[Hoot Gibson]

So there is the excuse for the 40 point loss???

Highlands is a huge favorite in this game. If acknowledging that Highlands is the more experienced and better team and the better team usually wins is making an excuse, then call it an excuse. Upsets happen but this is a rebuilding year for Johnson Central. It sounds like anything short of a 60-point blowout by Highlands is going to be a big disappointment to some of the Birds' fans. I think those fans are going to be very disappointed, win or lose.

Johnson County has plenty of talent in its pipeline, so if Highlands does win and decides to try to run up the score as it has done so many times in the past, Matney will use it to motivate his team over the next 12 months as he prepares for another rematch.