Randolph runs wild in Highlands’ victory over Blackhawk

By: Andrew John
Friday, September 1, 2023 | 10:55 PM

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Football can be a game of inches. This was certainly the case when Highlands traveled to Blackhawk for a nonconference matchup Friday night.

With Highlands holding a 20-13 lead with more than seven minutes remaining in the game, Blackhawk faced a fourth-and- goal at the 5-yard line. The Golden Rams held the Cougars from scoring and took over at their own 1-yard line.

On the first play with his team’s heels on its own goal line, senior quarterback Aaran Randolph took the shotgun snap, found some daylight on the left side and outran the Cougar defenders for a 99-yard touchdown to take a two-score lead.

Highlands (2-0) never looked back as it defeated Blackhawk, 33-20.

“We knew coming up here it was a long trip. We know Blackhawk is a tough program. For our defense to finally stiffen up a little bit and get the ball back I think motivated our offense to go out there and have that one play where Aaran scored,” Highlands coach Matt Bonislawski said.

Randolph led the Golden Rams on the ground with 265 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 12 carries.

With the score tied coming out of half, both offenses had difficulty moving the ball. However, Blackhawk muffed punt return Highlands’ second drive of the second half injected some life into Highlands’ offense.

The Golden Rams took over at the Cougars 38-yard line, and a couple of plays later, Randolph called his number again when he took the shotgun snap to the left and ran it in from 10 yards.

“We played well as a team. We could’ve broken down and given up. But we didn’t do that. We stayed together and made big plays,” Randolph said.

Senior running back Luke Bombalski scored a late touchdown to give Highlands a 33-13.

On their second drive of the game, Blackhawk (0-2) got on the board first after junior quarterback Stephen Knallay sneaked it in from 1-yard out to cap 57-yard drive that took over six minutes off the clock. Senior Maurice Watson-Trent had a 25-yard run on the drive to get deep into Golden Rams territory.

The lead didn’t last long as the Golden Rams quickly responded to tie the score. Randolph took the shotgun snap and scrambled for a 33-yard touchdown run. The drive was aided by a horse collar tackle penalty that was tacked onto a 15-yard run by Bombalski.

“He (Randolph) is a special kid. He has special athletic ability. He’s fast. He runs with power and makes cuts. If he gets loose, like you saw tonight, he’s going to score,” Bonislawski said.

On the ensuing Blackhawk drive, Bombalski recovered the Cougars bad snap, and Highlands looked to be primed to take the lead as it took over on Blackhawk’s 33-yard line. However, the Cougars defense stood up and forced a turnover on downs.

The stop proved to be huge as the Cougars marched down the field and retook a 13-7 lead with 4:56 remaining in the first half. Knallay took the play-action snap and threw it up to junior Cody Woodward to snag it off the back of a defender for a 19-yard touchdown.

Once again, Highlands quickly tied the score with a 4-yard run by junior Aiden Burford. A play earlier, Randolph showcased his running ability as he took the snap and ran down the left side for 72 yards and was brought down at the 4-yard line.

“We’ve struggled at times up front. We are still trying to figure it out. When we put it together, we play really well. When we don’t, it doesn’t look good. It’s a work in progress. I’m looking for more consistency as the season goes. I think we will get there,” Bonislawski said.

Watson-Trent led Blackhawk with 142 yards on 21 carries.

Knallay connected late with sophomore AJ Montgomery for a 17-yard touchdown pass with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

Highlands senior Jordyn Tavarez had to be stretchered off the field after sustaining a hit while trying to recover the ensuing kickoff. After the game Bonislawski stated Tavarez had feeling in all of his extremities and was put on a stretcher for precautionary reasons.

Tags: Blackhawk, Highlands