Generals honor former Heritage student, celebrate win with North Murray
Heritage head football coach EK Slaughter said it had been a “long and emotional week” prior to the Generals heading into Friday night’s game with visiting North Murray.
With several events going on, including a candle light vigil on Thursday evening to honor former football manager Katie Beth Carter, who died in a car crash earlier in the week, Slaughter said he “definitely wanted this win as bad as ever.”
And after a night of honoring Katie Beth, who was a firstyear Jacksonville State Marching Ballerina, Slaughter’s Generals delivered a 31-16 victory leading into an upcoming off week he said he “couldn’t be happier with.”
“This win was for our community, our school, the Carter family and our team,” he said. “We know it’s just a win and it’s not going to heal anything, and at the end of the day it’s just a football game. Her memory was there, and it was good to get the win for everyone and to see our kids play for something other from themselves.”
Slaughter said while his team didn’t talk about winning coming into to the game, losing really
wasn’t an option, especially under the circumstances.
“We told the guys that everyone has their whys,” he said. “I think Blake Bryan for a 6 yard reception to cut the North Murray lead at the 9:07 mark of the second quarter.
The Generals took the lead for good on Wilson's keeper, which turned emotional when he presented the Carter family the game ball.
While the act of love for “Kind Katie’s” family wasn’t planned, Wilson said it was just a way of showing his gratitude for all she had done for so many.
“I’m blessed to know such an incredible family,” Wilson said.
The Navy-and-Red kept it rolling right along with another score with 1:32 to play in the half. This time, it was Austin Ferguson that reached the end zone by turning a screen pass into a 43 yard TD.
North Murray cut the score to 21-16 on its first possession of second half.
However, the Generals still had some fire. Wilson threw a 29 yard reception to Ryan Carter at the 10:29 mark of the third quarter to extend the lead to 28-16. That was followed by a big praise to the sky from Ryan Carter in the end zone.
On defense, the Generals continued to play sound with help from Luke Grant, who came up with his second interception of the night to close out the third quarter.
Kicker Alex Ahleyege highlighted the start of the fourth quarter with 25 yard field goal following a long injury delay, where Jason Griffin was sent to the hospital by ambulance where he reportedly sustained a concussion with 4:00 to play in the game.
The Generals raised a total of $3,000 collected by the softball players during the game to go to the medical expenses of the Carter family, who were all in attendance at the game. That including her father, Heritage softball coach Jason Carter, and along with his wife/ Katie Beth’s mom, Amy, along with her sister Kimi, her brother Jacob and his fiancé Rachel Rebne.