Heritage Loses Playoff Game, Winning Streak to Poly

Coach Kraig Broach hugs #58 Christian Weible after the game

In a heart-breaking game that came down to the wire, the longest winning streak in California came to an end when Heritage High School lost to Riverside Poly, 28-20.

Despite both teams featuring a full arsenal of offensive weapons, the game was a defensive battle, especially in the first half. Heritage (12-1) scored once in the first quarter and the Bears of Riverside Poly (13-0) scored once in the second quarter, leaving the score at 7-7 at halftime.

Poly held the Patriots to only 16 yards passing and 79 rushing, but the Heritage defense was able to hold down Poly, with two interceptions in the first half. One by junior Aleva Hifo (pictured left) in the end zone, to prevent a Poly touchdown, and one by junior linebacker, Logan Dreese, who intercepted Chadler Drachslin's pass on the 1-yard line to prevent another Poly touchdown.

The third quarter wasn't much different from the first half, with the only score coming from a the Bears' Devotre Hale, on a 9-yard touchdown run, for his 27th touchdown of the season.

Unfortunately for Heritage, they lost senior running back and captain, Isaiah Morrow (pictured left), to a twisted ankle, with several minutes left in the third quarter.

After three quarters of play dominated by ball control and run-stopping defense, both teams came out throwing in the fourth quarter.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Brett Virgil, threw a jump ball into the end zone, to senior Reggie Murphy, for a 4-yard touchdown pass to tie the game up at 14.

Poly answered back with a touchdown pass of their own from Drachslin to sophomore receiver Ian Zamudio, for 12-yards, with five minutes left in the game.

Down by seven with 1:14 left in the game, after leading his team downfield, Virgil hit tight end, Quentin Asberry for an 11-yard touchdown. Coach Kraig Broach, not known for shying away from going after a victory, signaled for his team to go for two. With the possible victory on the line, Poly stuffed the Patriots' attempt to run the ball in, putting the score at 21-20.

Heritage tried to regain possession of the ball with an onside kick, but failed. Despite not being able to recover the ball, in a weird, blessing in disguise, instead of smothering the ball, junior Desi Wiley, scooped up the onside kick and returned it for a 48-yard touchdown. With no timeouts left to stop the clock, Heritage would have never been able to stop Poly from running the clock out, but with the touchdown, Heritage remained in the game, down 28-20, with a minute left.

Sadly, Heritage could not get the ball past midfield before the time expired, allowing Poly to win and advance into the CIF Championship game.

"They're a heck of a football team," Coach Broach said about Poly's performance. "They're undefeated and they played their hearts out too. Their kids played hard and their coaches did a great job and it just didn't turn our way."

Normally a potent running offense, Heritage was held to only a total of 134 yards rushing, led by junior Jalen Glover who rushed for 70 yards in 14 attempts.

Other notable performances include Virgil, was held to only 123 yards passing, with 2 touchdowns and an interception. Hifo led his team in receiving with 7 catches for 80 yards. On special teams, junior Carlos Vargas was able to recover a loose ball on the opening kickoff of the game.

"You look around and it's one of the bittersweet things about high school football. You get so close to these guys," Coach Broach said of his outgoing seniors. "They worked their tails off and they gave everything they had and then it's over just like that. I'm just going to miss these guys."

Heritage storms onto the field before the game

#24 Logan Dreese had an interception in the first half

#26 Isaiah Morrow is tackled by a Riverside Poly player

With 1:14 left and the score at 21-20, Heritage goes for 2-point conversion for the win

#5 Jalen Glover hugs a teammate after the conclusion of the game