By RYAN WALKER
PONETO — Heritage proved exactly why it’s the second-best team in the ACAC Friday night.
The Patriots gave a 61-7 pounding at Southern Wells to improve to a 7-1 record overall (4-1 ACAC) to just about wrap up second place in the conference. Adams Central, with a 24-0 win over Bluffton, clinched the crown Friday night.
Head coach Jeff Sprunger had nothing but great things to say about the Heritage head man Casey Kolkman, who he’s known for a while.
“I knew (Kolkman) has a disciplined program,” Sprunger said after the game. “I’ve known him long enough for that, and they showed it. They’re just a well-coached team, and I have all the utmost respect for coach.”
The Patriots didn’t take long to put the game to bed, going up 21-0 within the first four minutes. They took advantage of the Raiders’ (1-7, 0-5 ACAC) mistakes and cashed in.
The opening kickoff was returned for 80 yards by Braden Walters, which set up quarterback Kobe Meyer’s 8-yard score to Zeke Litchfield.
A blocked punt deep into Southern Wells territory got Meyer’s second touchdown pass, this connecting with Ibrahim Williams.
Finally, Cjay Barnett stripped the Raiders’ return man on the ensuing kickoff and took it for 25 yards.
“When it’s 21-0 within the first four minutes of the game, it’s tough sledding to battle back from one, an actual game, but mentally,” Sprunger said.
The Raiders responded with a long, 10-play drive that included two first downs. Case Boxell and Bradon Enochs carried the Raiders to midfield but were forced to punt away.
Heritage stood firm with a 34-0 lead before Southern Wells’ best play of the night.
Enochs took a handoff up the gut at their own 45-yard line and found green grass down the left side of the field. He stiff-armed the only defender on his way to the endzone for a 55-yard score.
Enochs, who has played the role of multiple offensive line spots and tight end this season, recently made the move to running back due to injuries at the position. On his Senior Night, he was the team’s leading rusher for 81 yards.
Sprunger shared that Enochs was named captain for the second week in a row. The coaching staff awards them on a week-by-week basis.
“We’ve been working in the last few weeks (at running back) to see him get his moment and chance to finally break one,” Sprunger said. “It’s awesome, especially on senior night. Can’t can’t be more happy for the kid.”
The magic would run out soon after the big moment.
Heritage returner Walters jolted through the Raiders’ special teams down for 90 yards on the ensuing kickoff.
By halftime, it was 40-7 Patriots.
Heritage went on to score three more times on rushing touchdowns in the second half.
Southern Wells’ best chance ended as time ran out. Jacob Gearheart had three carries on the drive that started at its own 20, hauling in 33 yards. Leeland Goodnight took his only rush for 33 yards, and William Johnson picked up 12 yards.
It was at the Heritage 10-yard line before the clock hit 0s.
Southern Wells will wrap up the regular season at South Adams next Friday.
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HERITAGE 61, SOUTHERN WELLS 7
At Southern Wells
Score By Quarters
Heritage 21 19 14 7– 61
Southern Wells 0 7 0 0 – 0
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
H—Kobe Meyer 9-yard pass to Zeke Litchfield (Meyer kick), 10:40.
H—Ibrahim Williams 15-yard run (Meyer kick), 8:08.
H—Cjay Barnett 25-yard fumble recovery (Meyer kick), 7:58.
Second Quarter
H—Barnett 14-yard run (kick failed), 11:44.
H—Nolan Hoskins 29-yard run (Meyer kick), 9:17.
SW—Bradon Enochs 55-yard run (Joshua Aulbach kick), 2:49.
H—Braden Walters 90-yard kick return (kick failed), 2:33.
Third Quarter
H—Hoskins 6-yard run (Caleb Abbott kick), 7:44.
H—Eli Tigulis 40-yard run (Abbott kick), 1:34.
Fourth Quarter
H—Chevion Bright-Levett 1-yard run (Abbott kick), 7:14.
Team Statistics
SW HER
First Downs 8 13
Rushes-Yards 46-191 24-257
Yards Passing 0 26
Passing (C-A-I) 0-1-0 5-7-0
Penalties-Yards 5-30 3-20
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 2-2
Punts-Average 5-13.4 0-0
Time of Possession 22:21 18:25
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Heritage: Nolan Hoskins 7-80, Chevion Bright-Levett 5-58, Cjay Barnett 6-43, Eli Tigulis 1-40, Brady Boyle 2-24, Ibrahim Williams 1-15, Bryson Berg 1-(-1), Kobe Meyer 1-(-2). Southern Wells: Bradon Enochs 14-81, Jacob Gearheart 3-36, Leeland Goodnight 1-29, Case Boxell 16-26, William Johnson 5-10, Trey Slusher 3-8, Owen King 4-1.
Passing: Heritage: Kobe Meyer 5-7-0 26. Southern Wells: Trey Slusher 0-1 0.
Receiving: Heritage: D’Vontaye Washington 1-12, Zeke Litchfield 1-9, Landri Linder 1-7, Preston Fields 1-(-1), Ibrahim Williams 1-(-1). Southern Wells: None.
