It was a story of special teams and big plays for No. 1 Iowa Western, as they defeated the Scotties 48-24 Saturday night in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
 
After shutting the Reiver offense down in their first possession, Highland, behind QB Naricuss Driver, marched 78-yards on 13 plays finishing with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Albert Howard. That was Highland's first touchdown in regulation since September 16 against Iowa Central.
 
The Reivers didn't waste time to tie that game up going scoring on a 1-yard rush by Mekhi Sargent. That score was set up earlier in the drive with a 60-yard completion to Mike Hill.
 
Mike Hill would strike again for the Reivers on a one play, 76-yard reception, this time for a touchdown giving Iowa Western the 14-7 lead with 11:02 left in the 2^nd quarter.
 
William Solomon knocked down a 44-yard field goal into the wind bringing the Scotties within four, 10-14.
 
Late in the 2^nd quarter, Kendrick Catis forced a fumble from Kai Locksley and Amadou Fofana pounced on the ball giving the Highland offense a short field at the Iowa Western 34-yard line. The Scotties would take advantage scoring on a 1-yard Ronnie Jamison rush with :18 seconds left in the first half.
 
Highland had a 17-14 lead, but a Markeis Hallback 75-yard kickoff return with :08 seconds left in the first half would flip the script heading into halftime, Iowa Western led 21-17.
 
Highland came out of the half and marched 75-yards on their first possession and scored on a Naricuss Driver 2-yard rush and regained the lead 24-21. That would come to be their final score and lead of the game.
 
Iowa Western continued to make big plays on special teams and the offensive side leading to 27 unanswered points. A 50-yard rush, 47-yard punt return, 61-yard missed FG return, 39-yard TD reception and a 37-yard TD reception all set up scores for Iowa Western.
 
No. 1 Iowa Western went on to defeat the Scotties 48-24.
 
After being stagnate for four weeks, the Highland offense was back on track totaling 363 yards of offense, 324 of those on the ground. Willie Jordan led the ground game carrying the ball 22 times for 131-yards.
 
Naricuss Driver, in his first start as QB, rushed for 92-yards with a touchdown and passed for 39-yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, Jeremiah Hill led in tackles with nine while Kendrick Catis recorded seven with a sack and a forced fumble.
 
Highland drops their fourth straight game and fifth of the season. They will look to get back on track as they host Fort Scott CC on Saturday, October 28 at 1:00pm.