass from Highland quarterback Logan Geiger to Logan Kharibian. Geiger then ran for a 10-yard TD at 8:32 in the first quarter.

Waterloo battled back to make it a game early, as running back Rick Wiegand scored on runs of 15 and 1 and it was suddenly a 21-14 game.

Following a Highland fumble that was recovered by Waterloo’s Kory Johnson at the Highland 12, the home team had a very good chance to tie the game. But Waterloo’s offense was unable to reach paydirt, turning the ball over on downs at the 3.

Highland running back Gage Geiger ripped off a huge run deep into Waterloo territory, but his team had to settle for a 30-yard field goal to make it 24-14 game.

The visiting Bulldogs added a Trent Rakers TD reception to go up 31-14 at the half.

Gage Geiger rushed for more than 200 yards for the game with one TD, and cousin Logan Geiger threw for two TDs and ran for two more in the win.

But Highland gave Waterloo plenty of opportunities to stay close, losing three fumbles and throwing an interception to go along with 10 penalties. Unfortunately, Waterloo lost two fumbles of its own and threw an interception.

With the contest way out of reach, Waterloo Vince Gagliardi ran for a 2-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.