It's a long night for Heritage in a 62-27 football loss

Heritage defensive lineman Bryan Banks (56) moves in on San Jacinto running back Malachi Brown. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Heritage High Patriots lost their football season home opener to the San Jacinto Tigers 62-27 Thursday night.

After giving away 14 points in the first 30 seconds—from a kickoff run-back and a fumble return—the Patriots had their work cut out for them. Then San Jacinto added to the tally with a 40-yard catch by Malachi Brown to make it 21-0.

Heritage eventually got on the board around the four-minute mark of the first quarter with a touchdown on a pass to Akillis Sio. He would account for two of the four touchdowns for the Patriots, including a 43-yard run before the end of the second quarter.

Head coach Andre Smith said the way Sio played was a bright spot for the team.

“He does everything for us,” said Smith. “Had a touchdown run and all; he’s a great kid.”

Others players highlighted by Smith were offensive linemen Levi Patton and David Cabanillas, wide receiver Elijah Smith, and defensive lineman Bryan Banks. He also praised the play of running back Angelo Sereno, who ran in the second touchdown for the Patriots in the first half, and Silverio Guevara, who scored the last touchdown of the game with just one minute to go.

The other side of that coin for Smith is the things he and his coaching staff are looking to improve on -- mainly, a defense that allowed nine touchdowns.

“We’re going to make some changes now to personnel on defense,” said Smith. “That’s two weeks in a row we struggled to tackle people.”

Last week, Smith’s team lost 41-30 at Steele Canyon. He said being able to adjust as necessary is a key part of this process he is learning as a new head coach.

In his second year at the head of the Heritage program, Smith is also in just his second year as a head coach, though he has multiple championships under his belt as an assistant coach. His coaching staff here is what helps him remain confident in the role he is adjusting to.

“I love these guys … we’ve got to be able to make changes and have honest conversations. We’ve got to build the staff and be on the same page and we’re working together. You always want to get the wins, but it’s par for the course and I’m learning that,” Smith said.

The Patriots will play next Thursday at Trabuco Hills.

Patriots running back Akillis Sio looks downfield during a run in Thursday's game. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Heritage's Parker Kristall leaps between two San Jacinto defenders to make the catch. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Parker Kristall moves the ball against two defenders in Thursday night's game. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

Heritage High running back Angelo Serena tries to find a hole in the San Jacinto defense. (Photo by Rick Rowell)