Much has changed for Heritage since October blowout
08:50 PM Central Standard Time on Wednesday, December 6, 2006
COLLEYVILLE – Colleyville Heritage coaches say they hope their defense's success in the playoffs gives it confidence that it can shut down explosive Southlake Carroll.
The defense held Lubbock Monterey to 10 points last week and has given up only three touchdowns in its last two playoff games.
"As we go week to week, we gain confidence," defensive coordinator Tim Ford said. "If you can believe you can do something, you obviously have a better chance of getting it done."
Colleyville Heritage and Carroll meet Saturday in the Class 5A Division I Region I championship game. It's a rematch of a game Carroll won, 56-7, on Oct. 6.
Colleyville Heritage (10-3) will try to clinch its first state semifinal berth, something that has the team buzzing more than getting a second shot at Carroll.
"We're focused on keeping this thing going," coach Chris Cunningham said. "We don't want it to end."
Carroll has scored at least 35 points in each of its 13 games, except for its 22-21 win over Euless Trinity on Nov. 24.
In the first game against Colleyville Heritage, Carroll (13-0) had 573 yards and 35 first-half points. Riley Dodge threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score. Colleyville Heritage had a season-low 208 yards.
Cunningham said Colleyville Heritage has changed since then. The team is 7-1 since the loss.
"That loss was almost a season ago, if you look at it. We've played eight games since," Cunningham said. "Things have changed with both teams, and it's something our guys understand."
To win, Colleyville Heritage will need solid outings from quarterback Casey Russell, receivers Evan Walker and Breece Johnson and running back Bryan Head.
Linebacker Matt Howe, defensive end Logan Laposta and defensive back Taylor Hightower must contain one of the state's most prolific offenses.
"We've got to control the football," Cunningham said. "At the same time, we've got to take advantage of every opportunity they give us. It's been a long time since someone's controlled them.
"[Euless] Trinity's done the best job anyone's done on them in a long time. We just have to make sure to keep them away from the big plays."
The summary from Southlake Carroll's 56-7 victory against Colleyville Heritage on Oct. 6:
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SLC Tre Newton 4 run (Cade Foster kick)
CH Breece Johnson 7 pass from Casey Russell (Adam Still kick)
SLC Anthony Ford 22 pass from Riley Dodge (Foster kick)
SLC Ethan Cunningham 34 pass from Dodge (Foster kick)
SLC Derek Tomlin 27 fumble return (Foster kick)
SLC Blake Cantu 31 pass from Dodge (Foster kick)
SLC Dodge 23 run (Foster kick)
SLC Cunningham 33 pass from Dodge (Foster kick)
SLC Mike Troop 1 run (Foster kick)
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INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing – HER: Derek Kammerlocher 10-22, Bryan Head 5-13, Casey Russell 3-7, Tyler Little 1-(-1). SLC: Tre' Newton 19-167, Riley Dodge 17-142, Mike Troop 5-8, Caleb Jameson 3-3.
Passing – HER: Casey Russell 23-51-1-167. SLC: Riley Dodge 15-24-1-246, Caleb Jameson 2-2-0-7.
Receiving – HER: Evan Walker 10-84, Breece Johnson 10-77, Joel Quintanilla 1-6, Shane Hilliard 2-0. SLC: Blake Cantu 6-99, Ethan Cunningham 2-68, Anthony Ford 4-45, Blake Tomlin 2-30, Jared Freeman 2-7, Tre' Newton 1-4.