dangell@journalnet.com

After spending almost the entire third quarter on the field, there was no way the Highland defense was going to let Idaho Falls cut into the Rams' 13-point lead.

Little did it know how many times it was going to have to make a fourth-down stop.

Highland had to come up with four defensive stands in the second half before Idaho Falls finally succumbed, with the Rams keeping their lead intact en route to a 20-7 victory, their seventh consecutive.

"In the first half, we were kind of everywhere, kind of panicking about everything," senior linebacker Dillon Filiaga said. "But we came back and played like a family like we're supposed to. We got in each other's heads and told each other to do each other's jobs. That's how we got everything done."

The Rams had to get it done multiple times because Highland's offense couldn't get much done against the Tigers in the second half after moving it with ease in the first half. Highland coach Gino Mariani took most of the responsibility for that.

"We didn't have great field position, but we got real conservative with our play calling, which is my fault," Mariani said. "But you don't want to make a mistake and give them the ball back in great field position."

Highland avoided the mistakes, but couldn't help giving the ball back to Idaho Falls with good field position because Joe Rasmussen had to punt from the shadow of his goalposts twice.

But each time, the Rams' defense rose to the occasion. In fact, they didn't mind their situation a bit.

"It was fun to play," Filiaga said. "That kind of football in the red zone is so fun to play, because the adrenaline's running and everyone's playing together, not as individuals. It's fun to play in that part of the field."

In the first half for Highland (7-1, 2-0 5A District 4-5-6), it was the offense having most of the fun. Junior quarterback Tanner Nielson put on a clinic of passing accuracy, hitting 15 consecutive passes at one point.

Five of those 15 went to senior wide receiver Jace Hansen, who turned two of them into touchdowns on his own and set up a one-yard plunge by Nielson for Highland's third and final score.

"He's a kid that makes plays," Mariani said. "He doesn't squander opportunities. When he has a chance to make a play, he makes it. I look back to what he did as a junior, he learned a lot. He's taking advantage of being a senior, and that leadership sure comes through. He did some big things when we needed him to."

But for all of Hansen's heroics, it was Highland's defense that carried the day.

Idaho Falls (4-4, 2-1) scored on its first drive of the game but couldn't solve the Rams after, despite making two second-half trips into the red zone. Once Highland's Darren Hansen shoved Idaho Falls receiver Derek Despot out of bounds on the Tigers' third chance at points, the game was essentially over.

"That was huge," Mariani said. "That was the game. They dominated the clock, but we kept them out of the end zone. The kids made big plays when they had to. I'll take that anytime, the defense gives up seven points to a pretty good offense. Idaho Falls dominated the third quarter clockwise, but we were able to suck it up and keep them out of the end zone. That was huge."

The Rams will now attempt to lock up another district title next week at Skyline.

The Grizzlies haven't fared as well since starting district play but have historically been a difficult game for Highland.

"It's fun having this much wins, especially defensively," Filiaga said. "It's so much fun, but we've got to stay focused. That's our main key against Skyline."