HARRISON — Rogers Heritage was staring at a 28-21 halftime deficit, but used a strong second half to turn back Harrison 52-35 in nonconference football action Friday night at F.S. Garrison Stadium.
Junior Joey Saucier return his second kickoff of the night for a touchdown and added another rushing score to turn the momentum in the War Eagles’ favor in the second half.
Brandon Gates crashed in for the two-point conversion for a 35-35 tie, following Saucier’s 97-yard kickoff return.
Heritage coach Perry Escalante was pleased to come away with a win and improve to 2-1, but also said his team must play better during 7A/6A-West Conference play.
“Two batted balls, two blown coverages,” Escalante said. “There’s 28 points. Golly. We can’t play like that in conference and survive. But we responded and came back.”
Harrison coach Chad Harbison, who served as Heritage’s offensive coordinator, said the kicking game was the huge difference in the game.
“We screwed this game up from the coin toss,” said Harbison, referring to choosing to kick after Heritage deferred to the second half and ended up kicking to the War Eagles to start both halves. “We worked all week not to kick the ball to Saucier. The kicking game cost us. We knew if we kicked it to them that there was the potential that they could run it back.
“We had some crucial penalties on offense. I”m proud of my kids. They played their tails off. They gave them all they wanted.”
Harrison dropped to 1-2.
EXTRA POINTS
w Harrison quarterback Brock Humphrey threw for three touchdowns
w Heritage quarterback Josh Qualls threw for three touchdowns, but also threw his first two interceptions of the season.
w Brandon Gates scored one a one-play drive on a 38-yard run to end the third quarter to give Heritage the lead for good. Gates’ run came after Heritage held Harrison short on fourth-and-1.
UP NEXT: Heritage will finally play a home game, after three nonconference games on the road as it will host Siloam Springs to open 7A/6A-West Conference play in Gates Stadium on Friday evening. It will also be homecoming for the War Eagles.
HOW THEY SCORED
ROGERS HERITAGE 52,
HARRISON 35
Rogers Heritage^7^14^21^10^—^ 52
Harrison^7^21^7^0^—^35
First Quarter
Hert — Saucier 89 kickoff return (Grom kick), 11:47.
Har — Lineberger 35 pass from Humphrey (Reeves kick), 6:02.
Second Quarter
Hert — Brown 11 pass from Qualls (Grom kick), 11:13.
Hert — Brown 11 pass from Qualls (Grom kick), 7:49.
Har — Evert 1 run (Reeves kick), 3:29.
Har — Evert 1 run (Reeves kick), :59.3.
Har — Huskey 10 pass from Humphrey (Reeves kick), :17.6.
Third Quarter
Hert — Spickes 4 pass from Qualls (Kick failed), 7:37.
Har — Matthews 66 pass from Humphrey (Reeves kick), 1:46.
Hert — Saucier 97 kickoff return (Gates run), 1:33.
Hert — Gates 38 run (Grom kick), :00
Fourth Quarter
Hert — Saucier 3 run (Grom kick), 8:30.
Hert — FG Grom 36, :48.