By Bubba Harnist
Staff Writer
ROACHDALE
– With each passing week, Heritage Christian is going places no other team in the
school’s six-year football history has. One week after winning their first-ever
sectional title, the Class 2A 11th-ranked Eagles added a regional
trophy to their growing gridiron lore with a 14-7 upset of 2A No. 2 host North
Putnam.
– With each passing week, Heritage Christian is going places no other team in the
school’s six-year football history has. One week after winning their first-ever
sectional title, the Class 2A 11th-ranked Eagles added a regional
trophy to their growing gridiron lore with a 14-7 upset of 2A No. 2 host North
Putnam.
“Who would
think that this program in six years is going to semistate?” said Eagles coach
Ron Qualls. “Unbelievable!”
think that this program in six years is going to semistate?” said Eagles coach
Ron Qualls. “Unbelievable!”
Coming
into this game, one would think there would be plenty of offensive fireworks as
North Putnam averaged 35.5 points per game and Heritage Christian 39 an outing.
Taking those staggering numbers into consideration, you can see why many people
were scratching their heads when it was 0-0 at the half.
into this game, one would think there would be plenty of offensive fireworks as
North Putnam averaged 35.5 points per game and Heritage Christian 39 an outing.
Taking those staggering numbers into consideration, you can see why many people
were scratching their heads when it was 0-0 at the half.
That’s
what will happen when each team has only three first downs the entire half.
what will happen when each team has only three first downs the entire half.
Try these
first-half numbers on for size: North Putnam had five possessions (not counting
the final one of the half when the Cougars took a knee), and all five ended
with a punt by the Cougars.
first-half numbers on for size: North Putnam had five possessions (not counting
the final one of the half when the Cougars took a knee), and all five ended
with a punt by the Cougars.
“We have
been telling people all along that we (the HC defense) feel like we can stop
anybody in the state,” Qualls said. “It is a pretty effective defense that sure
worked tonight.”
been telling people all along that we (the HC defense) feel like we can stop
anybody in the state,” Qualls said. “It is a pretty effective defense that sure
worked tonight.”
Heritage
Christian, meanwhile, didn’t fare any better on offense early on. The Eagles
had six first-half possessions, five of which ended with a punt and one that
halted when North Putnam’s Justin Ensor picked off quarterback Garrett Meador.
Christian, meanwhile, didn’t fare any better on offense early on. The Eagles
had six first-half possessions, five of which ended with a punt and one that
halted when North Putnam’s Justin Ensor picked off quarterback Garrett Meador.
The second
half didn’t start any better for the hosts. Getting the ball first, the Cougars
went three-and-out and once again punted away.
half didn’t start any better for the hosts. Getting the ball first, the Cougars
went three-and-out and once again punted away.
A decent
return gave Heritage Christian the ball in North Put territory at the Cougars’
38, and a penalty on the drive’s fourth play gave the Eagles the ball at the
14. Two plays later, Heritage Christian finally got on the board when Meador
hit Morgan Cook on a six-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point from Alex
Butterworth made it 7-0.
return gave Heritage Christian the ball in North Put territory at the Cougars’
38, and a penalty on the drive’s fourth play gave the Eagles the ball at the
14. Two plays later, Heritage Christian finally got on the board when Meador
hit Morgan Cook on a six-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point from Alex
Butterworth made it 7-0.
North
Putnam’s Jerrett Ban fumbled on the ensuing kickoff return, and Heritage
Christian’s Jay Wilsey recovered at the North Put 34. Four plays later, Meador
scored from four yards out, and the point after from Butterworth made it 14-0
just 6:20 into the second half.
Putnam’s Jerrett Ban fumbled on the ensuing kickoff return, and Heritage
Christian’s Jay Wilsey recovered at the North Put 34. Four plays later, Meador
scored from four yards out, and the point after from Butterworth made it 14-0
just 6:20 into the second half.
“Our
coaches do a very good job of halftime adjustments, from knowing what’s there
and taking a look at the full field and saying here is what we do,” Qualls
said. “Every game this year, if you look at our third quarter, there is a huge
surge.”
coaches do a very good job of halftime adjustments, from knowing what’s there
and taking a look at the full field and saying here is what we do,” Qualls
said. “Every game this year, if you look at our third quarter, there is a huge
surge.”
