Heritage JV One Win Away From Undefeated WHC Season

By David Grindstaff
david@wkyk.ck

yanceysports.com
Poised to win its second consecutive Western Highlands Conference junior varsity football title,the Mountain Heritage JV used a game with Avery County last week to warmup for the season finale at Madison this Thursday night.

The Heritage JV has won 11 straight WHC games dating back to last season and this edition of Cougars can become the first JV football team in school history to go unbeaten in league play in back to back seasons. They can accomplish that feat with a win in Marshall this week.
The Cougars wasted little time gaining the upper hand over the Vikings in Newland. A fumble recovery by defensive lineman Noah Blaylock gave the Cougars their first scoring opportunity midway through the first quarter with possession of the football at the ACHS 36 yard line.
Ryan Meadows got the drive off on the right foot when he rumbled to the Viking 20 yard line on a first down carry. A couple of plays later Dalton Cannon did what he has done all season long, squirt through a hole in the defense and outrun everyone to the end zone. The sophomore running back's 18 yards scamper, together with a two point conversion run by Joey Brown, put the Cougars on top early 8-0.
After the Cougars forced the Vikings three and out on their ensuing possession, Heritage went back to work on offense and produced another score.
Cannon finished off the ten play 67 yard drive with another strong run. His spin move off a pile of tacklers and blockers at the line of scrimmage allowed him to break free for a 19 yard touchdown run.
Avery Austin spotted an open EJ Ochoa for the two point conversion and the Cougars were rolling 16-0 with nearly seven minutes still remaining in the first quarter.
Heritage padded its lead following a 4^th down defensive stop by freshman Cody Buchanan. His tackle gave the Cougars the football in good field position near midfield.
On third down and 9 from the Viking 41,quarterback Avery Austin zipped a quick pass to Isaish Rose on a bubble screen and the sophomore wide receiver got a block at the line of scrimmage and took to the house. Following Austin's two point run the Cougars were cruising 24-0.
The Vikings returned the ensuing Cougar kick 84 yards for a touchdown and then kicked the extra point to cut the Heritage lead to 24-7.
The first half offensive fireworks continued as the Cougars grabbed a 32-7 halftime lead following a strong kickoff return by Ryan Meadows, who weaved his way to the Heritage 45.
A few plays later Meadows followed his blocking into the end zone for a five yard TD. Joey Brown added the two point conversion run to finish off the first half scoring barrage by the Cougars.
The Cougar reserves got into the act in the second half and those players who work hard all week but don's see a lot of playing time on Thursday night kept the pressure up on the Viking starters.
Freshman Zack Laws capped a 55 yard Cougar drive late in the third quarter with a five yard TD catch from another freshman Job Kennedy, and Heritage led 38-7.
Ethan Ray showed his skills early in the 4^th quarter when he reached the end zone on a three yard run and Maleek Smith finished off the Cougar scoring with a successful two point conversion run with five minutes remaining in the contest.
Avery County scored a late touchdown to cut the final deficit to 46-13.
Be a part of the excitement as the Cougar JV attempts to make history. Come out and support the team this Thursday night in Marshall. Kickoff is at 7.