Non-league football: Heritage 65, Benson 0

Heritage used five different ball handlers teaming for 215 first half rushing yards to help pull away from visiting Benson of Portland in the second quarter.

“We just kept it simple,” Heritage quarterback Michael Taras said of the ground attack. “We thought we have enough big bodies to run up the middle on them.”

Senior halfback Gavin Lee led the Timberwolves in rushing thanks in part to gaining four runs of at least 20 yards — all of which helped to set up eventual touchdowns.

In order to get the offense’s scoring exhibition started, Taras took it to the air when he connected with senior wideout Matt Rivera on a play-action bootleg left for a 23-yard strike near the sideline early in the first quarter.

“I was thinking about tucking and running right away,” Taras recalled. “But I locked down and saw Matt wide open. I just let it rip.”

HERITAGE 65, BENSON 0

Benson 0 0 0 0– 0

Heritage 14 30 14 7–65

First quarter

H — J’Wan Vick 76 kickoff return (Hood kick)

H — Matt Rivera 23 pass from Michael Taras (Hood kick)

Second Quarter

H — Cisco Orozco 6 run (Hood kick)

H — Tashiem Hurse 17 run (Hood kick)

H — Hurse 18 run (Hood kick)

H — safety (Hood kick)

H — Oscar Gonzalez 11 run (Hood kick)

Third Quarter

H — Jalynnee McGee 56 run (Hood kick)

H — Hayden Klimas 2 run (Hood kick)

Fourth Quarter

H — Caleb Saito 3 run (Hood kick)

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Heritage: Gavin Lee 6-101, Saito 7-53, McGee 4-53, Hurse 4-45, Gonzalez 6-40, Orozco 4-31, Klimas 4-21, Isaiah Kunewa 1-5.

PASSING — Heritage: Taras 3-5-0-68.

RECEIVING — Heritage: Rivera 2-59, Vick 1-9.