Pictured above: Heritage senior, Cjay Barnett rushes for a touchdown in the team's 39-13 win over Fairfield.
MONROEVILLE, IN: The Heritage Patriots football team has brought a lot of attention to Monroeville this year, running their record for the season to an outstanding 8-1 as they enter sectional play tonight vs. Woodlan.
In week one, they took a short trip down to Decatur and shutout Bellmont. On the offensive side of the ball, it was all senior quarterback, Kobe Meyer. As a passer, he had 114 yards and two touchdown passes. On the ground, he had 15 runs for 213 yards and three touchdowns. Those stats earned him Summit City Sports Player of the Week.
Senior quarterback, Kobe Meyer, has been a key factor in the team's success, with 18 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns.
In week two, they played Fairfield and won at home 39-13, and week three was the rivalry game against Woodlan. The Patriots would shut them out and win 26-0.
“The atmosphere was really something. There were so many people there to support us vs. our rival. Playing in the game and hearing tons of fans is a great feeling,” said senior safety Landon Hicks.
The Patriots would keep rolling and we’re 4-0 after beating South Adams in week four.
The next game was vs. ACAC powerhouse Adams Central. As of press time, the Flying Jets, are 9-0, scoring 384 points for the season while only giving up 45. Going into the tough matchup, Heritage's defense had only given up two touchdowns in four games but they would lose this game 0-42.
In week six, the Lapel Bulldogs traveled north to Heritage. The Patriots were looking to bounce back to their winning ways. The whole week the school showed spirit to get ready for the game. It was Homecoming week. The Pats physically dominated the Bulldogs with a final score of 28-14.
Week seven brought another ACAC foe. The 5-1 Patriots would host the 6-0 Bluffton Tigers. The Tigers were just ranked 1st in the 2A state poll at that time. The Pats were determined. They wanted to beat the team everyone thought was so good, the team that everyone thought would handle the Pats with ease. The Pats came in hot defeating the Tigers 27-21. Kobe Meyer (2), Braden Walter, and Nolan Hoskins all scored the Patriots’ four touchdowns in this pivotal victory.
Week eight brought the Pats down to Wells County, as the Southern Wells Raiders hosted the Heritage Patriots. The Patriots plowed the Raiders. The team pounded 61 points and let up only seven points.
To wrap up the regular season, the team traveled to Portland. It was the Patriots showdown, as the Heritage Patriots would play the Jay County Patriots. Heritage handled Jay in dominating fashion, defeating them 28-6 and capping off an 8-1 regular season.
The team finished second in the ACAC with a 5-1 record.
The football team begins postseason play this evening, with their sectional game against Woodlan at Woodlan. Kickoff time is 7:00 p.m.
With a win over Woodlan, the team would advance to the sectional semi-final game next week, potentially a home game.