Round 1: White House Heritage Patriots @ Lexington Tigers (Patriot Preview)

[Fryinpan66]

In the first round of the Class 4A TSSAA Playoffs, The White House Heritage Patriots (7-3) will travel to Lexington (5-5) to take on the Tigers. The Patriots will look for their first Playoff Win in quite some time. Actually, WH Heritage is glad to accomplish their 3rd and Final Preseason Goal of making it to the Playoffs. The other 2 Goals were to Win the Robertson County Lift Off & Beat The White House Blue Devils. They had checked the other 2 items off their list before well before last Friday Night’s contest against Montgomery Central. 
 

Coach Stetson Dickerson has turned this Patriot Football team around in a hurry! His second year on the job and they are 7-3, 3-3 in Region 5-4A Play. Two of Heritage’s Losses were by 1 point each to Springfield & Greenbrier. The other one was a turnover plagued drubbing against Creek Wood. Last season, Heritage went 1-9, only beating The East Robertson Indians at Home in White House. In 2017, the Patriots were 0-10 under the previous coach. Heritage has 15 Seniors and they will graduate a ton of experience & firepower. Some Patriot fans say this might be Heritage’s most complete team in their History.

On Offense, The Patriots have Junior Quarterback Will Wilson #16 who can both throw and run. He has some major chemistry with Senior Tight End Trenton Tuttle #21. Trenton had all 3 Touchdowns (2 Receiving & Fumble Recovery Scoop & Score) in last night’s game against Montgomery Central. Trenton runs like a Wide Out and catches about everything thrown his way. Wilson also likes to get his other playmakers the ball. The Bell Cow Running Back is Junior Jackson Mapes #27. Jackson is often called “The Mule.” Mapes will often run up the middle and he’s a load to bring down. The other 2 guys that touch the ball are speedsters in Senior Parker Deaton #8 & Junior Timmy Freel #13. Parker lines up about anywhere, but most of the time he will be either at Running Back or Wing Back. If he gets to the edge, he’s hard to catch. Timmy is used in both in the running game and in the passing game. Again, another burner who, if he gets behind the Defense go ahead and put the points on the board. The Offensive Line is Physical and creates space for its playmakers. Senior Tackle Daniel Evans #74, uses his size 6-3, 320 to clear lanes for backs. 
 

Defensively, The Patriots won’t wow you with their size, but they make up for it with their toughness & physicality. Heritage relies on its speed to keep everything in front of them. The Patriots have improved their tackling as the season has progressed. They also like to swarm to the football to gang tackle. Senior Classmates in Nose Guard Dylan Solis #23, & Defensive Tackle Eli Arnett #58 make it hard for teams to go up the middle. Other Patriot Defenders such as Junior Ethan Braziel #55 & Seniors Chase Frank #54 & Steven Hensley #28 all have great noses for the football. Trenton Tuttle is Captain for the Patriot Defense his number #21 is often seen around the football. Jackson Mapes #27 plays Linebacker and is good at getting the Defense lined up correctly. 

 

On Special Teams, the Patriots use their skill players to flip the field and give them an edge. In the kicking game, Heritage has Senior Hunter Ward #12. Hunter does both Kick Offs & Place Kicking. Ward will sometimes kick the ball in a directional fashion to let his coverage team get down the field. Punting the football is Junior Jackson Mapes #27. Jackson has a big leg and can often boom punts deep into the opponent’s territory. The Kick Returners are the burners Parker Deaton #8 & Timmy Freel #13. Parker also handles the Punt Returns. 

Edited November 2, 2019 by Fryinpan66
Was not finished with article.

[brian2000]

I’ve seen the Patriots twice and I can testify they are a good ball team. Nice read Fryinpan.

Any Lexington fans out there?

[Kevin38]

Lexington from what I remember are similar to you guys in that they love to pound the ball, now that was 2 years ago so it may have changed...

[BIGPURPLEMACHINE]

24 minutes ago, Kevin38 said:

Lexington from what I remember are similar to you guys in that they love to pound the ball, now that was 2 years ago so it may have changed...

Nope. Ain’t changed a bit. Some ole same ole. I will say that they have a fantastic kicker that has a D1 offer or two. Could be the difference in a close game. 

[TheCommissioner]

1 hour ago, Kevin38 said:

Lexington from what I remember are similar to you guys in that they love to pound the ball, now that was 2 years ago so it may have changed...

I am saying our region goes 3-1 next week.  

