Prep Football: Heritage School looks to build on opener
By CHRIS GOLTERMANNcgoltermann@newnan.com
Normally when a football team can put together 48 points in their opening game, coaches tend to give praise to their offense. And The Heritage School’s Kevin Prisant was plenty pleased with his after last Friday’s 48-14 rout of Flint River Academy.
But from the way the Hawks executed on both defense and special teams, a well-rounded effort was as much a reason why Heritage School was able to keep a much-improved Flint River lineup grounded in Game One of the 2012 season.
Defensive coordinator D.J. Clay will be tasked again with stopping a pass-oriented attack this week when the Hawks host Dominion Christian of Marietta. The Knights (1-1), who travel to Newnan following a 53-32 win over Griffin Christian, also present concerns with a similar spread offense led by sophomore quarterback A.J. Wilson (5-11, 160) and a deep group of receivers led by 6-4, 210 junior Luke Lewallen.
Game time for Friday at The Heritage School is set for 7:30 p.m.
“We have to know where he is on the field,” Prisant said of Lewallen. “They definitely will be bringing some athletes. After seeing us play last week, I think we’re going to have some speed on defense this year.”
Sophomore cornerback Harrison Holland, who didn’t play as a ninth grader, showcased his talent with a pair of interceptions and had “four or five passes batted down,” said Prisant. “They kept trying his side.”
The Hawks were also able to rotate seven defensive linemen in its 3-man front, with junior Caleb Woodrief, newcomer Sam Pulsipher and freshman Taylor Henson all contributing to allow regulars Tyler Bean, Tyler Henson and Richard Ebersbach to rest while playing both sides of the ball.
“Our goal was we wanted to score on defense,” Prisant said. “As it was, we returned a punt and we blocked a punt.”
It took some of the pressure off the offense and sophomore quarterback Brad Macke in his first varsity start filling in for injured senior Joe Bonner. Macke converted on more than half of a dozen pass attempts including a 15-yard tackle-eligible pass to senior lineman Tyler Nix.
Meanwhile, Pat McKee — who also had an interception — showed he could handle his share of the offensive load when needed, scoring his first rushing touchdown of the season. David Bready also added one out of the backfield with Heritage School moving Rich, a two-time All-State selection, around as a marked man in the offense.
“Candler’s still going to get his share of carries,” Prisant said of Rich. “Pat is still getting there with the complete offense, but he showed he can be a great help for us.”
