A look back: Heritage defense gets the job done

ClarkCountyToday.com reporter Paul Valencia takes a look at the video from Heritage’s Week 1 victory and looks ahead to Week 2.

Heritage Timberwolves

A look ahead: Timberwolves to face Evergreen in Week 2

Week 1: Beat Prairie 28-14 Week 2: vs. Evergreen at McKenzie Stadium, 4:30 p.m. The Timberwolves got the best of the Falcons in the second half. Quarterback Michael Taras was impressive, and the defense got the job done.

Plays that stood out to me:

Prairie’s first possession of the game, the Falcons are driving, trying to get momentum for this game, for this season. Heritage needs a stop. It’s fourth-and-1, and the Heritage defensive line blows up the play, allowing time for linebackers and defensive backs to pursue and get a tackle for loss. Heritage ball. Quobe Altig-Johnson got into the Prairie backfield as the Falcons faked a handoff to the running back. Atlig-Johnson was not fooled and he forced a fumble. Prairie recovered, but it was a loss of 5 yards on the play. In the third quarter, Heritage was driving, facing a fourth-and-3. Michael Taras finds Ammon Garrison for a first down. Next play, the two combine for a 25-yard gain. Heritage would score two plays later on a Taras touchdown run. Neithen Stanley had an interesting double. A big play on defense, followed by a big play on offense. First, he had an interception. A few plays later, he caught a touchdown pass. He was in the air when he caught the ball, was hit by a defender, but got a foot down just before hitting the pylon for a touchdown.

Coach Speak:

What did Matt Gracey learn about his team in Week 1? “Our guys are a tough little group. We’ve got some good leadership in our senior level, and I was really, really proud of how the juniors and sophomores played.” Coach’s pick for MVP of offense: Michael Taras. Finished with 313 yards passing and a touchdown, along with three rushing TDs. “That would make him our MVP I think. Yep.” Coach’s pick for MVP of defense: Quobe Altig-Johnson ended up with 15 tackles, including three sacks. He forced that fumble noted above and also had a fumble recovery on a different play. Thoughts on Week 2: Gracey figures a lot of fans believe Evergreen “surprised” Columbia River in Week 1. Gracey said he was not surprised. “What Evergreen did was control the ball and play a solid game. When you make mistakes against Evergreen, they capitalize on them.”