WEST POINT — Sophomore Miller Puckett took the opening kickoff return 82 yards untouched to help Heritage Academy lead from the start Friday night en route to a 28-14 victory against Oak Hill Academy in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools season opener for both teams.
“It is always good to win that first one,” Heritage Academy second-year coach Brad Butler said. “Miller Puckett played well. We have to make sure we find ways to get the ball in his hands more.
“We had too many penalties, but we overcame those with some big plays, but we still have to get mentally tougher so we can overcome these penalties.”
The Patriots had 14 penalties for 120 yards, and had two late scores called back due to the mental lapses.
Following Puckett”s opening touchdown, the Raiders responded with a 12-play drive but were forced to punt. Fortunately, the Raiders” defense looked strong and kept Heritage Academy in check most of the night. The Patriots went through a series of three-and-outs and didn”t earn a first down until 6 minutes, 40 seconds were left in the third quarter.
Toward the end of the first quarter, Oak Hill Academy found itself inside Heritage Academy”s 10-yard line after a 19-yard punt return by sophomore Phillip Liu, but the Raiders couldn”t capitalize as Heritage Academy junior lineman Blake Sharp tallied two of his four sacks. The Raiders missed a 29-yard field goal attempt to end the opening quarter.
“Blake (Sharp) played well,” Butler said. “I think he turned it loose tonight, and that is what we expect of him, and that is what he has to do if he wants to play on the next level.”
Oak Hill Academy bounced back as sophomore Bo Sanford intercepted quarterback Brandon Bell and ripped off a 30-yard return, but the Raiders couldn”t get it done again and turned the ball over on downs.
Heritage Academy replied with Bell (game-high 125 yards rushing on nine attempts), who took a quarterback keeper up the middle for a 63-yard score to put the Patriots up 14-0.
“We didn”t protect Brandon (Bell) very well tonight, which hurt our passing game,” Butler said. “Fortunately, he”s a two-way threat and was effective for us tonight.”
After a three-and-out by Oak Hill Academy, Heritage Academy sophomore Parker Dunaway returned a punt for 39 yards to the Raiders” 7-yard line. Two plays later, senior tailback John Laws Ferguson went up the middle for a 7-yard score to make it 21-0 with 4:48 to go in the first half.
A crucial Heritage Academy penalty gave Oak Hill Academy a much needed first down. Sophomore quarterback Jeb Stevens avoided the sack and connected with Sanford on a screen. From there, Sanford avoided four would-be tacklers en route to a 54-yard touchdown that got the Raiders on the scoreboard with 3:09 left in the first half.
Heritage Academy apparently had one big play left in its arsenal. On the ensuing drive Bell faked the option left and went untouched down the sideline on a 55-yard run that helped give the Patriots a 28-7 halftime lead.
Although trailing by 21 points and with on a 17-man roster, the Raiders won the second half by scoring on their opening drive of the second half. Stevens found Sanford on a cross-field pass, and Sanford broke several tackles with jukes, stiff arms, and speed for a 74-yard touchdown.
“God made him (Sanford) to be a football player,” Oak Hill Academy third-year head coach Leroy Gregg said. “He plays with great effort ad is a great team player. He made plays tonight, and that is just what he does every day.”
Although Oak Hill Academy”s defense kept Heritage Academy and its big plays in check in the second half, its offense found little rhythm after its opening drive. Gregg admitted the heat of the August night took its toll on the Raiders.
“Our conditioning is fairly good, but we did get tired toward the end,” Gregg said. “To only have 17 players with this heat is tough to play a full ballgame, but I am proud of the way we played, especially in the second half. We gave up three big plays and other than that it was an even ballgame, but give Heritage credit for busting out those three big plays.”
Oak Hill Academy will play host to Pillow Academy next week, while Heritage Academy will play host to Winston Academy.
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