Colonials’ rally falls short in 30-20 setback at Highlands
Albert Gallatin attempted to rally in the second half, but fell at Highlands, 30-20, on Friday night in non-section play.
The Colonials (1-4) trailed, 16-0, at halftime before cutting the deficit to 16-12 on a touchdown reception by Nate Bricker and a run by Trevon Oliver.
Bricker pulled in a 31-yard reception from Domonick Lewellen to get Albert Gallatin on the scoreboard, and Oliver’s two-yard run cut the deficit to 16-12 heading into the fourth.
The Golden Rams (3-2) scored the game-winning touchdown on Jermaine Jett’s 19-yard run and held a 23-12 lead after the third of four PATs by Jayci Bowser.
Oliver got Albert Gallatin got the Colonials within five on a one-yard run, and coach Shawn Liotta’s team trailed 23-20 after Bricker pulled in a two-point conversion reception from Lewellen.
Lewellen was 12 of 29 for 220 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Bricker had 131 yards on five receptions. Oliver had 25 yards on nine carries.
“I was very proud of the way they battled back and made it a game in the second half,” Liotta said. “We got within three in the fourth quarter but just couldn’t pull it out. It was a non-conference game but we treat those like we treat any other game.”
Romello Freeman, who was a Uniontown student before moving to Highlands, pulled in a 31-yard touchdown reception from Seth Cohen for a 30-20 advantage in the fourth.
The Golden Rams scored on the opening kickoff when Logan Crise raced 76 yards to the end zone for a 7-0 advantage. Jett’s 55-yard run increased Highlands’ lead to 14-0 in the first, and the home team recorded a safety when the Colonials’ punter was tackled in his own end zone during the second.
“We started off very slow,” Liotta said. “They returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and that put us in a hole right away. We botched a punt in the second quarter and gave them a safety. In the first half we were just sloppy. We missed tackles, missed some assignments.”
Albert Gallatin’s Torrey Robinson had three receptions for 58 yards and Christian Stone caught three passes for 32 yards. The Colonials’ Javon Davis had 37 yards on 12 carries.
Trey Kirby led the visitors in tackles with seven. Cole Dupont (6), Braeden Moody (6) and Alex McMiller (5) also had multiple stops.
Albert Gallatin returns to Big Nine Conference play in Week 6 when it hosts Greensburg Salem (2-3, 2-4) at 7:30 p.m.