Heritage downs Northwest, nabs 6-AAAA No. 2 seed
The Northwest Whitfield Bruins came into the regular season finale against Heritage on Friday meeting a win to secure their first region football championship since 2000.
However, the Generals were determined not to let it happen on their watch.
A three-touchdown performance from junior quarterback Nick Hanson and a bend-butdon’t-break defense prevented the Bruins from taking the 6-AAAA title as Heritage held on for a 30-22 victory on a very chilly night in Tunnel Hill.
The victory would have given Heritage the region title had Ridgeland been upset by Southeast Whitfield. However, the Panthers would win that match up, giving the Generals a nice consolation prize with a home playoff game this Friday night as the region’s No. 2 seed.
Northwest took a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter after a touchdown drive that was aided by two costly thirddown down penalties on the Generals. But after an exchange of punts, Heritage would score two touchdowns less than two minutes apart to take the lead for good.
Hanson scored the first of two rushing touchdowns with 1:27 left in the opening quarter, this one from eight yards out. On the next play from scrimmage, defensive back Sam Randolph made a fantastic effort play to chase down Bruins’ tailback Gavin Ellis and not only prevent a score, but to force a fumbles after a long run.
Cade Kiniry would return the loose pigskin back to midfield and a 41-yard trick pass from Kaden Swope to Dylan Bryan would put the ball inside the Northwest 10.