#HSFT17: Stop No. 36 – Heritage Academy Patriots

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Heritage Academy was an offensive juggernaut a season ago, averaging nearly 38 points per game and reaching the ten win plateau for the first time in recent memory.

With those kinds of statistics, last season proves the Patriots are ready to hit the ground running in 2017.

“Last year, we had a great group. Got as close as we could to getting into that state championship game,” head coach Sean Harrison said.

“I’m excited this year because we have a group that knows how close we got and want to take that next step. We’ve had a great summer, great attendance. I’m really looking forward to seeing their hard work come to fruition.”

“We’ve been working really hard,” senior wide receiver and defensive back Dalton Alexander said.

“Coach [Harrison] completely changed the feel of football around the school. We really bought in last year and we’re hoping to expand on that this year.”

Harrison hopes to build on a tremendous first season at Heritage Academy.

Much like his predecessor, Barrett Donahoe, who had success in his first year with the Patriots, Harrison hopes, despite losing fifteen seniors, that the camaraderie and chemistry of this year’s team will take the program to new heights.

“I like the chemistry. All of us coming together, really bought in as a family and we’ve been working hard all summer,” senior running back and wide receiver Dontae Gray said.

“Hopefully, we have results, a state championship.”

There’s no doubting Heritage can be the real deal once again this upcoming season, especially with a superstar like Dontae Gray running circles around opposing defenses.

Gray is one of the top notch group of skill guys that gives the Patriots bonafide aspirations for a state title.

“Realistically, this year, the way we match up, if we can get through our district, I think the playoffs will be much easier,” Harrison said.

“We’re in the toughest district in the state and you add Canton to it, defending AA state champion. If we can get out of district and get into the playoffs, I think anybody in our district has a shot to win it.”

Heritage will start the season on the road at Kirk Academy before three straight home games against Manchester, Wayne Academy and Lamar.