North Putnam
punted again on its next possession, giving Heritage Christian the ball back
with just under a minute left in the third quarter. At that point, however,
things got **** for both teams as on the next five possessions, there were five
turnovers.
punted again on its next possession, giving Heritage Christian the ball back
with just under a minute left in the third quarter. At that point, however,
things got **** for both teams as on the next five possessions, there were five
turnovers.
Two miscues
came when North Putnam quarterback Griffen Dahlstrom was picked off by Tommy
Eggleston, whereas Heritage Christian was at fault on the other three – two
interceptions by Meador and a fumble.
came when North Putnam quarterback Griffen Dahlstrom was picked off by Tommy
Eggleston, whereas Heritage Christian was at fault on the other three – two
interceptions by Meador and a fumble.
The fumble
proved costly because it gave North Put and their fans hope when the Cougars took
over at their own 38 with only 6:25 left. Finally able to move the ball, the
Cougars went 62 yards in seven plays that consumed only 1:07.
proved costly because it gave North Put and their fans hope when the Cougars took
over at their own 38 with only 6:25 left. Finally able to move the ball, the
Cougars went 62 yards in seven plays that consumed only 1:07.
The
Cougars finally reached the end zone on a QB keeper from one yard out by Dahlstrom,
and the extra point from Rob Ford made it 14-7 with 5:18 left.
Cougars finally reached the end zone on a QB keeper from one yard out by Dahlstrom,
and the extra point from Rob Ford made it 14-7 with 5:18 left.
With a
shot to ice it away, Heritage Christian started its next drive at its own 20. After
getting a couple first downs on a run by Meador and a 15-yard pass to Austin
Olvey, however, the offense stalled.
shot to ice it away, Heritage Christian started its next drive at its own 20. After
getting a couple first downs on a run by Meador and a 15-yard pass to Austin
Olvey, however, the offense stalled.
Starting
at their own 23 with 2:11 left after a punt, the Cougars were able to march all
the way to the Heritage Christian 23 thanks to Dahlstrom passes of 42 yards to
Kyle Rooker and 18 yards to J.T. Francies. But North Putnam stalled once the
drive got to the Eagles 23 following three incomplete passes and a sack.
at their own 23 with 2:11 left after a punt, the Cougars were able to march all
the way to the Heritage Christian 23 thanks to Dahlstrom passes of 42 yards to
Kyle Rooker and 18 yards to J.T. Francies. But North Putnam stalled once the
drive got to the Eagles 23 following three incomplete passes and a sack.
The sack
was the 11th and final play that the Heritage Christian defense made North
Putnam’s offense lose yards.
was the 11th and final play that the Heritage Christian defense made North
Putnam’s offense lose yards.
“They had
momentum, but there were a couple things we wanted to make sure and do,” Qualls
said. “Don’t let them cross the goal line, and if they threw it in front of us
or got some shorter plays, it’s OK because the clock keeps running, they are
out of timeouts, and there is nothing they can do.
momentum, but there were a couple things we wanted to make sure and do,” Qualls
said. “Don’t let them cross the goal line, and if they threw it in front of us
or got some shorter plays, it’s OK because the clock keeps running, they are
out of timeouts, and there is nothing they can do.
“We have
smart kids and the guys played smart there (on the last drive).”
smart kids and the guys played smart there (on the last drive).”
The loss
ends the season for North Putnam at 12-1, the second straight year that the
Cougars have had only one loss. Heritage Christian, on the other hand, improves
to 12-1 and moves on to semistate play next week, when they will travel to
Southridge to take on the defending 2A state runner-up Raiders.
ends the season for North Putnam at 12-1, the second straight year that the
Cougars have had only one loss. Heritage Christian, on the other hand, improves
to 12-1 and moves on to semistate play next week, when they will travel to
Southridge to take on the defending 2A state runner-up Raiders.
“It’s one
of those feelings that indescribable,” Qualls said. “We are only six years in
here – this is all new to us. So for us to be in this spot, with the
opportunity now to go to semistate, four quarters away from the Dome …
of those feelings that indescribable,” Qualls said. “We are only six years in
here – this is all new to us. So for us to be in this spot, with the
opportunity now to go to semistate, four quarters away from the Dome …
“It’s
indescribable.”
indescribable.”
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