Arlington Heights picks up program win over previously state-ranked Colleyville Heritage
The Arlington Heights Yellowjackets picked up one of the biggest wins for Fort Worth ISD in years after a 41-31 victory over Colleyville Heritage on Friday night at Farrington Field.
Heights continues to have its best start since 2014. The Jackets are 7-0 overall and 4-0 in District 4-5A D2.
Meanwhile, Heritage, which is in the area rankings and one time state ranked, fell to 4-3 and 2-2.
The Panthers took the lead with 7:03 to go in the first quarter with a rushing touchdown to start their opening drive off with a bang. But the Yellowjackets were able to slowly get their offense into scoring mode as Brian Furch rushed in for a 25-yard touchdown to tie the ball game 7-7 with under two minutes to go in the first quarter.
With a key interception off the Colleyville Heritage quarterback, Arlington Heights was able to march its way down the field. Brandin Monroe rushed in a 5-yard touchdown which extended the lead 14-7 with 4:37 to go in the second quarter.
Heritage quarterback Weston Smith, a 3-star Princeton commit, threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Kai Pruitt to even the score at 14-14 with 3:08 to go in the second quarter.
The Panthers were able to get the ball back with a minute left in the second quarter and after their defense held a three-and-out, the CHHS scored a 15-yard passing touchdown to Pruitt to give them a 21-14 lead going into halftime.
Starting the second half, Heights was able to gain great field position and Muhammad Nixon quickly ran a touchdown in making the score 21-21. Braden Blueitt scored a 40-yard touchdown with 7:07 to go in the third quarter to give the Panthers back the lead 28-21.
On a fourth and 10, Furch went untouched to the end zone for his third touchdown of the night to even the game at 28-28 with 3:15 to go in the third quarter. A pass interference near the goal line helped Colleyville Heritage score a field goal with 18 seconds to go in the third quarter which gave the Panthers a 31-28 lead.
With time becoming a factor, Arlington Heights didn’t fall under pressure as Nixon ran in a 15-yard touchdown to give them a 34-31 lead with 4:31 to go in the fourth quarter.
After a momentum-shifting interception by Khayden Barraco of the Yellowjackets, Furch rushed for 30 yards to seal the 41-31 win for Arlington Heights.