Leading up to his team’s meeting against Winston Academy, Heritage Academy football coach Barrett Donahoe preached the value of the big play to his players.
“I told the guys the opportunities would be there to make big plays, and if we did that, we’d win the game,” Donahoe said.
Michael Ledbetter and his teammates listened.
Ledbetter scored touchdowns of 71 and 42 yards, and Heritage Academy averaged 37 yards per play on its six touchdowns in a 44-14 victory at C.L. Mitchell Field.
Ledbetter scored his touchdowns on consecutive drives in the second half, keying a 20-point third-quarter outburst that turned a 17-7 halftime lead into a 37-14 rout entering the fourth quarter.
“It’s something we want to focus on as an offense, the home run plays,” Donahoe said. “(Ledbetter) and all of our backs showed great vision.”
The first of Ledbetter’s touchdowns, the 42-yard run, featured a pair of broken tackles. His second was the result of a cutback through a massive hole opened by the offensive line. Ledbetter then used his speed to race down the visitor’s sideline.
“I have to give a huge shout out to the offensive line on that one,” said Ledbetter, a junior who rushed for 145 yards on seven carries. “When I got the toss, I saw the defense overload to play the toss, so I cut back through a hole in the line and just ran as fast as I could.”
Ledbetter’s touchdowns epitomized Heritage Academy’s effort. Senior fullback Cayden Upton rushed for 127 yards on 12 carries and scored on runs of 2 and 41 yards. Senior Walker Brown had two of Heritage Academy’s biggest momentum-grabbers, a 28-yard interception return in the first half for a score and a 39-yard touchdown reception from backup quarterback Tyler Anderson, who lined up at tailback and unleashed a halfback pass to Brown early in the third quarter.
“Two big-time plays,” Donahoe said of Brown’s night. “Defensive touchdowns mean so much in a game like this. That touchdown really gave us a lift.”
Brown’s interception of quarterback Logan Webb gave his team a 14-0 lead four minutes into the first quarter.
“I recognized they were running a slant, and the throw was a little high,” Brown said, “so I broke on the ball and the receiver tipped it. That slowed down the ball and helped me catch it. Once I caught it, there was nobody between me and the end zone.”
Heritage Academy’s big-play extravaganza featured touchdowns of 2, 28, 39, 42, 71, and 41 yards. It gained 281 of its 349 yards rushing in the second half.
Heritage Academy’s defense also got in on the action, forcing three turnovers, including Brown’s interception. It also received fumble recoveries from sophomore Cason Westmoreland and senior Jahill Gray. Gray’s turnover stopped a drive at the Heritage Academy 5-yard line late in the third quarter, setting the stage for a 9-play, 95-yard drive that Upton capped with a 41-yard score.
Westmoreland’s recovery, which came with 33 seconds left in the first half, set up a half-ending 23-yard field goal by Ledbetter.
“I have to give a lot of credit to the defense, too,” Donahoe said. “There was a lot of bend-but-don’t-break tonight, and that’s a good offense over there.”
Winston Academy had explosive plays. The visitors scored on a 15-yard run by senior Bradley Stapleton in the second quarter. They added an 88-yard touchdown strike from Webb to wideout Carter Lane Jones in the third quarter.
Heritage Academy (2-1) will visit Jackson Academy on Friday night.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.