UPDATE
In years past, the winner of the Heritage-LCA regular season match-up has been in the driver’s seat to a Seminole District championship. That could be the case again with two unbeaten powerhouse programs. But Thursday night was about taking care of the basics and playing fundamental football in wet conditions.
The Pioneers struck first with a methodical touchdown opening drive for the 6-0 lead.
But on the ensuing kickoff, it’s Gideon Davidson off to the races. Kick return for a touchdown put the Bulldogs up, 7-6.
Then, Heritage is down but not out. David Bradley pulled off a Chuck Brown move—he’s bustin’ loose, bustin’ loose with a 78-yard touchdown run. 12-7, with Heritage in the lead.
Frank Rocco got the Bulldogs back in order. It’s Davidson again, running through defenders to get back in the end zone. Let’s call him Jidenna because he’s a classic man. The Clemson commit would score two more times in the first half as LCA scored 20 unanswered points. 27-12 lead at halftime.
Heritage came within 7 points of the lead.
But just when the defense thought they figured out the Bulldogs. Tyler Jackson said nope. He airs it out deep to James Deyo. Touchdown LCA as they go up, 34-20.
Pioneers scored a late touchdown but needed a stop. Instead the Bulldogs convert on 4th down and get the 34-27 homecoming win.
“Heritage is a great football team and for it to be a battle of one versus two I mean that was the way it should be,” said LCA Head Coach Frank Rocco. “We have a lot of things we are still trying to work out and find out about ourselves and to play in a tough game like that.”
“I thought our kids did a great job,” said Heritage Head Coach Brad Bradley. “Proud of the way they play and proud of their effort and we had a couple of mistakes but that’s on the coaches and the head football coach which is me but I really liked what I saw. We had a couple of bangs and bruises tonight and hopefully get that taken care of, but our kids are battling.”
So it was another performance for the ages for LCA running back and homecoming king Gideon Davidson as he continues to aid his freshman quarterback Tyler Jackson.
This Bulldogs program continues to gain momentum and confidence week by week, which is a dangerous statement being made to the rest of the seminal district. As for Heritage, they walk away with their head held high, considering how competitive they stayed in this game with LCA. They will try to regroup when they take the field again against Northside.
LCA takes the win, 34-27.
ORIGINAL STORY
It’s 1st and 10 Friday on this special edition Thursday night. Our Game of the Week is Heritage versus Liberty Christian Academy, a district match-up that fans won’t want to miss.
The Seminole district is one of the toughest conferences to win in our area, which is why we often refer to it as the SEC of the high school ranks. It’ll be another chess match of sorts with Heritage and defending state champion LCA.
Heritage and LCA have been a highly contested matchup in recent years. It’s always a regular season highlight but twice, it’s been a playoff game determining who moves on. Familiarity is a plus.
If a team is lining up, that means they’re not scoring, and with wet weather and a short week a factor in this matchup, the key defensively will be upfront.
“Protection fundamentals and good tackling in a sloppy game like this will really determine the outcome overall and special teams often play a big part too,” said Frank Rocco, LCA head coach.
Both teams enter the matchup undefeated and with one Seminole district win already under their belts.
For a full breakdown of scores across our region, click here.