This article was written by Alex Becker, class of 2019.
The American Heritage Patriots traveled to Moultrie, Ga. Saturday to face the Colquitt County Packers in their first game of the season. The game was aired on ESPNU’s High School Kickoff series, which showcases the best high schools in the nation as they face off for the first week of the regular football season.
The Patriots struck first with an 87-yard drive resulting in a touchdown pass by senior quarterback Jason Brown. In the second quarter, Brown threw another touchdown, this one a 15-yard throw to senior fullback Joseph Ruma.
The Patriots went into halftime up 14-0, but the scoring was not over yet. After the break, Heritage put together a drive resulting in a field goal to extend their lead to 17-0. However, Colquitt County made a comeback in the third quarter with player Daijun Edwards scoring a 29-yard touchdown run, followed by player Ty Leggett making a 10-yard rushing touchdown, cutting the lead to 17-14.
Midway through fourth quarter the Packers had a chance to tie the scores with a 39-yard field goal attempt but missed. That was the Packers’ third missed field goal of the game. When Heritage got the ball, their last drive was simply to run out the clock. Brown converted on a fourth-and-one to extend the drive. The Patriots had to eventually punt the ball away back to the Packers, but a sack on Packer quarterback Jay Saunders put them at the one-yard line.
From there, Colquitt couldn’t move the ball, giving the Patriots their first win of the season. Brown was the star of the game finishing with 126 yards passing, 80 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
