Comeback for AC starts on ground, finishes with pick-six

DANE FUELLING

WZBD.com

A huge crowd was treated to an outstanding game of high school football once some early rain moved through Flatrock Friday night as Adams Central won their fourth game in a row at Heritage, knocking the Patriots from the ranks of the unbeaten, 33-14.

The Z Team wraps up an exciting football game between Adams Central and Heritage.

Heritage did not trail in the first half and still maintained the lead midway through the third quarter, but the Jets scored four late touchdowns to take control of the game.

*Eli Tigulis had the Patriots in front at half time against the reigning ACAC champs. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)*

Three different rushers for the Jets finished with 100-yard games, with Matt Heiser leading the way with his grinding runs. His longest carry was nine yards, but he took the ball 25 times and it was his touchdown that put the game away when Heritage still believed they had a chance to pull the upset.

Adams Central did not complete a pass in the game.

They didn’t need to.

Heritage gets on the board first.

Lucas Weber put Heritage up in the first quarter, capping a drive with a rushing touchdown and the defense held the AC offense in check until Jamison Roach punched it across the goal line with four minutes left in the half.

Jami Roach gets the tush-push touchdown in the second quarter.

The Patriots maintained that lead after the missed extra point and that’s where the game stood at half time.

While the first half was smashmouth, hometown football, the second half was all about bringing the crowds to their feet in alternating patterns with big plays.

It started when Aaron Hirschy got around the corner and put AC up for good with a 41-yard carry. On the next possession, Roach did nearly the exact same.

Jami Roach runs it in for 44 yards for Adams Central.

A minute later, Eli Tigulis responded with a touchdown pass to Braden Walter, who broke a couple tackles and went 71 yards for the score.

Braden Walter takes it 71 yards for the score to the delight of the home crowd.

Trailing by 12 in the final minute, Tigulis was responsible for giving up the last big play, misfiring on a throw and giving up a pick-six to Max Kaehr, who was likely already the player of the game for the Jets with his game-high ten tackles.

Max Kaehr puts the icing on the cake for the Jets.

Tigulis finished the game 12 of 27 for 186 yards.

*Nasir Martin led the Heritage running game with 73 yards on 19 carries. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)*

Walter had five catches for 115 yards and the big score.

Holden Schumm had two tackles for loss for the Jets.

Lucas Weber had an interception in the third quarter for the home team. (See photos below)

Defensive highlights for the Heritage Patriots.

The Jets now turn their focus on rival South Adams and can not think about Bluffton for three weeks. The Tigers are 5-0 and likely the only challenge left to hopes of another ACAC title in Monroe.

Heritage will take a break from their ACAC journey to make a long trip to Tipton next week. WZBD’s partnership with the Patriots will bring our microphones to the Week 6 game and fans can avoid the long road trip and hear the game on our YouTube channel.