Heritage Wins a Shootout Against West Valley, 34-20

Heritage quarterback Brett Virgil comes up to the line against West Valley Friday night.

By Daniel Millhouse

When two undefeated teams go head to head with each other, one of them is bound to go home disappointed. In this case, West Valley High School suffered its first loss, being defeated by Heritage 34-20 Friday night at Heritage.

"My team showed great heart and preserving to battle through that," Coach Kraig Broach said about how he thought his team played against West Valley. "I’m very proud of their effort."

A rushing attack led senior running back Isaiah Morrow (17 carries, 159 yards) and junior quarterback Brett Virgil (7 carries, 149 yards) was a key for Heritage (4-0). The Heritage defense also chipped in with four interceptions off junior quarterback Lucas Opp -- three of which came in the fourth quarter.

Both teams got off to a hot start. The Mustangs struck first in the first two minutes of the game when Opp threw a pass to senior wide receiver James Guilianno on a cross route for a 14-yard touchdown.

Heritage struck back two minutes later when junior Jalen Glover (left) ran the ball in for a 1-yard touchdown, tying the score at 7-7 with eight minutes left in the first quarter.

After a quick three and out by West Valley, Heritage took possession again to quickly score with 6:23 left in the first quarter when Morrow ran into the end zone from 18 yards out. Tyler Baca missed the extra point kick, leaving the score at 13-7.

West Valley took to the air and drove the ball downfield with ease, but was stopped in the red zone. Junior kicker Joseph Cruiel was able to salvage the drive for the Mustangs by splitting the uprights with a 32-yard field goal, keeping the Mustangs close, 13-10, with a little over four minutes left in the first quarter.

Once again, without wasting time, the Patriots scored within a minute of taking possession when junior wide receiver Aleva Hifo beat the coverage on a go route and caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Virgil. This put Heritage up 20-10.

After both teams took turns with the possession of the ball, the Patriots found themselves on their own 6-yard line. Undaunted by their field position, Virgil moved the ball on a keeper play and took it all the way downfield for a 94-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Patriots up 27-10 halfway through the second quarter.

At this point, West Valley nearly abandoned its rushing game and started to lineup in three- and four-receiver sets. With 16.5 seconds left in the half and the ball on the Patriots' 6-yard line on fourth down, Opp tried to force the ball into the end zone. Junior defensive back Raymond Everett snatched the ball out of the air right at the goal line to keep the Mustangs from scoring.

The start of the second half was the polar opposite to the start of the first half. Only one score came during the third quarter when Cruiel kicked a second field goal, this time from 24 yards out after the Mustangs were once again stopped in the red zone.

The Mustangs cut the Heritage lead down even further when on the first play of the fourth quarter, the air attack of West Valley finally scored. Opp tossed an 11-yard touchdown to senior wide receiver Devion Pickett, putting the score at 27-20 and giving West Valley both momentum and hope.

The defense of Heritage then stepped up and took control. With six minutes left in the last quarter and the momentum on West Valley’s side, Glover picked off Opp’s pass on West Valley’s 31-yard line.

On the second play after taking possession, the Patriots’ Morrow ran the ball in from 23 ards out for his second touchdown of the game, putting Heritage up 34-20.

"The kids’ effort and attitude is there, but we need to get better, including the coaching staff," Broach said of his team, when asked if the Patriots were ready for upcoming league play. "The kids’ attitude make it so we will."

Next week, Heritage will host its fourth straight home game against the Eagles of Etiwanda High School.

The Patriots' offensive unit gathers in the huddle to discuss a play.