BY CHARLES CHANEY
It’s been a very long two weeks for Butler football but they’re ready to get back on the field as they host Highland on Saturday afternoon at BG.
When Butler last took the field, they were beaten by Coffeyville and fell out of the rankings. They’ve since re-joined the rankings, even though they are 3-1 and still fell out. They’re hoping to stay in the rankings this time.
The Grizzlies welcome in Highland to the ‘Golden Land’.
It’s been two long weeks and Butler is hungry and wanting to prove the Coffeyville game was a fluke.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. and if you’re in El Dorado you can catch it locally on the radio and on BCTV.
Last time out
The Grizzlies are coming off a loss to rival Coffeyville two weeks ago. They were hit hard early on and fell behind 31-7 before they made a flurry comeback and had a chance to win before coming up short.
QB Tate McNew has found his rhythm and was really good in the second half. However, he knows he cannot fall behind by three scores against a team like Highland this time.
Speaking of Highland, It’s been over a year since Highland beat an NJCAA school. It’s been almost a year since they won any sort of game. They beat Benedictine JV on Oct. 20 of last year but since then, they’ve dropped nine consecutive games.
Last week, Highland dropped a 51-0 decision to Coffeyville. Highland could only manage 168 yards total offense. They haven’t scored a touchdown since their loss to Ellsworth on Sept. 20.
Get to know Highland
The loss of head coach DJ Mayo has been detrimental to the school and it’s shown. While Highland was able to go out and get future Hall of Fame coach, Tom Minnick, they haven’t been able to replicate the results Mayo had. Nor are they able to replicate any success Minnick had.
This Highland team is not good and it’s tough to say that because the last couple of seasons they have been competitive and fighting for a winning record. They hadn’t done that in a long time. Now, they’re back at the bottom of the KJCCC. It’s been over a year since Highland beat an NJCAA school. It’s been almost a year since they won any sort of game. They beat Benedictine JV on Oct. 20 of last year but since then, they’ve dropped nine consecutive games.
Prior to Mayo’s arrival, the Scotties were 4-21. After he stepped foot on campus, they would go 12-12 in his two seasons. They’re 0-6 this season with no signs of a victory in sight. They play the two-time defending Division III champion next week. That’s not a guaranteed win.
Mayo is gone and now Minnick is trying to rebuild the program once again. Minnick, who had a stroke in 2022, has his hands full. That’s the best part about junior college is this season may be in the tank but he can turn it around next season. It just takes one recruiting class to make you competitive.
It’s hard to tell you who will start for Highland but might start Gabe McWilliams at QB. He’s been the main QB in the last two games but they’ve played four this season and they’ve all played significant time under center.
Offensively, they’re only 259.5 yards per game, second worst in the KJCCC. Many of their yards have come in blowout moments, where defenses may not be throwing the book at them. They’ve thrown the fourth most interceptions (10) this season. Fourth worst conversion on third down as well, converting 22 percent of all third downs this season.
Though, their defense may be worse.
Their 414.7 yards per game allowed is the fourth worst in the NJCAA. They are the worst passing defense in the nation. They also allow the fourth most points, 42.2, in the nation. They’re also the most penalized team in the NJCAA with 76 penalties, four more than the next closest team.
Their only saving grace with their defense is they’ve forced 14 turnovers but when you’ve turned it over 15 times, it’s not a good recipe.
Highland has done their best to recruit Kansas. They have 74 rostered players and 20 of them are from Kansas. Many of them play. While it’s not as good as they’d probably like it to be, it’s better than some years for Highland.
Series history
To say Butler vs. Highland has been lopsided is keeping it cordial. Butler has dominated the series.
Disregarding the forfeit in fall of 2021, Butler has won 10 in a row vs. Highland and has won five consecutive in El Dorado.
Since 1996, Butler is 27-3 vs. Highland.
The Grizzlies and Scotties first met in 1953, with Butler blowing out Highland, 53-0. Back then, the Grizzlies were referred to as El Dorado JC. Highland would forfeit in 1954 and the two schools wouldn’t meet again until 1961. Butler would come away with the 28-14 when that year.
The Scotties would pick up their first ever win over the Grizzlies the following season in 1962, a 21-19 win. It was the start of a 4-game winning streak for Highland that would stretch until 1967.
The lone tie between the two schools happened in 1971, a 12-12 tie at old Blackmore Stadium.
From 1962-1978, Highland would go 9-5-1 against Butler. The Grizzlies would not lose again to Highland until 2006, a streak of 12 consecutive victories.
When Butler hosts Highland, they are 18-6-1 all-time. They are 11-1 at home vs. Highland since 2000.
That lone loss? A 2013 Highland squad walked into BG Products Veterans Sports Complex, handing Butler their first home loss in their new stadium and their first home loss since 2005. Highland built a 17-0 lead before Butler stormed back, re-taking the lead. Highland would score with eight seconds remaining to stun Butler.
The other major loss in the series came in 2006 when Highland, a 1-win squad, stunned the NJCAA, beating Butler 43-29 in Highland, knocking Butler’s chance at a three-peat, as the Grizzlies would win the 2007 and 2008 national championship. They would’ve most likely won it in 2006 had they won that game. Butler fell behind 18-0 before they had to scramble to get back in the game, re-taking the lead right before halftime. Highland would outscore Butler 22-7 in the second half to complete the upset.
Butler’s largest victory against Highland would come on Sept. 10, 2011 as Butler beat Highland 89-0. At the time, it was an NJCAA record—and still is when considering NJCAA vs. NJCAA opponent.
Butler has scored 50 or more points against Highland 12 times in their series history, more than against any other opponent in the KJCCC. They’ve also held the Scotties scoreless 11 times.
What time is the Butler vs. Highland game, and how to watch
Who: Highland (0-6, 0-3 KJCCC) at No. 14 Butler (3-1, 1-1)
When: Saturday, Oct. 18, 3 p.m.
Where: BG Veterans Sports Complex—El Dorado, Kansas
View: KJCCC Network
Listen: KTBL 88.1 FM Butler Student Radio (El Dorado) | 97.5 FM & KNSS 1330 AM
Series: Butler leads the series 37-12-1
