Heritage Right In The Mix For The Playoffs
LEESBURG, VA - When the 2007 predictions in the Dulles District were made by Gameday Magazine's staff, everyone unanimously agreed that Park View and Broad Run were the clear favorites to win the title. After week 8 of the season, that prediction appears accurate with the exception of one team being right there in the mix, the Heritage Pride.
Heritage defeated Briar Woods on Monday night to go to 6-2 on the season, their best start in school history, and as it stands now, the Pride are very much in the hunt for the Dulles District championship. While the Pride have flown under the radar for most of the season, head coach Wes Driskill isn't surprised to see his team emerge into the post-season discussions on the airwaves.
"I can't say I'm surprised because I thought we would get ourselves in the middle of this race," Driskill said. "We have some good skill players making plays and we are there because we earned the right to be there right now."
Unlike their 7-3 season two years ago, this Pride team appears to be more of a post-season threat because of its defense. Heritage has the Dulles District's best linebacking core with Ben Stroud, Russell East, and Nick Cadwell. Michael Massey has made big plays in recent weeks and Heritage has one of the better cover cornerbacks in the area with T.J McPhale. Putting all the pieces together during the week falls on the shoulders of defensive coordinator Jason (Choppy) Burke. Burke's ability to game plan and break teams down has the Pride playing faster on the football field, and making big plays when it counts.
"Coach Burke does a tremendous job, he has really come prepared each week with a great game plan," Driskill said. "The kids have really bought into what he is doing and they have stepped up to make plays for us because of it."
Against Briar Woods, the Pride scored twice on defense, once by forcing a fumble, and once on an interception. With the game's outcome still in question, the Pride defense forced another fumble deep in Falcon territory. The opportunistic defense of Heritage is also getting help from its offense, which is more balanced than in years past.
The Pride runs the football effectively with junior Ross Madison handling most of the carries. With his speed and toughness, Madison is starting to garner some interest from the college coaches, and next year could be one of the Dulles District's most dangerous threats.
Quarterback Kyle Nelson has been impressive since his return to the lineup after being injured in the first part of the season. Nelson's ability to make plays with his feet in the passing game has given defenses a problem. In addition, Nelson has been accurate, and has made the routine throws when asked to do so in Driskill's offense.
If Heritage is to make the post-season for the first time in school history, the Pride will have done it by playing better than most expected on all sides of the ball. Heritage will face Park View on Friday in a game that should help to clear up the playoff picture.
Predictions are hard to make in July, but those who try often times are proven wrong when teams such as Heritage play better than expected. Heritage will try to make everyone look silly on Friday night against Park View by pulling out a victory in a game that nobody thought they would have a chance to win, nobody except the Pride.
