Highlands’ quintet of receivers shine for Rams’ explosive offense

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, October 19, 2017 | 9:45 PM

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When the Highlands offense takes the field against No. 1-ranked South Fayette this Friday night, first-year coach Dom Girardi will trot out the most prolific wide receiving corps in the school's 50-year history.

“I've coached for 10 years, and what makes this group so special is that we have a pretty good group of talent and ability,” Girardi said. “Early on in the summer, I was like, wow, it's gonna be hard to pick two receivers. It's going to be hard to pick three receivers, and it's going to even be harder to pick four receivers. I'm thinking, ‘Boy, there's a chance that we can have some really good receivers here.' ”

And the seeds were planted. Seniors Romello Freeman, Logan Crise and Ryan Signorella; junior Gabe Booker; and sophomore Johnny Crise have been breaking tackles and out running defenses all season long. The quintet have combined for 19 touchdowns.

“I had pretty high expectations for them, even back in the summertime,” Girardi said.

The touchdown production from the receiving corps has made junior quarterback Seth Cohen a household name. In last week's 49-12 win over Blackhawk, Cohen increased his season passing total to 1,634 yards and in the process eclipsed Matt Bonislawski's single-season passing record of 1,578 set in 2001.

“I've always known we've had pretty good receivers, but I never knew that they would show out like this,” said Cohen, who is averaging almost three touchdown passes per game. “All of them have that ability, to get the ball, make a move and get around the defender.”

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While the Rams offense only averages 25 pass attempts per game, it's what comes after the catch that makes their no-huddle spread offense so dangerous.

Freeman leads the way with 611 yards and eight touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior has been described by his peers as the Rams' fastest and most physical receiver. He has the natural ability of attacking the ball while it's in the air and coming down with it. Freeman broke out in the Rams' 48-47 loss to Northwest Nine Conference rival New Castle when he had five catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

“Everyone gets open,” said Freeman, who mentioned Maine, Robert Morris and Cal (Pa.) as some of the schools that have reached out to him. “I think all the receivers have good hands.”

The very next week against Knoch, it was Logan Crise's turn to eat up some yards. He had 149 yards and a touchdown in a bounce-back win. Crise ranks third on the team with 205 yards and two touchdowns.

It was Signorella's turn against Montour. “Sig” hauled in two first-half touchdowns to give the Rams the early lead before the Spartans came from behind to pull out the win. Freeman was the top target again last week against Blackhawk, when he set a school record with his four-touchdown, 267-yard outburst. The record-breaking numbers came on just four receptions.

“No. 1 (receiver) last week was Romello Freeman, No. 1 the week before that, was Logan Crise and before that it was Ryan Signorella,” Girardi said. “It was nice, and we actually game plan for that.”

Pick five

Each of the receivers has something to offer the offense: Logan Crise's quickness and route running and younger brother Johnny's height, speed and blocking; Freeman's speed, commitment to the catch and down-field blocking; Signorella's ability to run after the catch; and Booker's versatility.

“You have Johnny Crise and Romello Freeman who are good outside targets who can stretch the field, and you have extremely quick targets like Ryan Signorella and Logan Crise who are underneath,” Girardi said.

Logan Crise (6-0, 155) is described by teammates as the most polished route runner. The 6-foot-1, 136-pound Signorella might be the lightweight of the group but his yards after the catch make him a valuable asset. Signorella averages a gaudy 29.4 yards per catch and ranks third on the team in yards with 323.

“Our passing game is deadly with all the people out there, and with the speed and agility, it's hard to stop,” Johnny Crise said.

Booker is hailed as the most versatile of the crew. He began the season with a big game against Ambridge but has since been getting more reps at running back with the absence of Jermaine Jett.

Brothers of a feather

It was during the second quarter in last Friday's win over the Cougars when Johnny Crise lined up, turned his head down the line of scrimmage and caught his brother Logan's eyes. They were as big as he'd ever seen them. Logan knew his younger brother had six points once the ball was snapped. A few seconds later, the 6-foot-6 Crise was long-striding down the field for a 34-yard score.

“My role is to get out there and block for my brother and get what I can on the short passes and sometimes taking a shot at the long ball,” Johnny said.

Only this time, it was Logan's block that enabled Johnny to reach the end zone. But that's where the brothers' similarities end, and the differences begin. They both have different ways of celebrating a touchdown. Simply put, Logan doesn't and Johnny dances.

“I don't know why, but he doesn't like me celebrating in the end zone,” Johnny said. “He's the give-the-ball-back-to-the-ref-type deal. I'm more of a hop around and get hyped type of person.”

Tuesday night, wing night

Every Tuesday, all five receivers pile in with Cohen and travel to the Cranberry Quaker Steak and Lube for wing night. And of course, there's competition that follows. Freeman and Signorella have the reputation of eating the most wings.

“When you're that good off the field, you always have that connection on the field to rely on,” Johnny Crise said.

Freeman said competition follows the group everywhere they go. Whether it's a chicken wing eating contest or a simple race, somebody has to come out a winner.

“People compete off the field, trust me,” Freeman said. “We're all good friends and everyone's competitive. That's what I like about every receiver on this team.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

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