Heritage War Eagles still undefeated
Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Heritage War Eagles had the city of Rogers all to themselves and they did not disappoint the hometown crowd at David Gates Stadium.
Heritage easily beat the Republic (Mo. ) Tigers 29-17 to open the school's first season of football with three straight wins.
"It is great to go 3-O," said linebacker Jacob Barrett who recovered one fumble. "People said we weren't going to win any games and here we are sitting undefeated."
Heritage's Jordan Snoderly returned the opening kickoff 72 yards but the War Eagles were unable to capitalize because on their second offensive play quarterback Reed Brown was intercepted. However, that was hardly enough to slow the War Eagles in the first half as they jumped out to 19-0 lead and pre vented any serious Tigers comeback effort in the second half. "They kicked our butt in every aspect," said Tigers head coach Kurt Thompson.
After the War Eagles defense stopped the Tigers'first drive on three plays, Brown orchestrated an 8-play, 53-yard drive that was capped off when Grant Driver caught a 10-yard pass for a 6-0 lead. "Reed made a good read on the coverage and put the ball where only I could catch it," Driver said. Two Heritage drives later Brown scored on a 5-yard quarterback keeper with nine seconds left in the first quarter. On the next Heritage drive, which started after a 40-yard punt return by Travis Entwisle, Brown again found a wide-open Driver for a 25-yard touchdown completion. Brown had a hot hand in first half, going 10 of 15 for 124 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception. Brown finished 24 of 37 for 315 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Driver finished with nine receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns, all while battling stomach cramps Heritage head coach Perry Escalante said.
"Grant Driver and Reed Brown did a great job," Escalante said.
The War Eagles'defense pressured Republic's Stephen Shireman all night. Shireman did not complete a pass in the first quarter.
Shireman did manage to drive the Tigers down the field in the first half but the War Eagles defense stepped up when its back was against the wall.
With Republic threatening to score with 7: 07 left before halftime and the ball on the Heritage 5, Republic running Bryan Sowder ran up the middle on fourth down and was met by a host of Heritage defenders.
The stadium fell silent when the officials came out for a measurement and the crowd went crazy when it was signaled that Heritage had stopped the effort.
The War Eagles snuffed out another first-half scoring chance with a Driver interception.
The Tigers would not go down quietly despite the deficit. Chase Mills opened the second half with a 90-yard touchdown kickoff return.
Heritage answered back with a 20-yard field goal by Hayden Severs.
The War Eagles erased any lingering doubts when Driver caught his third touchdown pass with 7: 59 left. The Tigers added a touchdown in the final seconds but the navy orange and blue fans did not seem to mind as the War Eagles stormed the field with their hands raised high in celebration.
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