Main Street Maury
COLUMBIA WEATHER

Gaines, DCA air it out against WH Heritage




Nathan Magalei is fired up after his second touchdown.JOEL CLINGER

Nathan Magalei is fired up after his second touchdown.JOEL CLINGER

Donelson Christian Academy took advantage of senior quarterback Bradford Gaines’ career night to come away with a 52-20 victory over White House Heritage Friday night.

The Wildcats took a 28-14 lead into halftime, but DCA head coach Paul Wade thought his team still lacked some execution.

“Except for just a few plays in the first half, we really did not execute very well,” Wade said. “It may have looked like it by the score, but it was just a few plays that we did. The third quarter, we challenged them at halftime to just come out and execute what we worked on.”

After Heritage’s Taye Francis cut the lead to eight with a 43-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the third quarter, the Wildcats scored the final 24 points of the game.

Heritage sold out to stop the run, leaving space behind the defenders. Bradford Gaines was able to find his receivers over the top throughout the game. He went 7-for-10 for 228 passing yards with four touchdowns, including three of over 40 yards.

DSC00097.jpgJOEL CLINGER

DSC00097.jpgJOEL CLINGER

“It was probably (Gaines’) best outing as a Wildcat,” Wade said. “They were trying to defend the run. I feel like we’ve run the ball very effectively in the last three weeks, and they were trying to stop the run.

“Trying to put two safeties, four DBs within eight yards of the line of scrimmage, you better be able to get the ball over the top… They were all play-action passes, and the kids did a great job of executing.”

One trend that has grown over the past few years in the high school game is ultimately deciding what play to run at the line of scrimmage after seeing the defense. Wade uses it with his team, and it paid dividends Friday night, knowing when the play-action would be open.

“They’re called ‘check-with-me’s,” Wade said. “Everybody does them at every level. Sometimes we call a play; sometimes we just call a formation. Sometimes we call a play and change the whole thing.

“I’m a run-first guy, have been my entire career all the years I’ve called plays… You have to be able to look at the defense and see what they’re giving you, and hopefully we execute it.”

The Heritage captains walk out on the field.JOEL CLINGER

The Heritage captains walk out on the field.JOEL CLINGER

Gaines said he is fine operating a run-heavy offense, but given the chance to fling the ball down the field, he will take it every time.

“I’m fine with being a game manager and running the ball 20 million times a day, throwing six passes, but to throw as many as I did, that’s a blast,” Gaines said.

The Wildcats were still dangerous on the ground, rushing for 253 yards on 34 attempts. Ashton Jones totaled 157 yards and a touchdown.

DCA was able to move the ball the entire game and had to face a potent Heritage rushing attack. Wade wanted to give his team a look at a tough, physical opponent before the playoffs.

“We scrimmaged them a couple of years ago, and physically they beat us up,” Wade said. “To be honest, getting ready for the playoffs last year, we had not had that. I wanted to make sure we had a couple of games within our (regular season) schedule that prepared us physically for the playoffs.”

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DSC00110.jpgJOEL CLINGER

The Patriots ran the ball 48 times for 259 yards but completed none of their five pass attempts. Malakhai Illaramendi ran for 118 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Heritage has now lost two games in a row after starting the season with two wins. Head coach Stetson Dickerson said they are not where they want to be, but his team is on the right track.

“From last week to this week, we took some steps forward,” Dickerson said. “We’ve got to keep taking steps forward. This game is for tough people, and we weren’t as tough as we need to be tonight.

“Of course, we scheduled them when we knew it was going to be a challenge. They’ve got a heck of a football team. We didn’t play four quarters as tough as we really needed to.”

Both teams open their region schedules next Friday. DCA will travel to Columbia Academy, and Heritage will host Sycamore.

