Heritage football routs Kentlake for best start since 2016

When Heritage begins 3A Greater St. Helens League football play next week, the Timberwolves will be playing with more confidence than they’ve had in nearly a decade.

Owen Daley threw four touchdown passes and rushed for another to lead Heritage to a 49-7 win over Kentlake on Friday in the season’s final non-league tune-up.

With the win at McKenzie Stadium, Heritage improved to 3-1 for the first time since 2016.

Now, a team that entered the season on a 20-game losing streak can’t wait for the next hurdle. Heritage opens league play next Friday against 3A GSHL newcomer Shelton.

“We know we’re playing the best football this program has played in probably 10 years,” Daley said. “The line’s working great. The defense is working great. When we’re all working together, it’s a well-oiled machine. We’re excited. We’re ready for league.”

Heritage scored touchdowns on its first four drives. Twice, Daley tossed screen passes to Delo Holmes for scores of 6 and 10 yards.

Holmes said the team spent the offseason building its talent and chemistry. That outsiders doubted the Timberwolves was extra motivation.

“I think we’ve learned that we can win big and do it as a family,” Holmes said.

Kahni Clark showed his breakaway speed on a 59-yard touchdown run. The sophomore rushed for 97 yards on just six carries

Luke Melvin scored both of Heritage’s touchdowns in a second quarter. He caught a 3-yard  touch pass for his first score before taking a screen pass 38 yards to the end zone to give the Timberwolves a 33-0 lead.

Daley completed 17 of 25 passes for 267 yards. Holmes caught seven passes for a team-high 116 yards while Melvin had seven catches for 108 yards.

Those impressive stats, though recorded on Friday, had their origin in the offseason.

“There’s no secret to it, it’s just the countless hours,” Daley said. “It’s the sevens, it’s the summer workouts, it’s the staying 30 minutes after practice every day. That’s the only way to build that. I’m lucky that I have receivers who have all bought into that.”

Heritage outgained the Falcons 280-59 in the first half. Darius Suggs rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries for Kentlake (0-4).

HERITAGE 49, KENTLAKE 7

Kentlake 0 0 0 7–7

Heritage 19 14 9 7–49

First quarter

H – Delo Holmes 6 pass from Owen Daley (kick failed)

H – Kahni Clark 59 run (kick failed)

H – Holmes 10 pass from Daley (Sebastian Hererra Cruz kick)

Second quarter

H – Luke Melvin 3 pass from Daley (Hererra Cruz kick)

H – Melvin 38 pass from Daley (Hererra Cruz kick)

Third quarter

H – Daley 3 run (kick blocked)

H – FG, Hererra Cruz 25

Fourth quarter

H – Shacarion Wrencher 26 run (Hererra Cruz kick)

K – Darius Suggs 5 run (Isaac Moreno kick)

INDIVIDIUAL STATISTICS

Heritage

RUSHING – Kahni Clark 6-97, Shacarion Wrencher 4-40, Owen Daley 3-(minus-8), Jacob Karpyuk 1-16, Ammanuel Daniel 1-2, Team 3-(minus-17).

PASSING – Owen Daley 17-25-0-267, Joshuah Mitchell 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING – Delo Holmes 7-116, Dakari Bradford 1-29, Luke Melvin 7-108, Treylon McGraw 1-8, Jackson Graham 1-(minus-5), Jacob Karpyuk 1-17.