Hightstown Football Edged in Season Opener

While the members of the Hightstown High football team desperately wanted to record a win in the season's home opener Friday night, they may have given something even better.

Members of the cheerleaders and football team were collecting money for the Hightstown hurricane relief fund. Hightstown High Coach Pete Brescia did not know the total amount collected at the end of the game. 

"We know how much Hightstown has suffered because of the hurricane. The town still supports us. The place was packed tonight. We love being a part of Hightstown. That's why we did the fundraiser," said Brescia.

Hightstown High also put forth a great effort in a 28-22 loss to Hamilton in the season opener.

"The guys gave everything they had," Brescia said. 

"We lost 20-0 when we played Hamilton last year," Brescia said. "This was different. I have the privilege of coaching the best young men on the planet. They played their butts off tonight. Their community should be proud of them. I know we're all proud to be a part of this community."

The game was tied 22-22 late into the fourth quarter.

Using its size advantage on the line of scrimmage, Hamilton was able to put together a 65-yard drive to take the lead with 2:55 to play. Bretaigne Stroman's second 30-yard run of the drive provided the go-ahead touchdown.

Unable to produce the same kind of success on the ground, Hightstown's quarterback Dustin Kollman went to the air.

Kollman completed passes to Kevin Lenart and Max Kutler on Hightstown's last drive. Hightstown was 29 yards away from a victory when Kollman was intercepted by Hamilton's Gregory Williams with 1:23 to play.

"Our sophomore quarterback really played phenomenal tonight," Brescia said. "He really understands the game. He's a student of the game."

Kollman and Kevin Lenart combined for the first score of the gane. Kollman connected with Lenart in stride down the left sideline for a 74-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

Hightstown missed a two-point conversion and would go down 14-6 at one point. That's when Kollman came up with two more key completions.

Kollman and Kutler combined for a 48-yard completion. A 10-yard pass to Cameron Harper set up Hightstown first-and-goal at the three-yard line. Four plays later, Lawrence Mendies scored on a one-yard run. When Harper caught the ensuing two-point conversion from Kollman, Hightstown had a 14-14 tie with 5:59 to go in the first half.

The first half ended tied as Hightstown's defense was able to put together a goal-line stand in the final seconds of the second quarter. Hamilton had a first-and-goal at the six before Hightstown provided the big stop.

Hightstown took the lead on the first drive of the second half and scored on a seven-yard pass from Kollman to Harper. The two also combined for a two-point conversion.

Hamilton tied the game on its next possession, setting up the dramatic fourth quarter.

"You know, we only have four seniors on offense and four seniors on defense," Brescia said. "This is a young team. Tonight was the biggest learning experience in football in their lives. I'm just so proud of them."

"On Jan. 3 of 2011, the nucleus of this team started to come together in the weight room. The coaches treated these guys as family. These are our sons. We have each other's back," Brescia said.

The members of the Hightstown High team also has the back's of the people in their community. They appreciate the same in return.

"We not only want to win on the field, we want to win in the community," Brescia said. "This is our school and our community. We care about the people who live here."

That's why they gave them everything they had on Friday night.