Highland has confidence in Jason Lawrence.'

It seems so basic, the approach guiding Highland's Jason Lawrence.
The senior running back said it so casually, it was difficult to find any factor to question his words.
" You've just got to believe in yourself," he said.
That confidence assisted the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Lawrence rack up 115 versatile lawns and score a goal on Friday night.
It was a play he made on the other side of the ball that sealed Highland's 27-23 win at house against Griffith in the season opener.
Griffith's Jaxon Lawson runs the ball throughout a video game at Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune).
The Panthers nearly stole the game late, scoring a set of fourth-quarter touchdowns to cut into Highland's 27-10 lead. Junior running back Jaxon Lawson did the majority of that damage, completing with 168 all-purpose lawns and all three Griffith TDs.
However the Panthers' final Hail Mary attempt was intercepted by Lawrence to end the video game and calm the fraying nerves of Highland coach Pete Koulianos.
" You need to Griffith credit. Those kids fought," Koulianos said. "It seemed like whenever we pulled ahead, they made a play to get back into it. Those last 2 minutes were pretty tense.".
Lawrence and the rest of the offense put the Trojans in a position to weather that Griffith return. Lawrence scored on 50-yard run on Highland's very first possession, browsing through the middle of the Panthers defense before breaking away for the TD. It was indicative of the ability that provides Koulianos a lot self-confidence in Lawrence.
" He's a playmaker, and he's extremely evasive," Koulianos said. "That's one thing that in some cases gets ignored with him, is his elusiveness. He has the capability to find a space and get into it.".
Lawrence's numbers would've been a lot more outstanding if not for a penalty that nullified his kickoff return for a TD at the beginning of the 2nd half. Lawrence stated he couldn't find the energy to get mad about that, however.
" I was so out of breath," he stated with a laugh.
But Lawrence is positive even in short-yardage scenarios. On the opening drive of the 2nd half, with Highland dealing with a vital fourth-and-4 at Griffith's 14-yard line, Koulianos required a pass to Lawrence out of the backfield. Lawrence got 9 yards on that play, extending a drive that ended with a TD 2 plays later.
Lawrence said he had no doubts.
" We 'd seen a lot of movie, so we knew it was going to be large open," he stated.
Highland's Javier Castillo, left, and Blake Vanek commemorate a touchdown in the end zone during a video game versus Griffith in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune).
Highland senior quarterback Blake Vanek doesn't lack self-confidence in Lawrence either. They have been teammates given that their freshman season.
" I understand Jason's going to make the play whenever he touches the ball," Vanek stated. "I do not believe that play could've been designed any better. All I had to do was get the ball to Jason, and he made a fantastic play.".
When he suffered a dislocated right elbow on a punt return in the regular-season finale against Kankakee Valley, Lawrence's junior season was cut short. He was the group's leading rusher with 376 yards and five TDs, numbers he should eclipse this season after hurrying for 106 backyards on 21 brings versus Griffith.
Lawrence isn't Highland's only offensive weapon. Vanek rushed for 77 lawns, and senior running back Joshua Hubbard added 40 lawns and two TDs.
" It makes me feel great in our group," Lawrence stated. "Seeing Blake rushing all over the yard and seeing Josh pounding the ball on the within, that feels great.".
Dave Melton is a freelance press reporter for the Post-Tribune.