Highlands’ Aaran Randolph likely to grab more headlines this fall

By: Bill Hartlep
Thursday, August 17, 2023 | 4:36 PM

Aaran Randolph had quite an introduction to A-K Valley football fans.

When they opened their newspaper Saturday morning Oct. 1, 2022, the Game of the Week headline read: “RUNNING RAM: Randolph’s 5 scores lead Highlands past Mars.”

What the Golden Rams faithful already knew, many across Western Pennsylvania then discovered — Highlands’ versatile running back was much more than just a runner. He was someone who would cause nightmares for defensive coordinators the rest of the season.

It truly was an out-of-this-world performance against the Fightin’ Planets in that Week 5 game: 178 rushing yards, four rushing TDs, a pass completion for a 56-yard touchdown and a 19-yard reception for a score.

Most importantly, Highlands 54, Mars 22.

The win helped propel Highlands to an 8-0 start to the season. The Golden Rams compiled a 5-1 record in the Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference, with the lone loss coming to Armstrong (10-2, 6-0). They went on to finish 9-2 overall after falling to Latrobe, 28-21, in overtime in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

Randolph ended his junior season with 73 carries for 699 yards and 11 touchdowns, along with 10 receptions for 136 yards and two scores. He also completed 7 of 9 passes for 214 yards and three TDs. For good measure, he made 34 tackles and picked off three passes from his safety position and earned all-conference recognition as an all-purpose back.

“All-purpose” might be the perfect designation for such a player.

“He can make a play at any time,” Highlands coach Matt Bonislawski said. “A lot of kids look to him for guidance and leadership. We’d like to see him take ownership of the team and just continue to do what he does. He’ll have plenty of opportunities, so just take advantage of them.”

Those opportunities will start under center this season. Randolph will line up at quarterback for the Golden Rams, though Bonislawski also expects junior Menage Lucas to get some snaps, which could allow Randolph to move around to other skill positions.

“I have a lot of responsibility,” said Randolph (6-foot-2, 185 pounds), who has grown two inches and added 15 pounds since last season. “I have to be a leader. I can’t put my head down. I just have to take control of the offense and do what I can do to help.”

This will be his first chance to be the starting quarterback in his career. He replaces four-year starter Chandler Thimons, who graduated after throwing for an A-K Valley-record 5,014 career yards, one of just 37 players in WPIAL history to exceed that milestone.

“I’m pretty comfortable,” he said. “(My strengths) are my vision and just reading the defense and making big plays.”

Randolph expects the offense to be explosive once again after averaging 30.5 points and accumulating 3,778 yards last season.

“In the backfield, we have Luke (Bombalski), who’s a great running back. He’s been showing it for four years. The wideouts, they can get open and create space and make big plays,” he said.

“The whole summer, we went to the field every day and went over the plays. We threw the ball and worked hard.”

If all goes to plan, readers might just see Randolph’s name in a few more headlines this fall.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Highlands