ROGERS -- Rogers Heritage looked as though it would walk away with a victory in its season opener Friday night thanks to a pair of fourth-down stops in the fourth quarter.
But victory slipped though the War Eagles' grasp thanks to a late fumble and Olathe (Kan.) North nabbed the 18-13 victory in Gates Stadium.
How They Scored
Olathe (Kan.) North 18, Rogers Heritage 13
Olathe North^0^6^6^6^—^18
Rogers Heritage^6^0^7^0^—^13
First Quarter
Hert — FG Grom 49, 6:11.
Hert — FG Grom 43, 3:06.
Second Quarter
North — Wright 60 run (kick failed), 3:00.
Third Quarter
North — Foster 15 pass from Wright (kick failed), 5:27.
Hert — Saucier 61 run (Grom kick), :00.
Fourth Quarter
North — Triplett 4 run (pass failed), 0:44.
Olathe North running back Venus Triplett plowed into the end zone from 4 yards out with 44 seconds left in the contest to give the Eagles (1-0) the victory.
Just a few plays earlier it was Heritage that was celebrating a fourth down stop deep in War Eagles territory. That appeared to give Heritage the win as the War Eagles held a 13-12 lead with only 1:53 left and Olathe North out of timeouts.
However, Heritage fumbled on first down from its own 20, and Olathe North alertly pounced on the ball to get one more chance.
Triplett ran the ball three consecutive times, plunging across the goal-line on the third carry for the winning score.
Olathe North coach Gene Wier acknowledged his team, preseason ranked No. 1 in Class 6A in Kansas, got a break with the lone turnover in the game.
"We were fortunate, but as long as there's still minutes on the clock," Wier said. "We'll take it."
Heritage coach Perry Escalante acknowledged his team looked to have a victory tucked away after the War Eagle defense stopped Olathe North on downs for the second time in the fourth quarter deep in Heritage territory.
"When you have one soced away and it slips through your fingers, that hurts," Escalante said. "That was a give-away and I hate that. The defense played great. We hold them on fourth-and-goal and then we stop them again in the red zone. Then we give them a short porch. Gosh dog. I hate it for the kids.
"In that situation they've really got to focus. That's a discipline thing. That's part of football, but it sure hurts."
It looked as though Joey Saucier's big 61-yard touchdown run to end the third quarter would be the big play the War Eagles needed.
Senior Eric Grom's ensuing PAT gave Heritage the 13-12 lead.
Extra Points:
• Both teams combined to use five quarterbacks in the game, two by Heritage and three by Olathe North. However, Olathe North wasn't by choice as starter Cole Murphy was injured in the first half and his replacement Matthew Wright was hurt on the second fourth down play in the fourth quarter.
Extra Points
• Grom supplied Heritage's first-half offense with field goals of 43 and 49 yards.
• Olathe North managed just two first downs in the first half, one by penalty.
• Olathe North went all out on its trip to Arkansas. The Eagles brought seven charter buses for the team, band and fans.
Up Next: Heritage will host Russellville next week.
Sports on 09/06/2014