High School Football: Action Packed Second Half Finds Highland on Top Saturday, September 10, 2005 By Vincent Lewis SJSports Staff Writer High school football had finally begun giving everyone another avenue of taking their mind off of the ridiculous gasoline prices that have hit our country. Enjoying, ironically, beautiful sunshine and pleasant temperatures, the Highland Tartans were hosting the Rams from Gloucester Catholic in a Tri-County Conference Royal Division game. Both teams would score rushing touchdowns in a penalty filled opening quarter, but began to execute textbook football the rest of the way. Highland would bounce back from a four point deficit and win this game in the fourth quarter by a 42-32 score. It was finally the time to put all of that hard work preparing for game time on the field. The excitement began early for the home team as the Tartans scored on the first possession of the game. James Scott would take the handoff and gave Highland a 6-0 lead. After that one play, the officials took over pointing out those mistakes on the field that each team had worked so hard to avoid. As the coaches continued to remind their players on what needed to be done, the game found Gloucester taking advantage of the Tartans mistakes and scored on a Ryan McKinney quarterback keeper from two yards out. With a successful extra point attempt, the Rams took a 7-6 lead. A total of thirty-five points would be scored in the second quarter with the Tartans scoring one more touchdown than their opponent. Highland would regain the lead their lead when the defense came up with a turnover setting up a Mike Daniels powerful run with 10:47 remaining in the half. That was plenty of time for both teams to trade touchdowns in a see-saw battle all the way to intermission. The big plays were a 60-yard score by Ioahnhhs Tsiaras and a 70-yard touchdown reception from McKinney to Ted Teschner. At halftime, Highland held onto a 28-20 advantage. Gloucester would bounce back by scoring the only points in the third quarter on rushing touchdowns by Anthony Auliano from 5 and 4 yards out. Now trailing 32-28, Highland needed a big time play and they received it on Ahmaad Covington’s 80-yard kickoff return. An insurance touchdown and his second of the game, Scott scored from 30-yards out and the Tartans would record an opening day victory. Photos by Art Redd