By Spencer DuPuis
LoCoSports Staff Writer
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Leesburg (August 31, 2015) — As Heritage High School took on James Wood High School once again for their home opener, the Pride student section — dubbed the Chaos Crew –roared as their team’s offense took the field to start the season, and continued roaring as junior quarterback Alex Carlin found senior receiver Cole Miller wide open down the middle to score a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.
The Chaos Crew kept roaring as senior kicker Andres Villalon did as he was directed and kicked a perfect onside kick which fell into a crowd of Pride special teamers.
When Heritage got the ball back they didn’t let up. On the second play of the drive, senior running back Mitch Westbrook took it 46 yards for a touchdown. Westbrook would run for one more touchdown on opening night.
“[On that play] I saw great blocking by the line and receivers downfield,” Westbrook said. “When both the receivers and linemen can hold their blocks downfield it gives [us running backs]a great opportunity to score touchdowns like that.”
On the Colonels’ first drive, junior quarterback Dade Carroll handed it off to senior running back Tyler Bishop six out of the eight plays totaling over 60 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown run. Bishop would go on to add one more touchdown, a late 85-yard run for James Wood.
“We are not as stout as I would like to be upfront,” Heritage head coach Reed Prosser said. “But the kids are trying hard and competing. We are kind of a bend but don’t break [defense]. The defense is going to get nothing but better, better and better.”
Although Heritage’s defense gave up over 200 yards on the ground, they never let the passing game of James Wood get going as they had three interceptions, including Tyler Daily’s pick that set up Carlin’s fifth touchdown pass of the night to end the first half.
“We knew Alex was going to be special tonight,” Prosser said. “The light really started to click on with him this summer in terms of understanding things. He just played exceptional tonight. I’m really proud of him.”
Carlin — who would add a rushing touchdown in the third before Prosser lifted the starters — was phenomenal as he threw three touchdowns of 76 or more yards in the big win.
“I saw big players making big plays,” Carlin said. “They were just running by guys, which made it pretty easy for me just standing in the pocket the linemen created, being able to find my read and deliver the ball on time.”
Scoring Plays:
1Q 11:41 H Alex Carlin to Cole Miller 76-yard TD pass (2pt failed)
1Q 10:58 H Mitch Westbrook 46-yard TD run (Villalon PAT)
1Q 6:21 JW Tyler Bishop 8-yard TD run (2pt good)
1Q 3:25 H Alex Carlin to Andrew Sylvain 15-yard TD pass (Villalon PAT)
2Q 11:16 H Mitch Westbrook 2-yard TD run (Villalon PAT)
2Q 7:31 JW Keegan DeHaven 1-yard TD run (Burner PAT)
2Q 7:00 H Alex Carlin to Mitch Westbrook 85-yard TD pass (Villalon PAT)
2Q 5:12 H Alex Carlin to Tyrique Moss 85-yard TD pass (2pt good)
2Q 1:00 H Alex Carlin to Cole Miller 20-yard TD pass (Villalon PAT)
3Q 6:11 H Alex Carlin 30-yard TD run (PAT failed)
4Q 11:00 JW Tyler Bishop 85-yard TD run (2pt failed)
