Highlands offense overpowers Valley, secures home playoff game

By: Henry O'Brien
Friday, October 24, 2025 | 10:48 PM

Highlands running back Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg inflicted pain on Valley on three consecutive drives Friday at Golden Rams Stadium.

The sophomore’s 22-yard run put the Golden Rams at their opponent’s 27-yard line, followed two plays later by a 20-yard touchdown. His fifth touchdown in the past two games put his team up 21-0.

Owen-Cratsenberg’s score, part of a 130-yard game on the ground, epitomized Highlands’ (7-3, 5-1) offensive efficiency in a 45-0 win over Valley (0-10, 0-6). The Golden Rams scored on each of their first four drives while reducing the Vikings to only punts.

With Imani Christian’s 53-7 win over Freeport, Highlands missed out on a share of the conference championship. But the Golden Rams surely won’t complain with a dominant shutout win that ensures a home playoff game next week.

After Valley’s penalty-filled opening drive, Owen-Cratsenberg juked two defenders at the 30-yard line and then went straight into the end zone virtually untouched to put the Golden Rams up 7-0.

Even with early flags, including a roughing the punter penalty on fourth down, Highlands’ defense still stymied any offensive momentum Valley could get. On a third-and-9 in his team’s own territory, Viking tailback Juzef Betts attempted a first down on a toss but was immediately stonewalled by defensive end Logan Theis.

Valley coach Mark Adams attributed the offensive struggles to the speed of Highlands’ defense, which sealed the Vikings’ second straight winless season.

“Linebackers came downhill … they got a strong defense,” Adams said. “For Highlands, I think they’ll represent us well in the playoffs.”

On the next Golden Rams drive, Owen-Cratsenberg ducked and dodged two defenders on a 13-yard run to put his team in the red zone. Two plays later, Highlands quarterback Jamarkus Prager found a wide open Bryce Tavarez for a 17-yard score.

Misfortune continued for the Vikings as a whiffed punt from Camrin Arblaster put the Golden Rams in the red zone immediately. Owen-Cratsenberg capped the first half with his third touchdown of the night on a 10-yard rush.

“Early in the season, he kind of was just figuring things out at the varsity level,” coach Matt Bonislawski said of his star tailback. “But now he’s making cuts and reading things much better down the field.”

The second half yielded the same results, as Highlands’ offense hummed along with pinpoint passes from Prager to receivers including junior Christian Pearson. The drive eventually stalled, but kicker Jackson Babinsack nailed the 38-yard field goal. The lack of a touchdown proved inconsequential, because the Golden Rams forced a fumble and recovered at the Vikings’ 10-yard line. From there, junior rusher Henry Thimons powered his way in for a 2-yard touchdown to initiate a running clock for the remainder of the game.

Prager rumbled for a 16-yard rushing score at the end of the third quarter.

The night wasn’t totally unblemished for Highlands, however. A fourth-quarter fight between the two teams led to running back Taiyvon Partlow’s ejection for next week’s playoff game. Bonislawski said his team has dominated in the past three games, so he’s found a lax energy in avoiding penalties.

“I think our focus has been a little bit down, so we just have to focus in and really limit the penalties.”

Tags: Highlands, Valley