By DEAN JACKSON
WOODBURN – Defense first.
It’s always defense first for Heritage.
The Patriots made a huge statement about their priorities in a punishing 35-0 win over Woodlan in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs Friday.
It took a little while for the Patriots to get going, but it did. Oh, it did. Heritage wasted very few opportunities and very little time in the second quarter—to the tune of 28 points in about four and a half minutes—to plunge the dagger into any Woodlan threat.
“The floodgates opened,” Heritage coach Casey Kolkman noted. “Our defense ended up with five interceptions and two touchdowns. When you are doing that defensively, you don’t really have to do much on offense or special teams. We need to keep that side going.”
The four-touchdown barrage left no doubt about the outcome of the game. The show of force was punctuated by a 41-yard strike from Kobe Meyer to Zeke Litchfield to make it 21-0.
In that stretch, the Patriots returned two interceptions for scores. Caleb Abbott returned a pick-six for 43 yards at 6:06.
At the 4:21 mark, Braden Walter scampered 57 yards to make it 35-0.
Abbott got the second quarter scoring spree ignited with a three-yard run with 8:55 to play in the quarter to give Heritage a 14-0 lead.
Even with their quick-strike offense, Kolkman said it’s always about the defense.
”That’s been our game plan since we’ve been here—play great defense. If you’re going to win big games in a tournament, you’ve got to play great defense. We just wanted to play well on defense and keep them under control, which we did. They got a couple of things out of the heavy set, you know, early, but we settled in and wouldn’t have to throw the ball.”
Quarterback Kobe Meyer completed 4 of 5 passes for 68 yards, including a TD to Zeke Litchfield. Meyer also ran nine times for 46 yards and a touchdown. That score gave the Patriots a 7-0 advantage less than 3 minutes into the game.
With 9:03 to play in the opening quarter, Meyer scored on a seven-yard run.
Even with the dominating win, Kolkman says his squad is still a work in progress. His Patriots are focused on improving.
“It’s one thing when a good team does something to you. But when it’s things you’re doing to yourself—turning the ball over, not being on the field—we’re supposed to be doing those kinds of things—stupid penalties. Those are the things that bother me. I don’t care if we were the number-one ranked undefeated team in the state.”
The Patriots (9-1) now host Garrett (5-5) Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in the second round. The Railroaders topped Bellmont 35-7. That game will be heard live on 92.7 FM WZBD.