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A highly-anticipated matchup between two teams vying for second place in the ACAC and two coaches with high postseason aspirations gave fans at Friday’s Bluffton vs. Heritage game everything they could have hoped for when they handed over their six dollars at the gate, with the home team hanging on to a 27-21 victory.
The Heritage coaching staff made the right calls during Friday’s win over #1 Bluffton. (Photo by Kris Everett)
Our featured game of the week ended with Heritage winning a wild ballgame and both teams will enter Week Eight with a 6-1 record. With the Patriots competing in 3A and Bluffton in 2A, neither team will have to worry about a rematch in the postseason, nor will they have to worry about the juggernaut AC Jets standing in their way as the presumptive ACAC titles have their sights set on the 1A title.
Prior to Friday’s game, Heritage and QB Kobe Meyer were ranked 18th in 3A in the Sagarin ratings and after a win over #1 Bluffton, that ranking will probably climb even higher. (Photo by Kris Everett)
Here are some highlights, as well as photos, from last night’s big game:
Heritage created the first turnover with an interception by Eli Tigulis.
The Patriots got on the board first when Kobe Meyer broke down the sideline for a big gain and then a one-yard smash. Braden Walter breaks the first two tackles and goes all the way for the touchdown on a punt return Friday. (Photo by Kris Everett)Heritage’s Braden Walter had the biggest play of the game in a 75-yard punt return touchdown. Coach Dan Waslyk gives his team instructions as coach Dean Lehrman looks on after the Patriots had taken a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. (Photo by Kris Everett)Andrew Hunt goes into the end zone for Bluffton Friday night at Heritage. (Photo by Kris Everett) Bluffton gets on the board as Braxton Betancourt and Andrew Hunt team up for the score. Heritage QB Kobe Meyer hands the ball off to Nolan Hoskins at midfield. (Photo by Kris Everett)Nolan Hoskins gives the Patriots a 21-7 lead with a touchdown run.
Cooper Craig of Bluffton scores a touchdown in the third quarter. Braxton Betancourt hands the ball off to Cooper Craig. (Photo by Kris Everett)Cooper Craig ties the game at 21-21 with a touchdown run.
The winning touchdown in the game was scored by Kobe Meyer on a one-yard run, but the Tigers kept it interesting by blocking the PAT and giving themselves a chance to score a late touchdown and win the game if they converted their own extra point.
Meyer finished the game 7 of 15 for 44 yards in the air and one touchdown, but he led the team in rushing with 128 yards on 22 carries.
Andrew Hunt comes up with an important blocked PAT to keep the Tigers in the ballgame late in the game. The Bluffton Tigers try a trick play but turn the ball over to Heritage to seal the game.
CJay Barnett picked up 50 yards on four carries for the Patriots, while Preston Fields had five receptions to lead the team.
Greyson Mullins had an important sack in the game for Heritage.