[JacketLover]

Lexington won’t do anything fancy. They line up and run right at you. I remember playing them in round 2 two years ago and the Jackets’ speed being a factor. Heritage will give them some problems I believe. This should be an excellent game. A win by either team would not surprise me. 

[Kevin38]

6 hours ago, TheCommissioner said:

I am saying our region goes 3-1 next week.  

I believe our region will represent well...

[brian2000]

How do Lexington fans feel?

[tigerpride22]

Lexington has tried to become a more balance team on offense for the past two years but has sacrificed their traditional ground & pound for a more read option pass attack that has not worked. (2-8 last yr, 5-5 this yr). They are better than their record & should be probably 8-2 on the season.  

Defense is solid, offense is suspect at best. When the QB is on, he is stout but when he’s off it’s bad.  Have a stable of good running backs but with the offense they don’t get good looks. Plays are slow to develop & RBs are normally trying to break tackles in the backfield.  When their fullback gets going he is hard to bring down, the kid runs downfield & bullies over defenders. Have a ton of speed in the backfield but just never seem to get outside.

They have shutdown most passing teams in the area this year, they did loose their starting LB about halfway through the season but have recovered well.  Decent against the run.  Lexington’s defense seems to play up to the level they are playing against.  They have played tough against some of the best offense in the area and seems to always keep the offense in the game.  

Special teams are good. Their return guy seems to always be one broke tackle away from springing long runs & has returned multiple KOs & punts to the house.  Their kicker puts most KOs in the end zone & has made multiple 40 yd FGs but has missed some as well.  Punt game is average but normally have good coverage. 

Dont know much about WH heritage but should be a good game. 

[TheCommissioner]

2 hours ago, tigerpride22 said:

Lexington has tried to become a more balance team on offense for the past two years but has sacrificed their traditional ground & pound for a more read option pass attack that has not worked. (2-8 last yr, 5-5 this yr). They are better than their record & should be probably 8-2 on the season.  

Defense is solid, offense is suspect at best. When the QB is on, he is stout but when he’s off it’s bad.  Have a stable of good running backs but with the offense they don’t get good looks. Plays are slow to develop & RBs are normally trying to break tackles in the backfield.  When their fullback gets going he is hard to bring down, the kid runs downfield & bullies over defenders. Have a ton of speed in the backfield but just never seem to get outside.

They have shutdown most passing teams in the area this year, they did loose their starting LB about halfway through the season but have recovered well.  Decent against the run.  Lexington’s defense seems to play up to the level they are playing against.  They have played tough against some of the best offense in the area and seems to always keep the offense in the game.  

Special teams are good. Their return guy seems to always be one broke tackle away from springing long runs & has returned multiple KOs & punts to the house.  Their kicker puts most KOs in the end zone & has made multiple 40 yd FGs but has missed some as well.  Punt game is average but normally have good coverage. 

Dont know much about WH heritage but should be a good game. 

Thanks for the lowdown.  Sounds like a good game.  We enjoyed our trip to Lexington two years ago.  Beautiful stadium and classy fans

[brian2000]

5 hours ago, tigerpride22 said:

Lexington has tried to become a more balance team on offense for the past two years but has sacrificed their traditional ground & pound for a more read option pass attack that has not worked. (2-8 last yr, 5-5 this yr). They are better than their record & should be probably 8-2 on the season.  

Defense is solid, offense is suspect at best. When the QB is on, he is stout but when he’s off it’s bad.  Have a stable of good running backs but with the offense they don’t get good looks. Plays are slow to develop & RBs are normally trying to break tackles in the backfield.  When their fullback gets going he is hard to bring down, the kid runs downfield & bullies over defenders. Have a ton of speed in the backfield but just never seem to get outside.

They have shutdown most passing teams in the area this year, they did loose their starting LB about halfway through the season but have recovered well.  Decent against the run.  Lexington’s defense seems to play up to the level they are playing against.  They have played tough against some of the best offense in the area and seems to always keep the offense in the game.  

Special teams are good. Their return guy seems to always be one broke tackle away from springing long runs & has returned multiple KOs & punts to the house.  Their kicker puts most KOs in the end zone & has made multiple 40 yd FGs but has missed some as well.  Punt game is average but normally have good coverage. 

Dont know much about WH heritage but should be a good game. 

Props to you for the summary of your Tigers. Id say if the Tigers held Hardin to 12 pts then that’s a pretty good defensive performance.

[tigerpride22]

Sad part is that we had that game won. 3rd & goal on the 3 yd line with 1:20 left & we decided to go all Seattle Seahawks & throw it twice instead of power running.