ROGERS — Rogers Heritage was outscored 35-7 in the second half Friday en route to a 56-20 loss to Springdale Har-Ber, but War Eagles coach Perry Escalante said his team lost a chance to take control early.
Heritage (4-1, 1-1 7A/6A-West Conference) converted one Har-Ber turnover into a touchdown to grab a 7-0 lead, but gave away a second opportunity.
Defensive end Colby Isbell recovered a Kyle Pianalto fumble to stop a Har-Ber drive at the War Eagles’ 29.
However, Har-Ber turned the tables a few plays later as safety Tyler Hortsman stripped the ball from Heritage receiver Forrest Johnson to put the Wildcats back in business at the War Eagles’ 21.
It took Har-Ber just four plays to tie the game as Pianalto scored on a 5-yard keeper.
“We didn’t capitalize there,” Escalante said. “We’re far better than the score showed. We just didn’t play very well at all in the second half.”
Play of the Night: Har-Ber scored on the final play of the first half to open up an eight-point lead. That was a turning point. Tucker Lee’s 58-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage in the second half was the back breaker.
Lee looked to be stopped for no gain but kept his balance, bounced outside and was in the clear. His touchdown pushed Har-Ber’s lead to 28-13 seconds into the third quarter and paved the way for the lop-sided victory.
Injury Update: The War Eagles finished the game with a laundry list of bumps and bruises, but none should keep players out of action next week. Defensive lineman Ian Holmberg left the game with an ankle injury and didn’t return. Offensive lineman Hunter Chasteen also suffered a possible broken thumb.
Player of the Game: Running back Brandon Gates enjoyed his third 100-yard rushing night of the season. The junior ran for 127 yards on only 16 carries. He has now rushed for 562 yards through five games.
Notable: Defensive end Colby Isbell picked off a Kyle Pianalto screen pass in the second quarter to notch Heritage’s 12th interception of the season.
The Lingo: “We just never recovered emotionally. After that big run, it turns into an old-fashioned butt-whipping after that. They just lined up and took it to us.”
— Perry Escalante
Heritage coach on his team’s second-half struggles.
Up Next: The War Eagles hit the road for back-to-back weeks after playing three of their first four games at home. Heritage travels Friday to Fayetteville. The Purple Bulldogs (3-2, 2-0 7A/6A-West) defeated Springdale High 27-11.
That Figures
3 — Heritage turned the ball over three times, losing one fumble and throwing two interceptions
1 — It was Heritage’s first loss of the season after four consecutive wins