Heritage holds on for first-round win
Generals outlast Indians to advance to Sweet 16
Hail to the Heritage Generals football team.
After ending its season with a heartbreaking loss in the school’s first-ever mini playoff series in 2014, and falling just one win short of advancing to a mini playoff series to determine the No. 4 playoff spot in 2015, the Generals were faced with the possibility of more heartbreak on Friday at Stephens County in the school’s first-ever state playoff appearance.
Nevertheless, the Generals and head coach E.K. Slaughter are marching on to the Sweet 16 following a 37-30 victory over Stephens County on Veterans Day with a game set for Friday in the second round at Mary Persons.
While Slaughter said it’s still a lot to take in, he said he was amazed at the character and guts
his team displayed. He said he couldn’t be more proud to be their coach for another week.
“First time in my life I’ve ever cried tears of joy,” he said.
Slaughter said he couldn’t be more proud to be associated with such an “amazing program, school and community.”
“The best part about tonight isn’t a number,” he said of the win. “It’s not the eighth win or the sixth win that’s so great. What’s awesome is that I get to coach Corbee Wilson, Tanner Nance, my shark Trent Kiniry, D-house, Frogger, and all these seniors one more week (at least).”
Slaughter said the numbers are nice, but it’s about the relations and memories...and the Generals (8-3) definitely made memories that started on Friday morning with a send off at school, which the veteran coach said ultimately helped give the his squad more purpose and confidence heading into Stephens County where any extra edge helped.
“They were a really good football team,” Slaughter said. “They were really good. It’s just one of those games where it was going to take guts and character to win it, and guts and character won it.”
Heritage fell behind, 12-0, after a Jackson Bell 2-yard run and 1-yard touchdown run by A.J. Howard of Stephens County.
The Generals cut the lead on a