FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS PREVIEW: RIVALS CLASH
The Heyworth football team continues to make Heyworth history as the Hornets picked up yet another win in a high-scoring game vs the Rushville Industry Rockets on homecoming. The Rockets just couldn’t stop the Heyworth run, and a couple of huge 4th down stops led them to the win. The Rockets cut it to 28-22 and had the ball in the middle of the 3rd quarter, but could not convert when they needed to and Heyworth took advantage of that to take home a 42-22 win. Brayden Brucker got nominated for Pantagraph Player of the Week after his 126-yard and 2-touchdown performance. Brucker and Hornet’s performance last week was great, but the schedule will not get any easier. The Hornets will travel to take on the undefeated LeRoy in what I’m calling the most meaningful game in Heyworth football in the last 10 years. The winner of this game will be 4-0 vs HOIC teams and stay undefeated in the small school division.
LeRoy is coming into this game undefeated, but this will be the first team they have played with a winning record this season, but it definitely isn’t their first test. They played a defensive battle vs Central A&M, who’s having more of a down year but is still historically known as one of the better small schools in the area historically. LeRoy had their homecoming, which they took a victory over Fisher 56-19. But LeRoy knows that this isn’t the same Heyworth team. I had a nice conversation with Bo Zeleznik, the starting quarterback for LeRoy and also a friend of mine. His dad, BJ, is his current head coach and they are both helping the Panthers achieve what they hope to be a historic season. BJ Zeleznik was the offensive coordinator of Heyworth during the 1999 season, so the rivalry means a little more for him. But the distraction of this rivalry is not affecting the team's mindset going into this week. “Our mindset is to keep what we have going and to be as nasty and violent as possible”. Nasty and violent is the perfect way to describe LeRoy’s play style this season. They have given up less than 10 points a game and they run an option-in style offense, where they wear out the defense due to their strong offensive line and the hard running style of Bo Zeleznik, Brody Bennett, and Landon Welte. But Bo knows that this game isn’t going to be as easy as previous years for the Panthers. “We aren’t shocked that Heyworth is having a good season. We know that they have kids that have put the time and effort. We also understand that they are very well coached and are smart in what they do”.
Heyworth is coming into this game at 5-1 after picking up their 4th consecutive victory as they rang the bell once again. They took down a Rushville Industry team who played close games vs state-ranked teams and basically controlled the entire game. They have clinched a playoff bid for the first time since 2013, and have the opportunity for their first 6-win season since 2009. This is unlike any other team that Heyworth has had in the past couple of years, and not only are the players and coaches recognizing the success but so is the rest of the HOIC, as teams are no longer seeing Heyworth as a pushover team. Cooper Johnson, a senior captain and a leader of this football team, isn’t concerned about LeRoy’s success coming into the game. “We don’t really like looking at the record, we just go into the game hoping we can do what we do best and be successful at it”. Cooper Johnson is part of the senior class that before the season, has won just 3 football games and 1 conference game in their entire high school football career, so seeing this senior class finally see success on the football field after all the work they have put in is amazing to see. Cooper and the Hornets are especially motivated by the fact that the playoffs could be coming around soon for Heyworth. “We have a great run going and we hopefully got the playoffs coming up and we believe that we can make a run”. The Hornets believe in what they got, and something is way different about this team than previous Heyworth teams. Previous Heyworth teams would be fine just going 3-6, or not caring to put effort in, or when games are close they are ok with it being just that, close. Not this team, they are special. They play their biggest game of the season versus their biggest rivals under the Friday Night Lights.
Now for the prediction and I have some key factors. Will LeRoy’s defensive line be able to stop the wing T offense that Heyworth has? LeRoy has beaten everyone in the trenches this year, but will they be able to keep this up on Friday? Well, those questions won’t be answered until then, but the offensive and defensive lines of both teams will decide this game. LeRoy and Heyworth are both healthy coming into this game, so injuries will not affect the game. LeRoy has been able to wear teams out, and they will for the start of the game. But once Heyworth adjusts to the Panther’s option and is able to run the ball to the outside on the defense, I think the Hornets can pull it off. I think this will be the game that puts Heyworth on the map in 1A. I predict Heyworth to win 27-21 in what would be a very tough road win in one of the best environments in the HOIC. But for this to happen, we need to continue to travel well as a fanbase. So even if you aren’t a big football fan, I suggest everyone take the quick trip to LeRoy to watch one of the biggest games these kids will play as high school football players. This game has major implications in the seeding for the playoffs and a win for the Hornets could make this season that much more special.
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