The moment was something of a culmination for Highland junior tight end Lucas Hendrixson.
When the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Hendrixson caught a touchdown pass against Calumet in September, it was emotional for him.
“It was definitely an exciting thing,” he said. “It was just such an amazing feeling. Getting into the end zone, celebrating with my friends, it was definitely a great experience. It’s something I won’t forget.”
Hendrixson, whose father serves in the Army, moved with his family from Ansbach, Germany, in June 2025. Two weeks before the flight, he suffered a broken right collarbone when he said he was skateboarding down a hill, lost control and crashed. As a result, he was unable to play football for Highland last season.
Hendrixson, who has four catches for 69 yards and the TD and also sees some time at linebacker, has been a welcome addition for the Trojans (1-5, 0-3) as they prepare to play a Northwest Crossroads Conference game against Munster in the Battle of the Bridge rivalry on Friday.
“We met him near the end of last season, and it was too late for him to join,” interim coach Jimmy McCormack said. “I keep getting to know him better and better, but he’s been great for us from the beginning. He’s been in the weight room a ton. He’s very, very willing and a physical kid when it comes to blocking. He caught a touchdown for us this year against Calumet.
“We’ve just enjoyed having him. He’s honestly a great kid.”
Hendrixson, who lived in Germany for 3 1/2 years, started playing football when he was in second grade. There was no team available for his first two years in Germany before he resumed playing when he entered high school.
After being sidelined last season, Hendrixson is happy just to be playing again.
“I missed it so much when I couldn’t play it,” he said. “I always talked about how I wanted to play it while we were there in Germany and then last year here. So it just feels nice to be able to play it once again.
“We might not have won as much as we’ve wanted so far, but I feel like it’s been a great experience with everybody on the team. Getting to know everybody, getting really close with everybody, it’s been fun.”
More Top Picks Best Noise Canceling Headphones For Studying
Hendrixson was born in North Carolina and has also lived in New Jersey and Washington state.
“It’s always a tough adjustment because it’s just a new environment every time,” he said. “But everyone’s been really nice here. I enjoy it here. I love it. It’s a great community. I’ve met some good people here.”
Highland senior Chris Howell, a fellow tight end/linebacker, is one of those people who welcomed Hendrixson with open arms.
“He’s great,” Howell said. “Great teammate, great athlete. Me and him have spent a lot of time working on the practice field over there, going over our plays. He’s helped me with some blocking aspects of it. I’ve helped him learn our playbook because he’s new — this is his first year.
“Having me and him, it just opens our playbook up more because we’re both really good athletes, being able to block on both sides of the wall, on both sides of the offense.”
Hendrixson takes pride in doing that sort of dirty work and also taking advantage of his opportunities to have the ball in his hands.
“I can have some pretty good blocks,” he said. “My routes are all right. I can make some good catches, like my touchdown.
“I’m just glad I get to be on this team and that this is where I’m going to finish high school.”