HUNTSVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Highlanders have been on a bit of a high.

After not making the postseason nine straight years, Scott High School has found itself in the playoffs the last three seasons.

That's not an easy thing to do when you consider the tough competition that's in District 4-AA.

"You don't have to to go far to find the best in the state of Tennessee. Most of the time they play right here on our home field," head coach Keith Shannon said.

It's a district that features perennial power Alcoa and the defending state champions in CAK.

"We always go into each and every game expecting to compete, hoping to win," Shannon added.

Highlanders' lineman Matthew Smithers says its key for Scott to get off to a good start.

"A lot of our tougher district games are in the middle to the end of the season, so we need to build some confidence before we get heading into those," Smithers said.

Scott opens up the season August 17 at home against Gibbs. The Eagles won last year's meeting 31-0.