Highland leans on Schultz, skill players for offensive production

Published 1:04 pm Tuesday, July 21, 2026

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Many of Highland’s key offensive players had their varsity debuts last year, going through some growing pains.

Senior quarterback Ashton Schultz had his first experience as starting quarterback last season, splitting time with Dawson Hedges.

“I learned a lot,” said Schultz. “It’s definitely really hard and you have to make quick decisions.”

Schultz has grown into the role and gotten more at ease with being Highland’s signal caller.

“I definitely feel more comfortable as a senior, being able to lead the team more,” said Schultz. “Just being able to take leadership and lead my guys. I want us to work hard and put it out there on the field.”

Schultz’s teammates have also gotten more comfortable with him behind center.

“(Schultz) developed a lot since last year when he took over,” said Highland senior offensive lineman Collin McReynolds. “He knows what he is doing. He can call plays and he can read ‘backers.”

New Highland head coach Mason Swisher likes what he has seen out of Schultz.

“(Schultz) is dedicated,” said Swisher. “He’s always trying to get better and that’s what we need. We just need kids like him that have good effort, good execution and are willing to learn. They take instruction, and that’s what is going to make him a good football player because he’s always trying to get better.”

Swisher plans on running a similar offense, with some changes.

“We’re going to run power read and probably going to run some zone read stuff. Be able to throw the football a little bit.”

Schultz and the Cougars have been learning the new offensive system.

“The new offense was a little rough at first,” said Schultz. “Obviously, everything is new but I feel like we’re getting better every day and that’s something to be proud of. It’s just a lot of work that we got to do.”

Highland returns its leading running back from last year, senior Levi Dent, who the Cougars have high hopes for.

“We’re going to try to find ways to use them,” said Swisher. “I think the main thing I really want to emphasize is we have to be able to run the football. So we got to find a way to manufacture yards on the ground. So we got some great young coaches that I think will get the linemen going. We’ll be able to run the football and hopefully be able to throw to keep everybody off-balance.”

Highland is excited about its receiving group, which includes senior Porter Peters and juniors Xavier Santiago and Heath Feldkamp.

“They’re fast,” said Schultz. “Xavier is so fast that if he can hit the outside, he’s gone. Levi can put his head down and get three yards anytime, no matter who’s in front of him. Porter is lightning fast, too. He went to state this year for the 400.”

Peters was a first team All-Conference returner last season.

“I think Porter Peters is going to be good for us,” said Swisher. “It’s good to have those kids that are fast and athletic if we can get them in space. If we can get them the football, and let them overcome my coaching by just getting them the ball and letting them do what they do.”

Peters and Santiago were part of Highland’s relay teams that competed in the Class 2 state meet.

“Those guys are fast and both state track athletes,” said Cougars senior tight end Brock Schneider. “They’re both quick and they can just make plays.”

Schneider is a dual-threat tight end that can block and be a weapon in the passing game.

“Offensively, my catchlight on the run is my strength,” said Schneider. “I like to think that I have pretty good hands, so just putting the ball here I can go and get it, and I’ll go make a play.”

Like any team, the foundation of offensive success starts at the offensive line.
Highland returns most of its linemen from last year and is working on finding the right mix.

“We had a guy get injured in his hands, so it’s a little rough right now,” said Schultz. “But we’ve got some younger guards that are going to have to step up. I think if they do step up, we could be a pretty decent offensive line. We got some older guys too that definitely take a huge part in leadership, so I know they’ll be working hard.”

Leadership on the line starts with McReynolds, as its most experienced linemen.

“(McReynolds) is kind of our anchor on the line,” said Swisher. “He’s one of our returning starters and hopefully he’ll provide leadership on the line.”

McReynolds is confident that the younger linemen will step up in the trenches.
“We’re getting these younger kids brought up, so we can work with them,” said McReynolds. “We can get them better.”