Division 3 State Semifinals
Heritage takes to the air in 43-0 win over Christiansburg in state semis
City Stadium, Lynchburg, VA – Heritage got going early and never let up in a 43-0 blanking of Christiansburg in the Division 4 State Semifinals in Lynchburg. Pioneers Coach Brad Bradley was ecstatic after the game. “It’s great to be here. We just punched our ticket to the ‘ship (championship). Our kids did a great job. I thought we were ready to play offensively and defensively.” Ready they were, taking advantage of a fumbled punt return Heritage QB 9 Hov Bateman hit WR 6 Tavion Clark down the middle of the field on a 46-yard TD strike on first down. Clark finished the day with 7 catches for 132 yards and a TD. The Heritage defense then did their part, giving up yards, but forcing a punt on the Blue Demons second series. Two plays later, it was Bateman again down the seam, this time to WR/DB 23 Markus White for an 86-yard pitch and catch. Bradley used his team’s speed to his advantage, “We felt like we had an edge on the outside (throwing the ball).” Bateman was the key, responsible for 4 TDs, three passing and one on the ground. The Senior finished 19/26, 336 yards, 3TDs passing. Bradley likes his signal caller, “Number 9 (Bateman) is pretty special. He put on a show today for us.” The Blue Demons rushed for only 99 yards on 25 carries, well below their season average. C-burg Coach Wilkens was hoping for a quicker start. “They are a great football team, had a great game plan and they took it to us today, (but)I’m incredibly proud of our guys.” Bradley had a lot of respect for the Blue Demons as well, “We knew they were good. Take nothing away from that football team, well coached, unbelievable toughness.” Next for the Pioneers is last years state champion, Phoebus. Bradley summed it up, “We have a huge mountain in front of us.” – Cap’n Crunch
