There's a new attitude of optimism around Heritage football

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Heritage High School football team is anticipating a competitive season after a summer of growth and team chemistry.

The Patriots are in their second season under the direction of head coach Richard McClure, who took over the program in the spring of 2023, giving him just under a semester to get things going. Heritage didn’t win a game last season, but the Patriots have a new attitude heading into Thursday's season opener at home against Elsinore.

“We had to start somewhere and, for me, that was just under a semester before the start of last season,” said McClure. “But we focused on the JV group at that time and I’m just excited to see these guys excited about the work they put in and starting to have that positivity and confidence.”

On top of the coaching staff’s approach, upperclassman leaders have grown into their roles on the team and make it a point to motivate the younger kids around them.

“I want the younger kids to look to the seniors for our work ethic, in anything they do, even in the classroom,” said senior Charles Smith. “Those little things translate into the game and make it more fun for you and make you feel more confident.”

First-year starting quarterback Achilles Reveles said his time under McClure’s leadership and working with his team has helped him feel confident moving forward into a new role.

“Without my teammates and my coach, I don’t think I’d be able to do it,” said Reveles. “I’m nervous and I am definitely scared, but because of them I can do it.”

Andrew Mercado echoed the sentiment.

“We’ve gotten a lot closer since last year and we communicate a lot more with each other,” he said. “Coach has helped in getting the quarterback to communicate and he coaches us up a lot. I’m just excited to make memories with my team.”

McClure said the process of developing a downtrodden program is a strenuous but worthwhile process.

“I think it’s the closest I’ll ever get, as a man, to experiencing childbirth,” he said. “I’m fortunate enough to have done this before with Coach Schneider at Kansas State, and it’s difficult because there are no shortcuts. We had to break down cultures that were hurtful. You can’t fast forward; you have to have an extreme amount of patience.”

McClure’s patience seems to be paying off.

“I just want to go out there. I’m feeling more confident about this year. Everything on both offense and defense feels more smooth,” said Dominic Dunntornatore. “We’ve been practicing and working early in the morning and a lot has improved.”

Smith said the team overall is putting higher expectations on themselves, which is only increasing the closer they get to Thursday’s season opener at home against Elsinore.

“Over the summer the biggest change was not only the changes in the coaching staff, but the expectations we put on ourselves each practice. We get more intense as the season comes closer and that’s just iron sharpening iron,” Smith said. “I think we’ll be winning league this year in our new league (the Inland Valley League). We have a great opportunity to win.”

Reveles is confident but said he is trying to just take it one game at a time.

"I just want to focus on the first game, then go from there," he said.

McClure said the rewarding part of the grueling process has already begun.

“We are establishing a climate of positive speech to each other and team chemistry,” he said. “Are we ready to win any championships? We’ll find out on Thursday. But I’m just excited to hear them be excited because of the work they’ve put in.”