The Heritage captains walk to midfield.JOEL CLINGER

The Heritage captains walk to midfield.JOEL CLINGER

Box Score1Q2Q3Q4Q
DCA72171752
WH Heritage776020 

Scoring Plays

1Q DCA – Bradford Gaines 41-yard touchdown pass to Dayton Sneed. (PAT good)

1Q WHH – Malakhai Illaramendi three-yard rushing touchdown. (PAT good)

2Q DCA – Brady Russell six-yard rushing touchdown. (PAT good)

2Q DCA – Bradford Gaines 58-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Magalei. (PAT good)

2Q WHH – Damian Dobak two-yard rushing touchdown. (PAT good)

2Q DCA – Bradford Gaines eight-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Magalei. (PAT good)

3Q WHH – Taye Francis 43-yard rushing touchdown. (PAT failed)

DCA captains walk to midfield for the coin toss before a game at White House Heritage on Sept. 10.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

DCA captains walk to midfield for the coin toss before a game at White House Heritage on Sept. 10.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

3Q DCA – Ashton Jones 19-yard rushing touchdown. (PAT good)

4Q DCA – Bradford Gaines 51-yard touchdown pass to Dayton Sneed. (PAT good)

4Q DCA – Wesley Gober 15-yard touchdown run. (PAT good)

4Q DCA – Braden Ducharme 38-yard field goal.

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DSC00135.jpgJOEL CLINGER

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DSC00146.jpgJOEL CLINGER

White House Heritage breaks through the banner.JOEL CLINGER

White House Heritage breaks through the banner.JOEL CLINGER

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DSC00159.jpgJOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed and Jacob Cook talk before the opening kick.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed and Jacob Cook talk before the opening kick.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed returns the opening kick.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed returns the opening kick.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed tries to put a move on the Heritage defenders.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed tries to put a move on the Heritage defenders.JOEL CLINGER

Cole Thomerson brings down Dayton Sneed.JOEL CLINGER

Cole Thomerson brings down Dayton Sneed.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones tries to navigate his blocks.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones tries to navigate his blocks.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines gets rid of the ball before the pressure can get to him.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines gets rid of the ball before the pressure can get to him.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed hauls in the long pass for the first score of the game.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed hauls in the long pass for the first score of the game.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed struts into the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed struts into the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed looks back at the other players on the field.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed looks back at the other players on the field.JOEL CLINGER

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DSC00258.jpgJOEL CLINGER

Stetson Dickerson talks to Caden Rains during a timeout.JOEL CLINGER

Stetson Dickerson talks to Caden Rains during a timeout.JOEL CLINGER

Taye Francis pulls it down.JOEL CLINGER

Taye Francis pulls it down.JOEL CLINGER

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DSC00313.jpgJOEL CLINGER

Malakhai Illaramendi brings Ashton Jones down from behind.JOEL CLINGER

Malakhai Illaramendi brings Ashton Jones down from behind.JOEL CLINGER

Braden Ducharme tries to pick up the first down after a botched snap on a punt.JOEL CLINGER

Braden Ducharme tries to pick up the first down after a botched snap on a punt.JOEL CLINGER

Malakhai Illaramendi brings the ball up the sideline.JOEL CLINGER

Malakhai Illaramendi brings the ball up the sideline.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines threw for over 200 yards and four touchdowns.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines threw for over 200 yards and four touchdowns.JOEL CLINGER

DSC00392.jpgJOEL CLINGER

DSC00392.jpgJOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines pulls the ball down and tries to run.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines pulls the ball down and tries to run.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines' carry is called back due to a holding penalty.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines’ carry is called back due to a holding penalty.JOEL CLINGER

Heritage's Colby Hulsey and Ty Minnick bring down the DCA runner.JOEL CLINGER

Heritage’s Colby Hulsey and Ty Minnick bring down the DCA runner.JOEL CLINGER

Brady Russell follows his blocks into the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Brady Russell follows his blocks into the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Damian Dobak fights to stay up.JOEL CLINGER

Damian Dobak fights to stay up.JOEL CLINGER

Damian Dobak fights for more yards.JOEL CLINGER

Damian Dobak fights for more yards.JOEL CLINGER

Taye Francis looks to the sideline.JOEL CLINGER

Taye Francis looks to the sideline.JOEL CLINGER

DCA head coach Paul Wade looks on from the sideline during a game this season.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

