Andrew Han is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Highland High School for AZPreps365.com

From Paiden Cash Dalhaug, to Luke Young, to Rylan Reyes, to Luca Kotrodimos, then back to Dalhaug. Quarterback after quarterback, Highland kept finding ways to fight back.

And now, the No. 18 Hawks begin Round 1 of the AIA 6A State Championship November 14 against No. 15 Mesa. 

Junior Paiden Cash Dalhaug won the starting spot, but suffered a Posterolateral Corner injury in the second Week of fall camp. A PCL injury is when a ligament located behind the knee hyperextends behind the femur. It can take six to 12 weeks to recover.

With Dalhuag injured, head coach Brock Farrel brought up junior Luke Young, who won the starting spot after their preseason scrimmage.

Then Young went down in Week one with a broken leg.

For the second time, Farrel was forced to dig into his depth chart at the QB slot – an uncommon situation for a position commonly built on consistency.

Senior Rylan Reyes then filled the QB position for the Hawks. 

“I thought even he took some shots in the Higley game, but he toughed it out, and he gave us everything he had for four weeks,” Farrel said. 

Head coach Brock Farrel after the game against Red Mountain on October 30. (Andrew Han Photo/AZPreps365)

The Hawks started the season 0-4. During Week five against the Saguaro Sabercats, Farrel brought up junior varsity QB Luca Kotrodimos.

Kotrodimos led the Hawks to their first win of the season – a 28-21 win over Saguaro. 

Dalhaug returned the following Friday night, October 10, against Casteel. After six weeks on the sideline, Dalhaug ushered the team to three more consecutive victories - against Casteel, Horizon and Desert Ridge.

“It just felt good to be back," Dalhaug said. "It was my first game in over two years." 

Paiden Cash Dalhaug post-game against Red Mountain on October 30. (Andrew Han Photo/AZPreps365)

Regarding his journey to get back on the field, Dahlaug said he felt as if “everything was against [him].” From an unfortunate injury to watching his teammates endure without him, the comeback tested both Dalhaug’s patience and confidence. 

“I just feel like our confidence has gotten a lot better as a team,” Dalhaug said. “We know what we’re going to do and we’re going to execute it to the best of our abilities.”

Senior Grady Crandall said that communication is key, especially when the team is going through QBs every couple of weeks. 

Penny and Grady Crandall after the Highland and Red Mountain match-up on October 30. (Andrew Han Photo/AZPreps365)

“We had to lift each other up, the offense feeds off the defense and the defense feeds off the offense, which ultimately builds the momentum,” Crandall said. 

The Hawks ended the regular season with loses to Red Mountain and a double-overtime defeat to Mountain View. They are on the road November 14, traveling to Mesa.  

“It means so much, we really have to start executing, focusing and locking in,” Crandall said. ​​​​​​