By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
INDIANAPOLIS – Last season, Heritage Christian jumped to a 24-0 lead at the end of one quarter in its opener versus Elwood. The visiting Panthers entered the Aug. 21 rematch hoping to control the ball and avert a similar fate.
So much for the best-laid plans. This time around, the highly regarded Eagles – they’re ranked first in Class 2A to start the 2009 season – raced to a 26-0 lead after one period. This was simply a case of too much of Jackson Kirtley and the high-powered Heritage offense for Elwood to handle.
In the end, Kirtley & Co cruised to a 60-0 victory.
It took the 2A defending state champion Eagles just a tick over two minutes to drive the opening kickoff more than 70 yards into the end zone, with Kirtley going 4 of 6 on the drive. Elwood succeeded in posting one first down on its opening possession, but the Panthers fumbled away the ball at the Heritage Christian 34.
The dagger came quickly. Kirtley completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Anthony Warrum on the very first play, and the rout was on.
On its next two possessions, Heritage Christian again would find paydirt. The first was on another TD pass to Warrum, capping a five-play, 35-yard drive. The second was yet another one-play drive, this time a 57-yard Kirtley connection to senior James Houk.
The only thing to go wrong for the Eagles in the opening 12 minutes was two missed extra-point attempts.
Truth be told, Elwood experienced some success moving the ball in the first half. The Panthers, however, didn’t show any big-play capability and they could not find enough consistency to sustain a long drive.
Heritage added two more touchdowns in the second quarter, both on the ground. Running back Austin Olvey scampered 17 yards to the promised land midway through the quarter, and Kirtley edged in from the 1 in the final minute of the half.
It all added up to a 40-0 Eagle lead at intermission, and the verdict was decided.
Kirtley, who has a chance to end his years at Heritage Christian as the all-time career passing yardage leader in Indiana history, did nothing to damage his chances. He was 11 of 17 for 243 yards and three touchdowns IN THE FIRST HALF!
Next up for Heritage Christian is an Aug. 28 date at Triton Central. Elwood will host Tipton next Friday.
Heritage Christian had won the two previous games in the series, 48-0 last year and 35-6 in ’07.
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