Day After Report: Heritage 21, Prairie 12
The 2016 Heritage football team is a small pack of Timberwolves.
In their season opener against Prairie, the Timberwolves had 32 players listed on its varsity roster. But coach Matt Gracey plans to use as many of those players as possible in his offensive attack.
“Last season, we were the Gavin Lee Show at times, along with Kalani (Umiamaka),” Gracey said. “Teams knew what was coming. But this season, we are going more with an offense by committee, so teams can’t just sit on one guy. … We had a couple of guys score their first varsity touchdown tonight, which was good to see.”
Lee, who led the Timberwolves with his passing and running at quarterback last season, saw time at running back and wide receiver in the Timberwolves’ 21-12 win over Prairie.
“Coach has a scheme and we all have to go along with it,” Lee said. “At the end of the day, we don’t know what we’re going to do. So if we just follow along with the scheme, that will fix all the problems that we’ve had.”
Lee rushed for 44 yards on 10 carries. He also had two receptions for 22 yards.
Junior quarterback Michael Taras completed seven passes to six different receivers. Running back Tashiem Hurse rushed for 122 yards and had more than 100 by halftime.
PROMISE AT PRAIRIE: Though the final result was not what they had hoped, Prairie had a lot of positives to which to build from.
Quarterback Kevin Aguirre rushed for 107 yards on 20 carries, despite have seven carries that lost 32 yards. Carson Slagle added 64 yards rushing on seven carries.
DEFENSIVE PLAYS: Both teams recorded an interception on defense. Prairie’s Aaron Brumley picked off a pass and returned it 18 yards to halt Heritage’s first drive of the game. Heritage’s Ammon Garrison had a fourth-quarter interception as the Timberwolves were protecting a 21-6 lead.
ANOTHER UMIAMAKA: Sophomore Kahai Umiamaka, wearing the same No. 5 his brother Kalani wore at Heritage, was one of those Timberwolves to get a first varsity touchdown Friday. He had a 53-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter that gave Heritage its 21-6 lead.
“Kalani was here watching,” Gracey said. “He’s getting ready to head to Southern Oregon (University). I think that was big thrill for him to watch his brother make that play. He might have been the most excited guy in the stands.”
“First of many,” Kalani Umiamaka tweeted about his brother’s touchdown.
NEXT WEEK: Both teams play non-league rivals next week. Heritage plays Evergreen in the 4:30 p.m. game Friday at McKenzie Stadium. Prairie hosts Hockinson at District Stadium at 7 p.m. Thursday.