DCA head coach Paul Wade looks on from the sideline during a game this season.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Nathan Magalei reacts to the ball in the air.JOEL CLINGER

Nathan Magalei reacts to the ball in the air.JOEL CLINGER

Nathan Magalei leaps to make the catch.JOEL CLINGER

Nathan Magalei leaps to make the catch.JOEL CLINGER

Nathan Magalei comes down with the catch.JOEL CLINGER

Nathan Magalei comes down with the catch.JOEL CLINGER

Nathan Magalei pulls away from the defense after catching the deep pass.JOEL CLINGER

Nathan Magalei pulls away from the defense after catching the deep pass.JOEL CLINGER

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DSC00491.jpgJOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines and Nathan Magalei celebrate their first touchdown of the game.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines and Nathan Magalei celebrate their first touchdown of the game.JOEL CLINGER

Ty Minnick lines up wide.JOEL CLINGER

Ty Minnick lines up wide.JOEL CLINGER

Damian Dobak tries to bring down the DCA runner.JOEL CLINGER

Damian Dobak tries to bring down the DCA runner.JOEL CLINGER

DCA head coach Paul WadeJOEL CLINGER

DCA head coach Paul WadeJOEL CLINGER

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DSC00589.jpgJOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines lets it loose.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines lets it loose.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines lets it loose.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines lets it loose.JOEL CLINGER

Nathan Magalei smiles after his second touchdown of the game.JOEL CLINGER

Nathan Magalei smiles after his second touchdown of the game.JOEL CLINGER

Dontarrius Teasley catches the kickoff.JOEL CLINGER

Dontarrius Teasley catches the kickoff.JOEL CLINGER

Dontarrius Teasley returns the kickoff.JOEL CLINGER

Dontarrius Teasley returns the kickoff.JOEL CLINGER

Taye Francis makes a cut.JOEL CLINGER

Taye Francis makes a cut.JOEL CLINGER

Taye Francis breaks the defender's ankles.JOEL CLINGER

Taye Francis breaks the defender’s ankles.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones drops the kickoff.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones drops the kickoff.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones runs wide on the kickoff.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones runs wide on the kickoff.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones tries to break away from Damian Dobak's tackle.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones tries to break away from Damian Dobak’s tackle.JOEL CLINGER

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DSC00725.jpgJOEL CLINGER

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DSC00728.jpgJOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines rolls out.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines rolls out.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines jumps and throws.JOEL CLINGER

Bradford Gaines jumps and throws.JOEL CLINGER

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DSC00737.jpgJOEL CLINGER

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DSC00759.jpgJOEL CLINGER

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DSC00764.jpgJOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones carries the ball up the sideline.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones carries the ball up the sideline.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones points to the sky as he takes the ball into the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones points to the sky as he takes the ball into the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones celebrates in the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones celebrates in the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones and David Lyles celebrate Jones' rushing touchdown in the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones and David Lyles celebrate Jones’ rushing touchdown in the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones and David Lyles celebrate Jones' touchdown.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones and David Lyles celebrate Jones’ touchdown.JOEL CLINGER

Paul Wade watches on.JOEL CLINGER

Paul Wade watches on.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed takes his second touchdown catch into the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed takes his second touchdown catch into the end zone.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed and Ashton Jones celebrate Sneed's second touchdown.JOEL CLINGER

Dayton Sneed and Ashton Jones celebrate Sneed’s second touchdown.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones celebrates a big play.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones celebrates a big play.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones is fired up after a second-half touchdown.JOEL CLINGER

Ashton Jones is fired up after a second-half touchdown.JOEL CLINGER

Braden Ducharme knocks a 38-yard field goal through the uprights.JOEL CLINGER

Braden Ducharme knocks a 38-yard field goal through the uprights.JOEL CLINGER

Wesley Gober carries the ball.JOEL CLINGER

Wesley Gober carries the ball.JOEL CLINGER

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DSC00900.jpgJOEL CLINGER

Players shake hands after the game.JOEL CLINGER

Players shake hands after the game.JOEL CLINGER

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