Eagles Are State Champs!
The Eagles of Vidalia Heritage Academy are State Champions for the second time in the past three years. Just seven years into a program that got its start in the 2017-2018, they are now a two-time State Champion. And this time they did it on their home turf as they hosted the Lions of Trinity Christian School of Griffin. It was a high scoring game with a total of 116 points scored, but the Eagles came out on top to earn the title.
The Lions came out of the gate and put points on the board on their first possession of the night. They did not get the two-point conversion, but just a minute into the game they were on top 6-0.
Heritage took the ball and moved down the field on runs by Dalton Price and Ledger Curl. Just a few plays later with 5:14 on the clock, Curl broke the plane and got the first touchdown of the night for Heritage. Price added the twopoint conversion as the Eagles took the lead, 8-6. Heritage never gave up the lead over the rest of the game as they stayed just ahead of the Lions.
In the second quarter with about seven minutes to go, Price broke a big run, and then he capped off the drive with a score to take a 14-6 lead.
With 4:27 left in the first half of action, the Lions found the end zone again. They tacked on the two-point try to tie the game at 14-14.
On the Eagles' next possession, Curl went 51 yards for a big touchdown to go back on top 20-14 with 3:11 left in the first half. They added the two-point try by Trevor White to lead 22-14.
Heritage made it 30-14 just a couple of minutes later as Jake Adams hit Pearson O'Neal for a touchdown pass play to take a 28-14 lead. They added the twopoint conversion on a run by Curl to lead 30-14.
Trinity kicked off to start the second half and caught the Eagles off guard with an onside kick. The Lions recovered it with good field position. They marched down the field and went in for the touchdown with 8:54 left in the third. They continued from page
added the two-point conversion to close the lead to 30-22.
The Eagles got big runs by Price and White on their next drive, with White taking it in for the score with seven minutes on the clock to push the lead to 36-22.
The Lions were not done, though, as they scored again on the ensuing kickoff with an 80-yard return for the score. They did not convert the extra point but that made the score 36-28.
Adams then hit O'Neal for a 40-yard touchdown with White adding the two-pointer to take a 44-28 lead with six minutes to go in the third. Then with 4:59 left in the quarter, the Lions were into the end zone again on a rushing touchdown as they closed the lead back to 44-36.
With 2:39 left in the third, Adams took it in for the score, and White added the extra point as the Eagles led 52-36.
Early in the fourth, the Lions again found the end zone to keep the game close. They scored on a big run to make it 52-42. Heritage answered with another touchdown by Price, with White adding the twopoint try. That made the score 60-42.
Heritage then came up with a huge turnover as they pulled down an interception. That was followed by a big run by Price for 85 yards and a touchdown with just under six minutes to play in the game. Curl added the two-point try as the Eagles took a 68-42 lead.
The Lions answered with a 65-yard touchdown run as they pulled the lead back to 68-48 still with several minutes left in the game. But Heritage was able to run the clock out and took the win, 68-48 over Trinity.
Head Coach Seth Sitzman had this to say about his team. 'To God be the Glory for this incredible season. We found ourselves at an all time low losing two games in a row, and having multiple injuries. However, it was the best thing that could have happened to us. We went to work and adjusted our practice plan to work for us. I'm so proud of these guys and the trust they have put into this season and myself. This group of guys were something special as they worked together and became a family and held themselves accountable for all failures and successes. Its fun to be a part of the growth of this school and program. Thank you to all the fans, businesses, students, and supporters that helped us win this State Championship.”
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