The Heritage varsity football team looked to keep their four-game win streak alive this past Friday when they traveled to Fort Lauderdale to play Stranahan High School. With starting senior quarterback Edwin Rhodes sidelined for the game, back up quarterback freshman Blake Murphy hoped to keep the team’s momentum going forward. Filling in Rhodes’ role as quarterback, Murphy led the Patriots to another victory and rolled over Stranahan for a 27-6 win.
In the first quarter, the Patriots jumped to an early lead after running back senior Carlson Joseph took a run into the endzone. Both teams then scored field goals, and by the start of the second quarter, the game remained close at 10-6, with Heritage still in the lead. The game continued to stay tight through the next two quarters, as it was just 13-6 at the end of the third.
The Patriots began to break away in the fourth quarter as Murphy opened up the quarter with a forty-five yard touchdown pass to wide receiver senior Zacchaeus Byrd. The Patriots defense kept Stranahan away from the end zone and forced them to punt. With the ball back in Murphy’s hands, he led the team down the field in a drive that ended in Joseph’s second rushing touchdown for the night. Now up 27-6, the defensive unit closed out the game by not allowing the Stranahan offense to put up any more points on the board, securing the win for the Patriots.
Making this their fifth win in a row, Heritage now moves to 6-1 on the season with two games remaining before playoffs.
Heritage’s winning streak looks to give them some confidence going into the playoffs, although running back Carlson Joseph still thinks they need to improve to get that state championship ring they strive to win every year. “We played good but still haven’t put together that perfect game,” Joseph said.
The Patriots are scheduled to host American Collegiate Academy (2-4) under the lights next Friday, Oct. 18 with kickoff set for 7:30 pm.
