MILLER — Miller/Highmore-Harrold opened the Class 9AA playoffs with a resounding 50-26 victory against Webster Area. The fourth-seeded Rustlers look to continue their postseason run when they face No. 5 Arlington/Lake Preston at 7 p.m. Today in Miller.
“Arlington/Lake Preston is a good, tough team that will give us everything we can handle. They are in the second round just like us, so they have played good football at the right time,” Miller/Highmore-Harrold coach Will Castle said. “I’m happy we get to host another home playoff game and our team is excited for the opportunity.”
Both teams enter tonight’s matchup with 7-2 records and both have found success with strong play from the quarterback position.
Junior Karst Hunter has been the offensive leader under center for the Rustlers this season. He has rushed 103 times for a team-high 768 yards and seven touchdowns, while going 106 of 190 passing for 1,583 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“Our offense has put up yards and we have some special players behind our big and talented offensive line,” Castle said. “But, us being able to limit turnovers and make plays has been beneficial for us.”
Senior Henry Mullaney has scored a team-high 13 touchdowns for Miller/Highmore-Harrold this season. He has carried the ball 30 times for 238 yards and seven touchdowns and amassed 551 yards receiving on 36 catches and four touchdowns.
Senior Landon Sivertsen has reached the end zone seven times this season for the Rustlers with 62 carries for 389 yards, while junior Eli Jones has 17 carries for 407 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensively, senior Carter Canham and junior Garrett Knox have led the Rustlers with 82 and 81 tackles, respectively. Mullaney and senior Jack Jones each have 66 tackles, while Caleb DeBoer and Deric Diede had 51 and 48 tackles, respectively.
Joey Simpson had four interceptions this season for Miller/Highmore-Harrold, while Mullaney has three interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
“Our defense has done a great job all year of limiting the opposing offense and creating turnovers,” Castle said. “I am extremely pleased with the way our defense has taken the ball away, and that is a major key to our success.”
Postseason play normally brings matchups between teams which are unfamilar with one another, and that definitely can be said with tonight’s game between the Rustlers and the Badgers.
“Our team played a real good game against Webster to open the playoffs. I think the biggest thing that did for us was to give the boys more confidence heading into this game,” Castle said. “Webster was a good, tough team. A team that we don’t see, so it was unique for our kids because they’ve never played them. Playing against Arlington/Lake Preston it will be the same scenario.”
What Castle does know about Arlington/Lake Preston is its offensive attack is led by junior quarterback Devon Heuer.
“Arlington/Lake Preston poses many challenges. They have good overall team speed with some size to go with that,” Castle said. “Their QB is a great athlete and he will be a threat against us. We need to do a good job to recognize where he is and find ways to limit his yards.”
The Badgers enter tonight’s game coming off an 18-0 win against Baltic.
The winner of tonight’s game will meet the winner of the matchup between top-seeded Gregory and No. 8 Wolsey-Wessington, in the semifinals on Nov. 3.
In the other quarterfinal games tonight, second-seeded Bon Homme will host No. 7 Kimball/White Lake and third-seeded Irene-Wakonda will host No. 6 Garretson.

Photo:

Miller/Highmore-Harrold quarterback Karst Hunter prepares to deliver downfield.

Photo by Mike Carroll/Plainsman