Highlanders Tame Cougars with 56-21 Win in First Cross- Town Showdown
The Rochester Adams Highlanders beat the Stoney Creek Cougars in the first ever meeting between these two teams by the score of 56-21 on Friday September 5th. You could hear the whispers, the ears were ringing and hair standing on end as plenty of talk from the fan base was around town leading up to this game. The upstart Cougars wanted to set their own mark in almost little brother fashion, as they have grown tired of all the attention and praise showered on the Highlanders the past few years.
Adams had too many weapons on offense and stiffened on defense answering questions raised the week before at Clarkston, a big contributor was Cody Wilson. Cody proved the pre-season praise on him was well deserved as he was all over the field and contributed to many of the Adams scores with his feet, his hands, and believe it or not, throwing arm. Wilson’s presence was felt immediately, intercepting a pass on Stoney’s first possession. From there Adams set up ‘shop’ on their own 45 yard line. A swing pass from Andrew Waszak to Wilson gained 5, a Beau Barterian run over Jordan Sanders gained 6, and then a 24 yard TD strike from Waszak to Wilson put the Highlanders up 7-0 after a George Patsarikis extra point.
Sanders and Andrew Johnson combined for a sack on the Cougar next possession stalling their drive and forcing a punt. A returned punt to the Stoney 20 gave Adams excellent field position. Stuart Baker recovered an Adams fumble preserving a drive that eventually stalled after a failed 4rth and 1.
Stoney took over on their own 12 but had a 3 and out giving the Highlanders the ball back on the Stoney 38 yard line. A 15 yard pass to Wilson gave the Highlanders 1rst and 10 at the Stoney 23 yard line. Waszak threw an absolute perfect pass over the defender to Joe Reynolds who made a spectacular leaping catch in the corner of the end zone to put Adams up 14-0 with 3 minutes left in the 1rst quarter.
Matt Rea made a thunderous hit on the ensuing kickoff to pin Stoney back on their own 20 on their next possession. The defensive line led by Trumble and Babini stood tall and forced a Stoney punt where Adams took over at the Stoney 47. A run around right end by Wilson and a Cougar Pass interference gave the Highlanders 1st and goal on the Stoney 14. Wilson took over from there running over Nick Demiro twisting and turning his way into the end zone for a 21-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter.
Michael Sirosky’s sack stalled Stoney’s next drive. A Waszak sneak over Stu Baker preserved Adams next drive on a 4th and 1, giving the Highlanders a 1st down on the Stoney Creek 41 yard line. A 41 yard TD pass to Matt Rea gave the Highlanders a 28-0 lead midway thru the 2nd quarter.
Daniel Park stopped Stoney dead in their tracks on the ensuing kickoff where the Cougars started on their own 21. A roughing the passer penalty on Adams, combined with a 31 yard pass play allowed Stoney 1st and goal from the 3. A QB sneak for a touchdown put the Cougars on the board with 7 minutes left in the half.
Stoney made it a 2 score game when they drove from their own 32 connecting for a 9 yard TD pass to make the score 28-14 with 3 minutes left in the half.
Adams started their next possession at their own 29. A 21 yard pass to Reynolds, a 20 yard run by Barterian and a 23 yard run by Michael Barber gave the Highlanders 1rst and goal from the 7. Beau Barterian rumbled in the end zone for a 35-14 Adams lead with 2 minutes left in the Half.
Stoney went 3 and out on their next possession giving Adams the ball on their own 30. Andrew Waszak found Wilson again, this time a 65 yard TD pass and run to end the Half 42-14 Adams.
Both teams traded possessions to start the 3rd quarter until Brad Nylen recovered a fumble giving the Highlanders the ball on the Stoney 28. A half back pass from Wilson to Reynolds provided a 49-14 Adams lead with 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
Nicholas Montes scored on a 8 yard run, and Stoney scored late to finish the scoring with an Adams 56-21 win.
A great win for the Highlanders as they continue to improve in the 2008 season. Now the Highlanders face Farmington next Friday September 12th at home for Parent Night.
Great Job Boys- We Know the Best is Yet to Come- Keep it Going!!
GO HIGHLANDERS
Game Photos courtesy of
