WILKINSBURG, Pa. — They couldn’t get out of their own way for the first 24 minutes but Imani Christian Academy hit their stride in the second half, blowing past the Highlands Golden Rams for a 31-17 comeback win.
The No. 1 seeded Saints trailed 14-0 at halftime, their offense listless after two fumbles and a turnover on downs. They allowed big play after big play on the other side of the ball, including a pair of long touchdowns.
From there Imani outscored the Golden Rams 30-3 (including 23 points in the fourth quarter alone), keyed by big plays from Division I targets like Dayshaun Burnett, Gabriel Jenkins and David Davis.
A 33-yard carry from senior running back Darius Cherry set Highlands up in plus territory shortly after the opening kickoff, setting up a wobbling pass from quarterback Menage Lucas that fell into the lap of receiver Jahmar Wright for a 24-yard touchdown.
An Imani fumble gave the Golden Rams the ball back barely a minute later. Miscues continued to haunt the Saints as Lucas completed a pass on third-and-nine that should have been picked off, instead skipping out of the defensive back’s hands for a conversion… although Imani eventually managed to get a stop.
The next two Saints’ possessions drove deep into Highlands’ territory, but they ended up empty-handed nonetheless. Rushing out of the I formation, Davis got stuffed on fourth-and-one. Senior defensive back Marcus Williams gave Imani the ball back with a toe-dragging sideline pick, then the Saints made their way to the Golden Rams’ goal line with a catch-and-run that ended in disappointment following a fumble.
Imani Wakes Up
Highlands doubled their lead in the last minute of the half when Lucas found Cherry for a 53-yard touchdown up the seam. The Saints authored a two-minute drill of their own, getting a pair of untimed downs from just outside the red zone thanks to penalties, but again couldn’t cash in.
Davis fielded the second half kickoff and returned it to the Highlands’ 31, then put Imani on the board with an 18-yard touchdown carry. Sophomore tailback Anthony Portis punched in the two-point conversion, closing the deficit to 14-8.
Highlands responded with a field goal, then Imani put together an 80-yard touchdown drive that saw a pair of big fourth down plays out of the wildcat: Jenkins burst through the line for 58 yards on fourth-and-one, carrying the Highlands’ secondary with him as they tried to force the ball out, then he found Penn State commit Dayshaun Burnett for a five-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-4, closing the deficit to 17-16 on the first play of the final quarter.
The Saints drove to the Highlands’ 7-yard line on their next drive before losing yards on three straight plays, setting up fourth-and-goal from the 17. Jenkins picked up 16 yards on a fourth down reception but was tackled just short of the goal line, giving the Golden Rams the ball on their own 1.
Imani forced a safety on the very next play, taking their first lead of the game with 5:24 to play. The Golden Rams attempted an onside kick on the ensuing free kick that sophomore lineman Maurice Williams scooped up, taking to the house for a big man touchdown.
Burnett made it 30-17 with less than two minutes to go on a 17-yard touchdown carry.
