Player of the week
Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg
Highlands, So., RB/LB
Owen-Cratsenberg continued to make plays and create havoc defensively for the Golden Rams in their 35-0 victory over Deer Lakes, but he also made an impact running the ball as Highlands improved to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Allegheny 7 Conference. The tailback had four touchdowns, starting with a 13-yard scoring run on his team’s opening drive. Owen-Cratsenberg added TD runs of 11, 17 and 61 yards and finished with 188 yards on 18 carries to lead a rushing attack that collected 327 yards overall. He hopes to make an impact again Friday as Highlands attempts to hand Freeport its first loss of the season.
Players to watch
Trey Coury
Burrell, Jr., RB/LB
Coury has not had as many carries in games so far this season compared to years past, but his presence was felt in the Burrell offense last Friday in its one-point victory over East Allegheny. He complemented the running and throwing of sophomore Antonio Perkins with 22 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown. Coury also returned a kick 25 yards and delivered a trio of extra points.
Landon Eikert
Plum, Sr., TE/LB
A heart-and-soul playmaker on defense, Eikert leads the team in tackles at 11 per game. He collected nine in last week’s loss to Penn-Trafford and recorded a season best of 14 in a close setback to Shaler in Week 3. He also had 13 in the win over Gateway the week prior. Eikert hopes to make an impact this week against Northeast Conference foe North Hills as Plum hopes to snap a three-game losing skid.
Avery Grant
Apollo-Ridge, Sr., RB/LB
Grant was a key presence on a defense that made several big plays in last Saturday’s 27-12 victory over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. He collected four tackles and added a fumble recovery in the victory, which lifted Apollo-Ridge to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference. Grant leads the team with 31 tackles and two fumble recoveries.