Highlands takes control, tops University Prep in coach’s debut

By: William Whalen
Friday, August 26, 2022 | 11:32 PM

First-year coach Matt Bonislawski’s debut wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t need to be.

After a slow start, the Golden Rams took advantage of University Prep miscues to take control as Highlands rolled to a 34-12 nonconference Week Zero win at Golden Rams Stadium on Friday night.

“We came out slow,” said Bonislawski. “I think we were a little hyped up. I think we were a little anxious, but we settled in and did well. That was a good club out there.”

Highlands (1-0) went three-and-out on its first two possessions before the Rams settled down and did what they do best, which is hand the ball off to 5-foot-10, 200-pound cement truck Luke Bombalski. Bombalski opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run to give the Rams a 7-0 lead after the Burton Babinsack extra-point attempt.

“I’d say we got off to a little bit of a rocky start at the beginning,” Bombalski said. “I think the (offensive) line was getting used to the speed of the other team. I think they came around and everyone blocked real well all game.”

Bombalski struggled early but managed to settle in. He finished the night with 127 yards rushing on 23 carries and touchdown runs of 6, 2 and 3 yards. Bombalski’s longest run from scrimmage was 14 yards.

University Prep (0-1) had plenty of chances to keep the game close, but for every positive play the Wildcats ran on offense, there was a penalty that followed that derailed the drive.

“A lot of our issues tonight stem from the offensive side of the ball,” said University Prep coach Lou Barry. “Our operation wasn’t as smooth as we would have liked. We were behind the sticks every series.”

University Prep’s miscues on offense set the Golden Rams up for success.

Highlands took advantage of a short field and capped off a six-play, 31-yard drive when Bombalski scored from 2 yards out to give the Rams a 14-0 early in the second quarter.

“Our offensive line did a great job,” Bonislawski said.

Senior quarterback Chandler Thimons connected with sophomore wide receiver Brayden White for a 6-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to cap off an eight-play, 36-yard drive early in the third quarter.

Highlands’ offense got on track, but it was the Rams defense that was golden most of the night. Bombalski, Daniel Long and Tyler Bender each recorded two sacks on Wildcats quarterback Max Quershi.

University Prep did find a soft spot in the Highlands defense in the fourth quarter and tried to rally. Quershi started to test the young Highlands cornerbacks and he found success. Quershi connected with Daniel Cain for a 58-yard touchdown pass to finish a one-play drive.

Quershi got hot late and finished the night 6 of 17 for 213 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was Cain, who closed out the night with 135 yards on five receptions.

After several tries, Thimons finally connected with his No. 1 target in senior wide receiver Landan Signorella for a 12-yard touchdown pass to close out the Rams scoring.

Quershi spotted a wide open Marquis Glass-Jones for a 29-yard touchdown pass to cut into Highlands’ lead at 34-12 with 3 minutes, 26 seconds remaining in the game.

“It was good effort for the first game,” Bonislawski said. “Our defense did a great job. Not too many mistakes, it was a clean game.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Highlands, University Prep