Robertson County Connection
SPRINGFIELD WEATHER

Upstart WH Heritage ends season at Lexington




Heritage RB Parker Deaton looks for room to run. JARED JAMES

Heritage RB Parker Deaton looks for room to run. JARED JAMES

White House Heritage’s storybook season ended with a loss in the first round of the playoffs.

The Patriots (7-4) got behind in the second quarter and never recovered, and Lexington advanced with a 35-27 victory last Friday. The Tigers moved on to face Springfield in the second round on Friday, Nov. 15.

“We couldn’t get out of our way, for the most part,” White House Heritage coach Stetson Dickerson said. “We were a couple of fluky things away from it being a much tighter game.”

Heritage took an early lead when Jackson Mapes ran for a 1-yard touchdown five minutes into the first quarter. But Lexington then reeled off 21 straight points to take a 21-7 lead into halftime.

Lexington’s final touchdown of the first half came on a scoop-and-score of a Trenton Tuttle fumble, which Dickerson said he thought was an incomplete pass.

The Patriots blocked a kick midway through the third quarter, and Tuttle returned the favor by taking it for a touchdown. Wilson tacked on a 1-yard rushing score to tie the game at 21 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Junior quarterback Will Wilson attempts to escape the pocket. JARED JAMES

Junior quarterback Will Wilson attempts to escape the pocket. JARED JAMES

However, Lexington scored back-to-back rushing touchdowns to take a 35-21 lead with 1:32 remaining. Wilson threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Timmy Freel as the game clock expired, but it came a little too late.

“That’s a testament to our kids,” Dickerson said. “They kept fighting. That’s the way it has been all year. Even when things looked like they were over, they were still trying to play their best.”

Dickerson said the playoff appearance helped the program continue to rebuild its reputation. But more importantly, the close result showed the Heritage players that they belonged in the playoffs.

“I wanted our kids to see that they’re not a doormat,” Dickerson said. “They’re not a warmup game for somebody. We can go out and beat anybody on our schedule. Getting that extra week (of practice) was a big deal for our kids to feel.”

Wilson completed 13 of his 27 passes for 157 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Senior tailback Parker Deaton rushed for 131 yards on 27 carries. Tuttle led the receivers with three catches for 69 yards.

Heritage defensive back Chance Anderson looks toward the sideline.JARED JAMES

Heritage defensive back Chance Anderson looks toward the sideline.JARED JAMES

Heritage went 1-19 over the last two seasons before turning things around this year. Friday marked the first playoff trip for a senior class that has been through rocky times in their high school careers.

“This group of seniors has taken their lumps,” Dickerson said. “But they came back and they kept fighting. They have the right attitude toward their work. If you can work hard and be positive, good things are going to happen for you.”

Heritage graduates 15 seniors next spring. But Wilson and Jackson Mapes, a key two-way player, are among several contributors that will return in 2020.

“The plan is to hit the offseason and do whatever we’ve got to do to get better,” Dickerson said. “That’s the name of high school football. Everybody is going to lose guys. We have to make sure to fill in our gaps and make some adjustments.”

Heritage defenders Dyllan Solis (23) and Ethan Braziel (55) close in on Lexington QB Braxton Grice (12).JARED JAMES

Heritage defenders Dyllan Solis (23) and Ethan Braziel (55) close in on Lexington QB Braxton Grice (12).JARED JAMES

Junior Jackson Mapes punts the ball during Friday’s loss to Lexington. JARED JAMES

Junior Jackson Mapes punts the ball during Friday’s loss to Lexington. JARED JAMES

Heritage receiver Timmy Freel (13) stiff arms a Lexington defender.JARED JAMES

Heritage receiver Timmy Freel (13) stiff arms a Lexington defender.JARED JAMES

The Heritage offensive line gets ready to snap the ball. JARED JAMES

The Heritage offensive line gets ready to snap the ball. JARED JAMES

Heritage captains Colin Spivey (7), Trenton Tuttle (21) and Eli Arnett (58) prepare for the coin toss.JARED JAMES

Heritage captains Colin Spivey (7), Trenton Tuttle (21) and Eli Arnett (58) prepare for the coin toss.JARED JAMES

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