NATRONA HEIGHTS — Freeport knew it would have its hands full against Tevin Owen-Cratsenburg, even though the standout Highlands running back left defenders grasping for air often.

The Division I recruit had an astounding 301 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 27 carries Friday night at Highlands Golden Rams Stadium, a performance that could have overwhelmed the Yellowjackets.

Instead, they proved they could weather Owen-Cratsenberg’s best efforts — including a 67-yard touchdown — in a dramatic 24-16 win on the road.

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In the end, it was a pass he failed to haul in that doomed the Golden Rams. Quarterback Logan Thies found Owen-Cratsenberg at the goal line, but the running back couldn’t secure the catch on the game-deciding fourth down with seconds remaining. A touchdown would have cut Freeport’s lead to 24-22 and given Highlands a chance at a game-tying two-point conversion.

“All week in practice we knew he was (their) guy,” quarterback Danny King said. “We knew that they were going to go to him in tough times, so it was important for us to watch film, build tendencies and just build brotherhood as a team.”

The Yellowjackets (8-1, 4-1 Allegheny 7 Conference) still have a chance to win a share of the conference title thanks to the victory.

Freeport, which lost to North Catholic (6-3, 5-0) earlier this season, now needs to beat Burrell and hope the Trojans lose to Highlands (7-2, 4-1) next week to force a three-way tie atop the conference. If NC wins, it captures the crown outright.

If Freeport had an individual star who came close to matching Owen-Cratsenberg, it was King, who finished the day 17 of 26 for 196 yards and three touchdown passes, and also led the ’Jackets with 53 yards rushing on 13 carries.

However, the story of the Jackets’ win, as usual, was a total team effort.

“I’ve got to give it to the guys up front blocking for me, and of course my receivers for running good routes,” King said. “I give it to our coaches as well for preparing us.”

After a scoreless first quarter, both offenses came to life in the second, trading the lead twice. Freeport wide receiver Camden Schlegel caught both touchdown passes from Danny King in the quarter, a 7-yarder and a 38-yarder, giving the ’Jackets a 14-10 lead at halftime.

The ’Jackets nearly snuck in a third touchdown just before halftime on a trick play, as receiver Bryson Paga was employed to throw on a reverse option pass to Braydon Pomaybo, but Pomaybo was knocked out of bounds inside the 5-yard line as time expired.

Trailing by eight late in the fourth quarter, the Rams put themselves in good position for a game-tying touchdown after Thies hit Jaxson Dinning for a 54-yard completion inside Freeport’s red zone — one of only two completions for Thies all game.

But the ’Jackets’ defense stiffened and forced four consecutive incompletions, ending with Owen-Cratsenberg’s fourth-down drop which sealed the Freeport win.

“My nerves definitely started to rise,” Schlegel said. “But I definitely had a trust in my crew.”

Prior to Highlands’ final drive, the ’Jackets suffered a scare when King had to be helped from the field by the training staff after taking a sack. However, King said he should be back for the ’Jackets’ next game against Burrell.

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“I’ll be all right,” King said. “It’s hard not to be banged up after a game like that. I’m just looking to rehab throughout the weekend, and I’ll be ready for Friday.”

“Danny’s a tough guy,” Schlegel said. “Danny gets banged up every week, but Danny bounced back. We’ll have no worries about Danny being injured for next week.”

Freeport 0 14 7 3 — 24

Highlands 0 10 6 0 — 16

Second Quarter

H — Jackson Babinsack 27 field goal, 9:41

F — Camden Schlegel 7 pass from Danny King (Judah Thompson kick) 5:24

H — Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg 67 run (Babinsack kick) 3:52

F — Schlegel 38 pass from King (Thompson kick) 2:20

Third Quarter

H — Owen-Cratsenberg 1 run (kick blocked) 9:28

F — Canon Wisniewski 3 pass from King (Thompson kick) 3:47

Fourth Quarter

F — Thompson 21 field goal, 10:38

Individual statistics

Rushing: Freeport, Danny King 13-53, Luke Selinger 7-22, Braydon Pomaybo 5-8, Chace Flynn 4-5, Bryson Paga 2-15. Highlands, Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg 27-301, Logan Thies 3-17, Beckham Ochoa 2-3.

Passing: Freeport, Danny King 17-26-196-0, Bryson Paga 1-1-28-0. Highlands, Logan Thies 2-8-76-0.

Receiving: Freeport, Canon Wisniewski 5-31, Bryson Paga 4-69, Camden Schlegel 3-70, Chace Flynn 3-12, Luke Selinger 2-14, Braydon Pomaybo 1-28. Highlands, Jaxson Dinning 1-54, Bryce Tavarez 1-22.