Heritage falls behind early, loses to Steele Canyon

Heritage running back Josiah Smith tries to get by two Steele Canyon defenders. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

By Kody Smith, Correspondent

Heritage High School’s winless streak continued from last year's 0-10 season Friday night in a 42-15 loss to Steele Canyon. However, the future is bright with a plethora of young players working for the chance to prove themselves.

Patriots quarterback Elijah Sanchez was 12 for 23 for 140 yards passing. Sanchez started slowly as the Patriots ran the ball on most possessions, but he picked it up in the second half, when the Patriots played their best.

The Patriots couldn’t get it going in the first half, allowing 28 points and scoring none by halftime. In the third quarter they allowed another 14 points but put up 15 of their own, one on a 65-yard run by Josiah Smith. The other Heritage scoring came on a 39-yard pass from Sanchez to Dominic Dunn-Tornatore-Spiker and a 2-point conversion by Aragon Tankink.

“We just need more experience and to eliminate our mistakes,” said Tankink, one of the captains who plays both sides of the ball at wide receiver and linebacker. “We’re rebuilding and all we can do from here is grow.”

Tankink is very optimistic about the future play of this team and has not given up. He put up 20 yards receiving and was one of the team's leading tacklers.

Raymond Martinez, a defensive end, said this about Friday's loss:

“I wanna train harder. I want us all to progress. I want us all to keep flying, 100 percent speed at all times.”

Martinez was one of the team's leading tacklers and was one of the causes of their strong defensive fourth quarter.

The team had several strong performances, including Smith’s 95 yards and one touchdown rushing, Darrius Burnett’s 57 yards, and Dunn-Tornatore-Spiker’s 49 yards and one touchdown.

Heritage plays its next home game against La Quinta High School next Friday.

Elijah Sanchez passed for 140 yards in a losing cause for Heritage. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Dominic Dunn-Tornatore-Spiker (13) and Josiah Smith celebrate a touchdown. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

Darrius Burnett tries to put a move on a would-be tackler Friday. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Heritage players came out fired up for their season opener Friday. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)