Rams run down Mars
ADAMS TWP — As opening acts go, you couldn't have written a better script for Highlands football coach Sam Albert.
In his team's first Greater Allegheny Conference game of the season, Albert watched the Rams take control early and cruise to a 26-7 win over host Mars Thursday night.
"This was big," said Albert. "It was our first conference win against a quality team. Mars has so many weapons."
The Golden Rams defense came up with the first big play of the night.
On the first play from scrimmage, Mars' Garrett Smith rushed for four yards before losing the ball, which was recovered by the Rams' Brendan Lucchino on the Planets' 40-yard line.
Highlands began a methodical march toward the goal line, converting two fourth-down plays in the process.
Lucchino finished what he started, scoring from a yard out for a 7-0 lead
"The fumble, you can't have plays like that and expect to win football games," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer.
But the veteran coach would encounter more frustration on his team's next drive.
The Planets began the next series on their own 19. Shane Kaclik, Austin Miele, Corey Slater and quarterback John Brake all chipped in with gains on the ground and Brake completed two passes on the drive for 32 yards.
Faced with a fourth-and-goal from the Rams' 2, the Planets went for it.
Kaclik was held to no gain and the Rams took over on downs.
"I don't think that was a turning point," Heinauer said. "We just have to put the ball in the end zone. We have to play better and we have to play tougher."
Highlands (5-0, 1-0) began a 12-play drive from deep in its own end that was aided by a personal-foul penalty against Mars to give the Rams another set of downs after an incomplete pass on third down at the Rams' 36.
On third-and-5 from the Planets' 30, quarterback Jeff Sinclair connected with Dyllon Powell for 20 yards.
On the next play, Sinclair found Tyler Cole on a 10-yard scoring pass.
Dave Buterbaugh's extra point made it 14-0 with 4:48 left in the second quarter.
Buterbaugh added a 34-yard field goal before halftime and the Planets trailed 17-0 at the break, 17-0.
Sinclair finished the game with 70 yards and a touchdown rushing. He also passed for 127 yards and a score.
"It helps when Jeff's out there on the field helping to keep drives going," said Albert. "He's the real deal. He can run and throw."
That ability was displayed on the Rams' first drive of the second half.
Sinclair ran for a first down four times on third down during the drive, which ended with Buterbaugh's 22-yard field goal.
Just as important as the three points were the eight minutes the drive took off the clock."They did what they wanted to do," said Heinauer of the Rams. "They kept the ball away from us and we couldn't do what we wanted to do offensively."Forced to pass, Brake was harassed by the Highlands defense, which recorded four sacks in the second half.Sinclair scored on a 1-yard sneak midway through the final quarter, after which the Planets' offense mounted its best drive of the game.Slater's 18-yard run was followed by Kaclik's gain of eight yards.A 51-yard pass from Brake to Miele set Mars up at Highlands' 1-yard line. Brake scored on the following play.<B>Notes:</B> Slater intercepted Sinclair in the final minute of the first half, after which Mars got in position for a 51-yard field goal attempt by Christopher Karns, which was wide left. ... The Planets (3-2, 0-1) play at Franklin Regional next Friday.<B>Highlands 7 10 3 6—26Mars 0 0 0 7— 7H M</B>20 First Downs 955-191 Rushes-Yards 26-88127 Passing Yards 928-16-1 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 4-11-0318 Total Yards 1800-0 Fumbles/Lost 1-14-20 Penalties-Yards 6-51<B>First Quarter</B>H — Brendan Lucchino 1 run (Dave Buterbaugh kick), 4:41<B>Second Quarter</B>H — Tyler Cole 10 pass from Jeff Sinclair (Buterbaugh kick), 4:48H — Buterbaugh 34 field goal, 1:51<B>Third Quarter</B>H — Buterbaugh 22 field goal, 4:07<B>Fourth Quarter</B>H — Sinclair 1 run (kick blocked), 7:44M — John Brake 1 run (Christopher Karns kick), 6:24<B>Individual Statistics</B><B>Passing:</B> Highlands, Jeff Sinclair 8-16-127-1. Mars, John Brake 4-11-92-0.<B>Rushing:</B> Highlands, Ernest Stewart 15-59, Jeff Sinclair 18-70, Brendan Lucchino 12-36, Bill Devlin 9-24, Tyrell Dudley 1-2. Mars, Garrett Smith 1-4, Corey Slater 3-35, Austin Miele 6-35, John Brake 7-(-12), Shane Kaclik 9-26.<B>Receiving:</B> Highlands, Brendan Lucchino 1-6, Ernest Stewart 1-20, Tyler Cole 4-73, Tyrell Dudley 1-8, Dyllon Powell 1-20. Mars, Shane Kaclik 1-14, Austin Miele 3-78.
