By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
ARCADIA – The season opener couldn’t have been staged with better weather and atmosphere as the Huskies welcomed the Class 2A No. 12 Lapel Bulldogs to start the 2023 season.
A steady balance on the ground and the air, along with a lot of defensive pressure all night on the Bulldogs’ sophomore quarterback was exactly what it took for Heights to get the win at Husky Stadium, 27-14.
Heights took the opening kickoff, running eight plays for 75 yards. Bodie Derrer found junior receiver Keaton Weaver for a 17-yard touchdown pass for an early 7-0 lead, setting the tone right away.
“We came out and did a good job of executing. It was just good, fundamental football and we took what they gave us and methodically marched down the field and it set the tone,” said Hamilton Heights head coach Jon Kirschner.
After forcing Lapel to go three and out and punting, the Huskies were in good field position to start their second drive at their own 45.
Eight plays later and driving on Lapel’s side of the field, Derrer tossed an interception into the hands of Rylie Hudson at the six-yard line.
After a few more punts on each side, Heights had prime real estate again, starting at the Bulldogs’ 47. Derrer forced a pass that was picked off by Nick Witte.
“A couple balls bounce the other way in the first half and it’s a different story at halftime,” stated Kirschner.
The ensuing drive for Lapel lasted just three plays. Sophomore QB Devin Craig rolled out to try to find an open receiver up the sideline. Instead, he fumbled the football and the ball was recovered by Heights defensive lineman Kendall Flanders at the Bulldog 25.
Taking advantage of the short field, Hamilton Heights converted a big fourth down and six at the Lapel 21, Derrer completed an eight-yard pass to junior Tyler Champion to the 13. Two plays later, senior Carson Fettig fought his way to the end zone, breaking a couple of tackles on his way to a 10-yard touchdown run for a two-score lead at 14-0.
Lapel started putting up a bigger fight in the middle of the third. Devin Craig completed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Rylie Hudson that cut it to a one score game at 14-7.
“They are better than last year. In 2A football, they won their sectional last year and I have to give them credit. They are physical, big and fast,” said Kirschner on Lapel.
“That sophomore quarterback’s got moxie. He’s going to be a good football player. He already is a good football player, but he’s going to have a very good career,” continued Kirschner on Lapel sophomore QB Devin Craig.
Senior Owen VanHaaren showed all night why it was worth the wait in becoming the starting tailback.
Sophomore receiver Cam Fleming caught a 37-yard pass that got the Huskies in scoring position late in the third. The series would be capped off with a 16-yard sprint to the end zone for VanHaaren, untouched for a 20-7 advantage.
“We had some other kids step up tonight, some young sophomores on special teams and at wide receiver. Cam Fleming made a great catch down here that led to our third touchdown,” said Kirschner.
“He was our backup tailback last year. We had a returning junior all-state running back two years ago in Trey Ehman, who rushed for over 3,000 yards in his career. Owen VanHaaren comes out tonight and looks like a mini Trey. That was really good to see tonight,” said Kirschner in complementing VanHaaren.
The visiting Bulldogs made it interesting in the fourth. Hudson caught another TD pass from Craig, trimming their deficit to 20-14 early on in the quarter.
Nick Witte returned Dean Mason’s punt 46 yards to the Husky 25.
Lapel got a little anxious and overzealous on the first play of the next drive. The Bulldogs went for broke and Devin Craig tossed an interception right to Jaylyn Pugh.
The Bulldogs tried to throw away from Pugh, but he just seemed to find his way to the ball all night long. Batting down passes that were mainly intended for 6’4 Nick Witte, Pugh proved that the height difference really wasn’t a disadvantage.
“Our safeties are 5’7, but they play like they’re 6’1. They’re tough and come downhill. We have three or four that are going to cover well and play disciplined football,” stated Kirschner.
After Mason’s punt pinned Lapel inside the five in the final minute, it was all but over. Craig dropped back to throw in an attempt to make something happen and his pass was picked off, once again by Jaylyn Pugh, returning it for a TD that would be the final score of 27-14.
“We made a lot of plays in a lot of different positions when we needed to. In the end, it came down to four or five plays and I think we got the best of those plays and that’s why the score was indicative the way it was. It was a pretty well-matched game,” continued Kirschner on the Huskies’ play overall.
Devin Craig wound up 13-of-27 passing for 181 yards. He threw two TDs, but also tossed two interceptions. Logan White led with 71 yards on two grabs, while Nick Witte caught six for 69 yards.
Lapel (0-1) plays at home next Friday against Frankton (0-1) and will be in search of their first win. The Eagles lost their opener at home to Eastern Hancock, 35-16.
Owen VanHaaren put together a monster first game as the starting tailback, racking up 156 yards on 29 carries with a TD. Bodie Derrer was 18-for-23 for 154 yards with a TD and an interception.
Cam Fleming was the top receiver with 45 yards on two receptions, while Keaton Weaver snagged four for 43 yards and a score. Tyler Champion also had five catches for 35 yards.
Hamilton Heights (1-0) stays home next week to host the North Montgomery Chargers (1-0), who were 40-16 winners over North Putnam last night.
HAMILTON HEIGHTS 27, LAPEL 14
Score by Quarters
Lapel 0 0 7 7 – 14
Heights 7 7 6 7 – 27
Team Stats LA HH
First Downs 9 13
By Rush 1 9
By Pass 8 4
By Penalty 0 0
Rushes-Yards 16-minus 14 39-182
Yards Passing 186 149
Comp-Att-Int-TD 14-29-2-2 18-24-2-1
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0
Penalties-Yards 6-60 7-60
Punts-Average na 4-37.3
Heights Scoring
First Quarter
8:36 – Keaton Weaver 17-yard reception from Bodie Derrer (Teigan Scoles kick)
Second Quarter
3:08 – Carson Fettig 10-yard run (Scoles kick)
Third Quarter
1:28 – Owen VanHaaren 22-yard run (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
0:15 – Jaylyn Pugh 17-yard interception return (Scoles kick)
Heights individual stats
Rushing: VanHaaren 31-170, Fettig 1-10, Derrer 7-2
Passing: Derrer 18-24-149.
Receiving: Weaver 4-43, Tyler Champion 4-27, Conor Baumann 3-9, Cam Fleming 2-49, Jaylyn Pugh 2-17, VanHaaren 2-4, Nick Bichey 1-0.