Highlands continues to churn out points in victory over East Allegheny

By: Josh Rizzo
Friday, September 13, 2024 | 10:21 PM

Menage Lucas can promise plenty of excitement from the Highlands football team’s offense on a weekly basis. The senior quarterback has proven he, and his teammates, have a nose for the end zone.

The Golden Rams continued to show they are of the most prolific offenses in the WPIAL by falling four points short of a school record during a 64-36 Allegheny Conference 7-opening win over East Allegheny on Friday night at Golden Rams Stadium.

“I feel like it’s actually pretty good,” Lucas said. “Maybe we need to get our defense a little right. Other than that, on offense, we can run the ball and pass the ball. It’s just right.”

Highlands (2-1, 1-0) is averaging 54.7 points per game. The Golden Rams’ point total has been helped by playing in two overtime games, but Highlands didn’t need any extra time against the Wildcats. Two of the Golden Rams’ first three games have produced 100 or more combined points.

“I don’t expect this every night,” Highlands coach Matt Bonislawski said. “We have some tremendous athletes and guys who can make plays. The O-line is coming along.”

Lucas couldn’t seem to do much wrong. He kept the ball moving for the Golden Rams by throwing for 125 yards and three scores while also piling up 141 rushing yards and three scores.

The Golden Rams scored the first 27 points of the game by capitalizing on turnovers and great field possession. Highlands scored on its opening drive when Montrell Johnson took a pop pass from Lucas for a 24-yard score.

“We have a lot of guys who can run and a lot of guys who can make plays,” Bonislawski said. “It’s our job to get it in their hands and put them in the position to use their athletic ability and speed to make plays.”

Highlands would start its next three drives inside East Allegheny territory. The Golden Rams were set up deep in Wildcats’ territory twice during that stretch thanks to turnovers.

Highlands cashed in with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Lucas to Darius Cherry, a 9-yard scoring run by Cherry and a 3-yard touchdown by Kyren Veasley to build a 27-point lead.

While the lead seemed insurmountable, the Wildcats were able to drag Highlands briefly back into the muck.

The Wildcats (0-3, 0-1) found themselves at the end of the first quarter. East Allegheny went on a nine-play, 80-yard drive to score on a 7-yard strike from Cedric Mack to Damarjae Warren. After Highlands fumbled on the next play, Mack threw another touchdown to Warren, this time from 37 yards.

In 19 seconds, the Wildcats had cut the deficit to 27-15 and ensured Highlands couldn’t coast.

Mack finished with 309 passing yards. Warren finished with a game-high 141 receiving yards on seven catches.

“We don’t quit,” East Allegheny coach Frank Cortazzo said. “We have to find a way to start faster. The first quarter of the last few games have been rough. We can’t find a way to get the motor going and come out flat every time.”

Lucas snapped the Golden Rams out of their funk. He scrambled to avoid the pressure and fired a pass to Cherry, who ran 27 yards for a touchdown. Cherry finished with 133 rushing yards for Highlands.

Highlands led 42-22 at the half. Lucas stressed getting this win was important after the Golden Rams’ game with New Castle was rained out last week.

“Last week, we got no play,” Lucas said. “We had to come out and get a win under our belt.”

Tags: East Allegheny, Highlands