Deer Lakes, Highlands have sense of urgency for Allegheny 7 Conference clash

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 4:14 PM

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Deer Lakes and Highlands went down to the wire last season to decide their first football game against each other in nine years.

The Lancers, trailing by 13 points at halftime, rallied in the second half with a pair of touchdowns from since-graduated Zier Williams and a couple of turnovers from the defense to pull out a 27-26 victory.

It was Deer Lakes’ first win in five all-time meetings against the Golden Rams.

The rematch between the Class 3A Allegheny 7 Conference foes is Friday at Highlands, and the Lancers hope it will be a return to the win column after four consecutive losses.

The Golden Rams (2-3, 1-1) have other ideas and are seeking to move above .500 in conference play and rebound from last week’s tough loss to conference leader Imani Christian.

“The past couple of weeks have not gone our way, but the attitude among the guys is still really positive,” said Deer Lakes coach Tim Burk, who saw his team slip to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in conference play last Friday after a 14-7 loss to East Allegheny.

“They realize they are a little bit of a young group, and we have sustained a couple of significant injuries. But they continue to focus on the positives and continue to work towards getting better and doing the things that will translate into wins.”

Highlands coach Matt Bonislawski said his team is focused on the opportunities that lie ahead as it continues in the heart of the conference slate. The Golden Rams edged Class 5A Armstrong in Week Zero and rolled past East Allegheny, 42-15, in their Allegheny 7 opener Sept. 12.

“Every game now has extra meaning for us, especially when you arrive at a game like this with two communities so close to each other,” he said.

“We want to get that second conference win with our sights on a spot in the playoffs. We know Deer Lakes can’t afford another conference loss, so they have so much motivation coming in here Friday. Last year’s game was so close, and we expected that with guys making plays all over the field. I think this game could be just as competitive.”

Burk said the energy will be high when the teams clash.

“Any time you get two close schools like Deer Lakes and Highlands together, it’s going to be fun with a great atmosphere on Friday night,” Burk said. “Last year, it was our homecoming, and it was jam packed. I imagine it will be the same way down there. Freeport had a great crowd when we were there. A lot of people understand that it can be a great game of football. That is what I am expecting.”

Burk said Highlands is impressive with how much it can throw at opponents over the course of a game.

“They come out in multiple formations, and nothing is pretty standard,” Burk said.

“They like to get dynamic. They will throw a couple of different looks at you that are unusual. They will play three or four guys at quarterback. They’ll go from spread with five wide to bringing everybody in to run a tight set. They do a lot of things well that we have to be aware of. We have to account for a lot of different people, which makes it challenging to prepare for.”

Bonislawski said Deer Lakes is a good football team that is better than its record might indicate.

“They returned some guys from last year who are talented, and they are very big and strong up front with guys who can move well,” he said.

“They also have some new guys in major roles who are coming along. They are well-coached, and they do what they are supposed to do. Their quarterback (Dante Mangieri) has a nice arm, and his brother (wide receiver Luca Mangieri) can make plays for them. They have a lot of guys who give them a chance to win football games.”

Bonislawski said he saw some good things last Friday against a strong Saints team that led 20-0 at halftime and by two scores in the fourth quarter before putting the game away with one final touchdown.

Sophomore Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg scored Highlands’ only touchdown with an 11-yard run with three minutes left in the third quarter.

Highlands had tough sledding offensively as it collected just 58 yards rushing and 61 yards overall.

“Everybody knows how talented Imani is,” Bonislawski said.

“They are ranked No. 2 in 3A and have a couple of strong Division I guys. We came in pretty familiar with them. It was a two-score game in the fourth quarter. We had the ball with a chance. I thought we played all right. It was a very fast, hard-hitting game. We were able to limit them to one big play. They are a tough matchup for a lot of teams, but I think we fought hard.”

Deer Lakes got on the board first last week against East Allegheny as senior tailback Ryan Love punched it in from 1 yard in the second quarter.

But the Wildcats countered with a touchdown through the air, and it was a one-point game at halftime.

The Lancers were unable to add any more points in the game, and East Allegheny won it with a second touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

“We just didn’t have anyone step up and make a play,” Burk said.

“That is what we’ve been preaching. Someone has to step up and make a play. Who is going to rise to the top, and who is going to be that guy? We want our guys to be confident enough to be that guy. That sometimes comes with the inexperience and a new kind of group, so to speak. We have to get through the growing pains and continue to get better.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Deer Lakes, Highlands