Freeport, Highlands on collision course in Allegheny 7 clash

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 6:10 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Last year’s Allegheny 7 Conference contest between Highlands and Freeport was the first one in the brief all-time series that the Golden Rams were held to single digits.

The Yellowjackets, who now lead the series 3-2, limited Highlands to a single touchdown in a 28-7 win at Golden Rams Stadium.

It was a key victory for Freeport, which eventually finished one game ahead of Highlands for third place in the Allegheny 7 Conference standings.

That loss, however, sparked the Golden Rams on a three-game winning streak to close out to the 2024 regular season and lift them to a spot in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

There is excitement on both sides that continues to build for Friday’s rematch at Freeport.

The Yellowjackets hope for a homecoming victory to extend their undefeated season, whereas the Golden Rams seek to build on last week’s home shutout of Deer Lakes and rise toward the top of the conference before the stretch run to the postseason.

Freeport coach John Gaillot, who saw his team roll past Valley, 42-7, last Friday to improve to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play, expects a stiff challenge from a Highlands team that, he says, is putting it all together.

“Highlands has a lot of talented kids all over the field,” Gaillot said. “We know their coaching staff very well, and they have their kids playing good football.

“It is two teams who really know each other well. They have so much skill, and their line really opens up lanes for the running backs that they have. They seem to have a lot of depth where they can throw a lot at you with the run and the pass. We have to be ready for how versatile they can be. It is going to be a big test for us.”

Highlands coach Matt Bonislawski said his players understand the challenge ahead and appreciate the opportunity to go to Freeport with the hopes of knocking off a Yellowjackets team that is averaging 42.1 points and giving up just 5.6 a contest.

“This is another great rivalry game, and the guys are excited to get there and play,” he said. “The schools are only 10 minutes away from each other, and the kids know each other very well.

“It is their homecoming, so it will be a packed house and a great atmosphere for football. We just have to focus on what we do, play with full effort on both sides of the ball and take care of the football. Freeport is a very disciplined football team with so much talent. They aren’t going to beat themselves, so we are going to have to earn everything we get, and we look forward to that challenge.”

Freeport overwhelmed Valley in all phases early in last week’s matchup, scoring six touchdowns in the first quarter. Senior tailback and kick returner Amos Glenn returned the opening kickoff 85 yards, scored on runs of 11 and 24 yards and returned a punt 53 yards to the end zone.

Senior Drew Ross, who returned after missing the Burrell win because of injury, threw a 15-yard TD pass to senior Owen Neistein, and senior Dawson Gaillot recovered a blocked punt in the end zone.

“It was nice to celebrate a win and all the good things we did in the game, but after that, we were on to this week,” Glenn said. “We know that there are still things we can improve on, and we are working on that this week.”

Gaillot said it was a good feeling to be able to get a number of backups and other younger players in the game after the score swelled so quickly.

Highlands evened its record at 3-3 overall and moved to 2-1 in conference play with last Friday’s 35-0 victory over Deer Lakes.

The Golden Rams defense forced five turnovers — senior Jahmar Wright took an interception back 50 yards for a touchdown — and limited the Lancers to 32 yards of total offense while racking up 327 yards rushing and 439 yards overall.

“It always good to get a win, especially in conference play,” Bonislawski said. “Our focus has been on just preparing the right way and playing the right way, fast and aggressive, and focusing on ourselves. We’ve done a good job with that for the most part. Some games, we were a little outmatched as we were coming together against some really good, ranked football teams. But I like the way the guys have prepared and played. It was nice to see a lot of that hard work pay off in a great way last week. I like how we are settling in and playing good football.”

Sophomore Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg had a career night against Deer Lakes with 188 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries. Junior Taiyvon Partlow added 80 yards on 11 carries. Jamarkus Prager had four carries for 34 yards.

“It starts up front, and I think our lineman have done well in their assignments,” Bonislawski said.

“A difference this year is that they are able to adjust on the fly. We were able to get our backs loose in the open field (against Deer Lakes). We’ve made some adjustment onto what we do well where we’ve gotten those guys in position to make plays.”

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: Freeport, Highlands