Heritage Keeps Rolling Along in Playoff Opener, 54-7

Linebacker Andreas Henry returns a fumble for big yardage in Heritage's CIF playoff win Friday night.

The Heritage High School victory train continued to pick up steam Friday night, rolling past visiting Rim of the World by a 54-7 score in the first round of the CIF Southern Section football playoffs.

A somewhat wind-chilled home crowd watched the Patriots remain unbeaten at 11-0 in advancing to next Friday's second round of the Inland Division playoffs. Heritage will be at home against against Carter, a 37-22 winner over San Jacinto.

Three players went over 100 yards in rushing. Running back Isaiah Morrow finished with 230 yards and two touchdowns; running back Jalen Glover had 112 yards and one touchdown; and quarterback Brett Virgil (right) had 118 yards and one touchdown rushing and another TD passing.

From the moment Morrow raced untouched 64 yards into the end zone on Heritage's first play from scrimmage, this one was another lop-sided contest.

In the last three weeks, beginning with an Oct. 30 victory over rival Paloma Valley, the Patriots have outscored the opposition, 152-35. It should be noted, however, that a 57-6 win last week came over last-place Lakeside in Sunbelt League play and Friday's victory came over a Rim of the World team that came into the game with a 5-5 record.

All Heritage coach Kraig Broach really cared about was the opportunity to play another week. As he said, it gets a lot tougher from here on out.

"We got some big plays early, then we got a little sloppy for a period of time, but the kids regrouped after that," Broach said. "What really matters is we've got another week. We're going to enjoy it tonight, but next week will be a tough battle."

The fans had barely settled into their seats when Morrow broke through the right side of the line at the Heritage 36-yard line and raced down the sideline for the first score of the game. He did almost exactly the same thing on the Patriots' first play from scrimmage in the second half, choosing the left side of the field this time to run 80 yards for a score.

"He's fast, he has good vision and he's a strong runner," Broach said. "He's tough to bring down at the line of scrimmage and he's fast enough to run away from people."

After Morrow's first touchdown, the Heritage defense forced a quick Rim of the World punt for the second consecutive possession. Just a couple plays later, Virgil hit Aleva Hifo with a 38-yard touchdown pass.

Glover ran 65 yards for a score early in the second quarter (above left) and the rout was on.

As they did in last week's easy win over Lakeside, the Patriots were able to give playing time to a lot of reserves in the second half. One of those, Javier Luna, scored on a 1-yard touchdown run after a long gain to set up the play. Another, Elijah Womack, ran 48 yards for a touchdown late in the game.

The Patriots also took advantage of some turnovers. Marcus McIntosh returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown and Andreas Henry picked a Rim of the World fumble out of mid-air to set up Virgil's 56-yard touchdown run.

It was just business as usual for Virgil, the junior quarterback who seems to be getting better each week.

"Brett's a heady player, a smart kid," Broach said. "There's more to Brett than what we've seen, too. He's getting better all the time through his work ethic."

Heritage has now won 21 consecutive games over two seasons and has outscored the opposition this season, 424-154.


Heritage's Aleva Hifo takes down Rim of the World quarterback Brandon Johnson in the first half Friday night.


Patriots running back Isaiah Morrow finished the game with 230 yards and two touchdowns rushing.


Javier Luna (72) is congratulated after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.