Almond’s big play triggers Highland’s big win

POCATELLO — After losing three straight games to start the season, the Highland Rams were looking to start Friday’s game against Lake City strong.

Highland got that strong start from senior Easton Almond, who returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and 6-0 Rams lead seconds into the game.

The Rams (1-3, 0-0) were just a handful of plays from being 2-1 or perhaps 3-0, having dropped their opener against Eagle 33-28 and a Sept. 11 showdown with Capital 25-9.

After a 31-19 Rocky Mountain Rumble loss to Box Elder (UT) on Aug. 28, head coach Nick Sorrell said his team were searching for someone to make the one big play needed to swing a one-score loss.

Almond was that player Friday, when the Rams battled the Timberwolves at Montana Tech University in Butte, Mont., earning the title of East Idaho Sports District 5 Athlete of the Week.

Highland parlayed that opening kick-return touchdown into 36-0 win.

Rejuvenated by the victory, the Rams will stay local for the next two weeks, with a visit to Century and the Diamondbacks (1-3, 0-3) this weekend and a home rivalry matchup with the Pocatello Thunder (1-3, 0-3) scheduled for next week.