That wasn’t the Wednesday evening sun that blinded the visiting team at Adams Stadium. It was the lightning speed of Beau Barterian as he led the JV Highlanders to a 34-0 victory over the Troy Athens Redhawks. The victory pushed Adams’ record to 2-0 on the young season.

Barterian ran for a 56-yard touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage, and added another 39-yarder in the second quarter on his way to 138 rushing yards in the first half. The offensive front five of Kevin Markey, Jordan Sanders, Jordan Parker, Mike Sirosky, and Joel Wentzloff kept the chains moving with excellent run blocking, and provided QB Joe Reynolds impenetrable pass protection as Adams scored all its points by halftime.

Mitch Weiland accounted for two touchdown runs, and set up a Reynolds TD run with an 18 yard reception during the explosive first half. Kevin Rohner contributed an 18 yard reception, followed by a beautiful 37 yard Reynolds to Mike Barber pass to set up the final score of the half.

The Big Play Highlander defense recorded its first shutout of the year by shutting down the pass and containing the Athens run game. Joe Reynolds intercepted a pass on the Adams 12-yard line to end a Redhawk threat late in the first quarter. Zach Trumble recovered a fumble in the second quarter that led to a TD, and recorded a sack 8 plays later that ended any Athens hope for the half.

The pressure continued in the second half with more sacks by Matt Egbert and Anthony Johnson. The Special Teams got into the action with several long kickoffs by Egbert, and a 52-yard punt by Kevin Rohner that pinned Athens to their five late in the third quarter. The defense preserved the shutout with key second half plays by a host of Highlanders led by Jason Finney, Lloyd Reeves, and Kyle Scislowicz.

The Highlanders look for win #3 September 7th at home against Lake Orion.

Pete Grady