FREEPORT — In a game that featured a pair of cousins squaring off, a coach's return to where he once manned the sidelines and more than 200 yards in penalties, Highlands came away with a 42-19 football victory over Freeport Friday night.

Rams sophomore quarterback Brayden Thimons took charge in the second half, rushing for 83 yards and two scores to help put the game out of reach. His cousin, Logan Thimons, a junior linebacker for Freeport, made several big plays for the Yellowjackets defense.

While those two were know each other well, Highlands coach Sam Albert knows Freeport well, too. He coached the 'Jackets for four seasons.

“When I was here, the people treated me well,” Albert said. “I coached their offensive coordinator and offensive line coach and it was great to see them again. This is a tough place to play and they have tough kids.”

It was a contrast of offensive styles as Freeport took to the air with senior quarterback Andrew Romanchak.

He completed 21 of his 44 pass attempts. Highlands (6-0, 6-0) pounded it out on the ground with 26 rushing attempts among their 36 total offensive plays.

Freeport (3-3, 3-3) received the ball to open the game and moved the ball in 10 plays to the Highlands 16, but settled for a Jacob Sarver field goal to make it 3-0.

After a short kickoff, Highlands received the ball at its own 43 and needed just four plays to get on the board when Elijah Jackson scored from 26 yards out.

Freeport answered on the next possession when Romanchak connected on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Hochbein. Hochbein had 13 catches for 171 yards on the night.

After the touchdown, Freeport tried an onside kick, but Blake Leri caught the ball and returned it to the 'Jackets 24. Two plays later, the Rams were in the end zone again when Thimons scored on a 4-yard run to put Highlands back in front 14-10.

Sarver connected on a 38-yard field goal on the ensuing drive to cut the lead to one. The freshman kicker was 4 for 4 on field goals.

“I am so proud of Jake,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “He is 8 for 9 on field goals this year.”

Freeport kicked off after the field goal and Jackson picked up the ball at his own 15. He broke free around the left side and set up his blockers to score from 85 yards out. Thimons found Chris Fick with a pass to successfully complete a two-point conversion which put Highlands up 22-16 at the half. It was the fifth time that Jackson has scored on a kick return this year.

“I was surprised when they kicked it deep,” Albert said. “(Jackson) has been doing that for us all year.”

Penalties were a huge issue as both teams had over 100 penalty yards for the night. Freeport committed 13 infractions while Highlands had 10.

“That's been our Achilles' heel,” Gaillot said. “We have to fix it and keep our composure.”

Gaillot was still pleased with his team's effort.

“I am proud of our kids,” Gaillot said. “They played as hard as they could. We just have to capitalize a little better when we are in the red zone.”