The Highland Rams secured a 70-42 victory over the Bear River Bears on October 30 in the first round of the 4A football state playoffs. The win marked the Rams' final home game of the season and allowed the team to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Bear River initially took the lead when quarterback Preston Wilkinson threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Eli Braegger just minutes into the game. The Rams responded when quarterback Will Bauman connected with running back Vili Ripley for a 21-yard touchdown, with Willem Miles kicking the extra point. Following a touchdown pass from Wilkinson to Ty Hess and a run by Ripley, the Rams held a 14-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Bear River regained momentum in the second quarter through Wilkinson, who scored on a one-yard keeper and a 17-yard touchdown pass to Braegger. However, Ripley contributed multiple touchdowns for the Rams, including a 76-yard run and a 24-yard touchdown pass from Bauman. Griffin Backman added a kick return touchdown to help the Rams enter halftime with a 42-35 lead.
Highland extended their lead in the second half, starting with a one-yard touchdown run by Ripley that made the score 49-35. Although Bear River's Glaiden Behrens connected with Hess for a 21-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 49-42, the Rams responded with a 39-yard rushing touchdown by Bauman.
The Rams' defense recorded three interceptions during the game to halt Bear River's momentum. Scoring late in the game were Jacob Woodman, who had a 37-yard touchdown run, and Ripley, who finished with a 47-yard touchdown sprint. The 70-42 score set a new single-game playoff record for Highland.
Highland head coach Kautai Olevao noted that the team was determined despite some initial jitters. The Rams had not played a game for two weeks prior to the matchup.
The Rams will prepare this week to face the Ridgeline Riverhawks, who are currently ranked number one in the 4A region.
