Patriots toughen up to face tougher football schedule

Heritage High School football players go through a practice session. The season starts on Friday. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The mission for Heritage High School's football team is the same this year as it's always been: Win the league title and perform well in the playoffs.

The fact that it seems more difficult to do so now might be just what the Patriots need to kick it into an even higher gear heading into the 2019 season.

For nine years, Heritage owned the Sunbelt League, winning eight championships. After moving into the Ivy League in 2018, the Patriots won two more league games before the streak ended in the team's regular-season finale, a 17-10 loss to Rancho Verde.

The loss was followed by a 17-16 defeat at Upland in the first round of the CIF playoffs. That tough two-game stretch, together with previous nonleague losses to Redlands East Valley and Orange Lutheran, left Heritage with a 7-4 overall record -- the school's worst record since 2009 and only the second time with more than one loss in a season since 2012.

What does all that mean for the 2019 Patriots? Just ask them.

"We’re not just being content," said senior offensive lineman Phillip Cyr (right). "Winning league every year ... yes, it’s cool, it’s good. But now we have to play Rancho every year in league. And we have a greater challenge in more games. It ups your game. Not just your own game, but the whole team."

No one knows for sure whether all those easy Sunbelt League wins over the years took some of the edge off the Patriots' competitiveness. But some players say that in a way, they are glad "the streak" is over and that they are facing a greater percentage of teams that require their full attention.

"Maybe in a way, it’s a relief," running back Kenny Teter said about the end of the streak. "We don’t have to place so much stress on ourselves from the alumni, with people always telling us we can’t lose the streak. It was going to happen sometime. There’s better competition now."

Playing in a four-team league now rather than six, the Patriots play only three league games. Two of those are against perennial area power Rancho Verde and crosstown rival Paloma Valley. And a longer nonleague schedule now features teams such as Cajon, which finished 12-2 last season and lost in the CIF finals.

So as the Patriots head into a new year with a season opener Friday at Etiwanda, it figures that the players will take nothing for granted.

"It’s there," Broach said about memories of the end of the 2018 season. "We don’t shy away from that. I don’t know how much of a driving force it is, but it’s there. We had so many missed opportunities at the end. The players want to have a great season this year.

"We have a pretty competitive schedule. With the new league and Rancho coming in, that alone makes it interesting. But that’s also what makes it fun. I don’t know where the path will lead us, but we have a chance to be really good."

Two of the biggest reasons the Patriots are expected to boast a strong ground game once again are Cyr and Teter. Broach calls Cyr (6 feet, 250) one of the best offensive linemen in the area. Cyr helps control a line that paves the way for Teter, who rushed for over 900 yards last season.

Teter (left) said he believes the offense's speed can make up for the loss of graduated running back Ika Tuatala, a 6-foot, 225-pounder who bulled his way to more than 1,000 yards last season to complement the smaller Teter (5-11, 175).

"Since last season I've worked on my speed and getting bigger, staying in the gym," Teter said. "I know Ika’s gone so we don’t have that power back anymore, but we have a bunch of speed backs. Coach Broach is a genius, always making new plays for us, getting us some space."

Senior Tyler Basham takes over at quarterback from Trey Goodlow, who graduated. Basham split his time between tight end and linebacker last season.

One of the leaders of the defense is senior AC Rondon, who fills a captain's role on the team and is expected to make key plays, whether he is playing defensive end or nose guard.

"I feel one of our best points will be finishing strong," said Rondon, who stands 5-10 and 200. "I feel that we're confident, the same confidence we had before, but with more of us being seniors, maybe a little more.

"Last year I saw our leaders being vocal. My job, I feel, is controlling the D line. If I can be vocal there and keep my endurance up, I can help us control the line."

After opening the season with road games at Etiwanda and Oak Hills, Heritage opens the home season Sept. 6 against Cajon.